{"id":35299,"date":"2024-05-18T12:21:51","date_gmt":"2024-05-18T16:21:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/?p=35299"},"modified":"2024-05-20T12:56:16","modified_gmt":"2024-05-20T16:56:16","slug":"pollack-retirement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/pollack-retirement\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Unbridled Admiration for This University\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">President Pollack announces her retirement\u2014and <em>Cornellians<\/em> offers a photographic tribute to her seven years of service<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Editor\u2019s note: The following message was shared with the Cornell community on May 9, 2024.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By <strong>Martha E. Pollack<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">April 17 marked the seventh anniversary of my joining Cornell as its president. I am writing today to announce that this will be my last year in that role, and that I will retire on June 30. It is only after extensive reflection that I have determined that this is the right decision. Indeed, I began deliberating about this last fall, and made the decision over the December break; but three times, as I was ready to act on it, I had to pause because of events on our and\/or on other campuses. But continued delay is not in the University\u2019s best interests, both because of the need to have sufficient time for a smooth transition before the start of the coming academic year, and because I do not want my announcement to interfere with the celebration of our newest graduates at Commencement in just a few weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There is so much more to Cornell than the current turmoil taking place at universities across the country right now, and I hope we do not lose sight of that. I came here with unbridled admiration for this university and for all it had achieved in its more than 150-year history, and with equally strong enthusiasm for what we could be going forward. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2016_1556_332-A-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Martha Pollack poses with students in 2016 on the day she was announced as Cornell\u2019s 14th president.\" class=\"wp-image-35314\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2016_1556_332-A-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2016_1556_332-A-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2016_1556_332-A-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2016_1556_332-A-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2016_1556_332-A-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2016_1556_332-A-608x342.jpg 608w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2016_1556_332-A-304x171.jpg 304w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2016_1556_332-A-152x85.jpg 152w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2016_1556_332-A-1184x666.jpg 1184w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2016_1556_332-A-592x333.jpg 592w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2016_1556_332-A-296x166.jpg 296w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2016_1556_332-A-1264x711.jpg 1264w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2016_1556_332-A-632x356.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2016_1556_332-A-316x178.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2016_1556_332-A-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2016_1556_332-A-200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2016_1556_332-A-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2016_1556_332-A.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">With students on the day in 2016 that she was announced as Cornell\u2019s 14th president.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>In my <a href=\"https:\/\/president.cornell.edu\/speeches-writings\/inaugural-address\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">inauguration address<\/a> seven years ago, I identified three priorities for that forward path: enhancing Cornell\u2019s academic distinction, our educational verve, and the fulfillment of our civic responsibility. I am deeply proud of all we have accomplished together in each of these areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 The creation of the <a href=\"https:\/\/publicpolicy.cornell.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy<\/a>, the expansion of <a href=\"https:\/\/research-and-innovation.cornell.edu\/publications-data\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">external research expenditures<\/a> by nearly 50%, the launch of high-impact interdisciplinary programs that span our breadth of expertise, from <a href=\"https:\/\/digitalagriculture.cornell.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">digital agriculture<\/a> to <a href=\"https:\/\/urban.tech.cornell.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">urban tech<\/a> and more, and the construction of our <a href=\"https:\/\/news.cornell.edu\/stories\/2022\/05\/new-building-create-unified-complex-bowers-cis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">new academic building<\/a> for our fast-growing <a href=\"https:\/\/cis.cornell.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science<\/a> are just a few examples of our success in academic distinction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2017_0370_002-A-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"President Martha Pollack poses with the previous living Cornell presidents Frank H.T. Rhodes, Hunter R. Rawlings III, Jeffrey Lehman, and David Skorton on the occasion of her inauguration in 2017\" class=\"wp-image-35313\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2017_0370_002-A-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2017_0370_002-A-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2017_0370_002-A-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2017_0370_002-A-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2017_0370_002-A-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2017_0370_002-A-608x342.jpg 608w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2017_0370_002-A-304x171.jpg 304w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2017_0370_002-A-152x85.jpg 152w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2017_0370_002-A-1184x666.jpg 1184w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2017_0370_002-A-592x333.jpg 592w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2017_0370_002-A-296x166.jpg 296w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2017_0370_002-A-1264x711.jpg 1264w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2017_0370_002-A-632x356.