Todd White

About me: I was born and raised in Mount Pleasant, Iowa , though I’ve called Mount Vernon home for most of the last 18 years. I graduated from Cornell in 1991 with a double major in Biology and Origins of Behavior. I joined the admissions staff following graduation, and married my wife Lisa, a Mount Vernonite , that summer.

We left the College and community from 1995-2004 while Lisa attended graduate school at the Cleveland Institute of Music in Cleveland, Ohio, and became Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. During these nine years I was Associate Dean of Admission at Hiram College, and Senior Associate Director of Admissions at Lake Forest College. Our family also grew during these years with the additions of our son Alex (10) and our daughter Samantha (5).

I hope you will take a close look at the College. Cornell is home to serious and committed students from across the country and around the world. Much like you, they had a great deal to offer their college of choice, and while I am biased, I believe we have a lot to offer you.

One place I recommend students visit on campus: I actually need to recommend two spots: West Science Center and the Residence Halls. As a student, my first home was Tarr Hall, where I developed life long friendships spending hours listening to music, watching movies, and playing weekly ping pong and foosball matches for pizzas. My second home was West Science Center . As an undergraduate biologist and research assistant in a genetics laboratory, I spent nearly half of my courses in West Science Center . It is a wonderful space to learn, participate in research, and study (especially at 2:00 am the night before your final).

What I can do for you: While this is a stressful time for high school students, we hope this is an exciting time for you and your family. During the coming months you will be making comparisons between many of the top colleges and universities in the country and I want you to know that the admissions counselors and myself are available to help you make the right college choice. Good luck with your college search and I’d love to hear from you if you have questions concerning Cornell, or to meet you during your campus visit.