Class of 1966 News

Class of 1966
Class News

Thriving RED:

The Cornell Class of 1966 50th Reunion Class Gift

Supporting Student Wellness in the Middle Undergraduate Years

Our Class Gift Research Committee explored many options for our Reunion Class Gift. Across the campus quads, over and over, the most compelling need mentioned by Deans, Professors, Athletic Coaches, and Administrators has been a gift to address the stress exhibited in so many current Cornell students.

Cornell students are - as ever - spectacular. Yet, as academically talented as they are, the 21st Century presents them with radically different challenges, new kinds of pressures, new demands for adaptability. Students control well their virtual electronic worlds, but often are thrown by managing their real lives: not owning the tools to THRIVE even as they ACHIEVE - tools to cope well, morph well, adapt well to the ever more unpredictable life changes that this new century demands.

From Andy Noel (Director, Athletics and Physical Education) to Dean Lance Collins (Engineering) to Dean Alan Mathios (Human Ecology) to Deans/Professors across the disciplines, to the House Deans of the West Campus Residential Houses, each speaks of how much of his or her time, concern, and priorities revolves around helping manage the stress of the gifted students with whom they interact.

"THRIVING RED" will offer West Campus Sophomores and Juniors resources promoting "Resilience in Residence" - bringing a myriad of programs activities to 1800 students EXACTLY WHERE THEY LIVE. It establishes a House Deans' Fund for all five Deans to work collaborativelv, to draw on the services of Gannett and upon programs already existing on campus ("Minds Matter," "EARS," etc.), and to create new programmingspecifically tailored to the changing needs of the Sophomores and Juniors who live in Cook, Becker, Bethe, Rose, and Keeton Houses.

"Freshman Centers" help first-year students transition from home to campus, job fairs, on-campus recruiting, and graduate/professional school days address needs of Seniors. ButSophomores and Juniors looking to seek advice, relieve stress, initiate new directions, or find confidence in their changing academic or personal life courses find very little created FOR THEM - addressing their unique "middle year" needs.

Coping with family finances that impact staying in school; dealing with physical changes (an athlete finding himself/herself injured); realizing one belongs in a different College but still belongs at Cornell (and expressing that to parents at home); making wise behavioral choices; managing sleep and studies; or studies and a social life: often fall to Sophomores and Juniors to figure out on their own.

All too often, they assume they should know the answers; are embarrassed to ask for help even where help exists, because they feel they are no longer "new Freshmen." Or they assume the available resources are for those in more dire need. Or they underestimate the deep need they may have.

House Deans, Faculty Fellows, Crad Fellows share the daily lives of West Campus residents, know well their rhythms, both in groups and as individuals. Resources - where students live - will allow House Deans to infuse Cornell students' intense attention to academic and extra-curricular STRIVING with a new, balanced, attention to personal well-being and THRIVING.

21st Century personal and professional success is contingent upon being flexible. Psychological fitness^ confidence, and skills to adapt well, re-analyze, think globally, cross-culturally, often quickly, are abilities every Cornellian should acquire before graduation.

Our 50th Reunion Class Gift can help makethat happen. The "Living/Learning" environment, integral to the West Campus Residential Houses, is a perfect place to begin. And... As "The Class in The Middle," who better than we, The Class of 1966, to address the needs of Cornellians in their middle years?

"FIFTY for FIFTY"

Our goal is to raise at least $50,000 in celebration of our 50th Reunion Year and to present our Class Gift during our SO"" Reunion Weekend, June 9-12, 2016.

No other Cornell Class has done what we have done: embracing a living unit, Becker House, as its own, establishing a decade of friendships and connections and support between the ever-changing students/faculty who live there and alumni who dedicate time to them. Our imprint is known campus-wide. With this new Fund, we extend our virtual fingerprint to a whole hand, taking all five Residential Houses and the vibrant West Campus Residential Community "as '66's own."

WHY "Thriving RED?"

YOUNG CORNELLIANS SUCCEEDING AND THRIVING BECAUSE CORNELL ALUMNI
WE, THE CLASS OF 1966, TOGETHER - ENSURED THAT WOULD BE SO.

Join us!

We warmly thank you already,

Alice Katz Berglas
Class President, 2011- 2016

Ralph Janis, Bruce Mansdorf, John Monroe
50th Reunion Class Gift Committee