More Reunion Memories and New Events

Summer is almost over, students are back on campus, a new school year has started, and yet it feels like just yesterday that we were celebrating our 50th Reunion.  And what a Reunion it was!  We broke records–attendance, donors, first-time attendees.  We did new things–Food Trucks, WVBR Dance Party, RED Talks.  We had fun and made memories.

Cornell Class of 1974 Reunion photo June 2024

Speaking of memories, please make (or edit) your page in our Class of ’74 Memory Book.  The DEADLINE IS OCTOBER 15th. You can also edit your existing page until October 15.  Posting in the Memory Book is fun and easy, and you can read what classmates have written about themselves.

Our Reunion Class RED Talks were new this year and very popular.  From the idea behind the well-known TED talks, fifteen Notable classmates gave a presentation on a topic about which they are passionate. We shared links earlier this summer to six of these talks—here are five more.

Classmate John Williams, founder, owner and winemaker at Frog’s Leap Winery ,demystified the subject of “terroir” in his Think like a Grapevine talk.

Our Class VP of Fun, Saturday night MC and former Big Red Bear, Bill Quain talked about The BIG BUSINESS of college today and how alumni can turn it all around!

Wrestling with Wolves: Saving the World One Species at a Time presenter Bill Konstant ’74 is a scientist, conservationist and author who describes himself as “Mowgli meets Forrest Gump”.

Wild Birds are Canaries and Our Planet is the Coal Mine (and Coal is Winning)!presenter John Fitzpatrick (Harvard ’74) is the former head of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and one of the world’s preeminent experts on birds.

DEI–Looking Back/Moving Forward presenter Renee Alexander ’74 has been deeply involved in DEI initiatives in higher ed, including at Cornell.  She believes this topic “encapsulates our generation”.

Looking ahead, Homecoming is right around the corner–September 27-29.   Ithaca classmates Lou and Roberta Bandel Walcer have organized a pre-game event.  On Saturday September 28 at 10 am, Lou will conduct a tour of the Center for Life Science Ventures where he is Director.  He will show labs and equipment, talk about the incubation process, and discuss some of the companies currently engaged in research and development.  Meet at the 4th floor conference room in Weill Hall. There will be food and socializing!  Please consider joining the fun!  For more info, contact Roberta.

Finally, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story the documentary film about our classmate’s heroic life and work after his paralyzing riding accident will have limited theater release on September 21st and 25th.  Watch the trailer and click here for ticket information near you.

Enjoy the rest of summer and please be well!