TEACHING EXCELLENCE Three on faculty are named Stephen H. Weiss Fellows for distinguished teaching of undergraduates. ANIMAL ATTRACTION Friday's ceremonies mark the official opening of the new Veterinary Medical Center on campus. Volume 27 Number 38 June 8, 1 'DQn't stop now,' President Rawlings tells 1996 graduating class By Jacquie Powers Cornell President Hunter Rawlings, in his first commencementsinceassumingthe presi­ dency, urged the almost 6,000 students re­ ceiving degrees to enrich their lives by con­ tinuing the tradition and practice oflearning that they have prof­ ited from during their years at Cornell. "If there is one message I hope you'll take with you it is, 'Don't stop now.' You have learned a lot. You leave with a lot. But it is not enough. Keep on Rawlings learning - and your life will be rich and full," Rawlings told celebrants at the 128th Commence­ ment May 26. Under fair skies at Schoellkopf Field, before embarking on the heart of his com­ mencement message, Rawlings thanked the graduatingclass for a stringofaccomplish­ ments that drew rounds of applause and bursts of laughter. These included thanks for filling Lynah Rink and helping bring back Ivy titles for both the men's and women's ice hockey teams; thanks for set­ Frank DiM(!o'Uni~'(!rsit)'Photography ting the standard for public service; thanks Graduates enjoyed pomp, circumstance and good weather at commencement ceremonies in Schoellkopf Field. for a rainy, sane and safe Slope Day; and, to the biggest outbreak of applause, "thank not - try to rescue a stranded deer." tinued evolving to meet emerging state and and put it to good use." you for reassuring me that the Cornell tra­ Turning more serious, Rawlings told national needs. Like other institutions of its Rawlings pointed out, however, that dition of demonstrations and protests is graduates, their families and friends that, kind, it has vastly increased the nation's "within its complexity and diversity, the alive and well. By conservative estimate, "in its variety and its scope, Cornell is the research capacity; given us breathtaking university retains certain core values that you've participated in - or endured - three quintessential research university ofthe late advances in the sciences and in medicine; have made it among the most long-lived of major protests, and at least 103 minor skir­ 20th century. It has a remarkable, indeed and, in more recent decades, expanded tech­ human institutions as well as among the mishes. You've protested everything from unique, collection of academic resources­ nology-transfer operations that stimulate most responsive to change. the GOP's Contract with America, to stu­ statutory and endowed, practical and theo­ economic development. The American re­ "We work here at Cornell to assure that dent aid cuts; from vandalism of Daniel retical- dedicated to public service, as well search university, of which Cornell is such 460 years in the future, many of today's Martinez's Arts Quad sculpture, to pro­ as to research, scholarship and teaching. a splendid example, has a remarkable range, universities, includingCornell, will still exist posed changes in residential housing policy, Charting new ground at its founding as the a wealth of dimensions. Over the past few as universities, in recognizable form. They to whetherthe university should-orshould first truly American university, it has con- years, you've confronted that complexity Continued on page 7 CU trustees approve Full weekend planned statutory tuition rates for returning alumni and new housing policy Some 5,500 alumni and guests are expected to visit Ithaca today through Sunday and reunite with By Jacquie Powers former classmates and professors, revisit favorite The Cornell Board ofTrustees unanimously approved a haunts, sample classroom offerings and commemo­ new residential housing policy as well as statutory college rate longstanding traditions during Reunion 1996. tuition rates at its regular meeting May 25. Activities include: recreational and sporting The trustees approved an overall residential housi ng goal events; guided tours of the campus and campus designed to unite undergraduates' residential and academic facilities; cruises on Cayuga Lake; the nightly Re­ lives, and seven basic principles the administration believes union tents on the Arts Quad; and gastronomic func­ will help to achieve that goal. These will guide the university's tions galore, including the annual alumni luncheon at residential communities policy in the coming years. Thcfull noon on friday and Saturday in Barton Hall. text ofthe document, "Cornell University Residential Com­ One ofthe highlights ofthe weekend's smorgas­ munities Policy Statement," released May 2, is available bord of educational forums, symposia and lectures Adrial/a ROI'(!rs/Un;versity Photography will be the annual Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin electronically at <http://www.!