Jason Koski/University Photography

Antonio Gotto Jr., dean of the Weill Cornell Medical College, delivers an appreciation of David Skorton at inauguration ceremonies, Sept. 7 on the Arts Quad. New York City Cornellians watched the event via webcast at Cornell Cooperative Extension's offices on E. 34th Street.

As Cornell President David Skorton was inaugurated on the Arts Quad on Cornell's Ithaca campus, a contingent of New York City Cornellians gathered in the Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) offices on E. 34th Street to take part in the event -- even from some 250 miles away.

Some of the dozens who watched the inauguration webcast on a giant screen in the office's conference room were close colleagues; others worked across town or across the state. Despite the standing-room-only crowd, the gathering felt intimate.

"It's like going to a family ceremony," said Abi Eiger, Weill Cornell Medical College's (WCMC) liaison to its medical school counterpart in Qatar. "I wouldn't miss it."

"This is a big deal for us. Kind of like having company come to your house," said Don Tobias, CCE executive director in New York City.

The New York City event was a chance to showcase the Extension offices to members of the Weill Cornell community, he said, and to establish connections that could lead to future collaboration. "If nothing else, they will be aware of the facility and some of the things we have available."

And it was a chance to step back and think about Cornell's rich history.

"Some of the pomp and pageantry is kind of fun. It reminds us that we are part of a very long tradition; that there is this history of values encapsulated by this institution that has been carried on for many years," said Tobias. "It's been here a long time, and it'll be here a lot longer. I'm grateful that we're celebrating it in New York. It's an occasion for the New York campus to come together, to remind us that we're part of something larger than ourselves."

Mila Lagman and Dr. Hua Yang, both from WCMC's nephrology department, took the subway downtown to participate. "This is the ushering of a new era," said Lagman, a 35-year Cornell employee. "This is my first time [at the Extension offices]. We're always busy with the lab. I'm curious to see -- who is this Dr. Skorton?"

With the 50 or so others in the audience, they nibbled chocolate-covered strawberries, chatted, made introductions and listened as WCMC Dean Antonio Gotto, board of trustees Chairman Peter Meinig, Provost Biddy Martin and then Professor David Feldshuh spoke from the screen in the front of the room.

Then Skorton stepped up to the podium, and the audience in the crowded room silently watched as Meinig presented him with the university charter, seal and ceremonial mace.

As Skorton spoke, Carol Robbins, a senior Extension associate, took notes on a paper napkin. Like others, she nodded in agreement as he spoke about the importance of diversity, multiculturalism and global awareness. As he concluded, she was still writing.

"I thought it was wonderful that he started with poetry -- metaphor is a wonderful way to inspire people," Robbins said as audience members lingered after the speech. "I'm really glad he's seeing the picture so comprehensively, looking at the past and the future. That's his job today, to get us off into the future."

Esta Bigler, ILR '70, director of the Labor and Employment Law Program in the New York City branch of Cornell's School of Industrial and Labor Relations, was also touched by Skorton's cross-cultural references. "I think that showed great sensitivity and grace," she said. "I think he has a good sense of who Cornell is -- of who we are. I think he'll be a wonderful leader. He's inspiring, he's funny, he's smart. And he clearly understands that the university is larger than the Ithaca campus."

Eiger, too, left with a satisfied smile. "I like him. He seems really direct and really cool," she said. "A good family member."