Green dragons and Big Red bears: Cornell's colorful history

University Archivist Elaine Engst lectures on Cornell history to about 55 Alumni Affairs and Development staff members June 12 in Kroch Library.

At a June 12 presentation, University Archivist Elaine Engst revealed Cornell's historical secrets to about 55 members of the Alumni Affairs and Development staff. Some choice tidbits:

  • Andrew Dickson White disapproved of dormitories, and Cornell had no men's dorms until 1914 – but the first women's dorm, Sage College, opened almost 30 years earlier.
  • Until 1889, the only place to eat on campus was a wagon known as "the Sibley Dog," which served coffee, soup, hot dogs and an early form of the hamburger.
  • The nickname "Big Red" comes from a 1905 football song, "The Big Red Team," written by an alumnus.
  • The Big Red Bear mascot was originally a real bear cub, Touchdown, who prowled the sidelines during Cornell's first undefeated football season in 1915. As the original Touchdown aged, however, he became mean and dangerous; he was succeeded by three subsequent Touchdowns in 1916, 1919 and 1939.
  • Until 1968, only men were cheerleaders.
  • A.D. White and Ezra Cornell met in the New York State Senate; White was the youngest member and Cornell the oldest.
  • Ezra Cornell really did write the words of the motto – "I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study" -- in a letter to White on Feb. 23, 1868.
  • The university admitted international students almost from its inception. In 1870, Cornell students came from 11 countries, 28 states and Washington, D.C.
  • Spring Day and College of Architecture Day – the predecessors of Slope Day and Dragon Day, respectively – both date back to 1901.

Engst's presentation, which took place in the Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections in Carl A. Kroch Library, was part of Alumni Affairs and Development's annual all-staff meeting.

"Working with both alumni and current students – they all ask about the history of the school," said Jean Reese, associate director of external relations with Alumni Affairs and Development.

"I'm constantly trying to build my base of knowledge about the university," said Lisa Barsanti Hoyt '79, a development officer from the metro New York City office. "It gives me talking points and a sense of how to direct people who are interested in something very specific. What we learn might not have a direct link, but it's broadly applicable to all our work."

Other campus groups can request history lectures or tours of current exhibitions by contacting the Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections.

Gwen Glazer is a staff writer with Library Communications.

 

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