Cornell legacy: Indigo Meads ’24

By Cornell Report Staff

Indigo Meads ’24
Ted Meads ’67, grandfather

Indigo Meads ’23 and his grandfather Ted Meads ’67.
Indigo Meads ’24 and his grandfather Ted Meads ’67.

Indigo: The fact that my family has history with Cornell motivates me to do well academically and participate in college activities, but I don’t find myself restricted in any way by it. I don’t feel pressured and, honestly, most of the time I don’t think about my family history while at school. I find my experience here to be uniquely my own. 

I do find that my experience is enhanced, though, in that I can find more relatability with my grandfather. I love to exchange experiences about our time at Cornell. 

I think that colleges find unique ways to improve their curriculums over the decades, and at Cornell those improvements have culminated in the development of the block plan. I am part of the Cornell Esports team, and imagining myself in my grandfather’s shoes (taking multiple classes while putting in the level of participation I have this year) is difficult, which only increases my respect for him.

Ted Meads ’67 (1967 Royal Purple image)
Ted Meads ’67 (1967 Royal Purple image)

Ted: Like the rest of the world, much has changed yet much remains the same at Cornell since I graduated in 1967. The obvious academic change is from a quarter system to One Course At A Time. There also has been a significant change in the composition of the student body from overwhelmingly white to a student body that is more reflective of a racially mixed America. 

In my era there was both a Dean of Men and a Dean of Women and “in loco parentis” was a guiding principle, particularly when it came to women students. Women had hours and a dress code. Men were free to come and go as they pleased; they could be out all night if they wished. It was a very different era.

As when I was there, Cornell boasts a great faculty and leadership, a focus on the liberal arts, a beautiful campus, King Chapel, The Rock, and a true sense of community. 

Having gone to Cornell and had both a younger brother, sister, and daughter attend, Indigo’s being there is a nice continuation of our family’s relationship with the college. My hopes for him are to be challenged, enjoy his four years, feel as though he is getting a good liberal arts education, make some lifelong friends, and look back on his time on the Hilltop with gratitude.

Read about five other Cornell legacy families