Commencement Recap
Cornell’s Commencement is a time to revel in our students and their many achievements, sending them forth from the Hilltop to join generations of Cornellians before them. Congratulations to our newest alumni, and to their families and friends who helped each of them make it to this special day.
2024 Commencement Weekend recap
The Class of 2024 was remembered for their resiliency as Cornell College celebrated its 166th Commencement on Mother’s Day Sunday, May 12. A livestream of the ceremony held in the Small Athletic and Wellness Center arena is available to view, and photos are on Cornell's Flickr album.
Watch Commencement 2024
One of two senior speakers, Donivan Jones ’24, recalled how the class had come through the pandemic together and formed a community.
“What is important about our time here at Cornell has not been the common things like going to events, eating Bon Appetit burgers one too many days in a row, or even befriending local squirrels, but it has been becoming a community,” he said. “One that survived a year of isolation, pushed through adversities we didn’t know we would face, and came out the other side a supportive, loving, and kind Ramily. Thank you all for your time and everyone for helping us along this journey.”
Isabella Schmidt ’24, the second senior speaker, echoed the theme of resilience.
“If you’ve learned nothing else from your college experience, which I hope is not the case, I hope you have learned that you are resilient and no matter what obstacles you face, persist. Heck, we do college classes in 18 days, how hard could the real world really be?” she told her classmates.
Leveling up through blocks
Faculty speaker Assistant Professor of English Katie Sagal entertained the graduates with a metaphor from the iconic video game “The Legend of Zelda.” While they weren’t handed a magical sword upon walking across the stage, she told them to consider how to use their degree as the tool to make their way through the world after leaving the Hilltop.
“You’ve already vanquished the monsters that were the Zoom classes and COVID protocols of your first two years here at Cornell,” she said. “You leveled up through challenging blocks, exciting internships, and inspiring research projects. Can you even imagine the obstacles you’ll overcome (and the pots you’ll break) along the way to your next great accomplishment?”
‘You can do hard things’
In his closing charge to the class, President Jonathan Brand acknowledged that the Class of 2024 is the one that experienced the hardest years of COVID.
“My charge to you today is simple—just know that you can do hard things. You just did,” he told them “It is amazing how much easier it is to confront and learn from challenges if we just focus on the incremental steps that can get us through them. Our COVID experience proves my point because we learned how to overcome. We did something hard—together. And, we should be really proud of this.”
Also honored at Commencement were two special faculty members who earned emeritus status: Professor of Psychology William Dragon, and Professor of English Leslie Kathleen Hankins.
Baccalaureate: Grace
An inter-spiritual Baccalaureate ceremony was held on May 11, with the theme of grace. This Cornell tradition featured playful and meaningful words of gratitude submitted by graduating seniors and readings by members of the class. College Chaplain The Rev. Melea White offered wisdom for the life journey and handed out a small replica of a swan to each graduate.