Quizzes & Puzzles ‘Straight’ Answers: A Trivia Quiz for the Student Union’s 100th Birthday You spent hours in the beloved building—but can you answer these 12 questions about its history and design? Throughout the 2025–26 academic year, the University is celebrating the Straight’s centennial—and Cornellians is joining in the festivities with a series of stories (plus a few articles from our backlist), trivia quizzes, photo features, and more! Please enjoy our coverage of: “Storytime with Corey” on Dorothy Straight • Crossword puzzle • Visual quiz • Willard Straight 1901 biography • The Stump • Straight Cookies • Willard & Dorothy’s love letters • Building history DIFFICULTY LEVEL: MEDIUM 1) From which school or college did Willard Straight 1901 graduate? Architecture, Art & Planning Arts & Sciences CALS Engineering None 2) How much did it cost to construct the Straight in 1925? $500,000 $1.3 million $2.8 million $5.1 million None 3) Because the structure is built into a hillside, on which floor is the main entrance? First Second Third Fourth None 4) Willard’s widow—Dorothy, who spearheaded construction of the building—was a member of what socially prominent family? Whitney Vanderbilt Carnegie Astor None 5) When the Straight first opened, it had a separate entrance for whom? Varsity athletes Freshmen Women Graduate students None 6) What’s the source of the inscription over the Memorial Room fireplace? A love letter from Willard to Dorothy Willard’s favorite Cornell fight song A lesson from Willard’s Cornell advisor Willard’s advice to his son None 7) The eatery on the third floor is named after a character from … ? “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” “The Hobbit” “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” “Treasure Island” None 8) What do the murals in the lobby depict? The various activities that the building houses Cornell schools and colleges Willard’s career and ideals Greek and Roman mythology None 9) The Straight began screening movies routinely in the 1930s—but what year was Cornell Cinema officially founded? 1950 1960 1970 1980 None 10) What annual Big Red event was held there until 1950? Hotel Ezra Cornell Spring Fest Reunion Convocation None 11) Who are depicted in the carvings near the Memorial Room ceiling? American heroes Cornell professors Ivy League presidents Literary icons None 12) What flavor were the famous Straight Cookies? Peanut butter Oatmeal raisin Snickerdoodle Chocolate chocolate chip None Time’s up Top: Photo courtesy of Rare and Manuscript Collections. Published December 15, 2025 Comments Jenifer Ong-Meyers, Class of 1986 30 Dec, 2025 I obviously don’t know much about WSH – I did terribly on the quiz 🙂 I have good memories of having lunch downstairs, sometimes with friends, sometimes alone, and the variety of choices and dishes were usually wonderful. There were also meetings and events held, including various political themes – busy building. Parties and celebrations with loud music is another memory. How very different it must be the last couple of decades since the 1980s 🙂 Thanks for letting us know – happy 100th anniversary. 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 Quizzes & Puzzles Word Search: ‘Big (Red) Names’ Alumni Meet the Overtons—A Big Red Family for Six Generations Cornelliana Tune Your Radio Dial To … Fascinating Facts About WVBR!