Explore with Cornell: Optional Tours
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San Diego Botanic Garden Private Tour

10:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. PST

Cornell Botanic Gardens welcomes you to an exclusive experience at our sister organization San Diego Botanic Gardens (SBDC). Start your visit with a presentation on sustainability efforts in public gardens by Christopher Dunn, Executive Director of Cornell Botanic Gardens, and Ari Novi, SDBC President and CEO. Tour this 37-acre urban oasis offers 4 miles of trails that lead to and through ocean views and 29 uniquely themed gardens, including the West Coast’s largest children’s garden and the nation’s largest public bamboo collection. Enjoy an outdoor box lunch and time to wander.
• Capacity: 35 people
• Price: $70 per person
• Transportation: Bus transportation will be provided to and from the Westin San Diego Gaslamp

Balboa Park Walking Tour

2 p.m. - 4 p.m. PST

Your tour includes a stroll through the Balboa Park, exploring the architecture, history and gardens of the country’s largest urban cultural park. Locations visited include the California Tower, the Old Globe Theater, the Timken Museum, Zoro Gardens, Bea Evenson Fountain, the NAT, the Spanish Village Art Center, and the San Diego Zoo (exteriors only, no admission included). We’ll also visit a park coffee cart and guests will be able to choose one beverage from a selection of hot/cold coffee, teas and smoothies.
• Capacity: 20
• Price: $25 per person, price includes one beverage of choice from coffee cart, tour guide, and guide gratuity.
• Transportation: Guests are on their own for transportation. Uber/Lyft rides will take approximately 10 minutes from the Westin San Diego Gaslamp.

SEAL Tour…the Land and Sea Adventure

2:45 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. PST

It’s a boat! It’s a bus! It’s San Diego’s only amphibious Sea and Land Adventure! Your 90-minute, fully-narrated SEAL Tour departs daily from Seaport Village. Wind your way through the picturesque San Diego streets before splashing down for a cruise through the waters of the San Diego Bay. Experience the history and ecological wonders of San Diego in the comfort and security of the unique Hydra Terra vehicle. You’ll learn firsthand of the area’s rich military history and cruise through the waters that are the playground of the California Sea Lion. Here’s a fun video of the SEAL Tour.
• Capacity:20
• Price: $40 per adult, $24 per child (ages 4-12), $8 for kids 0-3
• Transportation:Transportation: Guests are on their own for transportation. It’s approximately 6 minutes by Uber/Lyft or a 20 minute walk from the Westin San Diego Gaslamp.

San Diego Zoo – Discounted Tickets

On your own time

Enjoy discounted tickets to the San Diego Zoo. The zoo is well known for its lush, naturalistic habitats and unique animal encounters and is home to more than 3,700 rare and endangered animals representing approximately 660 species and subspecies. Before heading out, enjoy a video message from Matt Marinkovich DVM '14, clinical veterinarian at the San Diego Zoo. Dr. Marinkovich combines his Cornell training with the mission of the Zoo and its Wildlife Alliance: to integrate wildlife health and care, science, and education to develop sustainable conservation solutions.
• No capacity
• Price: $40 per person (normally $67). Price includes entrance to San Diego Zoo, meals are on your own.
• Transportation: Guests are on their own for transportation. Uber/Lyft rides will take approximately 10 minutes from the Westin San Diego Gaslamp.

Cornell Association of Class Officers (CACO) Board Meeting

9:00 - 10:15 a.m. PST

For CACO board members only.

President's Council of Cornell Women (PCCW) Breakfast and Networking

9:00 - 10:30 a.m. PST

Open to PCCW members and those with an interest in membership

Cornell University Council (CUC) Administrative Board Meeting

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. PST

For administrative board members only.

Cornellians Alumni Advisory Board Meeting

12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. PST

For Cornellians board members only.

Welcome and Alumni Affairs Town Hall

1:30 - 2:15 p.m. PST

Welcome to CALC! We'll kickoff a few days of learning, discussions, presentations, and networking and a whole lot of FUN! In this interactive session, Cornellians will share how they are activating their Cornell networks and doing the greatest good within their communities and beyond.
Speakers:
• Kamillah Knight '13, MPA '15, MBA '22 , Senior Global Director of Diversity & Inclusion, Danaher Corporation
• Robert Rosenberg, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Showtime Networks
• Michelle Vaeth '98, Associate Vice President of Alumni Affairs, Cornell University
• Julie Vultaggio '02, Senior Associate Dean for Social Impact and Lifelong Learning, Harvard University

Updates from The Hill: Session I

2:30 - 3:30 p.m. PST

Cornell Library in the Digital Age: a catalyst for student success, knowledge creation, and democracy

University Librarian Elaine L. Westbrooks will share her vision for what makes Cornell’s Library crucial for student success, new forms of scholarship, as well as the premier steward of facts for a pluralistic society.
• Speaker: Elaine L. Westbrooks, Carl A. Kroch University Librarian

Updates from The Hill: Session II

3:45 – 4:45 p.m. PST

Cornell faculty are leaders; they’ll share their research and how Cornell is a source of solutions globally and in your everyday life.
Speakers:
• Shaoyi Jiang, Robert Langer ’70 Family and Friends Professor, Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering
• Joel Malina, Vice President for University Relations, Cornell University
• Marjolein van der Meulen, James M. and Marsha McCormick Director of Biomedical Engineering; Swanson Professor of Biomedical Engineering

Welcome Reception

4:45 – 6:30 p.m. PST

Enjoy the San Diego weather with an outside reception. Light hors d'oeuvres and drinks will be available.

