Cornell and Mount Vernon: ‘A lovely mix’

August 16, 2023

Cornell College and its students are proud to be part of the Mount Vernon community and to offer cultural, educational, and athletic events for the public. 

Jonathan Brand Headshot on campus with leaves
Jonathan Brand

Since 1853 the college and the community have worked together in many ways, and the future is brighter with the shared partnerships.

“As a nonprofit educational institution, and our town’s oldest and largest employer, we are very pleased to play such an important role in ensuring that our hometown remains vital,” said President Jonathan Brand. “It’s absolutely true: Mount Vernon and Cornell are a lovely mix.”

From generating economic activity to volunteering and sharing facilities, the college and community work together in many ways. 

“Cornell and its students add to the vibrancy and diversity of Mount Vernon-Lisbon,” Brand said. “Our students are warmly treated in businesses and community organizations; we welcome residents who walk and bike our 129-acre campus. The college generates economic activity and provides resources including Mount Vernon’s public library.”

Here is how we contributed to the community in 2022-23  

Generating economic activity: Cornell employs over 300 people • 206 alumni live in Mount Vernon-Lisbon • Bon Appétit spent $500,000 on local products • Cornell paid $53,685 in county taxes and $75,610 in city sewer fees • Cornell is among the top 5 supporters of the CDG (excluding government) • Rams athletic events attracted 28,500 fans to 136 competitions • Over 3,500 people visited campus during events like Homecoming, Commencement, and Admission Days

Providing volunteer resources: 7 students served on the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Emergency Medical Services and Mount Vernon Fire Department • 64 Cornell Lunch Buddy students were paired weekly with 73 third graders at Washington Elementary • More than 350 students volunteered approximately 1,800 hours for a value of $57,240

Seven Cornell students serve the Mount Vernon-Lisbon communities as volunteers on the fire and ambulance services. From left: Elinor Ascher-Handlin ’25, Mason Ciari ’25, Charlie Link ’25, Dane Markegard ’24, Darren Mancke ’24, Dawson Fluharty ’26, and RJ Sutton ’25.

Operating Mount Vernon’s public library: City residents made up 39% of Cole Library’s active users and checked out 59% of its materials • Cole held 182 community programs and activities and was open 86 hours/week during the school year (52 hours/week in summer)

Providing educational, cultural, and athletic events: A wide variety of intellectual, cultural, and athletic events were open to residents • Cornell offered summer youth programs for high schoolers, music students, and athletes in 11 sports • Residents were welcomed to dine in our award-winning Hilltop Café

Sharing athletic facilities: The Mount Vernon Mustangs and Cornell Rams shared the college’s baseball field and Mount Vernon’s softball field, and in 2022-23 MVHS used Cornell’s soccer fields