President's Message 2008

Connected by our common history, our lives are enriched by the people we meet through the Cornell Club of Austin. In the coming year we aim to further expand and strengthen these important bonds between us.

As tuition, room and board approaches $50,000/year, the amount of financial aid needed by Austin area Cornell students pushed past $800,000 last year. We have long dreamed of helping the next generation of Cornellians. Now, there is a way. Through the generosity of Brian and Wendi Kushner, the Cornell Club is in the process of endowing a scholarship for Austin area students to attend Cornell. Every dollar that we raise will be matched by the Kushners until we reach Cornell's required $50,000.

Last year we raised over $20,000 - over 80% of the way to meet our goal. We need an additional $5,000 to see our funds begin to benefit local Cornell students. We will be hosting events this year to benefit the Scholarship Fund. The first event is on November 8th, "Boxed or Bottled Wine Tasting" hosted by Cathy and Gerry Cocco.

Thank you to all who have contributed to the scholarship thus far and we look forward to completing our goal by the end of 2008. If you wish to contribute, please go to the scholarship page. The sooner we reach our target, the sooner we can start awarding scholarships.

Over the past year, we worked to expand our ties to other Ivy+ and Seven Sisters clubs. From happy hours to the Ivy+ Art Tour and our Annual Ivy+ Holiday Party, the effort gives back to us with each new friend and contact we make at these events. A special thanks to Pat Ko for establishing the Ivy+ network last year. You can meet other Ivy+ Alumni on the shared Facebook page and see upcoming events on the Ivy+ Google calendar. We look forward to continuing to grow our relationships with these groups in the coming year.

Please review our list of Fall and Winter activities in this mailing. To keep up with our ever growing offerings and stay informed of changes, please join our e-mail list at http:// austin.alumni.cornell.edu. We will send you full event descriptions as well as monthly summaries of upcoming activities. We also welcome any suggestions you might have.

Also, please check your membership status by emailing: membership@cornellclubaustin.org. Aside from event discounts, your membership dues help us carry out charity work, send-off incoming freshmen, and pay for the infrastructure we use to communicate with members and host our events.

Thank you to all our board members and event organizers for your hard work this past year. We are especially grateful to Gerard Hwang-VP Membership- who recently moved to Houston. He was a loyal board member who helped us grow our membership over the years. Also, many thanks to Paulette Rudolph-outgoing Treasurer-for her valuable time and for bringing us "back to black."

Judging from our upcoming events, we have an active Fall and Winter planned. I hope you too will participate in and benefit from your involvement in the Cornell Club this year as we strengthen and grow our group.

Sincerely,

Nicole Blair '96
President
Cornell Club of Austin