A professor of religious studies at Brown, Lewis will also hold a faculty appointment as a professor of religious studies and German studies in the College of Arts and Sciences.
As the semester ended, 45 students from the Humanities Scholars Program (HSP) in the College of Arts & Sciences (A&S) presented their work May 2 at the annual Humanities Scholars Spring Research Conference.
Provided
The muon g-2 ring sits in its detector hall amidst electronics racks, the muon beamline and other equipment at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.
The international, interdisciplinary team measured the magnetic anomaly of the muon – a tiny, elusive particle that could have very big implications for understanding the subatomic world.
A mainstay of the Department of Russian Literature from 1977 until his retirement after the department closed in 2010, Senderovich oversaw the establishment of a comprehensive graduate program in Russian literature, expanding Cornell’s graduate offerings in the field.
Casey Martin
YAMATO The Drummers of Japan played Feb. 2 in Bailey Hall as part of this year's Concert Series.
A $2 million gift from the Dallas Morse Coors Foundation for the Performing Arts will rename the Cornell Concert Series and allow it to continue its efforts to bring world-class musicians to campus.
The Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings bring together Nobel Prize recipients and approx. 600 exceptional young scientists from around the world for a week of “interdisciplinary exchange” aimed at fostering scientific collaboration across generations and national boundaries.
The Centennial Medal recognizes alumni who have made fundamental and lasting contributions to knowledge, their disciplines, their colleagues and society
The showcase was the final exam for students in Cornell’s game design courses
Alexandra Bayer/Cornell University
President Michael I. Kotlikoff congratulates a doctoral candidate at the 2025 Ph.D. Recognition Ceremony on May 23 at Barton Hall.
Cornell’s newest Ph.D.s found success even through the unexpected events of the last few years, President Michael I. Kotlikoff reminded nearly 400 doctoral graduates at the 2025 Ph.D. Recognition Ceremony on May 23 at Barton Hall.
Simon Wheeler
Associate Professor Roger Moseley, left, is taking over as the new director of the Milstein Program, a job that Associate Professor Austin Bunn, right, has held for the past three years.
This month’s featured titles include essays on womanhood by A&S alumna Nicole Graev Lipson ’98.
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.
During a May 23 ceremony in Statler Auditorium, more than 25 members of Cornell’s Reserve Officers' Training Corps Tri-Service Brigade were commissioned as second lieutenants or ensigns in the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Space Force.
Provided
The Cornell men’s lacrosse team celebrates after defeating Maryland in the NCAA Championship Game May 26 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
“The dream is, if you can make a really rigid polymer that’s also really tough, then you can make packaging that uses less material, yet has the same sort of properties."
Yao Yang and Madeline Degroodt
Artist’s rendering of watching energy materials in action.
The technique enables them to watch chemistry in action and collect real-time movies showing what happens to energy materials during temperature changes.
With brain mechanisms as a guide, Cornell researchers are designing low-energy robotic systems inspired by biology and useful for a wide range of potential applications.
This year’s cohort includes the W.E.B. Du Bois Fellow and three Kohut Fellows. These emerging scholars will advance data-driven research by contributing original scholarly work that uses Roper iPoll’s extensive survey archive.
“This grant will allow us to pursue some high-risk, novel ideas for how to measure material properties like elasticity and high-frequency conductivity that have previously been inaccessible in 2D materials.”
Owen Wetherbee is a physics, mathematics & computer science major.
'I have learned to navigate academic spaces on my own terms'
"Her mentorship has reinforced my belief that academia is not just about producing knowledge but about transforming it — challenging existing paradigms and ensuring that scholarship remains accountable and accessible to the communities it represents."
Ashley Koca is a Robert S. Harrison College Scholar and also majors in Near Eastern studies and history of art.
'My research gave me new perspectives on what community-building really means'
"Learning to engage with the environment around me, falling in love with Ithaca and studying community-building both in my teaching and independent research was life-changing. Those few months sparked much of how I've grown today."
