Cornell University Council
Council History

The council was created following the success of the 1950 Greater Cornell Campaign. Francis H. Scheetz '16, vice chair of the campaign, told the trustees he believed the campaign's success was a result of the knowledgeable and dedicated alumni who worked for it. He suggested a permanent group of such advisors to advance fundraising and development work for the university.

Thus, the Cornell University Council was founded, and Mr. Scheetz served as the first council chair from 1950 to 1953. He told new members they needed to be "catalytic agents...able to ferret out the interests of others and channel those interests to the right spots at Cornell."

Since then, 30 chairs have guided the council through growth and accomplishment. They have led us from our first role in fundraising and development to a wide range of working advisory committees now serving the university in diverse fields and endeavors.

We salute the chairs of the Cornell University Council!