As the days turn colder in Iowa, let’s think back to the warmer sunny days of spring on the Hilltop when the trees were filled with blossoms and the grass was bright green from the showers the night before. The Class of 2025 was just about to graduate, a time of tears and laughter, feeling excited and nervous about what the coming weeks, months, and years will hold.
During this bittersweet time, we asked seniors about what they’ll miss the most. Now they’ll be reading these quotes as the newest members of our alumni family, receiving their first Cornell Report in the mail.
“I’m going to miss the tight-knit community of Cornell the most. I loved how every time I walked down the Ped Mall, I would have at least four people say ‘Hi’ to me or ‘Good morning!’ And that just made every day so much better.” —Grace Parises ’25
“My favorite memories are from the late-night study sessions in Russell Science Center. The work ethic required was immense, and giving up would have made me regret even beginning the classes in the first place.” —Thomas Cook ’25
“Beating Coe in our gym has to be my favorite memory at Cornell. That has and always will be a goal of ours on the wrestling team, and doing it in front of a home crowd was awesome.” —Landon Card ’25
“My favorite memory from Cornell is being a part of everything Cornell offers. I especially enjoyed learning about various backgrounds and sharing my own. I loved getting to know people and learning about different experiences. Making friends is my favorite thing to do.” —DominiQuinn Wilcoxen ’25
“My favorite memory is eating meals with my best friends in the caf. The best place to eat is at the high tops. We would sit at these tables laughing for almost the entire mealtime.” —Clare Green ’25
“My favorite memories of Cornell were my first two years of doing CSRI. I was given the opportunity to be a freshman in a lab with upperclassmen. I had a great summer learning about topics that I would learn about in my future courses.” —Jada Sabir ’25
“I will miss the professors with whom I developed strong relationships, working out and playing ping pong and soccer at the SAW, and the ready-to-eat food and working with the Bon staff as a student worker serving students food in the cafeteria.” —Saad Mankarious ’25
“The thing I will miss the most about Cornell is all of the employees who work here—from the Bon Appétit workers who spoil us with amazing food every day to my professors with whom I made everlasting connections in my classes and to my coaches who challenged me physically but, more importantly, made me a better person than when I first stepped on campus.” —Caleb Schopen ’25
“My favorite memory at Cornell is traveling to Belize to teach and do qualitative research. That was such a unique opportunity that greatly impacted me as both an educator and a person. From that experience, I also gained some incredible friends that I wouldn’t trade for anything.” —Gracie Erickson ’25
“My favorite memories are from bid night. I never would have expected to be in a sorority, but it has been such an important part of my campus career! I love hearing about the different groups around campus and all the joy that comes with it.” —Emma Slaymaker ’25
What do you miss the most about your days on campus? Share them with us at cornellreport@cornellcollege.edu