Amanda Martocchio (Amanda Crocker)
College of Architecture, Art & Planning
Tell us about what you're doing with your life
I am a juggler: an architect, small business owner, mother of two, engaged citizen in small town Connecticut, and supremely happy and grateful wife to a spouse who supports me in all these endeavors.
What was your favorite class at Cornell, or the one you found most useful?
As an architecture student at Cornell, I learned to problem-solve. While design studio was my favorite class, it was also the most demanding. Cornell’s AAP program was and is exceptional. I learned little about what is required of an architect professionally or practically speaking, what I did learn was to design and that has served me well. My architecture firm, Amanda Martocchio Architecture, (www.amandamartocchio.com) has received numerous design awards over the years, including most recently the 2023 CT AIA Women in Architecture Award.
What is your favorite memory of your time at Cornell?
My favorite memories are the after handing in a grueling paper or getting through a studio review of a completed project after an all-nighter when I could enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the place and cherish my amazing circle of friends.
Which Cornell classmates do you keep in touch with?
So many Delta Gamma sisters: Recently several of us gathered in Jackson Hole, Wyoming to celebrate 60th birthdays with besties: Amy Brown, Kathy Dodd, Gay Truscott, Patti Foote, Pam Harbold, Anne Lyons. It’s like we haven’t skipped a beat 40 years later!
How has your time at Cornell influenced you since you graduated?
I think I learned at Cornell how to rise to challenges and handle adversity, and to always enjoy life’s goodness and beauty. My first child, Julia, was born with a brain injury which has resulted in her significant neurological challenges and deficits. She teaches us patience and forces us to attend to what is in front of us so that we can thrive in our daily lives.
What extracurricular activity or hobby from your time at Cornell was most meaningful?
One of the most meaningful extracurricular activities was founding and singing in the female Acapella group, Touchtones--which is still alive on campus today. I continue to sing with a group of now, middle-aged women (haha!) having fun and doing some of the same tunes!
What random or surprising encounters with Cornell or Cornellians have you experienced since you left? Alternatively, who do you keep in touch with?
One of my architecture school friends, Marianne Shin, who I later went on study with me at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design, is someone I periodically cross paths with in NYC. We met recently at the Whitney Museum to see the Edward Hopper show. It was amazing to reconnect, while wearing masks during the crazy pandemic, with a lifelong friend who enjoys art as much as I do!
If you could change anything about your Cornell experience, what would it be?
I probably would have stayed there longer to acquire more knowledge! Specifically, I wish I had taken a philosophy class so that I could converse more intelligently with my philosopher father.
What does being a Cornell alumnus mean to you?
It gives me a sense of duty to go out in the world and make a difference. I am very concerned about climate change and how we are managing our environment. As an architect I feel great responsibility to take action to design and build homes for clients that are energy efficient and do not contribute to global warming....and that are also beautiful!
What advice would you give to a student starting at Cornell?
My advice would be to try it all and to keep telling yourself: “savor this moment, this incredible place, these friends, this immature silliness, this learning. There is nothing like it!”
What are you most looking forward to at Reunion 2024?
I look forward to reconnecting with old friends and connecting anew with familiar faces whose names I will forget. I also look forward to a cold beer at Ruloff’s!