Quizzes & Puzzles Test Your Knowledge of Big Red Presidential Trivia As Interim President Kotlikoff winds up his first semester, we offer 15 questions on Cornell’s leaders, from A.D. White onward 1) How many presidents have also been alumni? 0 1 2 3 None 2) Interim President Mike Kotlikoff has held each of these roles at Cornell, EXCEPT: Dean of the Vet College Dean of the Faculty Department chair Provost None 3) Which president used to open the Beebe Lake toboggan slide by taking the first ride of the season? Edmund Ezra Day Dale Corson Andrew Dickson White Jacob Gould Schurman None 4) What is President Emerita Martha Pollack’s academic field? Computer science Astronomy Theoretical physics Electrical engineering None 5) How did A.D. White and Ezra Cornell meet? They were classmates at Yale They served in the Civil War together Both were NY state senators White tutored the Cornell children None 6) Who holds the record for longest-serving president? Andrew Dickson White Frank H.T. Rhodes Edmund Ezra Day Jacob Gould Schurman None 7) What president appeared on the cover of “Time” in the early 20th century? Jacob Gould Schurman Livingston Farrand Edmund Ezra Day Deane Waldo Malott None 8) Not counting those in acting or interim roles, how many people have served as president of the University? 12 13 14 15 None 9) Presidents A.D. White and Jacob Gould Schurman both served as U.S. ambassador to what country? The United Kingdom France Italy Germany None 10) Where on campus are two presidents honored with the Rhodes-Rawlings Auditorium? Klarman Hall Physical Sciences Building Willard Straight Hall Gates Hall None 11) What did A.D. White write in his diary on the day when trustees voted him in as Cornell’s first president? “May heaven strengthen me.” “Our bucolic locale is ‘centrally isolated.’” “I will be amused if someday a statue is erected in my honor.” “Dogs here shall forever roam free.” None 12) What year did Cornell inaugurate its first female president, Elizabeth Garrett? 2007 2011 2015 2021 None 13) Presidents David Skorton and Livingston Farrand share the same profession. What is it? Attorney Veterinarian Diplomat Physician None 14) President Frank H.T. Rhodes was known for closing his Commencement addresses with what sentiment? “Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers …” “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you …” “This above all: to thine own self be true …” “May the road rise to meet you …” None 15) How many former presidents are interred in the Sage Chapel crypt? 0 1 3 7 None Time’s up Published December 13, 2024 Comments Yasemin Ersun-Hallsby 25 Dec, 2024 Thank you for all the wonderful contributions and memories!! Have a wonderful Holidays Season and make 2025 the best year so far!! 🎶💕🎄🙏🏻 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 Alumni Remembering Chuck Feeney ’56, Cornell’s ‘Third Founder’ Cornelliana Big Red Books, Perfect for Gifting Alumni Alum Memorialized with Campaign to Promote His Made-Up Word