A student chats with a volunteer at welcome center at the Ithaca mall during Move-In Weekend, 2025

Welcoming the Class of ’29, with Big Red Words of Wisdom

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By Cornellians Staff

“The more you keep your mind open, the more you engage with different ideas and different people, the better you’ll be able to understand the world and all its complexities,” President Mike Kotlikoff advised the Schoellkopf crowd in August 2025, “and the more capable and mature your mind will be when you leave here.”

The occasion was New Student Convocation, when Kotlikoff welcomed matriculating first-years, transfer students, and their families and friends to the Big Red community.

President Michael Kotlikoff wears a gray suit and red tie and claps behind the podium during new student convocation at Schoellkopf Field
President Kotlikoff leads New Student Convocation.

And that Cornellian community is growing fast: at 3,861 members, the Class of 2029 is the largest in University history, with 18% of the students being the first in their families to attend college.

Together with the 640 transfer students who arrived for the fall 2025 semester, these future alumni represent all 50 states, plus Washington, DC; the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the Mariana Islands; and 97 countries.

At 3,861 members, the Class of 2029 is the largest in University history, with 18% of the students being the first in their families to attend college.

“The most important point I want to emphasize for you today is that this is your journey,” Ryan Lombardi, vice president for student and campus life, said in his own Convocation remarks. “The coming transition begins the shift from other people—your parents, family members, or others—shaping your learning in life, to you doing so.”

The words of wisdom from Lombardi and Kotlikoff were just some of the advice on offer for the new Cornellians: in advance of Move-In, the University put out a call on social media for tips on how new students can get the most out of their years on the Hill.

A student and her parents set up in her residence hall room during Move-In Weekend, 2025
Rite of passage: Moving into a dorm room.

And happily, you delivered—with dozens of alums (among other respondents) offering insights on everything from balancing studies and social life to navigating an Ithaca winter.

(Comfortable, weather-appropriate shoes were mentioned … frequently.)

“Do clubs; take cool gym classes.”

Andrea Schiralli ’10


“You’re probably used to being the smartest one in the room. Get over it. Nobody asks your GPA after you graduate, just your degree. Learn to not take yourself too seriously—and take some time to thank your family, who got you there.”

— Rebecca Richardson ’77


“Take advantage of the rare opportunity to get to know others with backgrounds and interests different from your own.”

— David Hahn ’80

Enjoy it. It’s fleeting and beautiful. Work hard, learn, make friends, and socialize—because this is the last time in your life that you will be that free.

Guste Urbonaite ’15

“You don’t have to take all your textbooks to every class.”

— Julie Weston James ’92


“The best view is from the top floor of the Johnson Museum. Visit the Asian art collection while you’re there.”

— Nina Hien, MA ’99, PhD ’07


“Keep an open mind. Make friends. Get to know your professors. Don’t forget to eat.”

Simon Krieger ’76, MBA ’77

Room Keys & Student IDs: Check-In at the Ithaca Mall

The welcome center at the Ithaca mall sees lines of students to check in for Move In Weekend, 2025
Students get their room keys from staff during Move-In Weekend, 2025
a student and her parents pose for a photo during Move-In Weekend, 2025
A student holds his issued ID card at the welcome center at the Ithaca mall during Move-In Weekend, 2025

“Do all the things: gorges, waterfalls, lakes, Botanic Gardens, etc. And take Intro to Wines your senior year.”

— Matt Dougall ’91


“Attend to growing as a whole person—mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.”

— Wendy Hill Sanchez ’84


“When times get hard, connect with nature. We are blessed to have that on and around campus.”

— Gahsenide Hubbell ’27

Bring a sweater—I saw my breath on my first morning.

Ethan Fogg ’02, BS ’03

“Go to Lynah every chance you get.”

— Darren Rumack ’04


“High school didn’t prepare me for college. Cornell is hard; you have to be tough and stick with it. After the first week, I felt like I was already six weeks behind. It was overwhelming, but somehow I adapted.”

— Charlie Montagna ’68, BS ’70, DVM ’71


“Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your profs, classmates, librarians, TAs, etc. And absolutely look both ways before crossing any street.”

— Jenn Thomas-Murphy ’09

Moving In!

a student and family members unpack their car during Move-In Weekend, 2025
a student and family member move wheeled carts in a residence hall during Move-In Weekend, 2025
a student and family members move furniture into a residence hall room during Move-In Weekend, 2025
a student and family member move suitcases into a residence hall room during Move-In Weekend, 2025
a student and parent pose for a photo in a residence hall room during Move-In Weekend, 2025
a student and a family member wheel suitcases on campus during Move-In Weekend, 2025
A student and his parents set up in his residence hall room during Move-In Weekend, 2025

“I feel like my advice would be a little outdated: pay for the ethernet, because modems are slow.”

