Cornell T. Moose turns 100

The average moose in the wild will live 10 to 12 years. The lucky ones will make it to 15 or even 25 years old. On the Hilltop, however, we have a moose that celebrates his 100th birthday this year.

Cornell T. Moose was donated to the biology department and first hung in Law Hall in 1925. 100 years later, he's still hanging around the second floor of that same building for students to study with and visit. Where he came from before that has been lost to the dusty recesses of history, but since then, he’s had some adventures and become a prominent feature in the minds of generations of alums.

In the March 7, 1952, “This and That” column of the Cornellian, he’s cited as having an altercation with a visiting pooch. According to the paper, “Mrs. Williams’ dachshund, ‘Danka’” was furiously barking at Cornell T. Moose. It is not made clear whether canine or moose was the winner.

After hanging in Law Hall for nearly six decades, Cornell T. Moose went missing after Law Hall was renovated and the biology department moved to West Science in the summer of 1982. 

For several years after that, he was nowhere to be found and, when he finally made his way back to us via a mysterious appearance at a school sale, he refused to divulge any of his adventures. Where he was and what he was up to remain a closely guarded moose-secret to this day. 

He did, however, receive a warm welcome back and was mounted in a place of pride in Moosehead Lounge, newly named to honor his presumed heroic adventures during his absence. 

During the 90s, Cornell T. Moose struck up a friendship with mathematics professor Ed T. Hill, perhaps after bondingover their shared middle initial. With the professor’s help, Cornell T. Moose began dressing for the holidays and special occasions.