Tag: Skorton

June 25, 2015 Shock, anger and deep sadness are among our nation’s responses to the Emanuel AME Church murders last week. Charleston churches as well as congregations and people across the country have stood strongly with the Mother Emanuel congregation to demonstrate principles of their faith. As they celebrate the lives taken away, they are…

May 4, 2015 Dear Cornell Community, As we begin the last week of classes on the Ithaca campus and my time as Cornell’s president draws to a close, I take this opportunity to thank faculty, staff, and students on all our campuses for your many and varied contributions to our university and for our work…

April 26, 2015 On behalf of the entire Cornell University community, I pause during our celebration of Charter Day to express great concern for the people affected by yesterday’s devastating earthquake in Nepal near its capital, Kathmandu. The earthquake and its many aftershocks have caused destruction and loss of life well beyond the country’s borders.…

April 16, 2015 Dear Cornell Community: As we celebrate Cornell’s 150 years of education, scholarship and public engagement, we honor one of our fundamental strengths — our history of inclusivity. The university continues to encourage the exploration of all forms of knowledge and welcome all people, regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances. To fully support…

April 2, 2015 I write today to express my shock over the attack on Garissa University College in Kenya. My heart goes out to all of those impacted by this senseless act. I am especially mindful of the many members of our community with ties to the region. As the full impact of today’s events…

March 25, 2015 As the president of Cornell University, I want to be clear that the notion that Cornell would allow ISIS training sessions on our campus is ludicrous and absolutely offensive. Project Veritas, the organization behind this shoddy piece of “journalism” has been repeatedly vilified for dishonest, deceitful activity. It is shameful that any…

January 29, 2015 Nearly eight years ago, in response to the growing challenge of global climate change, I signed the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, pledging that Cornell would develop a plan to achieve climate neutrality, starting on our Ithaca campus, by 2050. Today, I again formally recognize the need to accelerate our…

January 28, 2015 Dear Members of the Cornell Community, In recent days, we have been challenged by sadness and loss following the accidental death of undergraduate Oluchukwu Onuora and staff member Angela Stedwell. I offer my deepest condolences to their friends and families. All of us are affected when a tragedy occurs within our community.…

January 16, 2015 Dear Cornell Community: On Monday, January 19, Cornell University once again will join the nation in celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In so doing, we honor the life and legacy of one of the great figures in modern American history. This year, with issues of race still on so many of…

November 28, 2014 Dear Cornell Community, On this Thanksgiving weekend, I am deeply saddened to tell you that we have lost a member of our Cornell family, Shannon Jones. Shannon, a 23-year-old upperclassman in the College of Engineering, died on Thursday evening in her residence in Cayuga Heights. There is an ongoing investigation into the…

Oct. 15, 2014 It is with great pride and gratitude that I congratulate Provost Kent Fuchs on his appointment as the next president of the University of Florida. Kent’s impact on all aspects of Cornell during his tenure as provost cannot be overstated. The legacy he will leave behind will be felt by all Cornellians,…

Oct. 13, 2014 The following letter from Cornell President David Skorton to Seph Murtagh, TCAT board secretary and treasurer, was released today. Dear Mr. Murtagh: After careful consideration, I offer the following response to Resolution 2014-09 adopted by the TCAT Board of Directors on Aug. 28, 2014. Cornell’s ultimate goal is to support a more…

Sept. 2, 2014 Dear Cornell Community: Welcome to the new academic year. Whether you’re a student, faculty or staff member in Ithaca, New York City or elsewhere, I hope that you had a good summer and that those who were away from campus had a smooth return. I also welcome you to the start of…

May 7, 2014 Dear Members of the Cornell Community, Sexual violence, including rape, occurs with disturbing frequency in society and on campuses across the country—people of all genders are victimized while in college, including approximately one in five women. On April 29, the ]White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault released Not…

March 10, 2014 Dear Colleagues and Friends, This morning, Robin and I are in Washington, D.C. for the announcement that I will become the next Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution on July 1, 2015. The Smithsonian is one of our true national treasures, and I am honored to have the opportunity to help shape its…

February 26, 2014 The following is a response to the Faculty Senate resolution on Cornell investment and divestment strategies for a sustainable future from President David J. Skorton from February 11, 2014: The Faculty Senate Resolution on Cornell Investment and Divestment Strategies for a Sustainable Future, passed in December 2013, as well as the Student…

January 22, 2014 Dear Colleagues: Welcome to the spring 2014 semester. I hope those of you returning to Cornell had a relaxing and restoring break, and I welcome those of you who are new to Cornell. As we begin the semester, our federal government is moving toward more effective deliberations, as evidenced by the agreement…

January 17, 2014 On Monday, January 20, Cornell University will join the nation in celebrating the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This is a new staff holiday for the Ithaca campus, made possible by recent changes to our academic calendar, and I am delighted that we are joining Weill Cornell Medical College and…