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2017_0370_002-A-316x178.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2017_0370_002-A-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2017_0370_002-A-200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2017_0370_002-A-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2017_0370_002-A.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">With previous presidents (from left) Frank H.T. Rhodes, Hunter Rawlings III, Jeffrey Lehman \u201977, and David Skorton during her inauguration.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 When it comes to educational verve, nothing gives me more satisfaction than the strides we\u2019ve made toward promoting affordability. We were able to increase by 1,000 the number of undergraduates receiving financial aid, reduce annual loan burden by 25%, and create programs that help students on financial aid to participate in unpaid summer internships. Additionally, our <a href=\"https:\/\/teaching.cornell.edu\/programs\/faculty-instructors\/active-learning-initiative\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Active Learning Initiative<\/a> has expanded to reach about 10,000 students each year, and last year <a href=\"https:\/\/ecornell.cornell.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">eCornell<\/a> enrolled 140,000 students, up from just 19,000 seven years ago, extending the reach of those who have access to Cornell teaching and learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 In the area of civic responsibility, I\u2019m enormously proud of how our community navigated the COVID-19 pandemic; how we came together to craft a statement of Cornell\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/president.cornell.edu\/initiatives\/university-core-values\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">core values<\/a>; our continued progress on operational sustainability, for which we have been awarded a <a href=\"https:\/\/sustainablecampus.cornell.edu\/our-leadership\/annual-sustainability-reporting\/stars\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">STARS Platinum rating<\/a> five years in a row; and the launch of our first-ever theme year\u2014<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cornell.edu\/expression\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Indispensable Condition: Freedom of Expression at Cornell<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<section aria-label=\"Image Carousel\" class=\"wp-block-rkv-carousel rkv-swiper swiper\"><div class=\"alignfull swiper-buttons\"><div class=\"swiper-button-prev\"><\/div><div class=\"swiper-button-next\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-wrapper\"><figure class=\"rkv-carousel__image swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1068_JK_026.jpg\" alt=\"Ryan Lombardi, vice president for student and campus life, and President Martha Pollack march in the Dragon Day parade in 2023\" data-src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1068_JK_026.jpg\" \/><figcaption class=\"caption-align-center\">With Ryan Lombardi, vice president for student and campus life, at Dragon Day 2023.<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class=\"rkv-carousel__image swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2017_0716_014-A.jpg\" alt=\"President Martha Pollack with Bill Nye \u201977 during 2017 Reunion Weekend\" data-src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2017_0716_014-A.jpg\" \/><figcaption class=\"caption-align-center\">With &#8220;Science Guy&#8221; Bill Nye \u201977.<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class=\"rkv-carousel__image swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1166_MP_025.jpg\" alt=\"President Martha Pollack shakes hands with members of the Mandela Fellows Program on campus in 2023\" data-src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1166_MP_025.jpg\" \/><figcaption class=\"caption-align-center\">Greeting members of the Mandela Fellows Program.<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class=\"rkv-carousel__image swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1056_029-N.jpg\" alt=\"President Martha Pollack attends a Cornell Dairy Club open house event at the Livestock Pavilion in 2023\" data-src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1056_029-N.jpg\" \/><figcaption class=\"caption-align-center\">At a Cornell Dairy Club open house.<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class=\"rkv-carousel__image swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2018_0254_004-1.jpg\" alt=\"President Martha Pollack poses with Wynton Marsalis prior to a concert in Bailey Hall in 2018\" data-src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2018_0254_004-1.jpg\" \/><figcaption class=\"caption-align-center\">With jazz great Wynton Marsalis before a Bailey performance.<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class=\"rkv-carousel__image swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1212_RY_0636.jpg\" alt=\"Martha Pollack listening to Gov. Kathy Hochul at the Dairy Bar\" data-src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1212_RY_0636.jpg\" \/><figcaption class=\"caption-align-center\">Having ice cream at the Dairy Bar with Governor Kathy Hochul (center).<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class=\"rkv-carousel__image swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/66773030_175066293538416_2715664562876722487_n.jpg\" alt=\"Martha Pollack chatting with a student in a classroom as faculty look on.\" data-src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/66773030_175066293538416_2715664562876722487_n.jpg\" \/><figcaption class=\"caption-align-center\">Meeting lab members on a tour led by Prof. David Hammer, PhD \u201969 (far left).<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class=\"rkv-carousel__image swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/image0.jpg\" alt=\"Martha Pollack with four Cornel alumni on a visit to Dallas\" data-src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/image0.jpg\" \/><figcaption class=\"caption-align-center\">Meeting alumni in Dallas, TX.