'My majors allowed me to see the deep interconnections between language, culture, science and societal structures'
"I’ve explored topics ranging from healthcare disparities to the socio-political implications of biotechnology. This interdisciplinary lens has helped me understand how scientific advancements affect — and are affected by — cultural and societal values. Together, these majors have given me a well-balanced and holistic education."
Caitlyn Sams is majoring in biological sciences and chemistry & chemical biology.
'My thesis explores the threats of climate change to New York's coastal archaeological sites'
"You may not know what you want to pursue, and you may struggle at first to find your 'people,' but give it time and you'll figure it all out! Don't be afraid to explore all your interests, or take a class that you think you might struggle in. "
Kimberly Bond is majoring in statistics and psychology.
'I've been pushed to craft work that is both intellectually rigorous and deeply informed'
"My experience engaging with scholars across various disciplines has refined my ability to collaborate effectively within scholarship. I am grateful for the intellectual exchange and being exposed to diverse viewpoints from my peers."
'My mother's resilience taught me that challenges are not roadblocks'
"Problem-solving, adaptability and collaborative leadership are among the most valuable skills I gained from my Arts & Sciences education. Above all, I learned how to think critically and approach challenges from a holistic perspective."
'I started making connections between my classes that I never expected'
"One of the most valuable things I gained from my Arts & Sciences education is the ability to think through an intersectional lens. I honestly can’t overstate how important that’s been for me. The distribution requirements pushed me to take classes in areas I never would’ve explored otherwise, and that ended up being such a gift. It helped me realize how connected everything really is."
Gaveal Fan is a Robert S. Harrison College Scholar and also majored in sociology & information science.
'Cornell was the perfect place to keep asking “why” over and over again'
"I’ve learned that you must listen with utmost care to individuals you disagree with, and that understanding them is a privilege not a chore. I’ve learned that relying on my peers is not a fault, but a strength."
Osama Awadalla is majoring in statistical science.
'I’ve realized that activism takes many forms'
"Meeting different people from the Cornell campus and beyond has helped me to recognize the merit of simply being present — people appreciate someone who is willing to put themselves out there. Plus, the old adage is true. When you are constantly meeting new people, you really do learn something new every day."
"This sense of confidence in your culture will make you more comfortable in rooms where you are underrepresented, more ready to stand up for yourself, and more ready to show the world all the unique skills and talents you have to offer."
'My path is not predetermined and I am always in flux'
"Being immersed within such a rich student body, I have found that my ideas are constantly in conversation with those of my peers, and I feel as though I am always in a process of learning more about myself and those around me."
'I developed machine learning models to predict the progression of diabetic retinopathy'
"I have faced plenty of setbacks, from research challenges to difficult conversations to moments when things simply didn’t go as planned. Still, some of my most meaningful growth has come from working through those experiences. Along the way, I have discovered a resilience I didn’t know I had and a genuine appreciation for learning through the iterations of both successes and failures."
'I feel equipped to handle whatever uncertainties lie ahead'
"Cornell provides opportunities for experiences that you truly may never get again, and the best thing to do is take advantage of them as frequently as possible. And when a moment feels too big, don’t hesitate to ask for help (or at least watch the sunset on the slope). It’ll all work out – trust in your abilities!"
'Courses outside of my major were among the most fascinating and valuable I took'
"I took some of my favorite courses, learned from some of the best professors I have had and got to meet impactful alumni who have used their Cornell education to make change in the world. I also gained perhaps my most defining professional experience, which has come to shape my career trajectory."
'Every single course was mind-bending and life-changing'
"At every juncture of my journey, there were bright people — professors, graduate students, fellow independent scholars — beacons on my path, whose encouragement, inspiration, wisdom helped me go forward. The program brought my other majors and academic interests together into a coherent whole and connected me with researchers at the forefront of their fields."
The Class of 2025 leaves campus at a time of global uncertainty, but they say they feel prepared for the challenges that will come their way. In this feature, we celebrate their Cornell journeys.
