Cornell athletic events, as well as Music Mondays concerts and campus lectures, are now free to community members holding a Purple Pass. See our Purple Pass web site for more information.

Flood recovery

The Cornell campus was undamaged by flooding, utilities are functioning, offices are open, and classes will begin on time.

Cornell is working to support flood recovery efforts. Around 300 Red Cross volunteers are currently being housed on campus. Sixty women, children, and live-in staff from a Cedar Rapids social service agency are staying in another residence hall. Several local businesses have relocated operations to cornell residence halls, classrooms, and various campus spaces. Including Cornell students working or conducting research in the summer, all residence halls on the west end of campus will be occupied.

Welcome to Cornell

Cornell College warmly welcomes our neighbors and community visitors to campus. Cole Library on campus is also the Mount Vernon Public Library, serving the public with special programming and collections for adults and young people.

We invite you to attend any of our numerous arts events, athletics events and lectures, or stroll our beautiful National Historic Register campus. You may join our Chautauqua adult continuing education series, enjoy a meal in our dining hall or Ratthskellar Grill, spend a night at our bed-and-breakfast guest house, or exercise at our athletic faciltities with a membership to the Hilltop Fitness Club.

Purple Pass allows free admission to Cornell events

The new Purple Pass allows free admission to home athletic contests, Music Mondays concerts and campus lectures for residents of Mount Vernon and Lisbon and families with children in either school district.

The Purple Pass also is available at the Info Desk in The Commons or at the athletics office in the Small Multi-Sport Center. Patrons can obtain a Purple Pass for their family by showing proof of residence (a driver’s license or other document with a home address) or school enrollment (school ID, etc.).

For more information, see our Purple Pass web site.