END NOTE
Jill Abrams '80, Robert Abrams '56, Nancy Abrams '86, William Abrams '91, Marilyn Greene '57, Max Klein '08
A family's traditions, enshrined in the future
Katie Dreier '12 See larger image
I somehow always knew I would come to Cornell. I was brought up with it.
When my two grandparents, mother, aunt, uncle and cousin were all clamoring to tell "their" Cornell stories at family gatherings, I yearned to play a part. From an early age I can remember my grandmother telling me how, when it snowed, she had to wear a skirt and stockings to class every day; my aunt talking about her experiences on the sailing team; and my uncle extolling his fraternity's shenanigans. My mom remembers the summer she spent working for Cornell and how it influenced her remaining years on campus and her professional life. To this day, my grandparents' best friends are from their time at Cornell -- they share a special bond.
I knew I wanted that same opportunity.
Growing up, one thing was clear: Cornell isn't just a university; it is my family's tradition, and I'm lucky to now be a part of it as I make my own Cornell memories.
I may be the next generation in a long line of Cornellians, but I'm finding that my experiences at Cornell aren't really that different from the rest of my family's. The traditions haven't changed. I still sleep out for my hockey tickets like my mom did, and I live in the same sorority house where my grandmother lived.
Although it's sometimes hard to recognize, change is all around me on campus. The university's plan for its future, which it calls "Reimagining Cornell," is not a new beginning; rather, I see it as an effort to maintain and uphold the standards and ideals of Cornell that I believe started many decades ago, even before my family began coming here. I am confident these traditions will continue long after I, and even my children, graduate.
While Cornell must adapt to the changing world and the university's needs in the face of the recent economic downturn, I know the things my family and I both cherish and love most about Cornell won't change. I grew up hearing about how innovative and unique Cornell is, and it is important to me to know that these changes will only enhance and maintain the Cornell legacy that continues to define each Cornellian's time on the hill.
I was always told: "No matter where in the world you go, you will always find a Cornellian." I now realize not only will I find a Cornellian, I will find a seemingly long-lost friend with whom I share a bond; someone who understands that I didn't just go to school in Ithaca for four years; rather, I became a Cornellian.
As the university embarks on an ambitious plan for its future that could well affect and determine the lives of my children, I firmly believe that the essentials will remain the same. I believe the new goals will continue to perpetuate Cornell's original legacy and that the mission of "Any person … any study" will remain at the heart of our institution.
I understand that the new changes will aim for "One Cornell," but rest assured: I am confident it will always be the same Cornell you remember it to be and I grew up always knowing it would be.
Katie Rose Dreier '12 is a communication major in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. She is the design editor of The Cornellian yearbook, web developer for Cornell Fitness Centers, the intern for Cornell Hillel's Shabbat Across Cornell program and a sister of the Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority. Her mother is Nancy Abrams Dreier '86 (president of the Cornell Alumni Association), and her grandparents are Robert Samuel Abrams '56 and Marilyn Greene Abrams '57.