Cornell University, founded in 1865, is a unique higher education institution with worldwide recognition. From local New Yorkers to Cornell study abroad participants, this school has lured students worldwide. It provides an incredible academic experience in a one-of-a-kind environment. Here are some interesting facts about the school that you may not know.
They celebrate Dragon Day.
Every spring since 1901, a fun tradition and celebration known as Dragon Day has occurred on Cornell's campus. The event revolves around a dragon procession and a giant manufactured dragon created by first-year architecture students from Cornell University's College of Architecture, Art, and Planning. They parade the dragon around campus and set it on fire in the Arts Quad. The sale of Dragon Day t-shirts partially finances the construction of the structure.
Cornell University is a member of the Ivy League.
Cornell University, the youngest member of the prestigious Ivy League, maintains a reputation of academic superiority by inviting students and teachers from all over the globe to participate in a demanding and fulfilling learning environment. Despite being an Ivy League university with a private charter, it has undergraduate colleges and institutions that receive some support from New York State.
The school has a fresh apple vending machine.
Every autumn, a unique vending machine returns to Mann Library's foyer near the Department of Horticulture. Instead of the usual selection of snacks, the popular fixture displays nine apple types cultivated at Cornell Orchards' two facilities. The machine maintains a 70-year heritage of providing campus residents with a readily available source of nutritious fruits. The Cornell Society for Horticulture (SoHo), a graduate student group, runs the CALS symbol, which is mainly supported by apple sales.
Chicken nuggets were invented there.
Robert Carl Baker, an esteemed Cornell Class of 1943 alumnus, created the first chicken nugget recipe in 1963 while working in a campus lab. During his 32-year tenure as a food science professor, he produced dozens of poultry products, including turkey ham and chicken hot dogs, which helped significantly increase the United States' poultry business.
The campus is huge!
Cornell University's Ithaca campus encompasses 745 acres and is located in the magnificent natural splendor of the Finger Lakes area. The university's expansive campus is a gorgeous backdrop for academic endeavors and dynamic community life. This lovely institution not only has a beautiful atmosphere but also has a rich history and exquisite architecture, which can be enjoyed simply by walking around it.
Famous Alumni
Cornell has several noteworthy alumni, including Christopher Reeve, Bill Maher, Keith Olbermann, Huey Lewis, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Bill Nye the Science Guy. In 2011, Bill Nye donated a solar clock to Rhodes Hall with a fascinating solar noon feature that funnels sunlight into a tube and illuminates a disc in the clock face over several minutes daily.
Knowing these facts about the institution will make your Cornell semester abroad much more intriguing! Keep these ideas in mind as you discover all the magnificent campus offers.