>as..:ornell.edu/rescomm/ The Board of TNstees, including, from right, Martin policy.html>. Y. Tang, .I. Thomas Clark and Ellen G. Adelson, met Lecture on Friday at 3 p.m. in Bailey Hall, delivered President Hunter Rawlings' vision for Cornell's residen­ in open session in Clark Hall on May 25. by Beverly Sills, Lincoln Center board chair. tial community is set forth in the goal approved by the At 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, also in Bailey Hall, trustees and which garnered extensive support on campus: review any recommendations on the issue of Cornell's 10 President Hunter Rawlings will deliver his first "Cornell University will providesupportive residential com­ program houses. Asa result ofrecent discussions on campus State of the University Address at a Cornell Re­ munities that contribute to an intellectually engaged and between members of the administration and concerned union. That evening in the same location, beginning socially responsible campus environment." students and faculty, any action on the matter of program at 9:30 p.m., Cornelliana Night will feature songs Further, Rawlings has said, his aim is to create a residen­ houses in general, and on the option for freshmen to live in from the Alumnae Chorus and Alumni Glee Club. tial policy for Cornell that "seeks to provide its undergradu­ program houses, has been delayed until. tudents return to Alumni with questions about activities can con­ ates with a broad exposure to the university and particularly the campus in the fall. tact the Reunion information desk in Barton Hall, to the intellectual life of the campus.... that will be seen as At that time the administration will begin a full through Saturday afternoon, at 255-3127 or 255­ a model for linking the academic and non-academic lives of campuswide dialogue, involvingstudents, faculty and staff, 1049, or the Office ofAlumni Affairs, 626Thurston students into a cohesive whole." on the subject. That discussion is expected to proceed over Ave. at 255-2390, 255-4850 and 255-7085. Rawlings did not ask the trustees to take any action or Continued on page 4 2 June6,1996 Cornell Chronicle BRIEFS Engarde OBITUARIES FrancesLehman"Peter" Loeb, Cornell • Donated clothing: Before they left presidential councilor and trustee emerita, campus in May, Cornell students donated died May 17 at her home in New York City. 27,450 items of clothing to six local com­ She was 89. munity agencies, accordingto Connie Fuess, A lifetime member of the Cornell Medi­ one of the organizers ofthe annual clothing cal College Board of Overseers, she, in drive. Recipient agencies are the Tompkins partnership with her husband, endowed the County Task Force for Battered Women, John and Frances Loeb Librarianship and the Tompkins County Economic Opportu­ the Frances L. Loeb Medical Scientist Fel­ nity Corporation (EOC), Family and lowship at the college. Children's Services, the local Tibetan refu­ Sheserved on the Cornell Board ofTrust­ gee association, HOMES Inc. and the Com­ ees from 1979 to 1988.and was a member of mittee on United States/Latin American the Land Grant and Statutory College Af­ Relations (CUSLAR). Donations were re­ fairs and Alumni Affairs and Development ceived from faculty, staffand students. The committees. drive was sponsored by Ecology House in Shealso servedon the Herbert F. Johnson cooperation with the university's Office of Art Museum Council and the Center for Campus Life and volunteers from the Ithaca TheatreArts fund-raising and planningcom­ Rotary Club. Chair of the 1996 clothing Charles Harrington/Unh'ersity Photography mittee. recovery drive was Amber O'Reilly, a resi­ The Andrew P. Stifel '91 Fencing Salle, in the lower level of the Field The board oftrustees passed a resolution dent of Ecology House and a 1996 Agricul­ House, was dedicated on April 27. The facility was made possible by the generosityofPeter B. Stifel and Gladys LungeStifel, both membersofthe honoring her as a "staunch champion ofthis ture and Life Sciences graduate. Classof1958andtheirfamily, andofNina Farouk'97andherfamily. From University" at its May ~5 meeting. left, Gladys Lunge Stifel, Katherine G. Stifel '87, Andrew P. Stifel and She is survived by her husband of 69 .Pollution prevention award: New Peter B. Stifel pose at the dedication. years, John L. Loeb, five chi Idren, 14grand­ York Governor George Pataki recently pre­ children, and 30 great-grandchildren. sented Cornell's Transportation Demand Management Program with a 1996 Governor's Award for 'Pollution Preven­ tion. Cornell was one of nine organizations Ten alumni have works in Reunion art exhibition in the state to receive the award for out­ standing environmental protectioR pro­ By Darryl Geddes very fortunate to have been able to continue. rected interactions with her giant movable grams, and the university is the first not-for­ painting since graduating from Cornell,'" sculptures for her master's thesis at Cornell. profit organization to win the award in its Ten artists from this year's Reunion said Wittow, who graduated with a BFA. Her work in the field since has included an nine-year history.