Honorary Alumni Award
2006-2007 Honorary Alumni Awards
Chris Carlson
Richard Peterson
Joan Benson
Robyn Hepker
Past Award Winners
Chris Carlson
Citation given by
Joe Campanelli
April 27, 2007
Annual Alumni Board Luncheon
Chris, hundreds of Cornell alumni have benefited from your advising and your courses, particularly in the area of criminal justice. You worked hard to instill a sense of social justice in all of your students. We are proud that, because of you, many Cornell alumni have made—and will make—a difference in their communities. It is with deep appreciation that the Alumni Association of Cornell College recognizes your 27 years of service to the college as professor of sociology.
Since your arrival on the Hilltop in 1980, you have worked at the heart of the Cornell mission, imparting knowledge to empower students for leadership through productive careers and humane service in the global community. Cornell has benefited from your perspective and collegiality as you served on numerous college committees and contributed to the campus community. During your term as the college's affirmative action officer, you worked successfully to add sexual orientation to the college's statement of its commitment to nondiscrimination. You were actively involved with the Multicultural Council for many years, serving several times on its executive board. And the faculty elected you to chair three of its committees: Student Life, Committee on Committees, and twice on Academic Affairs.
Chris, you are now an official member of the Cornell alumni family. In recognition of your teaching career at Cornell, the Alumni Association of Cornell College wishes you well in retirement and proclaims you an honorary alumnus.
Richard Peterson
Citation given by
Joe Campanelli
April 27, 2007
Annual Alumni Board Luncheon
Richard, the Alumni Association of Cornell College gratefully recognizes your 37 years as professor of sociology. Along with Charlotte Vaughan, you created Cornell’s modern sociology department, redefining the curriculum and program. The book-end to your career has been your involvement in a committee you helped create to take a comprehensive, strategic look at the college’s curriculum. This effort will help lead Cornell into the future with a better, more intentionally organized academic program.
Cornell’s sociology alumni read critically, think about issues, and are concerned with the effect of policies on people’s day-to-day lives. You are renowned for your courses in urban community, and alums are inspired by your passion for community development.
In the end, your major contribution is the impression you left on the hundreds of students you had in class. You tell your classes that your primary goal is to end up as a little figure sitting on their shoulder, a social conscience or “tour guide” through life. Whenever they start to do something, think something, or say something, you want them to stop and ask, “So, what would Peterson say about this?”
Richard, we are pleased to welcome you to the Cornell alumni family and wish you many happy years of retirement. In recognition of your legacy at Cornell, the Alumni Association of Cornell College proclaims you an honorary alumnus.
Citation given by
Joe Campanelli
October 21, 2006
Annual Alumni Board Luncheon
Robyn Hepker and Joan Benson have designed the Cornell Report magazine since 1995, raising its visual quality dramatically and attracting numerous design awards.
The Cornell Report was the first magazine project for Benson & Hepker Design. Today they specialize in magazine design. “Magazines embody functional beauty,” they proclaim on their Website. “They are containers of marvelous stories and critical information.” Indeed, Benson & Hepker have partnered beautifully with the Office of College Communications in creating issue after issue of magazines with a rich balance of style and content that is eagerly anticipated by its readers. After years of working with Cornell, Robyn and Joan have a deep understanding of our mission and culture, which is reflected in their work with the Cornell Report and appreciated by Cornellians worldwide. Our alumni and friends know your style, professionalism, and humor through the pages of the Report.
