Approximately 175 students, staff, senior leaders and members of Cornell’s Veterans Colleague Network Group (VCNG) gathered to honor the achievements of the military community and forge connections at the third annual Military/Veterans Reception, held Aug. 28 in the Memorial Room in Willard Straight Hall.

“It’s great to welcome you all to a vibrant veterans and military community,” said Interim President Michael I. Kotlikoff, underscoring Cornell’s deep-rooted commitment to military and veteran support – a tradition dating back to the university’s founding.

Cornell is home to the largest ROTC cohort among Ivy Plus institutions, representing four branches of the U.S. military. The university also actively supports service members through programs like the Post-9/11 GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program, which help alleviate financial barriers for service members.

Credit: Ryan Young/Cornell University

Kotlikoff discussed Cornell’s recent strategic initiatives aimed at increasing the number of military and veteran students on campus, citing the increase in military-affiliated students at Cornell Law School – from just one in 2023 to 11 in 2024.

“To all of our new students: Your success here is supported by qualities you fostered and developed during your time in the military,” Kotlikoff said. “From your dedication to your community to public engagement to the ambition and determination you brought to your service – and now bring to your education – our entire community benefits from the insights and perspectives you have gained. You diversify and strengthen our community in many, many ways.” 

Among those present at the event was Lucy Castellanos ’27, who joined Cornell’s Navy ROTC with aspirations to follow a similar path as her brother Michael, a Naval Academy graduate currently training in San Diego.

“I saw the leadership and development opportunities that Michael engaged in and the people he’s been able to meet, and it inspired me to join the Navy,” Castellanos said. “I’ve been able to network with people here that I usually wouldn’t be able to meet in other experiences – from veterans to deans. It makes the ROTC program feel celebrated and included in the overall campus community.”

U.S. News & World Report this year ranked Cornell as the No. 1 school for veterans, a testament to the university’s comprehensive support programs and commitment to serving military-affiliated students. And last year, Cornell made history as the first Ivy League institution to be designated a Purple Heart University by the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

Randi Rainbow, VCNG vice chair and information technology director at the College of Human Ecology, spoke on behalf of the VCNG, highlighting upcoming opportunities and events for veterans, and describing the group’s role in fostering a supportive community at Cornell.

This fall, the VCNG will be accepting nominations for its annual Cornell Veterans Continuation of Service Award, which honors veterans who have continued to serve after their military service by supporting fellow veterans or making significant contributions to the Cornell community.

Kotlikoff concluded the evening’s remarks by presenting a special gift to a handful of lucky recipients in attendance – a baseball cap emblazoned with “Cornell Military Network,” which he wore during his speech.

“As I always say, military veterans coming to Cornell generally overperform here,” Kotlikoff said. “So, thank you for your service, thank you for being part of this community and thank you for all you do for Cornell.”

Grace DePaull is communications assistant in the Department of Inclusion and Belonging in the Division of Human Resources.