<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class=\"rkv-carousel__image swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2018_0362_010.jpg\" alt=\"Martha Pollack playing the Cornell Chimes as students watch\" data-src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2018_0362_010.jpg\" \/><figcaption class=\"caption-align-center\">Taking a turn at the Chimes in McGraw Tower.<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class=\"rkv-carousel__image swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/201598998_227906772263270_3870938231755441436_n.jpg\" alt=\"Martha Pollack on stage with fellow dignitaries, launching Weill Cornell Medicine\u2019s $1.5 billion campaign in 2021.\" data-src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/201598998_227906772263270_3870938231755441436_n.jpg\" \/><figcaption class=\"caption-align-center\">With fellow dignitaries at the launch of Weill Cornell Medicine\u2019s $1.5 billion campaign in 2021.<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class=\"rkv-carousel__image swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1229_NH_079.jpg\" alt=\"Martha Pollack taking a selfie with students\" data-src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1229_NH_079.jpg\" \/><figcaption class=\"caption-align-center\">Posing for a selfie with students recently returned for fall classes.<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class=\"rkv-carousel__image swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/C1A9740.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/C1A9740.jpg\" \/><figcaption class=\"caption-align-center\">Touring Cornell\u2019s Long Island Horticultural Research and Extension Center.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<p>And in support of this work, our successful philanthropic campaign is nearing its completion. (For a fuller list of what we have achieved during my tenure, <a href=\"https:\/\/president.cornell.edu\/accomplishments\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">click here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Serving as the president of Cornell has been an amazing privilege; there are few roles that afford one so much opportunity to make a positive difference in the world. My time as president has also been one of enormous, unexpected challenges for both our country and our community, as we\u2019ve had to navigate a global pandemic, a national racial reckoning, and a terrorist attack and subsequent war that has reverberated across our country and especially across higher education. The latter has raised a number of critical issues that we are all grappling with, from antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of bigotry, to free expression, academic freedom, and how to foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Serving as the president of Cornell has been an amazing privilege; there are few roles that afford one so much opportunity to make a positive difference in the world.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>I suspect many of these issues are going to be with us for years to come. As the next Cornell administration finds new and creative ways to confront them, it will be building from a solid foundation. We have worked hard to uphold our commitment both to free expression and to being a community of belonging, where everyone is welcome and safe. Local and world events have caused enormous pain for students of many backgrounds, including our Jewish and Israeli students, as well as our Arab, Palestinian, and Muslim students. We have been vigilant in working to ensure the safety and well-being of all members of our community from all backgrounds, work I\u2019ve been dedicated to long before the events of the past year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2022_1165_JK_073-A-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"President Martha Pollack addresses the Commencement crowd in Schoellkopf in 2022\" class=\"wp-image-35327\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2022_1165_JK_073-A-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2022_1165_JK_073-A-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2022_1165_JK_073-A-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2022_1165_JK_073-A-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2022_1165_JK_073-A-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2022_1165_JK_073-A-608x342.jpg 608w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2022_1165_JK_073-A-304x171.jpg 304w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2022_1165_JK_073-A-152x85.jpg 152w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2022_1165_JK_073-A-1184x666.jpg 1184w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2022_1165_JK_073-A-592x333.jpg 592w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2022_1165_JK_073-A-296x166.jpg 296w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2022_1165_JK_073-A-1264x711.jpg 1264w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2022_1165_JK_073-A-632x356.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2022_1165_JK_073-A-316x178.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2022_1165_JK_073-A-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2022_1165_JK_073-A-200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2022_1165_JK_073-A-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2022_1165_JK_073-A.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Leading the 2022 Commencement ceremony.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>There will be plenty more to do over the coming months and years. Higher education has come under attack from many quarters, and our core values have faced enormous pressure. And yet, my faith in the positive role that universities like Cornell play in our society is stronger than ever. We change the lives of our students. We change the lives of the communities our graduates go into. We change the lives of the people who are affected by the research we do, the discoveries we make, and the art we create. We are not just educating students for their careers. We are educating them to be able to thrive in their lives and in our democracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As we prepare students for today\u2019s increasingly polarized climate, our commitment to free expression, including the expression of ideas we may consider offensive, remains paramount. Indeed, if I have one piece of advice for the Cornell community going forward, it is this: We must develop more capacity to seek out different perspectives and be willing to listen to those with whom we differ, doing so with intellectual curiosity and an open mind; at the same time, we must always consider the impact of what we say to one another; and we must thoughtfully engage in debate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>My faith in the positive role that universities like Cornell play in our society is stronger than ever.