In September, during an enhanced Homecoming weekend that featured fireworks and a laser-light show, another grand celebration took place—the ceremony honoring the recipients of the 2012 Frank H. T. Rhodes Exemplary Alumni Service Award.
Each year, the Cornell Alumni Association recognizes six individuals or couples for their outstanding alumni volunteer leadership over at least thirty-five years. The award is given to honor their philanthropy in terms of time given to their alma mater, not money donated.
This year, eight Cornellians received the award at a dinner celebration on the Friday night of Homecoming, in a ballroom packed with alumni as well as past Rhodes Award winners. The ceremony featured remarks from President David Skorton and a video about Cornell volunteers featuring President Emeritus Rhodes, who was in attendance along with his wife, Rosa. The evening was hosted by CAA president Stephanie Keene Fox ’89, who highlighted the hard work and dedication of the honorees, who were nominated by their peers from among the 15,000 alumni who volunteer across more than 450 organizations.
Percy Edwards Browning ’56
Shortly after her marriage, Percy Edwards Browning got some advice from her mother-in-law. “She said, ‘We’re very fortunate with what we have, and you have to give back,’ ” Browning recalled in her Rhodes Award acceptance speech. “I thought about it, and it has become my mantra for the past fifty years and it will continue for as long as I am able.” And give back she has. Browning has been active with the Class of 1956, starting as its Cornell Fund representative. Her love of the arts has played a central role in her volunteer efforts: raising money for the Class of ’56 Flexible Theatre in the Schwartz Center, leading fundraising efforts for the Lincoln Hall renovation, and serving on the Women’s Chorus Advisory Council. She is a life member of the University Council, a frequent traveler with Cornell’s Adult University, and a member of the College of Arts and Sciences Advisory Council; she has also worked with her sorority, Pi Beta Phi, on house renovations, redecoration, and maintenance.
Rhodes Awards attendees (back row, from left) Rolf Frantz ’66, MEng ’67, John Riley ’55, BArch ’56, Almeda Church Riley ’58, Robert Staley ’57, BME ’58, MBA ’59, Frnk Rhodes, Stephanie Keene Fox ’89, Martin Tang ’70, and David Shorten. Front row: Carolyn Chauncey Neuman ’64, Elizabeth Chapman Staley ’60, Rosa Rhodes, and Percy Edwards Browning ’56.
Rolf Frantz ’66, MEng ’67
Rolf Frantz is no stranger to the Rhodes Awards. He hosted the ceremony four times as president of the Cornell Alumni Federation (now the Cornell Alumni Association) and has chaired the committee that selects the recipients. But being president of CAF is just one of the many ways in which Frantz has donated his time to Cornell. Frantz has served in many roles with the Cornell Club of Northern New Jersey, including as its president. He is president of the Class of 1966 and has served in other class leadership positions as well. He is currently in his third term on the University Council and has served on the MOSAIC Executive Committee, the Committee on Alumni Trustee Nominations, and the Cornell VISA Partnership Committee. As Frantz said at the ceremony: “To the extent that I’ve been able to give anything back to Cornell, it has been because of the people I’ve met over the years who have made it possible.”
Carolyn Chauncey Neuman ’64
Carolyn Chauncey Neuman’s list of alumni leadership positions is long and impressive. She has been a member of the Board of Trustees since 2001 and is a trustee emerita, a presidential councilor, and past chair of the University Council (of which she is a life member). She is past president of the Cornell Association of Class Officers and a member of the President’s Council of Cornell Women. For her class, she has served as president and fundraiser. She currently serves on advisory councils for the Plantations, the University Library, the College of Human Ecology, and the Greek system. “Alumni service has complemented the pleasure of my family life,” she said. “Giving back to Cornell has been a gift—to me.” In her remarks, Neuman made special mention of the Alumni Affairs staff. “I just love the spirit of alumni programs, the spirit of staff working with volunteers,” she said. “It is the essence of reciprocity.”
