Chime In Why I’ve Never Missed a Class Reunion Since I Graduated (in 1956) Stories You May Like Alum Taps the Cannabis Market—With a Health-Oriented Twist What’s Up with Weeds? MBA Alum Wins Runoff Election to Become Mayor of Miami I’m 91, and my 70th in June may well be the last one I attend—which is why I was determined to sing onstage at Cornelliana Night “Chime In” comprises brief first-person essays by Cornellians. Do you have a topic in mind? Email us at cornellians@cornell.edu! By Barbara Travis Osgood ’56, PhD ’80 I’ve attended every Cornell Reunion since my graduation in 1956. The most recent, my 70th, will probably be my last. A trip to the campus every five years yields many surprises. There are always new buildings to appraise, new courses of study to understand, and new classes of students to meet. Returning Cornellians usually discover something that delights them, but also other developments that give them pause. Cornell never stagnates! On the other hand, changes provide ample material for dinner discussions. For an old “reuner” like me, there are the memories: favorite professors and courses, living in the dorm, drinking coffee in the Ivy Room, dancing to the jukebox at Leonardo’s. All gone, but still treasured memories. For an old 'reuner' like me, there are the memories: favorite professors and courses, living in the dorm, drinking coffee in the Ivy Room, dancing to the jukebox at Leonardo’s. Deep in my heart are the special friends I used to meet every five years at the Reunion tents—a memory so vivid that I think if I made my way over there, they might still be waiting. At her 55th Reunion with classmate Joe Manelski ’56. Cornell always hosts Reunions superbly, and along with new programs and ceremonies, there are the traditional ones. My favorite is Cornelliana Night, held on the last night of Reunion in Bailey Hall. It’s filled with celebration, memories, and farewells. Each Reunion class is introduced to much fanfare, clapping, and whistling. There is competition among the classes as to which one will be the largest. For mine, there was no competition: there were just 20 of us, representing a graduating class of about 1,900 in 1956. The Cornelliana stage is always inhabited by an informal mix: past and present Glee Club members, faculty, reuners, current students, and people who just want to join the chorus! There were just 20 of us, representing a graduating class of about 1,900 in 1956. The audience delights in singing the “golden oldies”—admittedly, rather corny songs—that Cornellians have been singing for generations, like “Give My Regards to Davy" and “Song of the Classes.” Alex Bayer / Cornell UniversityA joyful noise: Alumni onstage at Cornelliana Night 2026. Every year that I have been at Cornelliana, the program has concluded with the “Evening Song” and the “Alma Mater.” Anyone in the audience who is a former Glee Club or University Chorus member is invited to come to the stage and participate. But this time, much to my horror, there was no invitation. Yet I had been a member of the Women’s Glee Club as well as a singing group, the Cornellaires. The CornellianThe author (front row, second from left) with fellow members of the Cornellaires. I knew that I would be terribly disappointed to miss singing onstage with the group; it was always the high point of my Reunion. The singers always made the “joiners” feel so welcome. I remembered a few years when I practically climbed onto the stage and willing hands helped me up. I absolutely could not miss this at my last Reunion! Stories You May Like Alum Taps the Cannabis Market—With a Health-Oriented Twist What’s Up with Weeds? The singers on Cornelliana Night always made the 'joiners' feel so welcome. I absolutely could not miss this at my last Reunion! There was a brief moment of indecision—and then I was sure. Regardless of any protocol, I was going to spend the last day of my last Reunion singing the “Alma Mater” on the Bailey Hall stage. As the chorus began to sing “When the sun fades far away …” I left my seat, headed down the aisle alone, found the stairs, and started up. Osgood (far right) at Commencement with her undergrad roommates .... ... and (third from left) with Cornellian friends in the mid-1980s. I was immediately grasped by some undergraduates, who helped me the rest of the way and opened their arms to draw me into the group. My Reunion was complete! Between songs, I asked the young man standing next to me what he was studying. His response was chemical engineering—one of the most difficult courses of study. I was immediately grasped by some undergraduates, who helped me the rest of the way and opened their arms to draw me into the group. My Reunion was complete! He continued, “I hope to get a PhD in biology and then get into pharmaceuticals. I want to discover a new drug!” Brief conversations like that make me proud to be a Cornellian. So many brilliant and dedicated young students with aspirations to change the world! The author with several of her beloved Labrador retrievers. Despite my 91 years, I felt as if this young man and I had something in common: when I got my PhD, I was going to change the world, too. I don’t know his name, but he helped me to the stage. He drew me into their group. I could tell how kind he was. I hope he gets to save the world. Two-time Human Ecology alum Barbara Travis Osgood ’56, PhD ’80, is an environmental sociologist, retired senior executive of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and longtime rescuer of elderly Labrador retrievers. Her books include Diary of a Cranky Old Feminist and 84 Paws: A Life with Old Labs. (All images provided, unless otherwise indicated.) Published July 7, 2026 . Comments Mary Martin Van Buren ‘56 and Jim Van Buren ‘55, 59MDuren ! 12 Jul, 2026 Barbara we loved your article and remember so well our CU alumni trip with you several years ago. We’re so glad you’re doing well. While our health is ok and stable we’re now living in a retirement community in Atlanta and don’t do any traveling. We so well remember our Cornell days as students and alumni. Keep up your good work! Mary ‘56 and Jim ‘55, ‘59MD Reply Liz Champagne, Class of 1979 14 Jul, 2026 Barbara, I accompanied my mom (Gwen Grohmann des Cognets) to the Class of ’56 reunion this year, and I loved meeting you and our conversation. I’m glad you stepped up and on to the stage. I’m sure I could hear you singing 🙂 Wishing you well, Liz des Cognets Champagne ’79 Reply Leave a Comment Cancel replyOnce your comment is approved, your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Class Year Email * Save my name, email, and class year in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ Other stories You may like Bear Hugs ‘How did Cornell Prepare You for Life After the Hill?’ Alumni Human Ecology Alum Can Tell You How to Get to ‘Sesame Street’ Bear Hugs How an Afghan Grad Student Made It to the Hill