Celebrating our 2023 Graduating Seniors
Congratulations to our graduating seniors! Over the past four years, you thrived within Cornell's educational environment - both inside and outside of the classroom - in pursuit of your academic and personal goals. Some of these outstanding seniors who have been a part of Cornell's Student & Campus Life, in a variety of ways, reflect on their time at Cornell and transformational impacts on their experiences.
Laura Chang · Anabella Galang · David Glickman · Daniel Hart · Ryan Madrigal · Patrick Mehler · Pearl Ngai · Sabiha Obaid · Madeline Turner
Laura Chang
Women's Resource Center
Graduating from the College of Arts and Sciences
"I'd like to thank my supervisors and coworkers at the Women's Resource Center for teaching me, pushing me, and supporting me in my growth. I joined the WRC in Spring 2021 because I wanted to help build community for women and genderqueer folks, and I also wanted to join the WRC's vibrant community during what felt like an isolating time on campus. My coworkers are gentle but fierce leaders, passionate about gender justice, and beyond inspiring, both in and out of the Center.
"I'm especially thankful for Shura, Director of the WRC. When I first interviewed to work there, our conversation got super derailed, and we went on a long tangent about the experiences of gender-marginalized folks in martial arts. Every time I come into the Center for a shift, Shura pops her head in to check in, and we talk about anything and everything, from rock climbing to what I'm reading in class to summer plans. I feel that she genuinely cares about us not as students or as workers but as whole people, and it's been such a privilege to receive her mentorship and learn from her example."
Anabella Galang
Cornell Outdoor Education
Graduating from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
"After my last class of my undergraduate career, I wasn't in a rush to get home. I lingered around central campus, picked up my notes from the Lifted installation, and decided to climb the 161 steps of McGraw Tower for the last chimes concert of the year. I thought back to how large and harrowing the campus seemed when I'd just arrived here. Now, it seemed incredibly small. Time has a funny way of putting things into perspective like that.
"At the top of the clock tower, I encountered a Hotelie O-Week friend I see ~3 times each semester (my dear Hunter Kane), a Sunnie who had interviewed me about a month ago (Iskander Khan!), and, at the end of the concert, a chimesmaster who had also been my resident in Clara Dickson during my tenure as an RA (shoutout to Shirley Yuan!). And yes, maybe it's nostalgia-fueled, but there was something about this serendipitous convergence of people from different moments in my Cornell career that inspired both reflection and a sense of closure.
"For those lucky enough to have a bit more time here: Don't wait until your senior LDOC to appreciate how far you've come and to appreciate the folks around you. Take (healthy & calculated!) risks. Explore a new passion. Be recklessly vulnerable. Try a new hobby. Tell that person you love them. Pitch your idea. Go to office hours. Invest in relationships that make you feel seen and understood. Call your family. Check in on your friends. Don't wait. It's going to be over before you know it."For my fellow graduates: Look around the lecture halls. The walking paths we've trudged (uphill both ways, mind you!) daily. The labs and studios where we lived and died. Maybe visit your trusty secret study spots or crying spots or some other meaningful place on campus where you pushed yourself towards growth. Here's to the spaces and moments that make, break, and shape us. And here's to you. ❤️"
David Glickman
Student Activities Funding Commission
Graduating from the ILR School
"My experience changed drastically when I joined the Student Activities Funding Commission (SAFC). Prior to joining SAFC, I was not aware of everything that happened on campus. I went to ClubFest freshman year, but it was overwhelming. Sophomore year, I decided I want to try something new. I am so grateful for all of the opportunities I have had through SAFC. I was able to firsthand see how many clubs were on campus and support them in their missions.
"Everyone here is so passionate about what they do in the classroom and out. Being able to support fellow students for even a little bit of their experience at Cornell has been the most fulfilling thing I have done here. Through SAFC and Campus Activities, I gained invaluable leadership skills.
"My advice for anyone interested is to be active with student governance and SCL. There are so many opportunities to learn and grow and meet incredible friends and mentors. There are so many people behind the scenes that dedicate everything to make this university run and for students to pursue their passions. Being part of this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I would like to thank everyone who mentored me and helped me be who I am."
Daniel Hart
Student Activities Funding Commission
Graduating from the ILR School
"The biggest piece of advice I would give to other Cornellians is to get involved. At Cornell, academics are extremely important and always come first, but much of the Cornell experience is shaped by what you do outside of the classroom. Whether it be getting involved in a student organization or doing research, being involved on campus outside of the classroom gives students the opportunity to gain valuable skills/experience and contribute to the diverse Cornell community. Additionally, getting involved introduces you to students, faculty, and staff from across campus that can blossom into friendships or mentorships.
"Getting involved also refers to participating in on-campus activities. During my time at Cornell, I was able to attend professional concerts, comedy shows, and speaker events. I also attended events hosted by student organizations, including A capella and dance shows, culture events, research presentations, and service events. To me, being a Cornell student means so much more than academics. It is rare to be in a cultural hub surrounded by talented people with diverse interests and backgrounds - it’s best to take advantage of it."
Ryan Madrigal
Cornell Recreational Services
Graduating from the ILR School
"My time at Cornell has been an unforgettable adventure with unexpected twists and turns. I transferred to Cornell during the Covid pandemic and had to take my first semester remotely from California. Due to the time difference, I would wake up at 6 a.m. every morning to attend online classes and stay on top of my coursework. Once I finally got the opportunity to move into my dorm for my sophomore year, I was excited to experience all that Cornell had to offer. However, the pandemic made things more isolating. I was over 2,000 miles away from home, and I spent most of my time staring at my computer screen and only leaving my dorm room to get food.
