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Parting Words from an Alumni Trustee

By John Alexander '74, MBA '76

IT HAS BEEN AN HONOR AND a privilege to serve as an alumni-elected trustee over the past four years. I have the advantage of living in Ithaca year-round, so I have met with many returning Cornellians to learn how they feel about Cornell today. I have been amazed at their enthusiasm to re-connect with the university, and Cornell has provided many opportunities and reasons to re-connect during my tenure.

I have worked hard to re-engage alumni who have lost their Cornell connection. In particular, I have had the privilege of working with a dedicated group of students, faculty, staff, and alumni, exploring ways of deepening the engagement of our underrepresented minority alumni.This effort has met with great support and enthusiasm from all stakeholders, and the process continues to build momentum.

The re-examination of Cornell's Land Grant Mission and its meaning today has given me the chance to get involved with efforts to make Cornell a leader in the area of technology transfer and industrial outreach. We are making good progress, and we have a great team in place.

My wife, Elaine '77, and I have led the Tower Club effort for the past two years, and this has been the best! The support of both our alumni and of the very enthusiastic and alwaysready-for-a-party senior class has been amazing, and Elaine and I cherish the many new friends that we have made along the way. (Don't forget to fill in your pledge card for 2004!)

These four years have been ones of rapid change and great progress at Cornell, and I have been proud to have had a part in this exciting chapter of Cornell's impressive history. Thanks for giving me this wonderful experience!

— jea13@cornell.edu

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