Cornell graduates aim to ‘lead from the front’ as military officers

Student life

By | James Dean , Cornell Chronicle

5/27/2025

More News from A&S

Spencer Kopko, with short hair and jeans, with his arm around Kristen Ferguson Kopko, with long blonde hair, sitting on a bench in Triphammer Mall's hallway. — Provided Kristen Ferguson Kopko ’20 and Spencer Kopko ’18 at Triphammer Mall.

Remember Going to Triphammer Marketplace? Two Alums Bought It

Alumni News 6/17/2026

Cornellians

Black and white photo of a person hollering into a microphone with an intense look on his face — Provided Orlando Xavier performs with the Berkeley hardcore band Special Forces.

Your June 2026 Reads

Alumni and faculty authors 6/17/2026

Cornellians

A red person and a blue person with talk bubbles above their heads, intersecting in a Venn diagram and turning pink at the intersection — Laila Milevski/Cornell University

Listening to political opponents who share common values can ease polarization

Behavioral Economics 6/15/2026

Cornell Chronicle

Margaret Weitekamp, in suit jacket over polka dotted shirt, stands next to a spacecraft on the floor of the Air and Space Museum — Provided Margaret Weitekamp at a display at the Nationa Air and Space Museum.

Historian Curates the Cosmos—Both Fact and (Science) Fiction

History 6/12/2026

Cornellians

View all news

People on a stage; one in military uniform stands at attention — Devin Flores/Cornell University Marine 2nd Lt. Connor Eaton is pinned at the Cornell University ROTC Tri-Service Commissioning Ceremony, held May 23 in Statler Auditorium.

China and Asia-Pacific Studies Program

With help from family, friends, ROTC seniors become officers

5/28/2020 Cornell Chronicle

ROTC graduation

‘Stick to your values,’ general tells ROTC cadets

5/25/2019 Cornell Chronicle

Sreang Hok/Cornell University Christopher Mahn ’24 holds up a float coat he wore as a mechanic on an aircraft carrier. He also contributed his cranial (or helmet) and boots from his time in the Navy to the collection of military items from Cornell veterans. Items bear signs of individualization, including jokes written on the back of the float coat.

Student veterans

Cornell’s military veterans share their histories

11/9/2023 Cornell Chronicle