"That is until I found Intramural Sports. I applied to become a student supervisor at the end of my sophomore year, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I made at Cornell. I remember attending my first training at Jessup Field, which I didn't even know existed, and yet, the team bonding activities and warm welcome from the staff made me feel like I had found my place at Cornell. Through my work at IMs, I made some of my closest friends and experienced some of the most unforgettable moments. From the group therapy sessions after a tough day at work to forming our own intramural teams and listing our highs and lows at every supervisor meeting, intramural sports provided a safe space for me to be myself and step away from the stressors of Cornell.
"The culture within Intramurals is incredibly strong, and there is always a healthy balance of fun and productivity. This is all due to the Director of Intramural Sports, Scott Flickinger, or as we like to call him, Flick. Flick's dedication to cultivating a welcoming and inclusive environment has had a profound impact on the Cornell community, and I am grateful to have been a part of it. I want to express my sincerest appreciation to Scott for all he has done for the Cornell community and for creating a space where students can come together and build lifelong friendships— by participating in intramural sports and working for the program. My time at Cornell would not have been the same without him, and I will always be thankful for his positive impact on my college experience."
Patrick Mehler
Cornell Votes
Graduating from the ILR School
"Cornell has given me everything in just four short years. Between a plethora of on-campus and off-campus jobs, leadership roles in student organizations, successful projects, international experiences, close friends, and a lifelong partner, I could not be more grateful for everything Cornell has done for me. I am fortunate to have done and received so much, and my favorite memory was the least planned of them all.
"Just as we returned to a more in-person world in Fall 2021, I asked Julia Risi '23 JD '25 to a private chimes concert for our first real date. After secretly selecting songs from the Phantom of the Opera with my friend who was a chimesmaster and having the whole top floor of the Clocktower to ourselves, I think she would agree that it was a successful first date and both of our favorite memories of Cornell.
"For all Cornellians looking at what to do with their remaining time on the hill, I cannot more strongly encourage you to enjoy every second of it. Take classes that are interesting; drop ones that are not. Do clubs and jobs that build your portfolio and make you happy to attend; quit the ones that you do not. Find what makes you happy at Cornell and fight for that thing as hard as you can."
Pearl Ngai
Asian & Asian American Center, Einhorn Center
Graduating from the ILR School
"I have been so blessed throughout my time here at Cornell. It has certainly not been easy--from experiencing COVID-19 shutting down campus as a sophomore to taking a personal year off to take care of my mother--things have not panned out the way I had anticipated. I even switched majors right after my first semester on campus, from Policy Analysis and Management in Human Ecology to Industrial and Labor Relations in the ILR School. And yet, with every big transition or change, I have been surrounded by endlessly supportive friends, faculty, and staff that have made every day worth it.
"To any incoming or remaining students, I encourage you to be brave and pursue the path at Cornell that feels most fulfilling for you. It is easy for us to get caught up in wanting to do what it seems like everyone else is doing. At times, that's great, especially when others expose you to new ideas or experiences. I know, however, that it can feel intimidating to take the road less traveled. But, if taking time off or switching into a major that is different from what you first planned on studying is what is right for you, then go for it. Make the most out of your time here at Cornell by doing what is actually right for you and your happiness! Engage in what brings joy.
"Finally, when the going gets difficult, I always remember two things that have always gotten me through. The first is that we are all capable of doing hard things. You are bright and you will get to the next step, whatever that may be. Secondly, we must rely on each other. Spend time intentionally with your friends and peers, support one another in the good and the bad. I have been so lucky to have been empowered and encouraged by my loving network every step of the way, and I only wish the same for my fellow Cornellians!"
Sabiha Obaid
Asian & Asian American Center
Graduating from the ILR School
"I am immensely grateful for the community at Cornell. I will never forget the people who have entered into my life, changing and shaping who I am. The unconditional love and support I have received have made my experience at Cornell memorable. Finding a sense of belonging was initially difficult for me. I felt out of place and far removed from everyone else. Impostor syndrome seeped into my daily life as I felt undeserving of the opportunity I had been given. I had never felt so alone.
"But one day, I sat in a circle with other freshmen during O-Week and my life forever changed. The same circle of people during that week have remained with me till my senior year. And through other interactions, I have created lifelong relationships with compassionate and incredible people.
"I am forever grateful for their friendship, their love, and their support. They have helped me grow and change for the better. With their presence in my life, I was able to navigate Cornell and put myself out there. I have created and melded spaces with phenomenal people, finding acceptance and pride in my identity. And I hope that through my work in Oasis and the Asian and Asian American Center, I have helped others feel a sense of belonging and support during their time at Cornell."
Madeline Turner
Cornell University Program Board, Cornell Outdoor Education
Graduating from the ILR School
"My favorite club was the Cornell University Program Board, which brings speakers and events to campus. I learned so much from being a part of this organization, and I made so many memories while also meeting SNL comedians, internet stars, and more!
"My job experiences really shaped my Cornell experience. I had the opportunity to work for Cornell Outdoor Education (COE), where I helped staff the gear rental outfitting center and supported COE classes and trips. Ithaca is a beautiful place, and I loved showing students everything the outdoor spaces have to offer while here on campus."