"Not knowing something, being unsure and trying to find the answer is the best way to grow and learn. The process of seeking out the answer is just as important as the answer itself."
Aerin Mok is majoring in psychology and anthropology.
'I've worked on research projects in both organic and inorganic synthesis'
"Dream about what you hope to accomplish and recognize that there aren’t ceilings when it comes to ambition. Notice and pursue the beneficial feelings associated with triumph, reaching for them even if fear surrounds you."
'I used machine learning to analyze factors that impact voter turnout'
"As I have explored my interests through my courses, I have learned to appreciate learning for the sake of it, and working for the sake of producing knowledge. When I think about how I want to spend my time after I leave Cornell, I think about it through the lens of the meaning of my work, both to me and to the world."
'I’ve been able to serve Guam from my college dorm room'
"This work is incredibly meaningful to me because it has allowed me to make a tangible impact on my community — even from thousands of miles away at Cornell."
The highly competitive Berlin Prize is awarded annually to U.S.-based scholars, writers, composers and artists from the United States who represent the highest standards of excellence in their fields
Ryan Young/Cornell University
Campus Community Leadership Award winner Netra Shetty ’25 (center-left) poses with (from left) Marla Love, the Robert W. and Elizabeth C. Staley Dean of Students; Alec Brown, program manager of the Hunter R. Rawlings III Cornell Presidential Research Scholars Program; Monica Yant Kinney, interim vice president for university relations; Sarah Bartlett, volunteer and outreach manager at the Ithaca Free Clinic; and Taili Mugambee, lead program coordinator of Ultimate Reentry Opportunity, outside of Day Hall
For her work supporting the Ithaca community and people struggling with incarceration and drug addiction across New York, Netra Shetty ’25 earned the 2025 University Relations Campus Community Leadership Award.
The biennial prize, announced May 15, “recognizes an individual for exceptional and original research in a selected area of chemistry that has advanced the field in a major way.”
Jason Koski/Cornell University
Spring flowers blossom outside Goldwin Smith Hall.
Among those being recognized for exceptional teaching and mentorship this year are faculty members Begüm Adalet, Claudia Verhoeven, and Marcelo Aguiar.
'When my friends and I put on a show, it is everything to us.'
"I have learned the most about myself in these settings, when, in the midst of all of the big and significant business of the world at large, we are all fully invested in creating something with our imaginations, together."
Sarah Stephenson is majoring in English and classics.
'Pursue curiosity without constraint'
"The beauty of Cornell lies in its vastness in academics, extracurriculars, professional opportunities, social activities and more. You don’t have to choose between interests; in fact, much of my fulfillment in my college experience has come from embracing the full range of my passions and running with it, whatever direction it takes me."
Inspired by the mechanisms plants use to store carbon, researchers found that sunlight can power the capture and release of carbon dioxide, which could vastly lower costs and net emissions.
The nomination of Dr. Casey Means is the latest example of the administration’s disregard for scientific expertise and evidence-based policy, says a Cornell University expert.
Cornell University File Photo
Kaushik Basu at a 2016 Chats in the Stacks talk about his book “An Economist in the Real World.”
A new computational method developed by researchers at Cornell sheds light on how going dormant – sometimes for multiple generations – has affected the evolution of the tuberculosis bacterium and other organisms that can temporarily drop out of the gene pool.
Cornell undergraduate students diagnosing wine grape diseases in a plant pathology laboratory in Chile in 2018.
"Students across the country are going to miss out on innovative improvements to their science education – innovations that would have critically prepared them for the competitive 21st century technological workforce."
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Pope Leo XIV waves at the people gathered in St. Peter's Square in his first public appearance as pope.
The historic selection of Cardinal Robert Prevost, a Chicago-born U.S. citizen and naturalized Peruvian, reflects Catholicism's evolving global identity.
Ryan Young/Cornell University
Semiconductors are at the core of the economy and national security. Their importance makes them a target. Sarah Kreps, director of the Tech Policy Institute in the Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy, discusses how Cornell is helping to keep the semiconductor supply chain safe.