Homecoming Gala and Campaign Launch, October 13, 2007
John Smith toasts Richard and Norma Small for their unparalleled support and their $15.1 million gift.
Homecoming Gala and Campaign Launch, October 13, 2007
John Smith (center) applauds lead campaign donors who were present for the celebration.
Homecoming Gala and Campaign Launch, October 13, 2007
Cornell President, Les Garner, addresses the gala guests.
Homecoming Gala and Campaign Launch, October 13, 2007
The Steel Drum Band and Singers broke into "Celebrate" following the dinner and campaign launch.
Homecoming Gala and Campaign Launch, October 13, 2007
A view of the hotel ballroom from the Pandemonium stage.
Homecoming Gala and Campaign Launch, October 13, 2007
Pandemonium and Calypso Singers had their own reason to "celebrate" -- their 10 year reunion!
Homecoming Gala and Campaign Launch, October 13, 2007
The steel drums and brass raised the roof of the Cedar Rapids Marriott.
Homecoming Gala and Campaign Launch, October 13, 2007
A conga line that included First Lady Katrina and President Les Garner!
Homecoming Gala and Campaign Launch, October 13, 2007
Calypso Singer Alumna, Jane Noseworthy '01 and Professor Craig Allin also led another great conga line!
Homecoming Gala and Campaign Launch, October 13, 2007
The evening simply would not have been the same without the Pandemonium Reunion.
Homecoming Gala and Campaign Launch, October 13, 2007
Cornell's new Alumni Director, Lisa White
Homecoming Gala and Campaign Launch, October 13, 2007
Faculty members, Barbara Christie-Pope and Andy Wildenberg
Homecoming Gala and Campaign Launch, October 13, 2007
Kaitlin Foster '09 gets a big hug from Monica Davis '02 with Carol Drendel hon. '04.
Homecoming Gala and Campaign Launch, October 13, 2007
Dick Small '50 was very busy greeting and mingling with guests.
Homecoming Gala and Campaign Launch, October 13, 2007
The college seal projected onto the Marriott waterfall was a special touch for a special evening.
Homecoming Gala and Campaign Launch, October 13, 2007
The waterfall and the glow necklaces greatly added to the festivity of the event.
Homecoming Gala and Campaign Launch, October 13, 2007
Homecoming Gala and Campaign Launch, October 13, 2007
Live entertainment was provided by Gerard Estella featuring Janelle Lauer.
Homecoming Gala and Campaign Launch, October 13, 2007
Homecoming Gala and Campaign Launch, October 13, 2007
Norma Small hon. '71 and Mem McConnell hon. '05
Homecoming Gala and Campaign Launch, October 13, 2007
Class of 1992 alums celebrating 15 years!
Homecoming Gala and Campaign Launch, October 13, 2007
VP for Alumni & College Advancement, Peter Wilch '94 and Professor Tony Plaut '78
Homecoming Gala and Campaign Launch, October 13, 2007
Outgoing Alumni Board President, Joe Campanelli '69 and Trish Searls Campanelli '72
Homecoming Gala and Campaign Launch, October 13, 2007
Jackie Martins, Mindy Eckhardt, Jennifer Wittwer, Caroline Kerr and Janet Corcoran -- Class of 1991
"Extraordinary Opportunities" Campaign Launched
$74 of $92 million already raised
The largest fundraising campaign in Cornell history celebrated its public launch at the Cedar Rapids Marriott Hotel on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2007 with multimillion-dollar commitments from Richard Small '50 and John Smith '71 during a gala homecoming party complete with a multimedia presentation and a performance by current and alumni members of the Pandemonium steel drum band.
Extraordinary Opportunities: The Campaign for Cornell College had secured $74 million of the $92 million goal by homecoming. The campaign began in July 2004 and is scheduled to conclude in December 2009.
Funding priorities seek to advance the distinctive features of the college's academic program by:
- Building the endowment by $50 million for the endowment, which helps support endowed scholarships, faculty endowments, international and off-campus study, student-faculty research and programs for students interested in business (Berry Center for Economics, Business, and Public Policy) and in the health care professions (Dimensions: The Center for the Science and Culture of Healthcare).
- Raising $31 million to expand and renovate The Commons and West Science Center, and to renovate King Chapel and Pfeiffer Hall.
- Raising $11 million for the Annual Fund to support current operations and allow the college to plan confidently, to minimize increases in tuition and fees, and to support Cornell's top priorities.
Life trustee Small and honorary alumna and trustee, Norma Small -- Cornell's most generous benefactors -- pledged $15.1 million for the endowment and capital projects, including renovations to Pfeiffer, The Commons, and Rood House, the former residence hall that will be repurposed and renamed the Paul K. Scott Alumni Center. Paul K. Scott '29 was alumni director (1954-76) and coached Cornell's 1947 NCAA championship wrestling team. He died in 2003.
Small says the campaign will further strengthen Cornell's aspirations to be one of the nation's leading liberal arts colleges. "I believe in a liberal arts education, and I believe this campaign is absolutely the best way to serve Cornell students," he said.
Trustee Smith and his wife, Dyan Smith, pledged $5 million for the endowment and capital projects.
"Each gift to this campaign is an investment in Cornell's innovative approach to education, in its students and, through those students, in a more enlightened world," Smith said.
Photos by David Lienemann '05
