18 things to love about Cornell

By Dee Ann Rexroat ’82 and Lisa Gray Giurato

Most Cornell alumni first moved onto campus at the age of 18, the age when you became a legal adult. To chemists 18 is the atomic number of argon. There are 18 holes on a regulation golf course, 18 players in Australian football, and in some cultures, 18 is considered a lucky number, the numerical equivalent of life itself.

And here at Cornell, we know that students can do anything in 18 days, the perfect number of days in a block.

Everyone’s Cornell experience is a little different, and some of our favorite things are not unique to the Hilltop but are no less special to us. Although it was tough to narrow all the things we love about Cornell to only 18, we did our best.

#1

The deep immersion of One Course At A Time. And the way it gives Cornellians the ability to focus in an age of distractions.

Professor of Geology Emily Walsh and two students examine rocks in the classroom — Professor of Geology Emily Walsh and her students study rock specimens—in and out of the classroom—without distraction from other courses.

#2

Having classmates become your friends for life. Bonds forged during milestone moments stay steady despite time and distance. Reuniting with lifelong friends conjures happy memories and creates new ones.

Cornell roomates Alice Ritter ’74, Linda Chin ’74, Maren Hansen ’74, and Marcia Radosevich ’74 (from left) gathered for a "playdate" in Santa Barbara, California, in 2017. — Cornell roomates Alice Ritter ’74, Linda Chin ’74, Maren Hansen ’74, and Marcia Radosevich ’74 (from left) gathered for a “playdate” in Santa Barbara, California, in 2017.

#3

Affinity seating. The tradition of sitting next to friends instead of in alphabetical order at Commencement began with the Class of 1973 and will observe its 50th anniversary with the Class of 2023.

Friends Abdulla Awaji ’22 (left) and Aria Dehshid ’22 prepare to walk across the commencement stage.

#4

Block breaks. For relaxing and road trips and athletics competition and pure fun. You will wish you could incorporate them into your career and life once you leave the Hilltop.

Students sled down the campus hilltop — Block breaks can be a time to kick back like these students did one winter’s day.

#5

The beauty of the historical buildings on and around campus, in any season. There’s a reason Cornell College was the first campus named in its entirety to the National Register of Historic Places.

#6

The Rock. Cornellians since 1889 share a campus boulder that is a message board, a selfie station, and a challenge to move, burn, and bury.

Julissa Rivera ’24 paints The Rock purple, of course, after it was moved next to Law Hall in summer 2022.

#7

The Orange Carpet. Situated in the center of the Thomas Commons and visible from two levels, this expanse of warm orange tones has been a meeting space and hangout for students since 1966.

James Tutson and the Rollback (featuring Professor of History and German Studies Tyler Carrington on drums) performs on the OC in 2022 to a happy crowd of dancing students.

#8

The Ped Mall, a place to see and say hi to everyone. As Cornell’s campus grew, it’s Hilltop walkway came to offer more than a view of the Cedar River Valley. Almost everyone walks it daily to friendly Midwestern hellos.

Three students walk together on the Ped Mall — The Ped Mall was replaced and upgraded in 2002, when it officially became known as the Marie Fletcher Carter Pedestrian Mall.

#9

The faculty and staff. The Cornell experience “is about the community as a whole and how those experiences shape our lives,” says Tabitha Snyder Abels ’96, who has maintained a 30-year relationship with her facilities work-study supervisor, Gerry Decious.

Professor of Economics and Business A’amer Farooqi warmly greets Abubakar Shehu ՚17, an international student from Nigeria, following Commencement.

#10

King Chapel. A National Register icon. The touchstone of generations of Cornellians. The first sign of campus you see as you approach Mount Vernon, making your heart beat a little bit faster.

King Chapel dominates the campus skyline. — King Chapel dominates the campus skyline (Jacob Luplow ’16 photo).

#11

Off-campus courses with Cornell professors. Spending a block with your professor and classmates to learn the subject matter of your course earns you credit, of course, but you also benefit from long-lasting relationships with your professor and fellow block-mates.

Students and faculty in the 2019 Economics and Business 321 course jump for joy in China.

#12

A president who knows students by name. Current students like to high-five President Brand, who makes a point to get to know students by attending their sports, fine arts, and academic events. Other presidents have had similar devotion to Cornell students, often hosting student events in their campus residence.

President Brand high-fives Shelby Williams ’21 at a track meet on campus.

#13

A rich history of civil rights and social justice activists on campus. Among the luminaries are Susan B. Anthony (1879), Booker T. Washington (1900), W.E.B. Du Bois (1905), Martin Luther King Jr. (1962), Julian Bond (1969), Shirley Chisholm (1982), Dick Gregory (1972), Jesse Jackson (1988), Gloria Steinem (1999), Cornel West (2001), The Rev. Raphael Warnock (2008), and Dolores Huerta (2001 and 2012).

Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers of America, speaks in Kimmel Theatre in 2012.

#14

Residential life on the Hilltop. With 92% of students living on campus and calling it home, they know each other and care as a community. Plus there’s always someone to talk to down the hall.

Friends build a puzzle during a cozy afternoon in the residence halls.

#15

Ink Pond. A place of serenity where you can watch the water, the goslings, or the night stars and dream your big dreams or simply daydream the day away.

Canadian Geese swim in Ink Pond with Cole Library in the background.

#16

The squirrels. They may not be unique to Cornell, but our squirrels—a.k.a. Cornell Chunkies—are an endearing aspect of campus life.

A squirrel looks at the viewer in the snow — It’s a good day on campus when you come face-to-face with a curious squirrel.

#17

Our rivalry with Coe College. It began in 1891 and is the oldest football rivalry west of the Mississippi. It inspired the toilet paper toss and the all-sport Bremner Cup traveling trophy. And it connects three centuries of fanatical fans.

archival photo of a Cannonball Coe sign on Altoona Hall — Early evidence of the rivalry with Coe from Altoona Hall, a former residence hall.

#18

The legacy and power of the fine arts at Cornell. The literary arts, music, theatre, dance, and visual arts are an enduring aspect of the liberal arts experience that continues to transport the artists and those who enjoy watching and listening.

What do you love about Cornell? Email cornellreport@cornellcollege.edu to share with us.