Sathi Soma '92, M. Eng. '94.

A'ndrea Van Schoick '96, left, former president of the Cornell Club of Washington, D.C., and Grace Jean '00, current club president, present souvenir gifts to President Elizabeth Garrett on the first stop of Garrett's tour around the world to meet Cornellians.

Nearly 300 Cornell alumni, parents and friends welcomed President Elizabeth Garrett Nov. 10 at the Washington, D.C., Marriott at Metro Center, the first stop of her tour to meet Cornellians in cities across the country and overseas and to share her vision for the university.

At the reception, Garrett mingled with Cornellians who were eager to shake hands and chat with Cornell’s 13th president. “She’s vivacious, and she has a lot of energy, which I love,” said Jill Abrams Klein ’80, who added that she, like most of those attending, came to the event to reconnect with fellow alumni and to welcome Garrett to the Cornell family.

Among the crowd were more than 20 students in the Cornell in Washington (CIW) program, which immerses an average of 50 undergraduates in coursework and internships at the nation’s capital every semester. CIW student Cajay Jacobs ’16 said she was pleased to see alumni of all stripes at the event: “It’s cool to see how expansive the Cornell network really is.”

During her speech, Garrett praised the Cornell Club of Washington, D.C., for its creative programs and its support of students, including sponsorship this year of five scholarships and stipends for two CIW students. She also thanked those in the audience who have served the university “through leadership in your class, local club or college; in a young alumni or diversity group; or by representing the university at college fairs or meeting with prospective students through the Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network.”

Garrett continued, “Everywhere I go, I see the spirit of excellence that has made Cornell the world-renowned university it is today.” To further elevate Cornell in the years ahead, she affirmed her commitment to three themes: “strengthening our faculty, enhancing the student experience, and connecting our Ithaca and New York City campuses.”

After discussing these themes in depth, Garrett concluded her remarks by turning to Cornell’s past. “This moment reminds me of Ezra Cornell’s words at the opening ceremony, when he declared that visitors had been invited ‘not to see a university finished, but to see one begun,’” she said.

“We are always beginning,” Garrett added. “Just as Cornell at its founding helped create the modern research university, we will also lead higher education in the 21st century.”

Garrett’s words resonated with Ernie Jolly ’09, who commented on the historical significance of Garrett’s presidency. “Cornell has always been reflective of progressive ideas since its founding, so having its first woman president is part of that tradition,” he said.

Janet Cornfeld ’72, a board member of the Cornell Club of Washington, D.C., said Garrett’s visit was a “remarkable experience” that energized the local Cornell community with excitement for the future and nostalgia for the past. “I was reconnected with my own time at Cornell from 40-odd years ago and with the optimism, excitement and enthusiasm I felt as a student just about to embark on an amazing educational journey,” Cornfeld said.

Garrett’s next stop is Dec. 4 in Seattle. Find out more about the presidential tour online.

Jose Beduya is a writer for Alumni Affairs and Development.