See all the good Cornellians can do

In his role as a volunteer firefighter, Oscar Bernal ’09, MEng ’10 rescued this dog from floodwaters caused by Hurricane Irene in 2011.

By Linda Copman July 6, 2026

Over the past few years, we’ve been celebrating the good Cornellians can do. These are stories about service, in communities big and small.

We asked for your submissions, and you delivered—filling our map with stories. So far, we’ve received more than 500 submissions from Cornellians living in 292 cities across the U.S. and 30 nations around the globe. And we’ve shared more than 150 of your stories, from the Class of 1950 through the Class of 2027.

These narratives offer a rare and deeply satisfying acknowledgment of individual contributions to society—the good we can do.

Dorine Colabella ’91

Dorine Colabella '91 with two of the students she tutors. “It’s hard to explain what it feels like to see the pride in their faces when they know they’re becoming a stronger reader,” she says.

Colleen Casey ’20

Colleen helps clear the trail near her home, and—through her volunteerism—she’s found a community of outdoor enthusiasts in the city where she lives.

David Benton ’71

David, a hotelier, shared his hospitality expertise to raise funds for Angel Flight and now helps transport medical patients to their appointments as an ‘Earth Angel.’

William Nnuro ’21

William, a recent grad, volunteers at a sickle cell clinic in Ghana.

Camille Ledoux ’20

Camille co-hosts a podcast and writes a newsletter to make complex science and health topics easy to understand.

Grace Perez-Navarro ’79

Grace, a retired international tax policy wonk, distributes food to unhoused people in Paris, many of whom are refugees or immigrants.

Kelly Banach ’79

Kelly, a retired criminal justice judge, nurtures society’s most vulnerable by cuddling premature infants.

These are stories about people living out lives of purpose and care. In communities everywhere, Cornell alumni are quietly working to make a difference. Whether it’s an alum and his dog visiting senior citizens, or an attorney dedicating her time to pro bono work, this is work that matters.

These stories remind us of the good that people can do—and that Cornell alumni are busy doing.

They show how Cornellians are carrying the values of the university out into the world—sharing expertise, innovative ideas, passion, and commitment to service.

They remind us that we belong to a Big Red community—one that we can look to for inspiration over the course of our lives.

Our volunteers tell us that the rewards are rich. Their service gives them a sense of purpose. It allows them to use their skills to help others, support vulnerable neighbors, or show up for a cause that matters to them.

Enjoy this sampler of good stories, then browse them all! Better yet, share your own story!