Cornell Reunion is June 5-8; former Texas Gov. Ann W. Richards to speak

The music of George Gershwin and the words of George Bernard Shaw are just some of the pleasures awaiting the more than 5,500 alumni and guests expected to visit Cornell University on Reunion Weekend, June 5-8.

Two highlights of Reunion will be the Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Lecture by former Texas Gov. Ann W. Richards on Friday, June 6, at 3 p.m. in Bailey Hall and the State of the University Address by Cornell President Hunter Rawlings on Saturday, June 7, at 10:30 a.m. in Bailey Hall. Admission to both Richards' and Rawlings' lectures is limited primarily to alumni and guests with tickets. However, members of the public will be admitted into Bailey Hall 10 minutes before each lecture to claim remaining seats.

Richards was first elected to public office in 1976, defeating a three-term incumbent for a seat on the Travis County Commissioners Court. Six years later she became state treasurer, the first woman elected to statewide office in Texas in 50 years. Many Americans best remember her for her riveting keynote address at the 1988 Democratic National Convention.

During her tenure as governor from 1990 to 1994, Richards instituted reform in public schools, spurred Texas to lead the nation in corporate development and increased opportunities for women and minorities to hold state office. Now a senior adviser with a Washington, D.C. -- based law firm, she remains a strong advocate of civil rights, economic justice and public education.

Other Reunion events will include:

  • "Yours in Hot Haste: G.B. Shaw on Acting, Directing and Just About Everything Else," a lecture by Ann Ferguson, the Bernard F. Burgunder curator for George Bernard Shaw and Theater Arts Collections, Thursday, 4:30 p.m., in Hollis E. Cornell Auditorium of Goldwin Smith Hall; coincides with a major exhibit of Shaw documents in the Exhibition Atrium of Kroch Library.
  • "Mostly Gershwin," a dual piano concert featuring Cornell music faculty David Borden and Edward Murray, Friday, 9 p.m., and Saturday 8 p.m., Barnes Hall auditorium; tickets not required.
  • Exhibit in the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art of architectural drawings, renderings and models by the late renowned architect Vuko Tashkovich '62; exhibit opens Friday at 4:30 p.m.; other exhibits in the Johnson Museum during Reunion include "Uncommon Quilts: Treasures of the New York State Historical Association" and "The Tale of Genji: Splendor and Innovation in Edo Culture."
  • Iroquois social dance; will include dance instruction and drumming, Saturday, 2--4 p.m., in Helen Newman Hall gymnasium; donations requested; sponsored by the Native American Alumni Association.
  • Tours of EcoVillage at Ithaca, Friday and Saturday, 3-5 p.m.; sponsored by the Center for Religion, Ethics and Social Policy; sign up at CRESP booth in Barton Hall; transportation provided.
  • Reunion Run; members of the community are welcome to join this annual event and can register for the 2- to 5-mile course at Barton Hall on Friday, June 6, from noon to 3:30 p.m.; other athletic events Reunion Weekend include tennis and golf tournaments, a campus bike tour, an alumni baseball game and canoeing and horseback riding.

For more information about any Cornell Reunion activities, call the Office of Alumni Affairs at 255-2390 or visit the Reunion Web site at .

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