In his address at Reunion \u201925, President Kotlikoff rallies alumni at a critical time for universities<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn the President\u2019s Words\u201d brings the president\u2019s major messages to the broader Cornell community, so alumni can hear from the University\u2019s leader first-hand. The following has been adapted from his State of the University address at Reunion \u201925.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n By Mike Kotlikoff<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Cornell is the amazing place it is because of its people\u2014our faculty, our students, our staff, and especially our alumni\u2014who, wherever in the world they find themselves, are always and everywhere Cornellians. And it\u2019s terrific to see so many of you here in Bailey Hall, where I\u2019m sure many of you have plenty of warm memories of Monday, Wednesday, and Friday lectures bright and early at 9:05 a.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s been a long time since I taught a big lecture class, but if muscle memory kicks in at some point, and I start explaining how to manipulate the genes of mice or create heart cells from stem cells, just wave your arms around to get me back on track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And it\u2019s been a long time for all of you. At least 10 years since your last Reunion\u2014and for the classes of 2015 and 2020, it\u2019s your first Reunion since graduation. As I think Odysseus pointed out, Ithaca isn\u2019t the easiest place to get to, but it is always worth it when you do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n