Floyd Senior, about a year after graduation. (Illustration by Cornell University from a provided photo) Alumni Meet the Overtons—A Big Red Family for Six Generations Stories You May Like Big Red Bird Lovers Aim to Make East Hill’s Buildings Avian Friendly Ah-choo! Insights on Seasonal Allergies from a Big Red Expert Alum’s Bakery with a Hollywood Following Hits a Sweet Spot Continuing a tradition stretching back to the 1880s, its latest Cornellian member graduates with the Class of ’22 By Joe Wilensky Along with his classmates, Taylor Overton ’22 will march at Commencement this weekend, entering the ranks of Big Red alumni. He’ll also join his brother, Jonathan Overton ’19, in a much smaller club: a Cornellian family six generations strong. Their diplomas are the most recent in a chain that stretches back 138 years to their great-great-great grandfather, Floyd Overton Sr., Class of 1884. Three generations celebrate Taylor's acceptance into the Class of 2022. From left: Katrina, Jonathan, Dick, Taylor, and Tom. (Photo provided) According to University Archivist Evan Earle ’02, MS ’14, the Overtons may be the only six-generation Cornell family—or, at least, one of very few. It’s hard to know, he explains, because such tracking is spotty and mostly self-reported. “I haven’t heard of another,” he admits, “though I wouldn’t be surprised if one is out there.” The Overtons—an agricultural family from northern New York—weren’t even fully aware of their extensive Big Red lineage themselves, until it became clear during some recent genealogical research. “We knew we had plenty of family members that have gone to Cornell,” says Jon and Taylor’s dad, Tom Overton ’91, “but I don’t think it was in our mindset that there was that much of a string.” The family tree boasts 14 alumni—so far. (Illustration by Cornell University) The first Cornellian: Floyd Senior The Overton who started it all was born near Watertown, NY, in 1859 and endured a tragic youth: his mother passed away when he was just 12, and three younger siblings died of scarlet fever three years later. “Here’s a kid who lost a lot,” says Katrina Peck Overton ’91, Tom’s wife and the de facto family historian. “He was the third son on a family farm, yet he was taking college prep courses in high school—and did well enough to get a scholarship to Cornell.” Second generation: Floyd’s sons The brothers studied on the Hill at the same time: Floyd Overton Jr. earned a DVM in 1910, while Kent Overton was a special student in CALS who attended from 1909–10. After graduation, both returned to work at Overton Farms, the family’s agricultural operation in Adams, NY. Third generation: a Cornellian couple Stories You May Like Big Red Bird Lovers Aim to Make East Hill’s Buildings Avian Friendly Ah-choo! Insights on Seasonal Allergies from a Big Red Expert Big Red love: Marie and Richard. (Photo provided) Kent’s son, Richard M. Overton ’43, majored in agricultural engineering—putting himself through college by selling strawberries from the family farm. He and his wife, Marie Loomis Overton ’43, met on the Hill. (Her brother, Clifton Loomis ’37, PhD ’53, was also an alum.) Marie and Richard were brought together by a shared passion for horses: she was on the equestrian team, he was in the cavalry through Army ROTC. A family photo captures them on the Balch Hall steps in spring 1941—both wearing riding boots, and beaming with happiness. Fourth generation: their son Like his dad, Richard K. Overton ’66, BS ’70—known as Dick—financed his education with the fruits of his labor on the family farm. (Or, rather, vegetables: he sold sweet corn by the roadside.) He returned to the farm briefly, but segued into a career in agri-finance, working for John Hancock in Boston. Fifth generation: five Cornellian cousins Dick’s two children—Tom and his brother, Hotelie Kurt Overton ’94—followed the family footsteps to Cornell. So did Dick’s nephew and niece, Matthew Greene ’00 and Andrea Greene Lassen ’06. (Matthew now teaches agriculture in a town near the Canadian border; Andrea lives in Oklahoma and works for an energy company.) Katrina and Tom tied the knot in 1994. (Photo provided) Like Richard and Marie, Tom and Katrina—both animal science majors in CALS—met on the Hill and married soon after graduation. Tom, a Cornell faculty member for nearly a quarter century, is currently chair of animal science; Katrina is assistant director for graduate student affairs in the Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Generation six: young alums Tom (left) and Jon at Commencement ’19. (Photo provided) The clan’s newest grad—Taylor, who majored in computer science and was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha—has landed a remote job in cybersecurity, as a cloud engineer for a Dallas company. Jon was a mechanical and aerospace engineering major and served in Air Force ROTC. Since graduation, he has been working for an Ithaca-based firm, making COVID testing equipment; in June, he heads to officer training school at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama. “The ‘legacy’ really didn’t hit me until I was here as a student,” Jon says, pondering his family’s Cornellian tradition. “I was walking around campus one day, and I realized: my dad walked on the same spot—and so did my grandfather.” Top image: Floyd Senior, about a year after graduation. (Illustration by Cornell University from a provided photo) Published: May 27, 2022 Comments Robert Allen Rothermel, Class of 1967 14 Jun, 2022 What a great story. Tradition does matter. Reply Richard A Church, Class of 1964 29 Jun, 2022 Yes, a great story! And knowing Tom and Katrina, and being part of the team who admitted them to Cornell, and also witnessing Katrina’s leadership in the CALS Ambassadors, it’s even more special! Congratulations on the growing legacy. Richard Church ’64 Reply Bruce H Clements, Class of 1978 3 Jul, 2022 was Katrina Peck Overton ’91 from Schuylerville New York? I am 3rd generation Cornellian. My 2 children are class of 2011 and 2015. Shabby 4th generation graduates compared to the overtons! Reply Jim Overton, Class of 1996 3 Jul, 2022 Excellent -Jim Overton ’96 Reply Annee Ashton, MSW, MPH, Class of 1993 4 Jul, 2022 And then there’s this to consider – https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/02/15/legacy-colleges-universities-black-brown/ Not passing judgment, as I don’t know the admissions specifics for this family, but just putting forward another perspective. According to this article, Cornell is one of 4 schools where legacy students outnumbered Black students in freshman classes – https://www.boston.com/news/politics/2022/02/13/ending-legacy-admissions-harvard-yale-brown/#:~:text=The%20University%20of%20Notre%20Dame,the%20University%20of%20Southern%20California. Reply Brad, Class of 2022 15 Jul, 2022 That Taylor Kid seems like a stand up guy. 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 Students TikTok-ing Chimesmaster Brings Cornell Music to the World Alumni In the Wake of War, Alum Works to Ensure There’s ‘No One Left Behind’ Alumni For Miss Vermont, Pageants Are a Platform for Social Change