A Brief History of the Outstanding Alumni Awards
By Mollie Pulver '80
For thirty years the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) has annually recognized alumni who have demonstrated excellence in their careers and service to the College and their communities. To honor their work, CALS offers the annual Outstanding Alumni Awards (OAA).
CALS alumni are a diverse group who have entered myriad careers, and many have achieved notable success. The College's Alumni Association Awards Committee is charged each year with identifying up to five alumni who are outstanding in all areas. To receive the award, a candidate must meet at least one of the following criteria and show some accomplishment and interest in the other two:
- active involvement in, work for, and demonstrated leadership abilities in CALS and Cornell;
- "recognized success" in their business, profession, or other vocation;
- "recognized success" in avocational activities other than Cornell. ("Recognized success" in this area means having made a significant contribution to the betterment of society through involvement in community, schools, charitable organizations, and other humanitarian undertakings.)
Each year the award winners, their families, guests, and CALS Alumni Association members gather in the Statler Ballroom for an evening of fellowship and recognition. At last year 's gala, Dean Susan Henry congratulated the recipients with the following comments, although her words describe all who have received the award over the years: "These alumni are distinguished in their many achievements," Henry said. "What these individuals have in common is their tremendous commitment to what they do, and their generosity in giving back. They have demonstrated exceptional dedication to the College and to Cornell, sharing their time and talents in numerous ways. They've made a substantial difference in their communities, their fields of endeavor, and their college through their service and dedication. However, they each reveal an extraordinary sense of modesty when you speak to them about their noteworthy accomplishments. To them, their commitment is a given—all in a day's work."
Joseph King '36, BS '38, was the first to receive the OAA award, in 1977. The list of past winners now totals 137 and includes many distinguished names well known to Cornellians, including Robert Trent Jones, SP Ag '30, John Dyson '65, and Stan Warren '27, PhD '31. Recipients have come from across the United States and around the globe. They include Teng-Hui Lee, PhD '68, former president of Taiwan, in 1995, and In-Kyu Han, PhD '65, president of the Korean Academy of Science and Technology, in 2003.
In 1988 the program was expanded to recognize young alumni (defined as under age forty when nominated). Up to two award winners are recognized in this category each year. The first Young Alumni Award went to Daniel Decker '74, PhD '86. He has since been joined by twenty-two other notable graduates, including Jim Bittner '80, who received the award in 1997. "I'm amazed at how such busy people still find time to maintain their ties to the College, giving their time and talents while starting businesses and families," says Bittner.
The program was expanded again in 1996, with awards for CALS faculty and staff. The first two faculty to be recognized were George Conneman '52, MS '56, and Bernard Stanton '49, professors emeriti in applied economics and management. To date, twenty-four faculty and staff have been honored.
To nominate a CALS graduate for an award, fill out a form at the CALS Alumni and Friends website: www. cals.cornell.edu/cals/alumni-friends/ alumni-association/alsaa-board/stand ing-committees/awards.cfm
CALS considers the OAA program its premier annual event, a way to fortify relationships and an opportunity to reconnect with alumni. For more information, contact map76@ cornell.edu.
Mollie Pulver '80 has served as a volunteer leader for several organizations, including the CALS Alumni Association, CAAAN, and the CAF Board. She currently serves on the CAF Communications Committee.
Come Home to Cornell!
Homecoming 2008: September 26-28
Join fellow Cornellians and friends and enjoy the best that the University has to offer. Alumni, students, and faculty will be on hand for an exciting range of academic, social, and athletic events. It's a weekend you won't want to miss! The campus will be in full swing with a variety of programs that promise to keep you busy from morning to night.
Saturday, September 27
All-New, All-Alumni Tailgate, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Crescent parking lot. Meet and mingle with fellow alumni. Complimentary food and beverages will be served under the big tent. Musical entertainment by Johnny Russo's East Hill Classic Jazz Group. The Big Red Band, cheerleaders, and the Big Red Bears will stop by to help you catch the spirit. Sponsored by the Office of Alumni Affairs.
Cornell vs. Yale Football, 1 p.m., Schoellkopf Field. Feel the excitement in the air! Join the roar of the crowd and cheer the Big Red on to victory as they square off against Ivy rival Yale. For football tickets and stadium parking permits, call the Athletic Ticket Office at (607) 254-BEAR. Tickets: $15, $12 for seniors and students.
Glee Club concert, 8 p.m., Sage Chapel. Hear one of the country's finest collegiate male singing ensembles and Cornell's oldest student organization in a concert of classics and songs of Cornell. Professor Scott Tucker will conduct. Tickets: $10, $5 for students, available in advance at www.baileytickets.com and the Clinton House's Ticket Center, and at the door.
And that's just the beginning! Choose from campus tours, college and school programs, fraternity and sorority events, admissions information sessions, recreational programs, class and affinity activities, and much more. For more Homecoming information and a list of events, contact the Office of Alumni Affairs at (607) 255-7085 or visit alumni.cornell.edu/home-coming.
Overnight accommodations in the Ithaca area are limited; call the Tompkins County Convention and Visitor's Bureau at (800) 284-8422 or go to www.visitithaca.com for an update on availability.