I was very excited to hear Eileen Keating, Cornell’s archivist, speak on Flora Rose and Martha van Rensselaer.  I have lived in Flora Rose house for the past couple of months, and unfortunately, I never stopped to really think about the history behind the person whose name is written on the outside of the building and on the wall outside of the dining hall.  I also go to Martha’s to eat often, and I have never thought about the significance that Martha van Rensselaer had on Cornell’s campus.    

I had never previously known of Eleanor Roosevelt’s connection to this campus, and specifically to Flora Rose if it had not been for Ms. Keating.  I also would have never known the achievements that should give Martha van Rensselaer a spot in the Hall of Fame of Women.  I hope to one day see her name there.

One part of the talk that I was already aware of was Human Ecology’s ties to home economics.  I am the daughter of a seven year Cornellian, and my mom constantly recounts many stories of her time at this school to me.  When she was here, the college of Human Ecology still mostly revolved around home economics, since my mother attended this university during the 1960’s.  I just never thought also of how far back the college of Human Ecology goes, and I am glad it was in the very capable hands of Martha van Rensselaer.