Schedule of Events

Enjoy discounted tickets to the San Diego Zoo. The zoo is well known for its lush, naturalistic habitats and unique animal encounters and is home to more than 3,700 rare and endangered animals representing approximately 660 species and subspecies. Before heading out, enjoy a video message from Matt Marinkovich DVM '14, clinical veterinarian at the San Diego Zoo. Dr. Marinkovich combines his Cornell training with the mission of the Zoo and its Wildlife Alliance: to integrate wildlife health and care, science, and education to develop sustainable conservation solutions.

No Capacity

Price: $40 per person (normally $67)
*price includes entrance to San Diego Zoo, meals are on your own

Transportation: Guests are on their own for transportation. Uber/Lyft rides will take approximately 10 minutes from the Westin San Diego Gaslamp.

It’s a boat! It’s a bus! It’s San Diego’s only amphibious Sea and Land Adventure! Your 90-minute, fully-narrated SEAL Tour departs daily from Seaport Village. Wind your way through the picturesque San Diego streets before splashing down for a cruise through the waters of the San Diego Bay. Experience the history and ecological wonders of San Diego in the comfort and security of the unique Hydra Terra vehicle. You’ll learn firsthand of the area’s rich military history and cruise through the waters that are the playground of the California Sea Lion. Here’s a fun video of our SEAL Tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGyKlDhH4pM.

Capacity: 20

Price: $40 per adult, $24 per child (ages 4-12), $8 for kids 0-3

Transportation: Guests are on their own for transportation. It’s approximately 6 minutes by Uber/Lyft or a 20 minute walk from the Westin San Diego Gaslamp.

Welcome to CALC! We'll kickoff a few days of learning, discussions, presentations, and networking and a whole lot of FUN! In this interactive session, Cornellians will share how they are activating their Cornell networks and doing the greatest good within their communities and beyond.

University Librarian Elaine L. Westbrooks will share her vision for what makes Cornell’s Library crucial for student success, new forms of scholarship, as well as the premier steward of facts for a pluralistic society.

The synergy of biology, engineering, and technology is now and here. It’s also the future. How is Cornell leading the way in this innovative field? Our renowned faculty will discuss their own expertise and research in developing biocompatible materials and vaccines (cancer or infectious disease) that work in our bodies, treatments for osteoporosis, and more. Plus, learn how big data and AI is impacting medicine research and delivery. Join us to hear how Cornell is a source of solutions globally and in your everyday life.

Speakers:

• Shaoyi Jiang PhD ‘93, Robert Langer ’70 Family and Friends Professor, Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering
• Marjolein van der Meulen, James M. and Marsha McCormick Director of Biomedical Engineering; Swanson Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering and Sibley School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University
• Joel Malina (moderator), Vice President, University Relations

Enjoy the San Diego weather with an outside reception. Light hors d'oeuvres and drinks will be available.

Hear from Student & Campus Life leaders, including the Robert W. and Elizabeth C. Staley Dean of Students, Marla Love, about today’s campus experience and how Cornell adapts to evolving student needs. We’ll present the Robert S. Harrison ’76 Recent Alumni Volunteer Award, recognizing recent alumni who have provided exemplary service to Cornell and the world.

Please select one of the following sessions from the dropdown menu: 

• Inclusive Leadership

What would your life be like if you could free yourself and live to your fullest potential? Sometimes we live life as if our potential has limits. This can be due to the mental baggage that we accumulate and carry through life that help shape and inform our paradigms. This session will empower you with self-awareness and tools that can radically shift your paradigm, so that you pursue everything from a place of power. Learn to focus on what really matters and let go of the limiting beliefs that are holding you back.

Speaker: Dionis Rodriguez '98, Author of Shift Your Paradigm: Empower Your Life & Unlock Your True Hidden Potential

• Innovation and Creativity as a Means to Manage Intergenerational Communication.
  

As volunteer leaders, your boards and constituents run the class-year gamut. As workplace and homeplace leaders, you're interacting with individuals across multiple generations. How can we be innovative and creative in communicating across generations, in our volunteer roles, in the workplace, and in everyday life? Join this session with CALS professor of communication and Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Sahara Byrne, to learn new, effective communication strategies. Sahara will share insights based on current research, and bring in her first-hand interactions with current Cornell students to equip you with communication strategies that appreciate generational uniqueness.

Speaker: Sahara Byrne, Senior Associate Dean of Academic Programs; Professor, Department of Communications, College of Agriculture and Life

Please select one of the following sessions from the dropdown menu:

• Servant Leadership: The Only Way to Have Great Results and Great Relationships
  

From time to time, tough conversations are a necessary part of any volunteer community. Knowing how to be both direct and diplomatic is an important skill. Ken Blanchard ’61, PhD ’67, will lead us through a discussion on how to positively address a range of issues and behaviors.

• Storytelling: Finding Your Anti-Hero, Changing your Narrative
  

We all know that storytelling teaches us about ourselves and the world around us. It also builds trust between the storyteller and their audience and while the main purpose is to entertain and to teach, an effective narrative should also change (or at least open) minds. As every essay should be persuasive, a good story should sway. By reviewing the five basic narrative elements, focusing on the importance of conflict -and the necessity of a strong villain- CALS Professor Christopher Byrne will take you on the hero’s journey to discover new narrative techniques. Learn how to apply these techniques to not only telling your own story, but of your organization, events, volunteer opportunities, and Cornell, to increase engagement and accomplish your goals.

The Gift of Grief

Join us for lunch and a special musical performance by a featured guest speaker, Eki’Shola Edwards MD, DipABLM/DipIBLM '98.

Please select one of the following sessions from the dropdown menu:

• Giving Day Secrets Revealed
  

Join Alumni Affairs and Development marketing and participation experts, Ashley Budd and Jon Gregory, for a Cornell Giving Day workshop. You’ll learn how to leverage your networks to raise funds for the programs at Cornell that you love. They’ll share the secrets behind Giving Day mechanics, challenges, and how to be a record-breaking champion for Cornell.

• How It All Works: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Cornell

Join us for a fun and informative crash course on higher education administration and economics. Why does tuition keep going up? What’s in Cornell’s annual budget and how does the endowment work? What role can alumni play? What’s a provost do anyway? We promise it’s more exciting than it sounds!

More information coming soon!

Join us as we celebrate the weekend and come together for Cornell's Alma Mater.