Big Red spirit abounds at Cornelliana Night

With rousing renditions of favorite Cornell songs, an appearance by Touchdown, and a celebration of everything that made Reunion 2024 special, Cornelliana Night brought hundreds of alumni to their feet to cheer for the Big Red.

Associate Vice President for Alumni Affairs Michelle Vaeth ’98 kicked off the night’s festivities by recognizing alumni celebrating special milestone Reunions, and acknowledging President Martha E. Pollack, in attendance at her final Cornelliana Night as president of the university.

“Alumni have traveled great distances to join us for Reunion,” Vaeth said. “We are back to our pre-pandemic attendance for Reunion. You are here, you are crushing it.”

The event—which featured energetic performances by the Cornell University Chorus and Glee Club—was livestreamed, allowing alumni around the world to tune in. Alumni with the Cornell Club of Beijing, China, made a special live appearance and said hello to the crowd in Bailey Hall.

Cornelliana Night also acknowledged class fundraising totals. Multiple classes set new class donor or dollar records, and 6,219 members of the undergraduate classes celebrating Reunion gave a total of $249.5 million to Cornell as of Saturday. “I am so proud of what Cornell alumni have accomplished,” Michelle Vaeth said, “ensuring the impact of your classes will be felt across campus for years to come.”

Missed the Big Red fun? Watch the recording.