You Said: Summer 2019

Said on campus:

“I firmly believe that service and 
healthy, respectful advocacy should be a continuous, never-ending, essential part 
of any human’s life. It shouldn’t be heralded, 
it should be normalized.” — David DeMoss ’19, Alternative Spring Break leader for Women Helping Women in Cincinnati, Ohio

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Lisa Watts (mother of  Megan Watts Meyers ’15 and Tressa Watts ’17)

We appreciate all you do at Cornell College. Our daughters were prepared for their jobs as educators. Their experience at Cornell College gave them the knowledge and skills to lead with confidence.

 

Sage Parker ’21

Paul Gray was an amazing teacher and an incredibly influential professor. I miss being in his Existentialism class every day. His belief in the power of education, knowledge, and a stalwart fearlessness of truth will always inspire me.

Tim Wynes ’83

Vivian and Bill Heywood were the coolest Cornell faculty couple. I would see them on campus and take their classes and think this is what a liberal arts education is supposed to be.

Paul Doxsee ’79

I remember how exciting it was when West Science opened. I look forward to touring Russell when I revisit Cornell next summer!

 

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JLO@JLO725 (mother of Natalie Offutt ’19)

Wonderful graduation weekend. Thank you Cornell College for all you’ve done for our daughter—our confident, well-prepared graduate is ready to tackle her dreams! Onward!

 

Unheralded historians

The announcement of the death of Leslie Timbel Bethel ’79 prompted memories of a little-recognized contribution she and Joanna Leggett Sinnwell ’79 made to the history of Cornell. The fact that Cornell College remains the first college in the nation to be entirely placed on the National Register of Historic Places is in part due to the volunteer efforts of these two students who came to my aid in documenting over 100 buildings, including the main campus and all the homes directly surrounding the Hilltop. I cannot tell you how many hours of research they contributed, but I do know that when I was about to give up this large task, their work and determination made an enormous difference. What is more, we all enjoyed the work. This seldom-recognized pair should have the gratitude of many student generations. Both remain among my treasured memories of the best of the spirit of Cornell.

The Rev. Richard Thomas, professor emeritus of history
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

 

Before Title IX
It was interesting to read Ms. Cole’s letter (spring Cornell Report) with a correction about the first women’s volleyball coach. It should perhaps also be noted that in the dark days before 1972 when Title IX was passed and women’s athletics became official, Peg Pink organized and coached a women’s extramural volleyball team for at least the 1969–70 and 1970–71 seasons. Team members bought matching Cornell T-shirts and played against other colleges. I also remember one tournament at Iowa State University.

What a thrill it was to return to campus and see young women wearing varsity letter jackets. How sad and unfair that the women who preceded them never had the chance.

Cleda Houmes ’73
Salinas, California

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