Cornell (thank) U

Melissa made a significant impact on Cornell campus life by organizing the iconic Slope Day and several other on-campus events. She was a natural-born promoter and leader. Her career in hospitality PR began with a series of impressive internships and study abroad that you've got to hear and tell any incoming or current Hotel School students about.  Melissa founded Benhaim PR, an agency dedica...

Jeanne is designing for gold!   We caught her right before she left for Paris and we are thrilled. She was one of the most fun and most interesting people we have ever met. We LOVED HER.   Behind the seams : Jeanne tells us all about how she became the designer of the STUNNING gymnastics leotards, how her company balances aesthetics, functionality and performance, and how she is prepared for any l...

That title is almost  a double entendre. In this episode we discuss the world of sensory-friendly fashion with Julia Deney, the visionary behind a revolutionary clothing line designed specifically for children with sensory issues. Julia shares her journey of creating Sense-sational You (that is a double entendre), that not only addresses the unique needs of these children but also blends style wit...

Get ready for an inspiring conversation and behind the scenes look with Margot Baker, a rising senior at Cornell and the executive director of some of the most fun Cornell campus events. Can you guess the 2024 Slope Day budget? Guess again. She picks up new skills with ease and balances a demanding work load and her jobs with time for friends and activities that make her happy (and sing?). She&apo...

We've had some pretty exceptional seniors on the podcast right before they graduated. Many of you have asked us, "Whatever happened to..." So in a new series "Where are they now," we will check back in with some of the students you all loved getting to know on the podcast. You will remember Zack as the drum major in the Cornell marching band. And you may remember he is the...

Jimmy Pitaro's journey from Cornell to ESPN exemplifies resilience, passion, hard work and the importance of relationships.   From his early days as a hometown football star, to leading one of the world's most famous and iconic sports networks, Jimmy's story is inspiring and filled with gratitude for the people that helped propel him to Chairman of ESPN; including football recruitin...

She does stand up but this is no joke. In this episode, we talk to Flavia Scott, an outstanding Cornell Human Ecology graduate who has left the campus and Ithaca better than she found it. Flavia’s curiosity and dedication to advancing the science of human thriving shine through as we explore her journey and are frankly floored by how brilliant and deep thinking she is at such a young age.  She exp...

Part recap and part news, we discuss the Cornell Human Ecology award ceremony and absolutely crazy things that went on. Keywords: Helen Bull Vandervort Award, D-listers and Brenda Bricker Also, I threatened to tackle Osei Boating, young alum award winner, even though he has saved 6000 lives. Community is one of my favorite concepts in the world. Steph's too. We are grateful for our friends, f...

Noah's dedication to justice advocacy and his involvement in critical human rights issues exemplify the importance of individuals striving to make a positive impact in society.  He's a 2024 Human Ecology graduate and we look forward to following his journey and the contributions he will undoubtedly make to the field of law and human rights.  He's had more involvement with Human Bond...

So…we were blown away by graduating senior Nina. She’s won awards. She’s had incredible Cornell experiences in other countries. She’s brilliant. That would be enough for us to highlight her on the podcast. But when you see and hear what she has created while being a full time CHE Fiber Science & Apparel Design major, you will be struck dumb.  You heard it here first (we think), she is one to w...

Not your average lax bros. Meet Riley and Matt, fraternity brothers, club lacrosse teammates and 2024 graduates. As brilliant as they are charming, Riley and Matt take us through their Cornell experience from starting during Covid to working exceptionally hard until the last day of finals. You'll be inspired by how well they balanced their studies, social life and their time abroad. Cornell f...

From her rigorous schedule in Dyson, to her leadership roles in campus organizations like The Women's Network, to her passion for supporting young girls through Curvy Girls Scoliosis, Toby discusses the importance of hard work, organization and mentorship in achieving personal and professional success.  She's a student with great energy, great ideas and maybe a great new hobby. Also - wh...

