After listening to Dr. Hill’s Rose Cafe last Wednesday, I reflected on what slogan has motivated me throughout my life. I came to the conclusion that that slogan is “keep moving forward.” My parents always taught me that no matter how hard things become, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, and the only way you get to that light is by forging ahead, not turning around. Last semester was incredibly difficult for me. I am the head of a very controversial organization on campus, and while I was battling pneumonia and mono, I became a very polarizing figure on campus. I was assaulted the night after Donald Trump was elected, even though I am a moderate non-Trump supporting Republican, and all I wanted to do was go home and leave for the remainder of the semester. But I pushed through the difficult moment, and in the end I am glad that I stayed. It would have been really easy for me to give up and walk away from campus after what had happened, but I am really glad that I pushed through what had happened to me. I hope to keep moving forward in the future.
Author Archives: Olivia Corn
The History of Flora Rose
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.