You Said: Summer 2023
Said on campus
“What would it mean to disobey the status quo, moving as if there were more people in your world who occupy marginalized positions? I dare you to move more disobediently, to mark yourself different, to begin again.”
Jeffrey McCune ’99, Beta Omicron Distinguished Alumni Visitor
Faculty poker adds joy to Cornell life
Thanks so much for running the story of the long-running, low-stakes poker group. It survives, thanks to professors Truman Jordan and Craig Allin and the dedicated players. Decades ago it cemented friendships and still does, added joy to life at Cornell, and never made anyone poorer, just richer.
So much of Cornell remains superb. So great is its model curriculum, dedicated teachers, and learning environment that I missed them immediately upon taking another politics chairmanship at an Eastern college. It proved not to measure up. And it didn’t have a Cornell Report that measured up to the one you lead. You keep the Cornell community connected. Bravo!
Nicholas Berry (politics, 1970–1982)
Annapolis, Maryland
A glimpse of pre-Title IX women’s sports
I read your story about Title IX with interest. Before graduating from Cornell in 1975, I had limited opportunities to compete in intercollegiate sports. I participated in competitive swimming and tennis for years before my arrival at Cornell. Shortly upon arrival on campus, I was disappointed to learn that a woman’s swimming opportunities were limited to a synchronized swimming club.
A few of my female classmates and I formed a club tennis team. We found a faculty sponsor who was willing to drive us to a few regional colleges for matches. We had no uniforms or warm ups. I gathered up a few of my mom’s old white nursing uniforms and altered them for a few of us to wear to our tennis matches. Title IX changed opportunities for scores of Cornell women to follow, thank goodness.
Jackie Wright Weissenburger ’75
Weyerhaeuser, Wisconsin
Students on call
I was moved by Elinor Ascher-Handlin’s experience volunteering for the Lisbon-Mount Vernon Ambulance and Fire Department. Her empathy will serve her well in whatever her future holds.
Liz Remich Gelasi ’82
Woodstock, Illinois
Be part of the conversation
We are delighted to publish letters and social media mentions. Tag @cornellcollege to be considered on social media. Email us or mail them to Cornell Report, Box 1648, 600 First St. SW, Mount Vernon, IA 52314-1098. Submissions are edited for style, length, and clarity.
