Provided
Pam Marrone ’78
During my four years, it has been obvious to me that the Cornell Board of Trustees and leadership team are focused on the right priorities, particularly academic scholarship and the student experience. As a board, we worked hard to enhance our connections to the faculty and students. As a scientist-entrepreneur, I was pleased to see the elevation of the Research and Innovation Committee to the board level. I am also pleased by Cornell’s continuing commitment to sustainability and diversity. So many monumental things have happened during my board service, including the hiring of Martha Pollack, the grand opening of the NYC tech campus, and the creation of the College of Business. Never did I imagine I would close my four years of service with a pandemic crisis that changed everything. I am truly impressed by how Cornell’s senior leadership quickly swung into action.
Provided
Katrina James ’96
Serving on the Board of Trustees has been a great honor and privilege, and also a great responsibility. Just five months into my term, I found myself voting to elect Martha Pollack as our next president. I remember the joy I felt, but also the gravity of the decision we were making. This is probably the greatest responsibility with which we are entrusted.
As vice chair of our Committee on Alumni Affairs, I worked closely with Alumni Affairs leadership as they developed a new strategic plan for one of our most important constituencies. I am confident this plan provides a great road map that will allow for increased and meaningful engagement of our alumni as volunteers and leaders, and provides much-needed support and resources in key areas like career development.
As I finish my first term in the midst of this pandemic, we are facing decisions about when and how to return to instruction in a way that is safe and responsible while also ensuring our actions preserve the long-term sustainability of the University. I work with an amazingly talented group of colleagues on the board, and I know we will help Cornell weather this storm. It has been my pleasure to serve as your alumni-elected trustee. Thank you for this opportunity.
Learn more about your alumni-elected trustees at: alumni.cornell.edu/volunteer/leadership/trustees/