The Cornell Tradition Fellowship

01/30/2026

Good morning, Tradition alumni!
Will you be in Ithaca between March 18–22? If so, and if your schedule allows, we’d love to invite you to stop by and say hello at the Commitment Office in 300 Kennedy Hall.
Our office hours are 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., and we know it’s a busy time on campus. Even if you can only pop in briefly for a quick hello (or goodbye!), we’d still be thrilled to see your smiling faces.
Hope to see you soon!

01/28/2026

Cornell Commitment Reflections

We are getting ready for Giving Day, and we would like your help with providing content for our social media posts!

We would love to share with our alums how your Cornell Commitment program has impacted your Cornell experience! Please submit a brief reflection on what Cornell Tradition means to you. If you have a photo that you are willing to share, please provide that too.
Entries can be submitted here: https://cornell.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_86UxsrddYqIR8oe
Thanks for taking the time to let us know what CT means to you! Please email Jacinta Stark jj87@cornell.edu if you have questions about the reflections.

The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.

01/27/2026

Spring Alumni Speaker Series: Monique Hall ‘14 (https://cornell.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0UmyBIb1NQXUlW6)

Friday, March 6th, 1:00p-2:00p, 202 Kennedy Hall

We’re excited to host a virtual alumni chat this semester that taps into childhood nostalgia, straight from TV shows you may have grown up with! Join the conversation with other students and connect with a featured alum. Space is limited, so make sure you register to attend here: https://cornell.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0UmyBIb1NQXUlW6. Contact Jacinta Stark at jj87@cornell.edu if you have questions about the event.

Meinig alum Monique Hall ’14, is an Emmy-winning, Jamaican-American TV writer from New Jersey. As a storyteller for young audiences and families, her words have been brought to life by humans, animated characters, and puppets alike. In addition to writing on Sesame Street, for which she won a 2023 Emmy Award and was nominated for a 2026 NAACP Image Award, Monique currently serves as Executive Producer and Head Writer on the second season of the PBS Kids series Lyla in the Loop.

Monique was a fellow in the inaugural class of the Sesame Workshop Writers’ Room Fellowship. She has a master’s degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and she studied Human Development, along with Film and Creative Writing, at Cornell University.

01/20/2026

Feeney-Menschel Commitment to Service: Days of Action

“When it comes down to it, it’s always people.” ~ Chuck Feeney

Last week, the Cornell Commitment hosted its annual volunteer service days in Ithaca in honor of the late Chuck Feeney, and in alignment with an amended gift agreement from our benefactor, Ronay Menschel.

A team of eight students representing all three Cornell Commitment programs was selected to participate. Throughout the week, they engaged in service projects that reflected Feeney’s philosophy of “giving while living” and Menschel’s passion for providing children with the resources they need to explore and pursue their interests.

Our volunteers spent the week assembling take-home STEM kits for the Sciencenter, writing letters and packaging books for Prisoner’s Express, cataloging books and preparing a classroom for painting at the Waldorf School, and selling 50/50 raffle tickets at Cornell Men’s Hockey games.

Beyond service, students connected through meaningful conversations with guest speakers and participated in team-building activities, including Lego-building challenges that required collaboration, communication, and creative problem-solving.

01/08/2026

The Cornell Commitment is currently accepting applications for the Janet McKinley '74 Family Grant until Monday, March 2nd, 2026!

The Janet McKinley ’74 Family Grant is open to all Cornell sophomores for the purpose of assisting students in pursuing interesting, provocative, and entrepreneurial summer projects, with the intent of having a direct and lasting impact on many generations of Cornell students.

For information about the 2026 Janet McKinley ’74 Family Grant, please contact Jacinta Stark at jj87@cornell.edu

Apply here: https://bit.ly/McKinleyGrant

12/23/2025

Greetings, Cornell Commitment Alumni!

The Cornell Commitment 2025 Winter Newsletter has just been sent to your email. Be sure to check your junk or spam folders so you don’t miss all the impressive things our students and alumni accomplished this past fall!

Didn’t receive the email? Reach out to Jacinta Stark at jj87@cornell.edu to be added to our contact list.

Happy reading, and enjoy the winter season! ❄️

https://mailchi.mp/b2b7e2a03aa9/the-cornell-commitment-alumni-newsletter-winter-18153403

12/09/2025

They did it!
Thanks to the combined efforts of Cornell Tradition Fellows, Meinig Scholars, and Rawlings Scholars, our students didn’t just meet the goal of 1,000 cards, they crushed it, creating 1,780 heartfelt cards for local seniors!
This project supports and their “My Dear Friend” campaign, a volunteer initiative where students brighten the lives of seniors in care through personal, handwritten messages.
"As a Cornell Tradition alum, I’m inspired to see this next generation embrace service and surpass their goal with 1,780 cards! This dedication to Our My Dear Friend campaign shows the power of bold kindness in action. Each message they send shares connection and hope to seniors who need it most—and reminds us how we can all participate in bringing smiles to seniors."
-- Rachel Doyle, Founder & CEO, GlamourGals Foundation, Inc.
The Cornell Commitment is incredibly proud of our students for supporting an organization built on the power of human connection, helping seniors feel noticed, valued, and appreciated.
To learn more about the organization, visit glamourgals.org

12/09/2025

This weekend, our fellows came together for one of our favorite Cornell Tradition traditions: Seasons of Service
Every year, on the first Saturday of December, the SAC hosts this special event where they spend an afternoon crafting cards, blankets, and other gifts for the local community.
This year, 60 volunteers made cozy blankets for Babies First and the SPCA, and designed heartfelt cards for nursing homes across Ithaca.

12/05/2025

SOOOOO close to 1,000 cards!

Our students are doodling, writing, and spreading all the holiday cheer for GlamourGals Foundation, Inc.’ My Dear Friend campaign. Every card helps a senior feel just a little less lonely this season. Let’s finish strong!

12/02/2025