Hats off to another fantastic reunion weekend! The College welcomed back more than 330 attendees including 181 alumni for the time-honored celebration that included parties, talks, and tours. Members of the DVM Classes ending in 1s and 6s gathered to reminisce and reacquaint themselves with the new and changing College grounds. A particularly special guest this year was Dr. Samuel Bender DVM ’41, who, at the age of 100 years young, had the distinguished honor of being the oldest grad school alumnus in attendance at Cornell’s reunion weekend. 

The weekend included hands-on demonstrations of simulation teaching tools, including the brand-new, life-size equine mannequin used for rescue training, and Robo Jerry the robot canine patient. Alumni and guests also got a chance to go on guided tours of the capital expansion construction project.

On Saturday morning, Veterinary College Dean Lorin Warnick gave the State of the College address. “As part of the Cornell veterinary community, we enjoy the benefits of being associated with an institution that has a legacy of excellence …” he said to the crowd. “We enjoy this reputation in large part because of the careers of all of you alumni and I applaud you for your many successes.”

Warnick also announced the winners of the two major awards given out at reunion:, the Dean’s Cup, established by the class of 1961, which goes to the Reunion class with the highest percent of the class making a gift, went to the Class of 1986, which had 67% participation. The 25 Club Cup, recognizing classes out of school for 25 or fewer years which reach 25% or more participation, was awarded to the Classes of 1991 and 1996.

The reunion concluded with the ever-popular class dinners held on campus and at restaurants throughout Ithaca, where old friends could raise a glass (or two) to their memories of days gone by.

“I was glad to be able to come to all of it and be a part of it,” says Jennifer Stachnik ’06 “It’s my first time back since graduation, so a lot of things have changed, but it’s great to reconnect with classmates and see some of the changes—there are a lot of memories."