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May 2009




Congratulations to the Class of 2009

Because I can't say it any better than David Skorton:

As you leave Cornell and move to the next stage, I urge you not to dwell too much on the uncertainties of your own future, but, instead, to realize that the world stands in desperate need of your skills and talents. You have graduated from one of the world's best research universities. You are smart, knowledgeable, creative. During your time on campus, you've impressed us with your intelligence and also with your energy, your sense of purpose, your commitment to service. The world needs what you have to offer now more than ever.

One of our graduating seniors in civil and environmental engineering, Zaheer Tajani, reminded me that there is an inscription on the Eddy Street gate that served as the original entrance to the campus. You've probably walked past it a thousand times on trips from campus to Collegetown. It reads:

So enter
that daily thou mayest become
more learned and thoughtful.

So depart
that daily thou mayest become
more useful to thy country and
to mankind.

I urge you to be creative and forceful in bringing your skills to bear on the problems we face, including the current economic dilemma, "to be more useful" to your country and to humankind. We need your creativity, your courage, your optimism, your clarity of purpose. We need you to volunteer in your communities, to serve on school boards, to participate in the political process. We need you to contribute to non—profit organizations. Most of all, we need you to put those hard—won skills and habits of mind to use not only in your professional lives, but in service to your community and to the world.

Your accomplishments to date have not been trivial, but you will go on to accomplish so much more.

Let's start by winning our first NCAA national championship in 31 years tomorrow.

Godspeed. And Let's Go Red!


Matthew Nagowski | May 24, 2009 (#)

The End of an Era

No, despite our recent inactivity, MetaEzra isn't shutting down. But we have the inside scoop from reader EP that David Nulle, also known as 'Dave the Zamboni Guy' has chosen to accept the University's buy-out package and retire from his duties at Lynah Rink.

Dave, of course, is known for his wildly outlandish costumes that never cease to entertain and amuse thousands of Lynah spectators every year, while also producing one of the smoothest ice sheets that college hockey has to offer:

Back in my day, Dave was also known to haunt The Chariot along with the boys in the Glee Club every Wednesday night. I wouldn't be surprised if he is a fixture among campus for a long time to come.


Matthew Nagowski | May 06, 2009 (#)


Other Recent Posts


-- WSJ: Cornell Wins NYC Tech Campus Bid (EBilmes)

-- Barrier Update: City Approves Nets (DJost)

-- Big Red Cymbal Guy (Nagowski)

-- New York Times Survey on Campus Recruiting is Flawed (KScott)

-- Barrier Update: Legal precedent suggests City of Ithaca will not be held liable for gorge suicide (DJost)

-- Despite MSG Loss, Big Potential for Big Red Hockey (EBilmes)

-- City Council Will Vote on Suicide Nets (DJost)

-- An Encounter on the Upper East Side (Nagowski)

-- Showing Off Your School Spirit (Nagowski)

-- Chipotle Ithaca? (KScott)

-- Cornell at the ING NYC Marathon (KScott)

-- Crossing Over a Fine Line: Commercial Activity on Campus (KScott)

-- Milstein's Downfall (Nagowski)

-- Can any Cornell-associated organization really be independent of the University? (Nagowski)

-- Slope Media Revisited (EBilmes)

-- Slope Media Group Approved for Byline Funding (KScott)

-- Occupy AEM? (KScott)

-- New campus pub to be good for both Greeks and non-Greeks (Nagowski)

-- Gagging the Election (Nagowski)

-- The Changing Structure of Rush Week (Nagowski)

-- Ivy League Humility in the Midwest (EBilmes)

-- Of Median Grades and Economics Minors (Nagowski)

-- Homecoming Recap (Nagowski)

-- My Cornell Bookshelf (Nagowski)

-- The Sun's Opinion Section Has Suddenly Gotten Good (Nagowski)

-- Remembering the 11th (Nagowski)

-- Cornellian Tapped as Top Economic Advisor (Nagowski)

-- Cutting Pledging, and the Good Which Comes With It (EBilmes)

-- Why Cornell Should Not Close Fall Creek Gorge (Nagowski)

-- Welcome to the Class of 2015 (Nagowski)