Beth Hill Tulanowski ’99, MS ’02


“Savor every moment. Make friends. And study!”

Susan Cooper Potters ’81


“Bring your walking shoes—and your snowshoes.”

— Diane Campion ’80

Take electives, even if they have nothing to do with your major. Don’t get too comfortable or complacent with one friend group. Expand your horizons, in every sense of the phrase.

Ellen Raynor ’79

“Try all the things! Audition for something you’ve never tried before. Show up at events you’ve never heard of before. Swim in your possibilities.”

— Karen Pearse Apgar ’92


“Put all your assignments in your calendar at the beginning of the semester, then work backward to figure out when you need to start them.”

— Mary Jane Curry ’83


“Comfortable shoes.”

— Mary Warner Webster ’81

Greetings from President Kotlikoff

Cornell President Mike Kotlikoff greets a parent during Move-In Weekend, 2025
Cornell President Mike Kotlikoff greets a student during Move-In Weekend, 2025
Cornell President Mike Kotlikoff poses with a student for a photo during Move-In Weekend, 2025

“Never compare yourself with others. Make friends. Join fun clubs. Please, never miss your meals and sleep.”

— Hassan Ukasha ’26, BS ’24, MPH ’25


“Enjoy the Slope, especially while the weather’s still good. It won’t be good again until probably May.”

— Jesse Fowler, MPS ’23

Say ‘yes’—and stay out of your room as much as possible.

Ben Raile ’00

“Stretch—because those hills are no joke!”

— Robert Harrell, current law student


“Study in a library different from your major. Get out of your comfort zone. Go to concerts of music you’ve never heard before. Talk to people in line.”

— Cindy Fuller ’78, PhD ’92


“Stay one summer, so you get to enjoy Cornell and Ithaca in all seasons.”

— Lisa Prestigiacomo Williams ’88

Convocation & Other Festivities

A student in a red dress smiles and holds her arm back to take a selfie on stage with the crowd behind her in the bleachers at Schoellkopf Stadium
Two students smile and eat ice cream together outside Lynah Rink
A new student smiles while wearing a red tank top while a friend takes a picture of her on her cell phone. A family poses for a photo in the background.
a student and family members pose in front of Willard Straight Hall during Move-In Weekend, 2025

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The Big Red Marching Band plays on Ho Plaza during Move-In Weekend, 2025

“Make sure your first year includes at least one Big Red home football, basketball, hockey, and baseball game, and a visit to Collegetown, downtown Ithaca, the Ithaca Farmers Market, and Ithaca College. Walk across the Suspension Bridge at least once each season. Walk through all floors of Willard Straight, Uris Library, Anabel Taylor, and the Johnson Museum.”

— Al Schwartz ’62, JD ’67


“Good, waterproof boots or shoes make all the difference!”

— Marie Turock ’96


“Taste every flavor of Purity ice cream. Try a unique gym class. Get ready to study longer than you sleep.”

— Carla Walsh ’85, DVM ’88

Don’t sign up for any classes earlier than 10 a.m.

Nicole Neroulias Gupte ’01

“There are three semesters: fall, spring, and construction.”

— Howard Reifer ’94


“Find a group you can study with, a group you can have fun with, and a group you can worship with.”

— Andy Henderson ’78, MEng ’79


“Reach out to as many people as you can. Some of them will be your wedding party, your children’s godparents or guardians, and your lifelong friends.”

— Jennifer Grosner-Mentzer ’96

Campus Commutes

Two students walk up the Slope near the clocktower
Students walk on a path through the Arts Quad underneath a tree with Goldwin Smith Hall in the background.
Students chat outside Statler Hall with Gates and Rhodes halls in the background
students walk toward Rockefeller Hall on the first day of classes, fall 2025
Students walk down the steps by Balch Hall as they head out of North Campus on the first day of classes, fall 2025
Students head up a path on the Arts Quad during the first day of classes, fall 2025

“Don’t blink. It’s over in no time—but it leaves great memories.”

— Brooks Kuykendall, PhD ’05


“Join WVBR, the nation’s only student-owned, commercial radio station.”

— John Henrehan ’71, BS ’76


“Allow time to study, sleep, socialize, and join activities; find balance between these.”

— Barbara Redden Leamer ’57

Don’t sweat your grades. In four years, everyone’s diploma will say ‘Cornell University.’

Jessica Thomas ’00

“Get used to walking uphill both ways in snow—from October to April. But it’s beautiful.”

— Danielle Guarracino ’02


“Learn what you can—from professors and each other.”

Russell Price ’77


“Introduce yourself to your professors and familiarize yourself with their research. Find a mentor. Be curious about, and generous toward, your peers; it’s not a competition. It can take a semester, a year, or more to find your people, but it will happen.”

