{"id":41971,"date":"2024-10-04T15:56:30","date_gmt":"2024-10-04T19:56:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/?p=41971"},"modified":"2025-10-08T16:14:30","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T20:14:30","slug":"fondest-memories","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/fondest-memories\/","title":{"rendered":"Libe Slope, Friends, and East Hill Sunsets: Your Fondest Memories"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This year\u2019s Homecoming exercise garnered hundreds of Big Red recollections\u2014from the universal to the poignantly specific<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editor’s note: Please scroll down and share your own memories in the comments!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Beth Saulnier<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s your fondest Cornell memory? That\u2019s what we asked the Fan Festival revelers during Homecoming \u201924. And\u2014in exchange for bespoke Cornellians<\/em> umbrellas\u2014we got hundreds of responses, each jotted onto a brightly colored sticky note and posted in our booth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Much of what participants wrote was universal\u2014the types of recollections that tug at the heartstrings of Big Red alums across generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGetting accepted!!!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCalling myself a Cornellian.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Cornellians
We tempted participants with umbrellas\u2014and candy!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cFirst time arriving on campus with my parents and making them proud.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cExploring libraries + fun spots w\/ friends!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWalking through campus, listening to the clocktower chimes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFirst time away from home\u2014but feels like home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Walking through campus, listening to the clocktower chimes.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Naturally, there were some common themes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Libe Slope had the single biggest presence, with dozens of recollections about hiking up it, viewing sunsets from its iconic perch, picnicking, taking naps, enjoying its nighttime quiet, partying on Slope Day, or just chilling with friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And speaking of friendships: the connections that Cornellians make with each other (again, unsurprisingly) form the basis for precious, lifelong memories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Students,
The line for our booth snaked across the parking lot\u2014and as the skies began to open up, our swag was in high demand.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cBuilding the most incredible network of intelligent + caring people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEating hot pot with friends in mid-autumn.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI found my love.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cStudio time with classmates (till late night).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFinding my best friend here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Cornellians<\/figure>
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\u201cFall leaves and my lovely lab mates.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYapping with friends in Rose Seminar Room until 4 a.m.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMeeting friends for life (and my husband).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As one current student movingly noted, citing the previous evening\u2019s Homecoming display: \u201cThe last laser show brought a realization that it\u2019s my last year & I\u2019m glad I spent it with my friends.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Many other quintessentially Cornellian elements got shout-outs: Touchdown the bear; Commencement; hockey games in Lynah; the Big Red Marching Band; the Glee Club and Chorus; studying in the libraries; strolling through the Botanic Gardens or around Beebe Lake; Greek life; Louie\u2019s Lunch truck (including a particular fondness for its Cajun fries).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some entries were inherently wistful, callbacks to beloved Big Red eateries and watering holes that endure only in memory\u2014like the Chapter House, the Hot Truck, and Level B lounge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some entries were inherently wistful, callbacks to beloved Big Red eateries and watering holes that endure only in memory.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Then there were recollections that were evocative in their specificity: buying an apple from the Mann Library vending machine; getting a hug from Touchdown; seeing snow fall outside Sage Hall for the first time; that professor who \u201chelped me not fail multivariable calc\u201d; playing with the Marching Band at a 1992 Buffalo Bills game; attending a Harry Chapin concert (in Bailey Hall) in November 1980; a 2024 women\u2019s ice hockey game at Colgate, lost though hard fought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But \u2026 we have to admit that a few responses had us scratching our heads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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