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, there are instances in which a position is so hateful that it does not deserve a response, but there are many more occasions where views we are predisposed to dislike deserve consideration, principled argument, and, if needed, refutation. A willingness to communicate across differences is the only way forward for higher education, and indeed for our democracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our aspirations demand that we foster a diversity of background, experience, geography, perspective, and ability, at all levels of our community, be it our students, faculty, or staff. It is central to Ezra Cornell\u2019s founding vision that at our university \u201cany person can find instruction in any study,\u201d and it has been demonstrated that a diverse community that allows free and open expression results in better learning, better decisions, and better discoveries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<section aria-label=\"Image Carousel\" class=\"wp-block-rkv-carousel rkv-swiper swiper\"><div class=\"alignfull swiper-buttons\"><div class=\"swiper-button-prev\"><\/div><div class=\"swiper-button-next\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-wrapper\"><figure class=\"rkv-carousel__image swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1131_JK_005-A.jpg\" alt=\"President Martha Pollack greets Martha Mapes, Class of 1948, during Reunion 2023 at the Statler Carrier Ballroom\" data-src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1131_JK_005-A.jpg\" \/><figcaption class=\"caption-align-center\">Greeting Martha Clark Mapes \u201948, MS \u201949, at Reunion 2023.<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class=\"rkv-carousel__image swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2022_1165_LF_032-A.jpg\" alt=\"President Martha Pollack poses for a selfie with a graduating senior during Commencement 2022\" data-src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2022_1165_LF_032-A.jpg\" \/><figcaption class=\"caption-align-center\">Posing for a selfie at Commencement 2022.<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class=\"rkv-carousel__image swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2022_1252_LF_092-A.jpg\" alt=\"President Martha Pollack prepares for the coin toss at a Big Red football game in Schoellkopf in 2022\" data-src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2022_1252_LF_092-A.jpg\" \/><figcaption class=\"caption-align-center\">About to toss the coin at a Big Red football game.<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class=\"rkv-carousel__image swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1053_046.jpg\" alt=\"Meinig Family Cornell National Scholars Cook-Off with President Pollack, Provost Kotlikoff, and Vice President Lombardi in Morrison Dining.\" data-src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1053_046.jpg\" \/><figcaption class=\"caption-align-center\">Making pizza with students and staff in Morrison Dining.<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class=\"rkv-carousel__image swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2019_1543_JK_058-A.jpg\" alt=\"President Martha Pollack poses with students and alumni during Homecoming 2019\" data-src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2019_1543_JK_058-A.jpg\" \/><figcaption class=\"caption-align-center\">With students and alumni during Homecoming 2019.<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class=\"rkv-carousel__image swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1274_031.jpg\" alt=\"Martha Pollack poses with faculty members in front of a Freedom of Expression banner\" data-src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1274_031.jpg\" \/><figcaption class=\"caption-align-center\">With faculty at a Freedom of Expression Theme Year event.<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class=\"rkv-carousel__image swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2018_1016_SyKatzParade_084-A.jpg\" alt=\"President Martha Pollack and her daughter, Anna Gottschlich, lead the 2018 Sy Katz \u201931 Parade in New York City\" data-src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2018_1016_SyKatzParade_084-A.jpg\" \/><figcaption class=\"caption-align-center\">At center, leading the 2018 Sy Katz \u201931 Parade in NYC.<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class=\"rkv-carousel__image swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1079_SH_019-4-A.jpg\" alt=\"President Martha Pollack holds a baseball bat in the dugout at the new Booth Field in 2023\" data-src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1079_SH_019-4-A.jpg\" \/><figcaption class=\"caption-align-center\">In the dugout at the new Booth Field.<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class=\"rkv-carousel__image swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2017_1181_025_select.jpg\" alt=\"Chatting with Susan Pannullo \u201983, MD \u201987, at her 2017 Inauguration reception at Weill Cornell Medicine.\" data-src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2017_1181_025_select.jpg\" \/><figcaption class=\"caption-align-center\">Chatting with Dr. Susan Cohen Pannullo \u201983, MD \u201987, at Weill Cornell Medicine.<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class=\"rkv-carousel__image swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2017_1178_013_select-1.jpg\" alt=\"The 2017 Cornell Tech (TECH) Campus Dedication. Onstage for the ribbon-cutting officially dedicating the Cornell Tech campus are, from left, Cornell Tech student Evan Kesten, M.S. '18, Verizon Communications Chairman and CEO Lowell McAdam, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, Cornell President Martha Pollack, philanthropist and former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Technion President Peretz Lavie, Cornell Board of Trustees Chairman Robert Harrison, Dean and Vice Provost Dan Huttenlocher, and Cornell Tech student Jillian Sue, M.S. '18.