Eli Newell ’24


“Enjoy it—you have no idea how lucky you are.”

Doug Finch ’90

First Day of Classes

Students attend their first day of class in an animal biology class in Morrison Hall, fall 2025
Students in the atrium of Stocking Hall near the Dairy Bar on the first day of classes, fall 2025
Two students look at laptop and tablet screens in a classroom on the first day of classes, fall 2025
A teacher lectures in a classroom on the first day of classes, fall 2025
Students chat in a lecture hall on the first day of classes, fall 2025
Students chat in a lab on the first day of classes, fall 2025

“Laugh a lot. Study hard. And never lose your honor.”

— Dan Zaccardo ’81


“Get out of your dorm room into the outdoors, meet lots of people, and don’t try to solve every problem by yourself.”

— Christina Bentanzos Pint ’94, MArch ’00


“Make friends you’ll know for the rest of your life. Think outside the classroom. Enjoy every minute, because it goes by really fast.”

— Brad Will ’84


“Be an independent thinker.”

Kerry Litvin, PhD ’94

It’s all about balance. You can get great grades and have fun—just be organized.

Matt Adler ’80

“Engage other cultures.”

W. Virgil Cotton ’79


“I’ll give the advice I heard [science fiction author] David Brin give to a group of freshmen once: every so often, pick a random building on campus, and then a random room within it. Knock on the door, and politely ask, ‘What do you do here?’”

Tim Lynch ’90


“Enjoy every minute.”

Jean Tien ’99


“Pull up one of those ‘161 Things to Do at Cornell’ lists and see how many you can check off. There will be some you can’t or don’t want to do, and that’s OK. Look outside your major for related interests in different departments. Try all the cafés and dining halls.”

Becca Lublin ’19, MEng ’19

Enjoying the Beauty of the Hill

Students wearing backpacks take photos of the view of the lake from the viewing area atop the Slope
Students sit and stand outside of Goldwin Smith Hall on the opening day of fall semester 2025.
Students stand in a group and talk to each other outside Goldwin Smith Hall with the Arts Quad and clocktower in the background.
A view of the top of the clocktower and the Arts Quad with students walking to classes on the opening day of fall semester 2025.

“Learn to ice skate. Go to a hockey game. Hike in the Arboretum. Shop on the Commons. Visit the Johnson Museum. Eat at the Big Red Barn. Climb McGraw Tower and watch the chimesmasters play. Dress warmly. Play in the snow. Go sailing or boating on Cayuga Lake. Watch the sunset from Libe Slope.”

Suzanne Hagedorn, PhD ’95


“Solid footwear.”

Tina Jordan ’90


“Work hard, but get involved and enjoy the experience. I look back on those days fondly, including joining the Sherwoods and working in the Lab of Plasma Studies. One fond memory was taking my last fall semester final and walking over the gorge in a light snow heading to Collegetown. What a beautiful sight!”

Jim Blumling ’75


“Participate in outside activities: clubs, hikes, etc.”

Jennifer Green Wenacur ’94

Do more than study—whether it’s clubs, sports or just hanging out with friends from other parts of the U.S. or the world. I did recruiting for a Fortune 20 company; I didn’t hire students who only studied.

Wade Amos, MEng ’95

“Study hard—and be mindful, curious, bold, and grateful.”

Robbin Warner Goulet ’78


“Get ready to walk, have patience, meet new friends, and explore.”

Betsy Silverfine ’81


“Enjoy the moment—it goes way too fast!

Linda Francis Scherruble ’73

(Top: A new student checks in at the Ithaca mall. All images in this story by Cornell University photographers Alexandra Bayer, Devin Flores, Sreang Hok, Jason Koski, and Ryan Young.)

Published August 27, 2025


What advice do you have for new students?

Comments

  1. Kathleen N. White, Class of 1989

    First semester, determine YOUR most effective way to study & learn (not needed back in HS). Then not only will the balance of your time at CU open-up to everything else, but it’ll be an invaluable tool/skill for you once out in the “real world”! Good luck and GO BIG RED!

  2. Ron Pies, Class of 1974

    Explore philosophy as much as you can–a long and noble tradition at Cornell! And begin to develop your own philosophy of life. You will be surprised, many years from now, how well you were served by your studies.

  3. Gina Gerhardt, Class of 1997

    Winter months can be brutal, don’t hibernate, sign up for a class that has a physical element to it. I learned how to cross country ski!

  4. Diane Nichols, Class of 1968

    After a brief discussion of the requirements of my major at CU, a neighbor’s daughter asked me “Did you have time for fun?” Sadly, my answer was “No.” Don’t be me!

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