Touchdown the Bear in New York City

‘How did Cornell Prepare You for Life After the Hill?’

A recent LinkedIn poll asked the question—and you rose to the occasion with some notable (and touching) answers!

“Bear Hugs” celebrates heartwarming stories of Cornellians on the Hill and around the world. Have an idea? Email us at cornellians@cornell.edu!

By Beth Saulnier

Beloved mentors; memorable classes; academic rigor; endless opportunities. Alumni cited those things, and many others, in response to a recent LinkedIn poll asking, “How did Cornell prepare you for life after the Hill?”

“How could Cornell not prepare us for life?,” mused Paul DuBowy ’75, a wetland ecologist based in Wyoming.

“There’s something to, ‘I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study.’ And it wasn’t just the in-class education. It was the Lab of Ornithology, Cornell Botanic Gardens, Cornell Chimes, sunsets over Cayuga Lake, and even late nights at Johnny’s Big Red Bar and Grill that prepared me for a rich and fulfilling career.”

The poll, held on Cornell’s annual Giving Day, drew more than 100 responses from alumni and current students.

Scroll through our slideshow for a sampling—and leave your own answer in the comments!

(Responses have been edited and condensed.)

Cornell gave me my profession (veterinary medicine) and my husband (Charlie Lynch ’90, MBA ’95). I can’t think of a better way to start a beautiful life! — Elizabeth Von Keyserling Lynch ’90, DVM ’95
The intensity of the classes and the massive firehose of knowledge I experienced changed my life—and still drives me today, as I approach my 76th birthday. — Alan Cantor ’70
The journey of being a student and a soldier is not easy, but the warm and supportive environment of veterans at Cornell have made all the difference. — Yidi Wang ’24
Design and Environmental Analysis prepared me better for the ‘real world’ than I could have ever imagined. We were taught how to think not only creatively, but strategically. — Lucie Macelova Ayres ’98
Unlike many of my classmates, I really had no idea what I wanted to do post-college. In that respect, Cornell was the perfect place, since it provided the opportunity for a broad education spanning many disciplines. — Jonah Klein ’90
The ILR curriculum was essentially an undergrad business and law degree, so I was able to enter the workforce right away. As an intern for Rep. Bella Abzug, I covered a Supreme Court case on employee disability—just three months past my 20th birthday. — Randye Ringler ’76
Cornell provided me space to think, to explore, to do the ‘know thyself’ thing, and to grow up. — Charles Stuppard ’82, BS ’83
My doctoral mentor, Daphne Roe, taught me so much. We worked shoulder to shoulder on my dissertation project, which reinforced being an example for my students. If they had to show up at 7 a.m., so should I. — Cindy Fuller ’78, PhD ’92
More than anything, I have learned the art of how to keep learning, unlearning, and relearning. Courses and their relevance will keep changing as society evolves. — Maitreyi Chatterjee ’23
Ujamaa Residential College prepared me for life by teaching me the value of being a good citizen. — Darin Lamar Jones ’10, MBA ’21
Personal finance was the most practical class (besides wines) I ever took—and still use to this day! — Elizabeth Thompson ’14
I have had the best time with women’s club ice hockey. I learned a lot about how dedication can really make things you care about happen. — Emily Felts ’27
As a communication major, I learned how to write—the most useful tool to have in my career. — Nicole Pastarnack ’77, BS ’78
Human Ecology prepared me through academic rigor and a deep commitment to improving the human condition for my career as a clinical psychologist! — Lori Isman Greene ’92
I was a painfully shy teen. Thanks to a great comm class, exposure to valuable networking opportunities, and my amazing job as a tour guide, I graduated with the ability to comfortably think and communicate about complex topics. — Katrina James ’96
The physiology department in CALS prepared me very well for medical school. Cornell gave me the confidence to achieve anything! — Thomas Zimmerman ’95
Better question would be, ‘How _didn’t_ Cornell prepare me for life after the Hill?’! — Nicole Manning Hart ’03

Top: Touchdown, a big (Red) bear in the big city. (Lindsay France / Cornell University)

Published March 22, 2024

How did Cornell prepare you for life after the Hill?

Comments

  1. Mimi (Mildred) C. Levine, Class of 1954
    26 Mar, 2024

    During my college summers I worked at GE in Schenectady and learned computers. I went to work at IBM after graduation. Cornell gave me the education necessary to succeed at these companies.
    I married my high school sweetheart. Now 70 years later we have 3 sons, all of whom graduated from Cornell, and a daughter who is an Ithaca college alum. We attended CAU during its first 6 years and our family fell in love with my institution.

    Reply
  2. Fredric Chanania, Class of 1970
    9 Apr, 2024

    Because the Vietnam War was raging and the draft was looming, it was an intense period of time for personal introspection. Cornell gave me the place and space in which I could examine my value system, figure out who to admire as role models, and set my goals in life, which have remained in place since then.

    Reply
  3. Joe Levitt, Class of 1975
    14 Apr, 2024

    Two answers:

    1. I met my wife, then Barbara Shumaker (Arts ’75), what more could one ask?

    2. The College Scholar Program allowed me to chart my own course and to think broadly, something I continued throughout my careers in government, law practice, and leadership coaching.

    Joe Levitt, Arts ’75

    Reply
  4. Andrew Goldstein, Class of 1969
    14 Apr, 2024

    I met my lifelong companion and best confidant, Marian Jean Love (’70 Hum Ec) in 1968. It was not a coincidence that my grades went up after that because I finally had a close relationship with someone I could share many evenings with at The Commons and other hangouts. Great pastries and great conversations.
    One of the best things CALS gave me was extraordinary laboratory skills and the confidence to be creative, adventurous and successful in the biotechnology arena for which I am forever grateful.

    Reply
  5. Carolyn Rogers, Class of 1959
    14 Apr, 2024

    I really learned to persevere. Whether plowing through abundant snow trudging to class (no slacks allowed), or the misery of a really bad semester Soph. year, I made it.
    I love Cornell.

    Reply

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