\" data-src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2017_1178_013_select-1.jpg\" \/><figcaption class=\"caption-align-center\">At the 2017 ribbon cutting for Cornell Tech.<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class=\"rkv-carousel__image swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2019_1455_023.jpg\" alt=\"Martha Pollack helping a student push a cart on move in day.\" data-src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2019_1455_023.jpg\" \/><figcaption class=\"caption-align-center\">Lending a hand at Move-In.<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class=\"rkv-carousel__image swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1085_024.jpg\" alt=\"Martha Pollack sitting at a table listening at a Faculty Recognition dinner and reception in Statler Ballroom.\" data-src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1085_024.jpg\" \/><figcaption class=\"caption-align-center\">At a faculty recognition dinner in the Statler.<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class=\"rkv-carousel__image swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/242173744_398013815049123_238597558987441436_n.jpg\" alt=\"Martha Pollack wearing a mask visiting Cornell's COVID testing lab\" data-src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/242173744_398013815049123_238597558987441436_n.jpg\" \/><figcaption class=\"caption-align-center\">Visiting the COVID testing lab at the Vet College in September 2021.<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class=\"rkv-carousel__image swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2017_1029_012-A.jpg\" alt=\"President Martha Pollack chats with students at the 2017 Africana Studies Welcome Barbecue in 2017\" data-src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/UP_2017_1029_012-A.jpg\" \/><figcaption class=\"caption-align-center\">At the 2017 Africana Studies Welcome Barbecue.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite our current challenges\u2014and all great institutions face great challenges\u2014Cornell is remarkable. We have risen to challenges for 159 years, and I have no doubt that we will continue to do so, continue to thrive, and continue to do the greatest good. I believe that our academic excellence, our core values, and our culture position us to lead as we continue to counter the pressures that we face, with clarity and resolve, with intellectual humility, and with an openness to meeting the moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Despite our current challenges\u2014and all great institutions face great challenges\u2014Cornell is remarkable.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>I understand that there will be lots of speculation about my decision, so let me be as clear as I can: This decision is mine and mine alone. After seven fruitful and gratifying years as Cornell\u2019s president\u2014and after a career in research and academia spanning five decades\u2014I\u2019m ready for a new chapter in my life. I greatly appreciate the continued support of our Board of Trustees, and of the many faculty, students, staff, and alumni who have spoken with and written to me with words of encouragement and support throughout my time as president, including the past academic year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1201_NH_062-A-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"President Martha Pollack welcomes incoming first-year students at New Student Convocation in 2023\" class=\"wp-image-35316\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1201_NH_062-A-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1201_NH_062-A-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1201_NH_062-A-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1201_NH_062-A-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1201_NH_062-A-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1201_NH_062-A-608x342.jpg 608w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1201_NH_062-A-304x171.jpg 304w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1201_NH_062-A-152x85.jpg 152w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1201_NH_062-A-1184x666.jpg 1184w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1201_NH_062-A-592x333.jpg 592w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1201_NH_062-A-296x166.jpg 296w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1201_NH_062-A-1264x711.jpg 1264w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1201_NH_062-A-632x356.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1201_NH_062-A-316x178.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1201_NH_062-A-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1201_NH_062-A-200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1201_NH_062-A-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/2023_1201_NH_062-A.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Welcoming first-years at New Student Convocation in 2023.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>It has been an honor to serve as president of this wonderful university. Over the next two months, as I complete my service, I will work diligently to resolve the issues we currently face, and to facilitate a smooth leadership transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Top: Pollack cheers graduates at Commencement 2023. This story features images by Cornell University photographers Lindsay France, No\u00ebl Heaney, Sreang Hok, and Jason Koski, contributor Simon Wheeler, and others.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">Published May 18, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>President Pollack announces her retirement\u2014and <em>Cornellians<\/em> offers a photographic tribute to her seven years of service<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":68,"featured_media":35319,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"alumni_hub_syml_posts":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[226],"tags":[],"cornell_year_post":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-35299","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-from-the-president"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>\u2018Unbridled Admiration for This University\u2019 - 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