Almeda Church Riley ’58 and John Riley ’55, BArch’56
In a refrain that was heard throughout the ceremony, A.C. Riley said the reason she and John give back to their alma mater is that “Cornell has done a lot for both of us in our lives.” A.C. and John Riley are a Cornell couple through and through, having met through CAU. Both are life members of the University Council and are active with the Cornell Club of the Greater Capital District. A.C. is a member emerita of the Arts and Science Advisory Council, having served nine years as a member, while John served for ten years on the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning Advisory Council. She currently serves on the Student and Academic Services Advisory Committee and has been active with the Class of 1958 and PCCW. “How did I start volunteering for Cornell?” mused A.C. “I never volunteered. Cornell just envelops you and you’re involved before you know it, and you’re having such a great time that it’s been more of a benefit to me than it’s been for Cornell.”
A night to remember (clockwise from top left): Past Rhodes Award winner Alice Katz Berglas ’66 greets Rolf Frantz and his wife, Nancy Nystrom Frantz ’68; Carolyn Chauncey Neuman with her award; Martin Tang and son Christopher Tang ’07; Robert and Elizabeth Staley at the podium.
Elizabeth Chapman Staley ’60 and Robert Staley ’57, BME ’58, MBA ’59
Thanks to the commitment of the Staleys, many parts of Cornell have flourished. From Athletics and Student and Academic Services to the College of Engineering and the Johnson School, the Staleys have given the gift of their time. A member of the 1957 undefeated world champion heavyweight crew team, Bob has taken on advisory roles for both Athletics and rowing, helping to raise the money for the renovation and expansion of the boathouse. A trustee, trustee emeritus, and presidential councilor, he is a staunch supporter of global learning, helping to establish the Johnson School’s partnership program at Nanjing University School of Business. For Liz, bettering student life has been central to her Cornell volunteerism. A member of the Student and Academic Services Advisory Council, she has served as chair of the Division of Campus Life Advisory Council as well as co-chair of the Committee for Campus Life. A life member of the University Council, she is a former president of the Cornell Club of St. Louis. In accepting the award, Liz said the best part was “to be honored with an award named for Frank Rhodes—someone I admire passionately.”
Martin Tang ’70
As the Rhodes Awards program noted, “Martin’s love for Cornell is boundless.” In Hong Kong, where he revitalized the local club, he is known as “Mr. Cornell,” frequently hosting events for prospective students and their parents. His love for his alma mater is exemplified by his sixteen years of service on the Board of Trustees, and—despite living abroad—having a near-perfect attendance record. He has used his influence to help the University build bridges internationally; President Skorton has asked him to play a key leadership role in shaping Cornell’s international strategy. He is a trustee emeritus and presidential councilor, and is immediate past chair of the CALS Advisory Council. “Cornell has changed my life in so many ways,” he said. “It’s given me a continuing education. It’s given me lifelong relationships. And it’s given me a chance to give back.”
Alumni Leadership Conference Moves to Boston
The 2013 Cornell Alumni Leadership Conference (CALC, previously known as CACO Mid-Winter Meeting) will take place January 18–20 in Boston—moving from Washington, D.C., where it was held the previous three years.
A full schedule of panels, discussions, and networking events will be offered to alumni leaders. They include class officers, regional club leaders, heads of diversity and affinity groups, CAAAN chairs, and members of the alumni councils of many of the undergraduate colleges and graduate schools.
More information, including registration instructions and details about individual sessions, can be found at www.alumni.cornell.edu/calc.
The Making of An Alumni Trustee Candidate
By Scott Pesner ’87
In February, Cornell alumni will once again be offered the chance to help elect two University trustees. By participating in the annual alumni trustee election—an opportunity offered by few colleges and universities—Cornellians help to determine the composition of the Board of Trustees.
Perhaps other alumni, like me, have wondered how these four individuals are placed on the ballot.
