Mark Vorreuter

Three Twins founder Neal Gottlieb ’99 speaks to members of Kappa Omicron Nu.

Mark Vorreuter

Dean Alan Mathios serves up sea salted caramel ice cream to a student.

For the founder of an ice cream company, Neal Gottlieb ’99 doesn’t eat much of the sweet stuff, limiting himself to tasting new flavors for “research and development.”

But he was more than happy to dish out his Three Twins Ice Cream May 2 at the College of Human Ecology’s Ice Cream in the Courtyard event – an annual tradition hosted by Dean Alan Mathios and Kappa Omicron Nu, the college’s honor society, to mark the end of Cornell’s academic year and to celebrate graduating seniors.

At the event, more than 200 students, faculty and staff tucked into such flavors as chocolate orange confetti, cookies and cream, lemon cookie, mint confetti and sea salted caramel – donated by Gottlieb and Three Twins.

Three Twins stands out in the crowded ice cream market by using organic and sustainable ingredients and methods, sourcing its milk and cream from within 17 miles of its Petaluma, Calif., factory. Gottlieb started the company in August 2005 in a small storefront in nearby San Rafael and has guided its expansion to four scoop shops in the Bay Area and sales to California restaurants and grocery stores nationwide.

Mathios, a scooper for the event, praised Gottlieb for his business acumen and determination to build Three Twins from scratch.

Gottlieb encouraged students to chase their dreams wherever they lead: “You’re not going to starve with a Cornell education, so follow your dreams, follow your path and money will come. I always encourage people to just do it, take the steps, learn about the business. You’re going to regret it if you don’t.”

Ted Boscia is assistant director of communications for the College of Human Ecology. Sarah Cutler '16 is a student communications assistant for the College of Human Ecology.