Mock trial in style
Not only does Cornell’s mock trial team compete fiercely in tournaments throughout the year, but they’re doing it in style. Rachel Ruisch ’25 started wearing brightly colored Crocs—the shoes with all the holes—to practices and tournaments. Her teammates quickly caught on. Who doesn’t love a splash of color in a world full of black and navy blue suits?
“It’s something they enjoy, and it’s a way to bond,” said Mock Trial Coach Max Handler. “It helps the team have an identity. Other schools on the circuit know how much we love our Crocs.”
Gifts for alumni—we’ve got you covered
We love seeing our alumni during Homecoming—but let’s be honest, we love seeing you any day of the year. If you’re visiting with your children, who we hope become future Cornellians, or if you’re driving through the area, stop by the Welcome Center in the Thomas Commons. The admission folks have a small gift waiting for you—something that will add a bit more purple to your life. We all need more of that.
Squirrely with excitement
Whether it’s Squirrelock Holmes or Professor Nutkins, Cornell’s squirrels are getting new names. Last year’s Color It Purple—the annual day of giving—featured the inaugural Name a Squirrel Challenge. The fun continues on March 4, 2026, with our next Color It Purple. What name would you choose for your favorite furry friend?
Just the “write” display
Professor Emerita of Russian Lynne Ikach and College Archivist Meghan Yamanishi completed a new installation in an alcove within McLennan College Hall. It features two Russian-alphabet typewriters, including a 1979 model donated by the late Henry J. Carson ’83, who used it to write term papers for his Russian courses. The other belongs to the college. Yamanishi believes it dates back to the 1960s and was likely used by Russian students when the major was first established on the Hilltop. The new display explores the underground circulation of literature in Soviet Russia, driven by the era’s extreme censorship.
President Brand in Cornell magazine
You may have seen President Jonathan Brand in Cornell news—Cornell University news, that is. As both the president of Cornell College and an alum of the Cornell University law program, Cornell University featured Brand in an article about his connection to both schools. If there’s one thing Brand wanted his fellow alums to know in the article, it’s this: the Midwestern college had the name first. Read the story at crnl.co/brand
Mayo Clinic connection
During his internship at the Mayo Clinic, Mahmoud Elawady ’26 had the opportunity to meet James Ingle ’66, an internationally recognized leader in breast cancer research. Not only are they both Rams, but they’re also brothers of the same fraternity, Delta Phi Rho (Delts). Over coffee, the two shared stories, updates about Cornell, and a bond that bridges decades.