Reflections Story #1: B.Arch Cornell (1975 – 1980): The Best Years of Our Lives

I arrived at Cornell a somewhat na?ve18 year old from Ohio. With students from across the US and abroad, it was quite intimidating. The campus architecture and the quadrangles were stately and inspiring. The campus setting was beautiful, the gorges flanking the campus were awesome, and the view down the hill past Ithaca to Cayuga Lake was spectacular. The winters were long, cold, windy and snowy. Fall, spring and summer were lovely! The Architecture program demanded a rigorous work ethic and created collegial competition among classmates. The Dragon Café in the basement of Sibley Hall was a gathering place for art and architecture students before, between and after classes, giving away free coffee at 1:00 am to those continuing their work, and providing a piano and a suitable venue for an occasional, spirited game of musical chairs. Once a year on St. Patrick’s Day, architecture students organized the annual Dragon Day Parade and hosted a costumed Beaux Arts Ball. This was before personal headphones, and there were multiple stereos blasting music throughout the studios most of the time, with discussions about what kind of music was played at different times of day. After midnight, Latin music was a popular choice and spirited dancing provided distraction from our work. One semester my section had a pin up review every Friday and again every Monday. We worked hard. There was no rest. We knew even then, that despite all this, these were the best years of our lives. I met my future husband, John, in the Cornell architecture program. Looking back, I realize it was true. It was an amazing time, an awesome place, with phenomenal friends. There would be many wonderful years to follow, but in many ways, these will always be the best years.