Disagreement, Polarization, Myron Taylor

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Last month Peter Loewen, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences (since 2024) and professor of Government, gave a riveting, insightful and timely talk titled “Reducing Political Polarization“. As Peter observed, polarization is at an all time high, and this polarization increasingly creeps into daily life, with people choosing what to buy, where to live and whom to date, on political grounds.

Peter explained how we got to this point, but more importantly, how we can decrease polarization in legislatures, conversations and even in our own classrooms.  He is walking the talk and will be teaching a course at Cornell this spring called “Govt 1109: Disagreement“.  The course description is:

Disagreement is at the heart of the university and at the heart of democracies. In universities, scholars in every discipline engage in disagreement every day, from the nature of the outer reaches of the galaxy, to the value and meaning of different works of literature, to the ideal forms of government. Similarly, democracies confront disagreement as often as they do agreement: for example, how should wealth be distributed? How do we balance rights with responsibilities? How fast should speed limits be? Effective scholars and effective citizens alike need to wrestle with how to disagree. This course addresses this challenge head on.

One of Peter’s slides shows that our ability to relate across the aisle or at the Thanksgiving dinner table is at an all-time low. This chart shows the degree of intersection between the two major US parties over the past 140 years.  Between 1923 and 1983 there’s overlap between the parties, meaning that the conservative Dems and liberal Republicans were “on the same page”.  Over the past 20 years, however, there’s significant (but not unprecedented) lack of overlap between blues and reds.

I encourage you to listen to Peter’s talk: my bet is it will be the best and most stimulating 45 minutes of your week. PS: You’ll hear that the word “empathy” (an antidote to polarization) was first coined in the U.S. in 1909 by Edward Titchener, a professor at Cornell. Who knew?!?

On a separate note, our classmate Evan Stewart’s very interesting RED Talk webinar about famous Cornell Law School graduate Myron Taylor, who was CEO of US Steel, President Roosevelt’s emissary to the Vatican, and a major diplomatic player in WW II, can be found here.  And you can enjoy recordings of all our RED Talk Redux Series on that page of our Class website.

I wish you a very happy Thanksgiving.

Settlement with the Feds and RED Talk Webinar on Myron Taylor Reminder

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It was a consequential week on campus last week–the University reached an agreement with the federal government to immediately restore and continue Cornell’s research funding. The full text of the agreement is available here.  President Mike Kotlikoff conducted a Town Hall last Friday to field questions about the settlement.  The Cornell Daily Sun compiled the questions that were asked, as well as Mike’s responses.

.And

REGISTER NOW

for our RED Talk webinar tomorrow, Tuesday, November 11 at 8pm ET, featuring Evan Stewart ’74, Cornell Law ‘77.  A retired lawyer in the NYC area, Evan is now a prolific author.  He will speak about his biography of Myron Taylor, who graduated from Cornell Law School in 1894 with a Bachelor of Laws degree (yes there was such a degree back then).  Taylor is one of the greatest, but least known, Cornellians.  Evan will share why Myron Taylor was one of the most significant figures in US and global history in the first half of the 20th century.   Don’t miss this great story!

But if you did you can watch it and all of our past RED Talks on our RED Talks Redux Page.

Inauguration & Nov 11 RED Talk Reminder

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Twelve days ago, an important talk was given on campus by our just-inaugurated 15th president, Mike Kotilikoff. Mike’s talk is a clear statement of where Cornell stands in this very turbulent time in higher ed.  I think you will be proud.

And don’t forget about our next RED Talk webinar, this coming Tuesday, November 11 at 8pm ET, featuring classmate Evan Stewart. Evan has had a long career in the law and recently become a prolific author. He will speak about his biography of Myron Taylor—one of the greatest but least known Cornellians. Taylor, as Evan tells us, was one of the most consequential figures in US and global history in the first half of the 20th century.

To attend our RED Talk on Tuesday, November 11th

                        REGISTER HERE  

I hope you will join me and fellow classmates for this special talk.

Meet Our New Class Scholar–Next RED Talk Nov. 11

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Several weeks ago I met our new Class of 1974 Scholar, Marianna Wineinger. Marianna is the 8th student our Class has supported since the Scholarship was established at our 25th Reunion by classmates Joan Saltsman Oelschlager and Bob Oelschlager.  Hundreds of members of the Class of ‘74 have supported the scholarship since 1999.

Mariana is from Santa Rosa, California and is a freshman in Cornell’s Brooks School of Public Policy. She is spending her first semester in Washington, DC as part of a new initiative called DC Start.  DC Start is distinct from the existing “Cornell in Washington” program and gives forty Brooks freshmen the opportunity to start their Cornell experience in the nation’s capital.  The legacy Cornell in Washington program continues in the spring and summer semesters.

