When the pandemic forced Cornell to temporarily suspend classes and move all instruction online in March 2020, many students returned home, leaving behind the familiar sights and sounds of campus: the McGraw Tower bell chimes, the sprawling Libe Slope, the serenity of Beebe Lake and other go-to spots for studying, socializing and dining.

Credit: Provided

While many students opted to return for in-person classes this fall, others continued with virtual learning — in many cases, miles away from campus. Thanks to an innovative effort by a group of students and recent alumni, any person who wants to experience Cornell, from any background, can do so anywhere — virtually, of course.

The result is “CornellCraft” – a stunning virtual replica of Cornell’s Ithaca campus built in the “sandbox” gaming series Minecraft – which has attracted more than 1,000 builders and players from around the globe since it launched earlier this year.

Read the full story of CornellCraft on Cornell’s Medium page.

Jamie Crow is a communications specialist in the Office of Strategic Communications.