Cornell and Mount Vernon: A 170-year partnership

Cornell College and its students, faculty, and staff have been proud to call Mount Vernon home for more than 170 years. From concerts and guest speakers to athletic competitions and volunteer efforts, the college creates space for connection and celebration.

Since 1853 Cornell and the community have grown side by side—sharing resources, ideas, and a commitment to shaping a vibrant future together. Built on generations of shared experience—and a mutual belief in the power of education to uplift and transform—this ongoing alliance remains central to our mission.

“Our college isn’t just located in this town; we’re woven into its fabric,” said President Jonathan Brand. “Every partnership, every shared initiative, is a reflection of our commitment to growing together. We’re creating a future where the college and the community come together as cocreators of progress, equity, and opportunity.”

From generating economic activity to volunteering and sharing spaces, Cornell is committed to supporting the well-being and vitality of the region.

“One of our educational priorities is that our students learn citizenship and contribute to our community and our world,” President Brand said. “You’ll see that when our Greek life groups adopt local roadways where they collect trash, when students match up with elementary students through our Lunch Buddies program, or when art students paint a mural displayed in Uptown Mount Vernon. Our faculty, staff, and students are active neighbors, collaborators, and contributors in our beautiful part of Iowa.” 

Here is how we contributed to the community in 2024-25:  

Generating economic activity: Cornell employs over 320 people •

225 alumni live in Mount Vernon-Lisbon • BonAppétit spent $450,000 on local products • Cornell paid $59,867.74 in county taxes and $81,894.36 in city sewer fees • Cornell is among the top 5 supporters of the CDG (excluding government) • Rams athletic events attracted an estimated 30,000 fans to 147 home competitions • Over 3,750 people visited campus during events like Homecoming, Commencement, and Admission Days

Providing volunteer resources: 4 students served on the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Emergency Medical Services and Mount Vernon Fire Department • 56 Cornell Lunch Buddy students were paired weekly with 64 third graders at Washington Elementary • More than 165 students volunteered approximately 3,891 hours for a value of $116,574

Operating Mount Vernon’s public library: Cole Library is a unique public-private partnership between Cornell’s library and the city’s public library. • Public library support is greatly enhanced by the college library’s extensive hours, facility (including free public meeting rooms), book collection, and staffing.

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 music students and athletes in 9 sports • Residents were welcomed to dine in our award-winning Hilltop Café