Marianna told me she has been interested in public policy since high school when she volunteered with her local member of Congress, Representative Jared Huffman (D-Calif.).  She is thrilled to be in DC, but looking forward to getting to the Ithaca campus in January.  Marianna says, “Attending Cornell is a dream come true and I have the Class of ’74 to thank especially for the opportunity. Thank you so much!”

One final note: Put Tuesday November 11th at 8pm EST on your calendar for our next RED Talks webinar featuring classmate Evan Stewart. Evan is the author of the book Myron Taylor:  The Man Nobody Knew. To jog your memory, Myron Taylor is one of the giant historical of figures of the first half of the 20th century and a great Cornellian (think Cornell Law School). As one reviewer commented, “The Man Nobody Knew is a tour de force. Not only does it bring to life a remarkable and important person, but also tells a riveting tale—the chapters chronicling the runup to the US entering WWII is the stuff of le Carré. Stewart is an exceptional storyteller and this meticulously researched biography is a delight.”  Join us for what will be a fascinating talk—more details to come.

Membership Check-In

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Since my last message to you in May, did you travel the country (or maybe the world), make your way from the kitchen to the deck to grill some sumptuous repast, or do something else enjoyable? Whatever you did, I hope that it has been fun. After all, the goal for summer is to enjoy it!!

With the summer season now past, the fun doesn’t have to end – but those of us in the cooler climes may have to make some adjustments. No more swimming in the ocean for a while without traveling some distance, and only a few weeks left to enjoy cocktails and al fresco dining on the deck or at a fine dining locale.

Look to your inbox for announcements about upcoming class events in Class of 1974 email messages as well as on our class website .  If you haven’t yet heard, there is a Homecoming event for our class scheduled to take place in October in Ithaca, as well as more RED Talk webinars in the coming months. For additional information on any of these activities, visit the Events page on the class website.

The season has changed and so has the fiscal year. As of July 1, we are in the University’s new (2026) fiscal year and, if you are not on auto-renewal and if you have not yet gotten around to renewing your class membership, now is the perfect time to do so while it is on your mind. This simple step allows us to continue sponsoring activities for you and all of your classmates. You can access the renewal form in the “Pay class dues” section of the page.

 A list of those who have already paid their 2025-26 class dues can be found here. This list was current as of September 2. If your name is not on this list but you believe that you have paid your dues prior to this date, please contact Kate Freyer (kate.freyer@cornell.edu) in Alumni Affairs & Development to resolve the issue.

Until the next time…

RED Talk with Poet Julie Kane ’74–Tuesday, Sept. 16–Register Now

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Classmate Julie Kane , the former Poet Laureate of Louisiana and the 2025 Louisiana Writer Award recipient, is our Class of 1974 RED Talk webinar speaker this coming Tuesday, September 16th at 8pm ET.  Registration details below.  Julie is the author of six books. She’s taught at the high school and college level, and she’s received multiple awards and recognition for her work.  She served as a Fulbright Scholar in Lithuania.

Julie’s writing career started in the early 1970’s when she was a student in Cornell’s innovative creative writing program which continues to be among the top programs in the US for poets. In our webinar, Julie will talk about how Cornell became a hotbed of creative writing.  She will also speak about one of her mentors, the beloved and legendary poetry professor A. R. Ammons  who taught creative writing at Cornell from 1964 to 1998.

Register here for the Sept. 16 webinar featuring Julie Kane ‘74

Learn more about Cornell’s creative writing offerings and history here.

I hope you will join me and fellow classmates for this special talk.  See you Sept. 16.

School Bells Ringing at Cornell, New RED Talk Sept. 16

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Those bells you are hearing are certainly school bells; summer is nearly over around the country and definitely over at Cornell. Our Class of 1974 is gearing up for another busy year, starting with a RED Talk webinar by classmate Julie Kane on Sept 16 at 8pm ET.  Details below.

This is the first week of classes on the Hill. Cornell President Mike Kotlikoff recently sent out a communique:

Welcome to the beginning of the academic year, and welcome to Cornell! I’m glad to be setting out with you on another year of learning, exploration, and discovery, and particularly glad to welcome so many new students from across the country and around the world.

The Cornell Class of 2029 is one of the largest in our history, with 3,862 undergraduates from all 50 U.S. states and 97 countries. Nearly 20% of our first-year students will also be from the first generation in their families to earn a college degree. Together with our thousands of new graduate and professional students, they join a community that has, for 160 years, embodied Ezra Cornell’s vision of “an institution where any person can find instruction in any study”: a world-class university with a land-grant commitment, embracing diversity as a driver of our excellence, and seeking always “to do the greatest good.” 

 Cornell has succeeded, and achieved the stature it has today, because of our rock-solid commitment to our shared values, and to the community that makes our ambitions possible — celebrating our differences and respecting the diversity of opinions, backgrounds, and ideas that make up Cornell.