For the past four years, I have had the privilege of serving on the Committee on Alumni Trustee Nominations (CATN). Comprised of twenty-three members who each serve a four-year, non-renewable term (about a quarter of the committee cycles off each year), CATN includes representatives of each undergraduate and professional college and school, diversity groups, clubs, classes, and major boards. Among the numerous Cornell committees on which I serve, I have found this one to be the most meaningful of all, a view shared by many current and past CATN members.
The process begins in the spring, when alumni are asked to nominate fellow alumni leaders they believe would make strong candidates. A committee including the CATN chair, a member of the Board of Trustees Committee on Board Composition and Governance, and the chair or chairs of the Board of Trustees Committee on Alumni Affairs, identifies approximately thirty to forty alumni that CATN will consider for the coming year.
CATN meets three times in the fall to review and discuss each nominee, with committee members sharing information about those they know or about special qualities they discover in reviewing the biographies provided by the Office of Alumni Affairs. Ultimately, the committee seeks to create a slate of candidates who have shown leadership in alumni activities and who, through their professional and personal experience, will bring unique contributions to the Board and to the University.
By the time this article is published, you should know whom CATN has nominated this year. Each candidate brings something unique to the table, and each is well qualified to be a member of the Board of Trustees. All have stepped up to volunteer for their alma mater; all have developed great credentials professionally and in civic engagement; all are candidates of whom you should be proud. Look at each résumé, read each statement, and vote for the two you believe to be best qualified. This is your opportunity to have a voice in the future of your alma mater—so vote and encourage your classmates and alumni friends to do so.
And if you’re ever asked to serve on the Committee on Trustee Nominations, please do. It offers a great opportunity to make a difference on behalf of your beloved alma mater. It is an experience I will treasure.
Scott Pesner ’87 is a vice president of the Cornell Alumni Association
An Update on the University Council
By Katrina James ’96
The University Council is a group of more than 900 alumni, parents, and friends. The council has more than 450 members who are elected to four-year terms in recognition of their service to Cornell, their profession, or their community. It’s led by an administrative board consisting of the chair, five vice chairs, fourteen members-at-large, and ex-officio members who represent various University offices or other alumni organizations. In 2009, the council undertook an extensive strategic review under the leadership of our immediate past chair, Mitch Lee ’90, JD ’96. I’d like to provide an update on two key initiatives that the council has launched over the past year as a result of that strategic planning.
Ambassador Initiative
The primary role of council members is to serve as ambassadors. They communicate timely information about key initiatives to the greater Cornell community and to their communities at large. Members also inform the University about questions or feedback they receive so Cornell may respond, as appropriate.
Katrina James ’96 with Matilda Ceesay ’13, who designed her dress for the Cornell Now banquet.
We launched our Ambassador Initiative at the 2011 Trustee-Council Annual Meeting (TCAM). Although members had always informally served as ambassadors, we had never provided training or an organized set of resources to assist them in that role. Senior-level administrators from the Office of Volunteer Programs, in conjunction with University Communications, developed a script for members to use during ambassador talks to clubs, regional organizations, and other groups around the world. More than 200 members attended the training session, and more than sixty talks have been given.
We are continuing to explore ways to improve the Ambassador program. Vice chair Jay Carter ’71, ME ’72, is working closely with the Office of Volunteer Programs to streamline the process of finding appropriate events for members to give talks and to ensure that they receive timely updates to the ambassador message.
New Member Orientation
Previously, orientation took place at the new member luncheon during TCAM. In response to requests for a resource to provide guidance before TCAM, we launched the New Member Webinars last year. The webinars provided a general orientation about the council and the responsibilities of membership, and introduced the Ambassador Initiative. We also asked the administrative board to call new members, welcome them, and answer any questions.
Because new members received an orientation before TCAM, we were able to revamp the luncheon to provide opportunities for more networking and interaction. This year, we also have invited those in the fourth year of their term to share their experiences with new members. Additionally, we are in the process of developing a new structure for mentorship.
The first year of my term was a whirlwind, but I hope that we have put in place initiatives to make the council experience more meaningful.
Katrina James is chair of the University Council.