Kramnick Scholarship Fund tops $1 million mark

A scholarship fund in the College of Arts & Sciences created to honor Isaac Kramnick, the Richard J. Schwartz Professor of Government Emeritus, has reached the $1 million mark, thanks to generous support from more than 400 alumni who say their lives were changed by his teaching and his friendship.

The scholarship is awarded each year to a first-generation student. Kramnick was also a first-generation and scholarship undergraduate at Harvard University in the mid-1950s and graduated summa cum laude in 1959, continuing his studies at Cambridge University and Harvard and teaching at Harvard, Brandeis and Yale universities before coming to Cornell.

“Professor Kramnick was an amazing teacher, mentor and friend,” said Jonathan Wolfe ‘98. “He challenged his students to think critically, reminded us to enjoy the journey, and cared deeply about us. He was always there with an ear to listen, and a smile and laugh when you needed it most. 

“He loved Cornell and it would mean the world to him that this endowment makes it possible for other first-generation students to have the life-changing opportunity to attend this great institution.”

Wolfe’s brother David ’98 echoed the sentiment.

“Professor Kramnick was a larger-than-life rockstar in the classroom,” David Wolfe said. “As my advisor, he was passionate, thoughtful and supportive. He encouraged me to pursue my passion for the study of government, and not to lose sight of what really matters in life. Quite literally, I am not sure I would have graduated without him.”

Elana Beale ’08 also said that Kramnick began as an advisor who became a lifelong friend.

"I was fortunate enough to be Professor Kramnick's research assistant and student advisee from 2005 until 2008, and even luckier to call him a mentor and friend for the rest of his life. My meetings with Professor Kramnick, as both a student and alumna, in 311 White Hall are among my most prized memories from my time at Cornell,” she said.

“I could speak at length about the course, ‘American Political Thought: Madison to Malcolm X,’ how Professor Kramnick was a masterful teacher, or his brilliant scholarship. Others have and will do that, though. And they’re all absolutely right. Upon reflection, one of the most remarkable things about Isaac was his inherent goodness.  He was earnest without being naive.  Sure, he was self‐effacing with a wry sense of humor, but he was rarely cynical.  And he was deeply devoted to building and sustaining community, evidenced by his many commitments to Cornell’s campus life and shepherding the West Campus Residential Houses project to fruition.”

Contributions to the fund are still being accepted. To contribute to the Isaac Kramnick First-Generation Memorial Fund, visit this link.