Two outgoing Cornell University trustees, who were elected by alumni and are finishing their four-year terms, reflect on their time on the board. As they conclude their tenure, they share their proudest accomplishments and valuable insights gained while serving the university.
Kim Wagner ’85
My term started in the summer of 2021, just as the COVID-19 restrictions were beginning to relax. Much of our Board of Trustee orientation and first meetings were still virtual or required masks. I developed a deep appreciation for what it was like to be a student during COVID-19 as I sat in meetings behind an N95 mask. In my opinion, it was better to be in person with a mask rather than virtual, and I give Cornell great credit for keeping the university open and in person during the pandemic. It was a feat of science, technology, and leadership, and something for which we should all be proud.
I had incorrectly assumed that my prior service in multiple volunteer leadership roles gave me a reasonable understanding of what it took to run a university like Cornell. The first year as a trustee was very much like drinking from the proverbial fire hose, and the learning curve was both steep and fast. I was happily surprised to see the level of creativity, thoughtfulness, and care with which decisions are made by the board and the leadership team. What seems like an easy solution from the outside is much more challenging when you are aware of all of the interconnected ramifications and have to adapt to a constantly changing external environment. I have great confidence in President Michael I. Kotlikoff’s and Provost Kavita Bala’s ability to lead Cornell in this dynamic time. We are so fortunate to have them.
During my tenure, I had the pleasure of participating in the Buildings and Property and Development Committees and chairing the University Relations Committee. I learned so much from my fellow trustees, and they have my deepest respect. It has been an honor to serve as an alumni-elected trustee, and I thank all of the alumni who put their faith in me during the selection process.
A’ndrea Van Schoick ’96
Four years as an alumni-elected trustee have passed in the blink of an eye. Nothing could prepare us for the circumstances Cornell has faced within that time—the continued impacts of the pandemic, shifting trends in higher education, and complex discussions of equity, sustainability, and innovation among them. I am struck by the moments of connection and resilience we witnessed while doing our best to remain rooted to Cornell’s core values. The phrase “… any person … any study” isn’t just a motto: it’s a commitment that we have worked hard to uphold.
As the only veterinarian on the board, I was excited to provide a unique perspective to our discussions. Working with administrators, faculty, students, alumni, and fellow trustees, I gained a deeper appreciation for the complexities of shared governance, the Cornell ecosystem, and the dedication of those who steward the university’s mission every day.
I am proud of my work as vice chair of the Committee on Academic Affairs, and as a member of the Alumni Affairs, Student and Campus Life, and ad hoc Campus Climate Policies Committees. Delivering the White Coat Ceremony keynote address to the Cornell Veterinary College Class of 2024 and celebrating their graduation a year later was a very special student interaction for me.
Thank you to those who had a role in my nomination and election. This has been a period of incredible growth and development; beyond the typical joy of giving back to Cornell, I am truly thankful for such a rare opportunity. Serving on this board and helping to shape Cornell’s path forward has been one of the greatest honors of my life, and I look forward to building on the lessons I have learned in my next Big Red volunteer role. I leave inspired by the care and intention that go into every decision we make here, with optimism for Cornell’s future.
