It’s been four years since Beth Anderson ’80 and Doug Mitarotonda ’02, MEng ’03, MA ’07, PhD ’09 began their tenure as alumni-elected members of the Cornell University Board of Trustees. Here, they reflect on their years of service and appreciation for Cornell.
Beth Anderson ’80
When I think about my experience on the Board of Trustees, I can sum it up in a few words—impressed and proud. I started my term on the board in the summer of 2020, just when COVID-19 was heating up. It was a challenging and fascinating time to be on the board and to be part of discussions and decisions relating to such critical issues as keeping students, faculty, and staff safe in the midst of a global pandemic. This past year, during a period of political unrest on campuses and around the world, we faced the challenge of allowing a robust exchange of ideas—some of which were bound to be unpopular—while again keeping the community safe.
Throughout my four years, I have been impressed with my colleagues on the board, the president and her senior team, as well as faculty, staff, and student leaders. It was clear that they all cared deeply about Cornell and made decisions with the intelligence and deliberation they deserved.
My participation on the Buildings and Properties Committee gave me more reasons to be impressed. Our meetings allowed me insight into the expertise and detailed planning for facilities on campus. Whether it was preserving and renovating treasures such as Balch or McGraw Hall, updating Thurston Hall, relocating the baseball field, or creating new faculty lab space for Weill Cornell and Cornell Tech, the committee rigorously evaluated the finances, functionality, environmental impact, and aesthetics of each project.
Thank you to the alumni who helped elect me to this role on the board. My experience has reaffirmed my enthusiasm and confidence in our university and has made me even prouder to call myself a Cornellian.
Doug Mitarotonda ’02, MEng ’03, MA ’07, PhD ’09
It has been an honor to serve as an alumni-elected trustee, and I have immense gratitude for the Cornell alumni who voted for me and gave me this opportunity. During my tenure, we grappled with a number of important topics, including a global pandemic, a Supreme Court decision that altered university admissions practices, multiple global conflicts, and climate change. The passion and dedication of our board to address these issues head-on was inspiring and it has been a pleasure working with my fellow board members, president emerita and her senior leadership team, staff, students, and alumni to navigate these challenges.
I also valued the opportunity to serve on several committees that celebrate the work of our esteemed alumni who have volunteered countless hours on behalf of Cornell. I helped choose the winners of the inaugural Robert S. Harrison ’76 Recent Alumni Volunteer and Frank H. T. Rhodes Exemplary Alumni Service Awards. I also helped choose the next slate of alumni trustee candidates through my participation on the Committee on Alumni Trustee Nominations. It is humbling to read about the many acts of service undertaken by our alumni, and it makes me proud to be a part of such a vibrant and dedicated community.
Many challenges still remain, and I look forward to seeing the board continue their thoughtful work to steward the university. In particular, one issue near to my heart is the affordability of Cornell. My mom raised three boys on her own and sent them all to college. I have deep appreciation for her and Cornell’s financial aid department, making it possible for my family to afford a Cornell education. We must continue to work to fulfill Ezra’s dream of “… any person … any study” by recruiting a diverse student body that contributes their experiences and perspectives to our community, driving the free and open discussion we want to thrive on our campus.
Serving on the Cornell Board of Trustees during these last four years has only reaffirmed my love for Cornell. Because of the steady, conscientious approach the board has taken in the face of adversity, I remain optimistic about Cornell’s ability to bring positive change in the world and overcome the challenges that arise.
