John R. Toohey-Morales ’84

John R. Toohey-Morales

Cornell degree: BS ’84 (CALS)

 

Read John’s interview.

“With the university admissions landscape likely to be dramatically altered by the U.S. Supreme Court this year, Cornell University’s Board of Trustees and leadership must shoulder the responsibility of protecting our alma mater’s steadfast tenet of ‘… any person … any study’—an achievable goal if approached creatively and vigorously.”

Professional experience:

  • Founder and Lead Certified Consulting Meteorologist, ClimaData Corporation, 1991–present
  • Columnist, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, 2020–present
  • Chief Meteorologist, WTVJ, 2009–2022; WSCV, 2003–2008; WLTV, 1991–2002
  • Adjunct Professor (meteorology), St. Thomas University, Miami Gardens, FL, 2005–2012
  • Meteorologist, NOAA/National Weather Service (NWS), 1984–1991

Alumni service:

  • Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Outstanding Alumni Award recipient, 2022
  • CALS Advisory Council, member, 2021–present
  • Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability Advisory Council, member, 2019–present
  • Cornell Class of 1984, president, 2019–present; Class Council, Development Committee member, 2014–2019
  • Cornell University Council, member, 2021–present, 2015–2019
  • Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network, member, 2013–present; committee chair, 2016
  • Cornell Club of Greater Miami and the Florida Keys, member, 1992–present

Community/public service/philanthropic priorities:

  • CLEO Institute (nonprofit), Vice President, Board of Directors, 2015–present
  • Open Door Health Center (nonprofit), member, Board of Directors, 2010–present
  • AMS Henry T. Harrison Award for Outstanding Contributions by a Consulting Meteorologist, 2022
  • Best Buddies International (nonprofit), nominated as Orlando Champion, 2022
  • National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Suncoast Chapter Silver Circle Inductee, 2018
  • National Tropical Weather Conference John Coleman Broadcast Award, 2018
  • Emmy Awards (Suncoast Chapter 4), 1993, 2006, 2010, 2018
  • NOAA Science Advisory Board, member, Environmental Information Working Group, 2009–2015
  • Fellow of the AMS, elected 2008
  • AMS Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Advance of Applied Meteorology, 2007
  • U.S. Delegation to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), private sector advisor, 2005
  • American Meteorological Society (AMS) Award for Broadcast Meteorology, 2004
  • National Weather Association Broadcaster of the Year Award, 2003
  • American Meteorological Society (AMS) Award for Broadcast Meteorology, 2004
  • U.S. Department of Commerce Silver Medal, NWS San Juan, Hurricane Hugo, 1989

Other education:

  • Master of Science, Johns Hopkins University, 2021

Student involvements/activities:

  • Cornell Catholic Community
  • Friends of Astronomy
  • Cornell Rowing team
  • Robert Purcell Union Dining, Cook’s Aid
  • WVBR

Additional information:

John Toohey-Morales has broken down barriers in meteorology and is a strong advocate for diversity. After Cornell, John entered civil service at the National Weather Service. When he pivoted to broadcast news, Morales became the first degreed meteorologist in Spanish language media in the U.S. and later the first Latino meteorologist to appear on the Today Show. He also launched a commercial weather firm and an effort to recruit young minority students in meteorology by funding the ClimaData Minority Scholarship at AMS. His Cornell Red runs deep—John and his wife, Carmen, married under McGraw Tower during his 10th Reunion!