With uncharacteristically sunny and warm weather in Ithaca the past few weeks, Cornell students have enjoyed a very promising start to the new academic year.  Check out many of Cornell’s social media sites for photos of happy students and parents on campus! (Instagram, Facebook, X)

In Class of 1974 news, we hope you will join the next installment of our Class of 1974 RED Talk webinars on Tuesday, September 16th at 8pm ET, featuring our classmate Julie Kane who was recently named the 2025 Louisiana Writer Award winner. Julie was the Louisiana Poet Laureate from 2011-2013 and is professor emerita of English at Northwestern State University.  Please register for this free virtual talk here.

Bring on the Fall,

Summer Breeze Makes Me Feel Fine…

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Thank you, Seals & Crofts. (I played this 1972 song when I was a WVBR DJ.)  Hope your summer is proving equally enjoyable.

Just thought I’d interrupt briefly to recap what our [Notable] Class accomplished this past academic year. Coming off our 50th Reunion, we offered two more RED Talks.  These were live webinars, hosted by classmate John Foote, with the first one featuring Corey Earle ’07 with an updated version of our time on the hill from ‘70-’74, and the second one featuring classmate John Williams of Frog’s Leap Winery in California. Together, these webinars were viewed by more than 100 of you, so look for this series to continue this fall. If you missed these talks, you can watch the recordings here.

Also, nearly 100 of you participated in Cornell’s Giving Day in March to support our undergraduate scholarship recipients.  And several hundred of you paid your Class dues between last July and this past June.  Thank you!

Our pre-game event at Fall 2024 Homecoming, hosted by classmates Lou and Roberta Bandel Walcer, featured great food and a tour of the Center for Life Science Ventures in Weill Hall.  Lou just retired last month as Director and Founder of that Center.  (A life-long entrepreneur, Lou launched Cornell’s first on-campus incubator in 2011.)

We continue to follow the success of our Scholarship recipients, both of whom graduated in May. Our Class of 1974 scholar, Summer Parker-Hall ‘25, majored in Communication, served as one of our Reunion student clerks, and led the Big Red women’s basketball team.  Our Christopher Reeve ’74 scholar, Ashley Alexander ’25, double-majored in Government and Performing Arts and contributed to both on-stage and backstage roles in productions at Cornell’s Schwartz Center for Performing Arts.

And many of you (classmates) continued to work on completing your Memory Book page.  The Memory Book is a feature we introduced in our 50th Reunion year.  Nearly 700 classmates completed a page in the Book.

Coming this fall! More Class activities!  Stay tuned!

Cornell Matters! It Matters to Me! I Hope it Does to You!

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As the immediate Past President of our Class and just one year after our 50th Reunion, I was asked to provide some reflections as we end this school year.

Very moved by President Kotlikoff’s Reunion State of the University Address and his words that “Cornell is not perfect” but how extraordinary and important it is, I joined the new Cornell Matters Campaign.

Cornell Matters–That got me thinking.  How does Cornell matter to me?  How does it matter to you?  And how can our [Notable] Class of ’74 help it matter more?

At our 50th Reunion our class gave me the most wonderful gift–a beautiful watercolor, Cornell Oak.  I look at it every day and it brings me joy as I think about my time on campus, the friends I made then and the many more since then through our work together and shared love of Cornell and our Class of ’74.

So yes, Cornell matters to me!

If Cornell matters to you, consider joining Cornell Matters.

If our Class of 1974 matters to you, consider paying class dues.  Paid or unpaid, you are forever a member of our class but a little extra cash helps our class do good things.

If your Cornell friends matter to you, check out their pages in our Cornell Class of ’74 50th Reunion Memory Book–hard copy options will be available later this year.

And, because we want to know what matters to you, stay tuned for a class survey coming this Fall.

Like the Cornell Oak, Cornell University and our [Notable] Class of 1974 have deep roots and branches that reach wide.  This matters!

Please be well!

PS: It’s not too late to make a year-end gift to Cornell.  Click here before June 30th.

Cornell is not Perfect

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….but it is extraordinary. These were the words of President Mike Kotlikoff in his State of the University address in Bailey Hall at Reunion this past weekend. I strongly encourage you to take 30 minutes and listen to Mike’s talk. (Fast forward to 19:32.) He tackled, head on, the challenges facing higher ed and Cornell in the current political environment.  He spoke passionately about the vital contributions that Cornell and other U.S. universities are making that have a positive impact on nearly every person in our country and in the world.

Reuntion 2025 – State of the University Address

Universities like Cornell are not a nice-to-have, but rather a must-have.  They should neither be taken for granted nor denigrated. Mike was candid in saying that Cornell, like its peers, can and must do a better job talking about the important work being done by institutions of higher education.  But he was absolutely unapologetic about who and what we are.

Regardless of where you are on the political spectrum, we are all Cornellians. Listen to Mike’s talk and my bet is that you will be a proud Cornellian. And if you want to help ensure Cornell will continue its legacy of being the “land grant college to the world,” sign up for Cornell Matters.