So many of us remember and loved Slope Day. There was a LOT Steph and I didn't know. Find out everything you need to know about one of the most festive days on campus and also who's performing this year. Also can you name a single song by Robert Cray? Tell us your favorite by Instagram DM @cornellthanku Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

JC Dombrowski's story is a testament to the power of passion and hustle. He put himself through Cornell by creating videos that he uploaded to TikTok and Instagram  - and now he has impressions of over 3 BILLION! JC shares insights into his time at Cornell, where he pursued multiple majors and minors while juggling his exploding career as a content creator. As a social media sensation today y...

This is one of the most requested interviews we have ever done.  PETER KAPLAN is here! Peter has left an enviable, incredible and  indelible mark on the university and beyond.  Known for his vibrant personality and deep connections within the Cornell community, Peter remains actively engaged with friends, coaches, and players, embodying the true spirit of what we will call an "Über Alumnus.&q...

She was once just an adorable pledge in our sorority. Now she is killing it in everything from academia to peaceful advocacy. Dr. Nicole Berliner Koppel is our guest this week, just days after she attended a peaceful pro Israel rally on the Arts Quad at Cornell. We can't think of anyone better to attend the rally and then report back to all of us. She is also the MBA Director and a professor...

Wendy Sterling, MS, RD, CSSD, CEDS-S, is a certified eating disorder registered dietitian and sports nutrition specialist. With her infectious energy and passion for helping others achieve their peak performance, Wendy made our day and taught us a lot. Wendy is not just a nutritionist; she's also the co-creator of the innovative Plate-by-Plate Approach®, a visual method for refeeding individu...

We have never, and you have probably never heard a Cornell journey like the one of  Macy Hung. You'll never guess her path. She's a trailblazer who has consistently shattered expectations in and out of school. She graduated magna cum laude from Cornell University at just 19! But Macy's brilliance extends beyond academics. As a social media and content creation expert, she's car...

She may not know the famous song by the Go-Go's (We've got the Beat), but Sara Martin knows everything else. Here is where genius intersects with the kind of friendship everyone needs in their lives. She is the best friend of our friend and guest Sarah Reeves (episode 11) and it makes perfect sense that they found each other at Cornell. They worked hard and managed to enjoy everything Co...

Twenty-three years ago, after several years in finance, Vicki Gladstone Dubin founded Victoria Dubin Events. Her vision and creativity set the stage for what would become a premier event planning and design firm. Amanda Dubin, Vicki’s daughter, joined the company a few years after graduation, adding fresh perspectives and twenty-something energy, not to mention valuable business and design experti...

Rob Karp, the visionary founder of MilesAhead, a luxury travel agency, is here! In high school he started a points and travel business that got a lot of attention. Clients saw early on that he was brilliant and trustworthy, and in his own words, scrappy. He has always managed to solve even the most difficult travel problems for his clients, and now he is orchestrating extravagant adventures for ce...

Cornell Human Ecology is THRIVING! One reason? Dean Rachel Dunifon is a vibrant force behind the exciting changes and future of the school. Human Ecology has always been forward thinking, graduating students who feel a deep love for their professors and classes, and taking a wide breadth of experience and science based knowledge into the "real world." With her background in psychology an...

Another yay/boo situation for The Cornell (thank) U Podcast. HUGE yay: we were invited to be part of a panel at the Cornell Alumni Leadership Conference alongside three amazing social media stars: Matthew Merril, JC Dombrowski and Macy Hung. This conference is really special. We were excited. We booked our travel. We prepared. We picked out outfits. Steph got Covid. (That's the boo, obviously...

A total thrill.   Our friends Lori and Greg Greene introduced us to Tim and Steph (Carter) Barry, both entrepreneurs, both brilliant and both have a GREAT sense of humor. Tim and Steph have remained deeply involved in the Cornell community. Their passion for supporting a wide array of initiatives, ranging from human centered design to athletics is truly inspiring. BIG NEWS: Tim's entrepreneur...

He's one of the most charismatic guests we've had. Nelson's career has been dynamic and multifaceted, and it started early. He juggled classes, friends, internships, clubs and being part of a very exciting start up while at Cornell. He leaned into everything the Hotel School had to offer and had a chance to experience some very exciting industries during and after Cornell. An expert...