Welcoming the Class of 2024

As our beloved and shared communities “repopulate” once again, I look forward to meeting new-to-Ithaca-and-Cornell students, while connecting with members of the senior class when and where possible.

It is notable that Cornell’s Class of ’24 was the first to start their college journeys in the coronavirus era, captured in part by this picture of Touchdown, the Big Red Bear. (Even the eyes of our traditionally happy bear look a little stressed. Author’s note: That’s a joke.)

Some Cornell Chronicle excerpts from that memorable year of 2020:

Spring on the Ithaca campus is usually one of the most vibrant times of the year, as the university gears up to introduce newly admitted students to all that Cornell has to offer. But this year – at a time when the coronavirus pandemic has forced courses and other events online and temporarily ended campus tours and visits – it’s a very different story, one that represents a unique challenge for those who plan outreach to and programming for the incoming Class of 2024.

The university is flexible on financial aid for families affected by the coronavirus, and works with international students if travel remains severely interrupted or visas are delayed. The Class of 2024 was one of the most challenging years to be admitted to Cornell University ever. For the Class of 2024, 49,114 students applied to Cornell University of which 5,353 students were accepted, yielding an overall acceptance rate of 10.9 percent.

More Class of ’24 background here:

Hard data aside, it has been an easy privilege for Cornell’s Office of Community Relations to work with this class of engaged adults. They have not only cared about classes and careers, but have volunteered in and around Ithaca for dozens of area non-profits, and through initiatives like the Being Engaged and Responsible (BEAR) Walk, CU Downtown, and engagement and leadership with Cornell’s United Way of Tompkins County campaign, just to name a handful.

Having lived here 30 years – 10 in newspapering, 20 at Cornell – I have heard some complaints and comments about students on East and South hills over time, often with broad, sweeping statements about behavioral or quality-of-life issues. (Often there hasn’t been context, or even confirmation that a young person was a Cornell or IC student, which doesn’t reflect the best of our enlightened community.)

Like everyone else, Cornell students – from dozens of states and nations – aren’t perfect. But over three decades of work in and around local life, I have seen and been impressed by a continual uptick in student volunteerism, a sincere love and respect for Ithaca and environs, and a progressive town-gown engagement that serves the common good.

Good luck and best wishes to Cornell’s Class of ’24! 

East Hill Notes are published the first and third Wednesdays of each month in Tompkins Weekly. Gary Stewart is an associate vice president at Cornell University.