Alumni Meet the New Chair of the University’s Board of Trustees Stories You May Like Test Your Knowledge of the Cornell Board of Trustees A Conversation with Life Trustee Ezra Cornell ’70, BS ’71 Board of Trustees 101 The first woman in the post, Anne Meinig Smalling ’87 has a lifelong love of Cornell—where ‘we really want to do the greatest good’ By Beth Saulnier While Anne Meinig Smalling ’87 is a third-generation Cornellian, she didn’t visit Ithaca until she was looking at colleges; she’d largely grown up in Mexico City, where her family moved for her father’s career when she was six months old. But even if she’d never physically been far above Cayuga’s waters, her grandfather—Carl Meinig ’31—had always nudged her in that direction. “He was a rabid Cornellian,” Smalling recalls with a fond laugh. “For him, it was very clear that it was the only university you should attend. And he said that to me frequently.” Nearly a century after her grandfather matriculated on the Hill, Smalling assumed a role that would doubtless have made him burst with Big Red pride: chair of the University’s Board of Trustees. the Cornellian Carl Meinig in the 1931 yearbook. Smalling’s election made her the first woman ever to hold the position—but the second member of her family to do so. Her father, Peter Meinig ’61, BME ’62, served as chair from 2002–11. (Her mother, Nancy Schlegel Meinig ’62, is also an alum. Other Cornellian relatives include sister Kathryn Meinig Geib, MBA ’93; daughter Sami Smalling ’20, MEng ’21; and nephew Jaxon Snipes ’21, BA ’22.) cornell universityPeter and Nancy Meinig. Smalling is CEO and managing partner of HM International, a privately owned manufacturing and management company headquartered in Austin, TX. On the Hill, she majored in human development in the College of Human Ecology and captained the varsity tennis team, on which she played for four years. In August, Smalling chatted with Cornellians about her family’s Big Red legacy, how she envisions her role as chair, the joys of being a Cornell parent, and more. First off, we at Cornellians love nothing better than a Big Red love story. Could you share the tale of your parents’ romance? They actually met when my mom was an eighth-grader and my dad was a freshman in high school. They went to different schools and met at a dance—and afterward, she said she’d met the man she was going to marry. My dad then went to Cornell, and my mother followed. Actually, I think they dated a bit toward the end of high school; you got different stories from Mom than from Dad. the Cornellian Smalling's parents are front and center in this group shot from a Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji) event in spring 1961. But once they were both on campus, they really started dating—though there are stories of my mom coming through the front door of the sorority house after a date with my dad, and leaving through the back door with somebody else. [She laughs.] My dad was an engineer, so it was a five-year program, and my mom was in Human Ecology; they got married the September after they both graduated. What are some of your most vivid memories of being a student on the Hill? I was a tennis player, and I spent a lot of time studying. In terms of where I hung out: there was a “music room” in Willard Straight that’s not there anymore—essentially a study room where they played classical music. I spent hours there, and there was also a TV room upstairs where we would catch soap operas in the middle of the day. Smalling (third from right) with fellow Big Red tennis players at Penn. What’s your most treasured item of Big Red clothing or memorabilia? I had a favorite Cornell sweatshirt that was in tatters, but I think my husband made me throw it away. [She laughs.] My grandfather ran track—he was a sprinter—and at the time, they would travel to England for some races. He won a couple of gold medals, and I still have those. In terms of where I hung out: there was a 'music room' in Willard Straight—essentially a study room where they played classical music. I spent hours there. What are some of the most important lessons you took away from your Cornell education? Resilience, patience, soldiering on, commitment, and accountability. Was there a single class or a professor that stands out? Urie Bronfenbrenner ’38 was a mentor. The work he did with Head Start was revolutionary, and he brought that work into the College of Human Ecology and built what became the developmental studies department. Smalling (front row, far right) holds a homemade "cheat sheet" for singing the "Alma Mater" on a 1987 trip to Colorado that included members of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority as well as Kappas and Phi Gamma Delta brothers from the early 1960s. What do you like to do on campus when you visit? I always go for a run in the Botanic Gardens. I’ll be out every day, unless it’s snowing cats and dogs. It’s an incredibly peaceful, beautiful way to start the day. Your father served nine years as trustee chair; what wisdom might you have taken from observing him, that may guide you now? My dad had time for everyone—to listen to them, to give them space to talk about their concerns, suggestions, and ideas. He was a great facilitator. I don’t know that I have quite that same strength of character, but it’s certainly something I’d love to emulate. Urie Bronfenbrenner ’38 was a mentor. The work he did with Head Start was revolutionary. How do you think he would have felt if he could have seen you become chair—and how does it feel to be following in his footsteps? I think he’d be incredibly proud. And I’m probably a little daunted, if I’m honest. Could you reflect on your proudest accomplishments as a trustee before becoming chair? I was lucky enough to co-chair the To Do the Greatest Good capital campaign, which has been an incredible accomplishment. It’s not mine; it’s that of lots of other folks. But to be a part of that team, and that effort, is something I’m proud to say I did. Stories You May Like Test Your Knowledge of the Cornell Board of Trustees A Conversation with Life Trustee Ezra Cornell ’70, BS ’71 cornell universitySmalling's dad at a 2007 square dance and barbecue for students in the Meinig Family Cornell National Scholars program. How do you envision your role as chair, and how do you hope to make the most impact? The institution—not just Cornell, but all of higher education—is faced with a number of headwinds, so I hope I’m able to help navigate them. I feel strongly that Cornell is a unique and special place, and I know we’ll come out of this stronger and better. My commitment is to help make that happen. We’re incredibly lucky to have very strong leadership. [President Kotlikoff] and his team are amazing, both in their capabilities and their dedication to the