Graduation, Bill Nye Science Guy, Not Too Late for Reunion

Cornell just celebrated its 151^st Commencement on a beautiful, warm, blue-sky Sunday in Schoellkopf Stadium.  More than 22,000 parents, family members, friends, administrators, alumni and faculty joined nearly 6000 soon-to-be graduates to hear President Martha Pollack, listen to the Cornell Glee Club and Chorus, and watch undergraduate and graduate students receiving degrees.  President Pollack noted that Cornell’s first graduating class in 1869 had only 8 members, the campus had only two buildings, and the graduation ceremony was held downtown.  Read Martha Pollack’s comments here. 

Bill Nye ’77, the “Science Guy,” gave a witty, insightful and funny Convocation address.  He urged students to celebrate the joy of discovery and exhorted them to change the world, saying “You’re graduates of Cornell University, for crying out loud.”  He shared stories of his time at Cornell and talked about current issues facing the globe, including climate change.  Learn more about Bill’s remarks here. 

Remember our Class of 1974 graduation on Monday, June 3, 1974?  According to the May 31, 1974 Cornell Daily Sun, 2,475 undergraduate and 639 graduate students were to receive degrees.  A total crowd of about 10,000 was expected.  The ceremony was held in Barton Hall (it was hot!) and President Dale Corson spoke about morality.  Found this cover of that Cornell Daily Sun in the archives of our class website.

Forty-five years later, we are celebrating our Reunion on campus in just over one week! It’s not too late to register—just click here.  Or if your plans are up in the air, just show up on Thursday, Friday, Saturday or even Sunday, June 6-9.  We welcome all attendees!  And if you are unable to attend, please consider participating in our Reunion year by making a gift to Cornell in any amount, for any area at Cornell.  Visitwww.giving.cornell.edu to make a contribution.  Thank you!

Hope to see you on campus!