Wednesday, November 19, 2025 | 5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | Houston, TX

Optional pre-event faculty talk begins at 5:00 p.m.
Presidential event begins at 6:00 p.m.

Join President Kotlikoff for an evening reception and university update. He’ll talk about how Cornell is navigating changes to federal research funding and share actions the university is taking to safeguard our academic mission.

The evening will also include a pre-event faculty talk: “Literature and AI” with Matthew Wilkens, associate professor of information science and director of undergraduate studies. Professor Wilken’s research was among the projects affected by federal funding losses in Spring 2025. The Provost’s Research Resiliency Fund, funded by donor gifts, helped him cover some critical gaps and keep the work moving.

Featured Speakers:


Pre-event faculty speaker: Matthew Wilkens, associate professor of information science and director of undergraduate studies

Michael I. Kotlikoff, President
Anne Meinig Smalling ’87, Chair of the Cornell University Board of Trustees
Deborah Barrash MPS ’91, PhD ’01, President of the Cornell Alumni Association of Greater Houston

Venue: The Health Museum, 1515 Hermann Dr, Houston, TX 77004

Tickets: $35 general admission, $25 recent alumni (’16–’25).
Ticket price includes open beer and wine bar and light dinner fare.