Where did you hang out as an undergraduate?
Where did you hang out as an undergraduate?
"Last Call," your article on legendary drinking and eating establishments (Cornelliana, November/December 2011), missed one of the great ones. During the late Fifties, if you had a really late study night, it was best to take a break at two or three a.m. at Obie's Diner, out on the west side of town. This was truly a Cornell institution, even if it did not serve drinks. Obie himself ran the grill and would break eggs one-handed, throwing the shells behind him without looking, presumably in or near the trash. Favorites on the menu were the Bo Burger—a cheeseburger with grilled onions and a fried egg—and the apple turnover, which was put on the grill until it was piping hot and the sugar glaze was running down the sides. I have occasionally tried to duplicate the Bo Burger, but never up to Obie's high standards.
Bill Dring '59, BArch '61
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
An article that pays tribute to Cornell's legendary bars cannot be complete without a mention of Dunbar's, opened in the early Eighties and still thriving. With its classic jukebox, the constant smell of the popcorn machine, and the customized and personalized ceiling tiles, a trip to this bar is always a necessity for me when I visit Ithaca, and at reunions I always run into old friends there. The owner, Dave (I don't even know his last name), is always there, at the door or behind the bar, and he told me when I visited at my 25th Reunion that some of his patrons now are children of former patrons. He added, "I'll know it's time to retire when a customer is a grandchild of a former customer." Keep going, Dave, and keep going, Dunbar's!
Mitch Rosich '85, ME '86
Acton, Massachusetts
Ed. Note: "Last Call" spurred a wave of nostalgic comments about favorite establishments at the CAM website. Take a look (and add your own) at cornellalumnimagazine.com.
It's All Greek
The news article "Skorton Bans Pledging in Greek Organizations" (From the Hill, November/December 2011) spelled out a significant change coming for the Greek system. In the mid-Fifties it was a different world at Cornell. The drinking age was eighteen, and the graduating classes were a fraction of the entering numbers. It was survival of the fittest. Since then, Cornell has become more selective of entering freshmen. Having chosen to admit "golden eggs," there is no desire to let those eggs abort hatching—which has led the University to press in the direction of assuring high graduation rates: read, "eliminate those things that impede a student's graduation." The Greek system will change and survive—and I sincerely hope the fraternity and sorority experience continues to develop character.
Paul Snare '56, BCE '57, MBA '58
University Place, Washington
Medical Question
You noted that Laurie Glimcher, MD, has been named the next dean of Weill Cornell Medical College (From the Hill, November/December 2011). According to the New York Times (September 7, 2011), Dr. Glimcher "has ties to the pharmaceutical giants Merck and Bristol-Myers Squibb as well as to scientific and biotechnology companies." In 2010, according to the story, Bristol-Myers Squibb paid her $244,500; the company also gave her $1.4 million in deferred share units, both payments apparently for service on its board. Also in 2010, she was paid $238,545 in cash, stock, and options by the Waters Corporation, a maker of lab equipment. The Times reported that she "defended her outside interests, saying they presented no conflict as long as they were transparent." This argument, it seems to me, is so transparently silly that a rebuttal would be superfluous.
What is now needed is trustworthy assurance that the medical school will adhere to the traditional values of openness in university research, and that the faculty will be free to pursue without pressure from any quarter questions that appeal to them as scientific scholars. Were it forthcoming, I should be greatly surprised and profoundly grateful.
Donald Mintz '49, PhD '60
Trumansburg, New York
Show Us the Red Card
Your "Big Game" on the soccer team's win against Penn (Sports, November/ December 2011) says that the game-winning goal came on "a shot fired from the right side of the penalty box." There is no penalty "box" on a soccer field. There is a penalty area. Please use the proper terminology.
Gary Fisher '68
Trumansburg, New York
Author's Request
I would like to contact any alumnus or alumna who knew Harry Chapin '64 during his undergraduate years at Cornell and in particular anyone from his freshman dormitory floor—Chapin's room was University Halls 5102. I am writing a historical study about Chapin's relationship to Delta Kappa Epsilon during the years 1961-63. I can be reached by e-mail at bill.fogle@cox.net or by phone at 480-641-1137.
H. William Fogle '70
Mesa, Arizona
Correction
Isabel Fratt '14 was mistakenly listed as a fourth-generation Cornellian in the online legacy list (July/August 2011). She is actually the fifth generation in her family to go to Cornell: her great-great-grandfather was George Meade Emory, LLB 1890.