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Annual Letter From Your Cornell Club President Dear Cornellians -- As September ushers in memories of crisp Finger Lake evenings far above Cayuga's Waters, the Cornell Club of Greater Buffalo is poised for another year of growth, support, and friendship. Last year over 700 Cornellians attended 24 different events and programs, ranging from wine tastings at Cornell-owned wineries, an architectural tour of the works of E.B. Green '78, and three faculty visits from Ithaca. Our CAAAN volunteers contacted over 225 students and helped to welcome 50 area high schoolers to our Big Red Family this August. And who will ever forget cheering on our Big Red basketball team to its historic Sweet Sixteen appearance? Our Club's goal is to provide programs that are open and diverse, welcoming to all. We strive to engage area alumni, students, parents, and friends of Cornell with each other, the University, and Buffalo civic life. The Club transitioned to a 'dues-free' model last year, meaning that all 2000+ Western New York Cornellians can count themselves as members without the nuisance of annual membership fees. And a quick glance at our calendar indicates that the Club truly does offer something for everyone. So please mark your datebooks and smartphones as our fall schedule includes a Buffalo River clean-up, our ever-popular Zinck's Night Happy Hour, and wine and food tasting at Becker Farms... not to mention our ongoing book club meetings, a lecture on Cornell history, a theatre outing, and a tour of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library! I'm also very excited to mention that we will be able to welcome Cornell's distinguished professor of Marketing and Food Science, Brian Wansink, to Buffalo next Thursday, September 23rd. Please join me at the Buffalo Club as we learn more about Professor Wansink's fascinating research into 'Mindless Eating' and why we eat more than we think. I would be amiss if I didn't thank all of those who made the last year so successful, including Tricia Aubrecht '08, Margo Bittner '80, Jay Brett '53, Robert Garlan '78, Joyce Hwang '97, Tim Kane '84, Chris Kramer '95, Joel Lippes '67, Mark Marotto '82, Todd Mazurek '08, Peter Morphis '75, Jay Sackett '03, Dave Schiller '74, Dave Schutte '88, Jenn Shirk '04, Chris Sasiadek '05, Kevin Townsell '78, Adam Webb '03, John Whitney '82, and Adam Wilson '93. Special thanks also goes to all of the Club's generous benefactors, as listed on our website, our generous CAAAN volunteers, and finally to Nancy Falletta '83, who graciously hosted our freshmen send-off this past summer, helping to re-kindle a valuable Club tradition. As a diverse and an energetic alumni body we have so much to offer to both our region and our alma mater. The Club is always in need of those who are willing to donate their time, energy, or resources, and I encourage you to get in touch with me at nagowski@cornell.edu. And if you do have a Cornellian-friend who may have fallen out of the Club's radar, please invite them to attend a Club event with you. It's always great to see new faces and make new friends. I hope you'll join me in the coming year, continuing to strengthen our Cornell community. Let's Go Red! Matthew P. Nagowski '05 |
