Stories of the Cornell Spirit: Jeff Zupancic ’91
Right alongside our faculty, our staff takes a great personal interest in the success of our students. Here is the powerful story of Jeff Zupancic ’91, which further reveals the commitment to our students by our staff and faculty. — Jonathan Brand
Staff generosity toward students
I had many professors and staff at Cornell College who helped me, but nothing—not even knowing great faculty and staff like Rev. Thomas, Bob Majors ’57, and Dave Loebsack—would have been possible without the “intervention” of Dr. Charles Milhauser.
In the late fall-winter of 1987, I decided to take a semester off to go “find myself.” When I went to the Registrar’s Office to inform them of my decision, Charles invited me into his office to talk. He asked me what I planned on doing (which, of course, I had no idea), and he asked if I was planning on coming back. I assured him that I just wanted a break and promised I would be returning in the fall. By late summer of 1988 I was living in an apartment with Dave Hanses ’88 in Schaumburg, Illinois, and socializing with my many Cornell friends. We all decided to head back to the Hilltop together to have one last blast before school started.
As I was walking to Merner one morning during that visit, Charles happened to be outside, saw me, and asked me to come inside to talk. I agreed and we went into his office. Charles got directly to the point and asked me if I was a man of my word, to which I responded: “Yes, of course!” That led him to his next question: “You said you were taking last semester off and starting again in the fall. It’s now the fall, and you aren’t registered.” I began to make some weak excuse (because I did not intend to return to Cornell), which he immediately saw through and he asked me what I was going to do about it. I said that it was too late to enroll now, so I would probably have to wait. Of course, these were just more excuses, and he wasn’t buying any of it. He told me that he had a schedule for me and that I’d have the first block off. He also told me that if I needed to change any classes, I needed to come see him. At that point, I think I had a few more excuses that he quickly brushed off, reminded me of my promise to him, stood up, and walked me out of his office.
By the time that I got back to Merner, I had gone from upset for being held accountable, to confused, and finally to excited and happy that I was a member of the Hilltop again. As I walked into my friend’s dorm room, I announced that I was coming back to school and had enrolled in classes starting in October. I might have even taken the credit for being “responsible” at the time, but the reality is that I probably never would’ve gone back to Cornell or even to college, had it not been for Dr. Milhauser.
I regret that I never truly conveyed to him how his guidance and support that day, and many more interactions he and I had in the years that followed, led to where I am today. He taught me that promises and words matter.
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
Alumni helping alumni: Brandon Crawford ’12
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