institution. It’s my job to make their work as easy as possible, while ensuring that we’re hearing, listening to, and understanding perspectives from all different stakeholders. Could you talk a bit about your career, and how your long experience in management might inform your work as chair? I’ve been lucky to do a lot of different things, work with a lot of different people, and wear a number of different hats. In each of those situations and relationships, you may have some positional power—but that’s not going to help you accomplish a task. My dad had time for everyone—to listen to them, to give them space to talk about their concerns, suggestions, and ideas. He was a great facilitator. So I’m hoping to be able to bring some of that experience to this role, where you’ve got to get people to work together, listen, and understand lots of different perspectives—and ultimately help navigate all those constituencies in the same direction. We’re a large board—64 people—and we have great participation from our emeritus trustees. So there are normally more than 100 of us in the room. And to some people, that may not seem like a positive—but it really is a strength, because we have the opportunity for very fulsome discussions, and the freedom to state our opinions. What do you think is most distinctive about Cornell as an institution? We live by our ethos of “Any person, any study.” It may sound a little Pollyannish, but it’s incredibly important to our identity, and I think that distinguishes us. And we really want to do the greatest good; at all levels of the University, that is a motivator. And again, that’s pretty unique. So for me, those two really speak to who we are as an institution, because they permeate everything we do. On a related note, what is most special about Cornell’s body of more than 300,000 living alumni? The shared experience that most alumni have of being in Ithaca for a period of time binds them together in a unique way. The lack of outside distractions can sometimes feel a little narrowing, but the end result is that folks really come together, and get to know each other and the University. Over generations, that shared experience is a pretty strong bond. the Cornellian Her senior portrait in the yearbook. Your daughter Sami is a Class of ’20 grad; after having grown up as the granddaughter and daughter of Cornellians, what it was like to be a Big Red parent? It was really fun and special to see the University through her eyes, and to get to know her friends and see their experiences—both the similarities and the differences from my own. For example, she had the opportunity to work in a research lab almost every day for a couple of years, and that was not something that was available to me in the same way. So I came to appreciate the research element of what the University does—not just how important it is to graduate students, but how meaningful it can be to undergrads. Smalling with family at her 1987 Commencement, and ... ... celebrating daughter Sami's master's degree in 2021. Now, we’d love to ask a few get-to-know-you questions. What are your hobbies? I’m a runner, a cyclist, a golfer, and a skier—both water and snow. So pretty much anything outside. I also like to read, though I don’t get to do it much anymore. What’s your favorite book you’ve read recently? The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker. It talks about being more intentional about how and why people gather together. We live by our ethos of 'Any person, any study.' It may sound a little Pollyannish, but it’s incredibly important to our identity, and I think that distinguishes us. What’s your favorite place on Earth you’ve ever visited, and why? Rather than choosing one place, I’d say that I love to travel. Each place has its own unique characteristics, people, and culture, and I really love experiencing that. What’s a place you’ve haven’t visited, but would love to go to? Antarctica, Turkey, and India. Snapping a Commencement selfie with fellow trustees. What’s your favorite book, movie, and TV show? One of my favorite books is The Great Gatsby. For a movie, Rocky is popping into my head; I’m not sure I’d say it’s an all-time favorite, but I like the underdog story. For a TV show, maybe “The Big Bang Theory.” OK, here’s perhaps the most divisive question of all: what’s your favorite Cornell Dairy ice cream flavor? The one that has peanut butter and chocolate in it; they always have it, but I never remember the name. [Editor’s note: it’s Peanut Butter Mini Falls!] It’s sort of a guilty pleasure to walk up there, hide out from everybody, and walk back with your ice cream cone. And lastly: at Homecoming, Cornellians has done an exercise where we ask alumni to sum up, in five words, what the University means to them. What’s your “Cornell in five?” Family, gorgeous, home, challenging, and growth. (Top: Portrait by Lindsay France / Cornell University. All other images provided, unless otherwise indicated.) Published September 5, 2025 Comments Warren J Kessler, Class of 1967 14 Sep, 2025 Let me start by saying that I loved every day of my 4 years at Cornell. I read the article and could only conclude that it is tone deaf. Why was Ms. Smalling not asked to identify the 3 biggest challenges my beloved University is facing, two of which are certainly the scourge of anti-Semitism that has pervaded all areas of Cornell and the challenges of dealing with a US President who is hostile to “elite” academic institutions (in many cases with a basis for such hostility) and has threatened to remove funding. I don’t know if, in fact, it is the case, but the impression that I take from the article is that under Ms. Smalling, business will continue as usual. If that is the case then my beloved University is in trouble. Reply Brenda (Wilkinson) Melvin, Class of 1987 14 Sep, 2025 Great profile, and a nice surprise to see a fellow ’87 classmate in such an important role. Reply Pat L. Richards, Class of 1961 14 Sep, 2025 Jack ’60 and I have every confidence in Anne’s ability to lead! Reply Henry O'Connor, Class of 1988 15 Sep, 2025 Congratulations, Madame Chairperson! Proud to have you stewarding the Big Red. We face challenging times, but on the whole our University has never been stronger. Cornell’s unique blends of public/private and Ivy/land grant are, I believe, the model for future higher education, and needed like never before. Please know that you take the Chair with the love and support of several generations of alumni. Let us know how we can help. Huck O’Connor, A&S ’88, P ’25, ’28, ’29 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 Cornelliana It’s a Storm, It’s a Blizzard, It’s … a Big Red Snowpocalypse! Students Big Red Volleyball Standout Advocates for Women in Sports Alumni Giving Voice to the Often Voiceless, Alum Wins a ‘Genius Grant’