'I saw how law is critical to ensuring a more equitable world for all'

Ashley Ramynke 

American Studies
Orange, Calif.

What are the most valuable skills you gained from your Arts & Sciences education?

Some of the most valuable skills I have gained have been focused on argumentation. Argumentation is such a critical skill for the contemporary workplace (and if I want to pursue a career in law) so I am thankful to my Arts & Sciences professors for integrating argumentation into the coursework. 

What Cornell memory do you treasure the most?

I most treasure attending the Cornell Big Red men’s ice hockey games with my close friends. Hockey games are such a big part of the Cornell experience, and cheering in the stands of Lynah Rink made me feel connected to the generations of Cornellians that have come before me.

How have your beliefs or perspectives changed since you first arrived at Cornell? What have you discovered about yourself?

Since first arriving at Cornell, I have found a passion for law. I found this passion through American studies classes that explained how law intersects with history, government, philosophy and sociology. I further developed this passion through volunteering with the Cornell Center on the Death Penalty Worldwide, part of the Cornell Law School. At the center, I saw how the study and practice of law is critical to ensuring a more equitable world for all. 

If you were to offer advice to an incoming first year student, what would you say?

If I were to offer advice to an incoming first-year student, I would recommend finding places in Ithaca that feel like home and making friends wherever you go. For example, I have found comfort in sitting on the bench behind McGraw Hall and admiring the rolling Ithaca hills after classes on Friday, walking to Ithaca Bakery to order the Milanese on a gluten-free bagel with no red peppers on Saturday afternoons and attending all the extracurricular events possible. I have also loved getting to know my peers on the Cornell Senior Class Campaign of 2022, the baristas at Collegetown Bagels, the TCAT drivers and everyone else in the Big Red community. 

Every year, our faculty nominate graduating Arts & Sciences students to be featured as part of our Extraordinary Journeys series. Read more about the Class of 2022.