Optional activities

6:30 p.m. PST

Group meetings and dinner on your own.

Breakfast: Spotlight on Student Experience and Presentation of the Robert S. Harrison '76 Recent Volunteer Alumni Award

8:00 – 9:30 a.m. PST

Hear from Student & Campus Life leaders, including the Robert W. and Elizabeth C. Staley Dean of Students, Marla Love, about today’s campus experience and how Cornell adapts to evolving student needs. We’ll present the Robert S. Harrison ’76 Recent Alumni Volunteer Award, recognizing recent alumni who have provided exemplary service to Cornell and the world.
Speakers:
• Katherine Bim-Merle '24, Pre-Med Student, Cornell University
• Marla Love, Robert W. and Elizabeth C. Staley Dean of Students
• Vanessa Shim '23, Student ILR, Cornell University
• Brenna Tosh '24, Student China & Asia-Pacific Studies and Government, Cornell University

Concurrent Leadership Expertise: Session I

9:45 – 10:45 a.m. PST

Inclusive Leadership
What would your life be like if you could free yourself and live to your fullest potential? Sometimes we live life as if our potential has limits. This can be due to the mental baggage that we accumulate and carry through life that help shape and inform our paradigms. This session will empower you with self-awareness and tools that can radically shift your paradigm, so that you pursue everything from a place of power. Learn to focus on what really matters and let go of the limiting beliefs that are holding you back.
• Speaker: Dionis Rodriguez '98, Author of Shift Your Paradigm: Empower Your Life & Unlock Your True Hidden Potential

Innovation and Creativity as a Means to Manage Intergenerational Communication
As volunteer leaders, your boards and constituents run the class-year gamut. As workplace and homeplace leaders, you're interacting with all ages. How can we be innovative and creative in communicating across generations, in our volunteer roles, in the workplace, and in everyday life? Join this session with CALS communications professor, Sahara Byrne, to learn new, effective communication strategies. Sahara will share her unique insights, gathered from her research and her first-hand interactions with current Cornell students, on working with and communicating with young people today.
• Speaker: Sahara Byrne, Senior Associate Dean of Academic Programs; Professor, Department of Communications, College of Agriculture and Life

Concurrent Leadership Expertise: Session II

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PST

Different Strokes for Different Folks: Leading Challenging Conversations
From time to time, tough conversations are a necessary part of any volunteer community. Knowing how to be both direct and diplomatic is an important skill. Ken Blanchard ’61, PhD ’67, will lead us through a discussion on how to positively address a range of issues and behaviors.
• Speaker: Ken Blanchard ’61, PhD ’67, Best-Selling co-author of The One Minute Manager

Storytelling: Changing Your Narrative - Creating Stories to Open Minds
We all know that storytelling teaches us about ourselves and the world around us. It also builds trust between the storyteller and their audience and while the main purpose is to entertain and to teach, an effective narrative should also change (or at least open) minds. As every essay should be persuasive, a good story should sway. By reviewing the five basic narrative elements, focusing on the importance of conflict -and the necessity of a strong villain- CALS Professor Christopher Byrne will take you on the hero’s journey to discover new narrative techniques. Learn how to apply these techniques to not only telling your own story, but of your organization, events, volunteer opportunities, and Cornell, to increase engagement and accomplish your goals.
• Speaker: Christopher Byrne, Senior Lecturer, Department of Communication, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Lunch

12:30 – 2:00 p.m. PST

Join us for lunch and a featured guest speaker!

Cornell Black Alumni Association (CBAA) Annual Meeting

2:00 – 3:00 p.m. PST

Open to CBAA members.

Concurrent Cornell Alumni Engagement Strategic Plan in Action Sessions

2:30 – 3:30 p.m. PST

Giving Day Secrets Revealed
Join Alumni Affairs and Development marketing and participation experts, Ashley Budd and Jon Gregory, for a Cornell Giving Day workshop. You’ll learn how to leverage your networks to raise funds for the programs at Cornell that you love. They’ll share the secrets behind Giving Day mechanics, challenges, and how to be a record-breaking champion for Cornell.

How It All Works: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at University Governance
Join us for a fun and informative crash course on higher education administration and economics. Why does tuition keep going up? What’s in Cornell’s annual budget and how does the endowment work? What role can alumni play? What’s a provost do anyway? We promise it’s more exciting than it sounds!

Keynote Speaker: Ozan Varol '03

3:45 – 4:45 p.m. PST

Ozan is a rocket scientist turned award-winning professor, #1 bestselling author, and internationally acclaimed speaker. He is one of the world’s foremost experts in creativity, innovation, and critical thinking. He helps industry-leading organizations reimagine the status quo with moonshot thinking. Learn more

Closing Celebration and Alma Mater

4:45 – 5:00 p.m. PST

Many alumni communities will choose to host events or meetings at this time. Feel free to explore San Diego on your own or check with the concierge for additional ideas. Sunday will offer one-on-one time to meet with select staff during office hours. We will update that information and share it as we can.

Early Bird Rate (offer ends 11:59 p.m., February 3rd): $399 per person
Regular Rate: $449 per person

Recent Alumni Early Bird Rate (offer ends 11:59 p.m., February 3rd): $349 per person
Recent Alumni Regular Rate: $399 per person
Received an undergraduate or graduate degree from Cornell University between 2013-2022.

Friday Only Rate: $175
Saturday Only Rate: $225

A la carte guest registration is available upon request.

Questions? Contact calc@cornell.edu