Stories of the Cornell Spirit: Brandon Crawford ’12
When you become a Cornellian, you benefit from the support of the entire Cornell alumni base behind you—often across generations. As one example, after medical school, Dr. Clark Thompson ’78 applied for a position in the otolaryngology office of Dr. Robert Cooper ’50. Dr. Cooper’s wife, Charlotte Farnham Cooper ’51, recognized Clark’s name because she had been close friends with Clark’s mother. They scheduled a lunch together and Dr. Cooper said he and Dr. Thompson “just hit it off immediately.”
Dr. Cooper encouraged Dr. Thompson to come join the practice in Salem, Oregon, which he did. Dr. Cooper noted that it was just fantastic to have Dr. Thompson there with him. “We could help each other—share and discuss different patients’ conditions we were addressing and appropriate treatments. You learn a lot this way.”
And, wonderfully, generosity begets generosity. Dr. Thompson was later in a position to help a more recent Cornell graduate, Dr. Brandon Crawford ’12. — Jonathan Brand
Alumni helping alumni
Dr. Thompson long before I had heard of Cornell College. He specializes in otorhinolaryngology (also known as ear, nose, and throat or ENT) with an emphasis in pediatrics. He was my surgeon who had performed a tonsil and adenoidectomy on me when I was much younger, as well as a sinus surgery when I was 17. I had just been accepted to Cornell College when I visited him for a follow-up appointment for the sinus surgery. And, when he found out where I was going, he said: “you mean in Iowa right?” I was shocked to find out that not only did he know which Cornell I was talking about, but that he was also an alumnus. He told me all about how it was a great little town with wonderful student-focused education that really prepares you for life. I then traveled from Oregon to Iowa to start at Cornell.
I returned to Oregon during my final year of medical school to complete my final months of clinical rotations, and I knew that I wanted to close the loop by rotating with Dr. Thompson. He helped me be a better family physician by teaching me about ENT, guiding me through the office appointments as well as the operating room, and showing me what I can do in my role within medicine.
I remember one day in the operating room, we got onto the topic of Cornell College and how it had changed in the years between when we had both attended. We connected over downtown Mount Vernon, all of the shops, food, activities, and how the small town really feels like home, as opposed to a place to just go for school. Then the subject of the block system came up. Dr. Thompson graduated before the One Course calendar schedule had been instituted. However, his younger brother was a senior during the first year that the schedule started. He was curious as to how I felt about the system and if it had lived up to all of my expectations. I told him that it was the best way that I have ever learned, and that I recommend it to anyone who wants to go to college, especially if they want to seek higher education afterwards. I could not imagine myself being better prepared anywhere else for work, medical school, and life.
I would characterize our relationship as friendly colleagues. I hope to end up practicing family medicine in Oregon near Dr. Thompson’s practice. He is a fantastic surgeon and physician who is one of the best that I have ever had the pleasure to meet and work with. I anticipate that when I finish residency and make it back to Oregon, we will reconnect and have the opportunity to work to support our community’s health.
Other stories in this series:
The generous, overarching warmth and spirit of campus: Dyan Smith, honorary alumna
Faculty generosity toward students: Freya R. Brier ’80
Staff generosity toward students: Jeff Zupancic ’91
Extending financial aid for those with the greatest need: Gilda Vinzulis Boyer ’84
Current staff, faculty, and students describe the Cornell Spirit
Adapted from a January 2018 presidential white paper
