Elizabeth Small
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Tell us about what you're doing with your life
After Cornell, I attended medical school at Columbia and specialized in ophthalmology and medical retina at NYU. I now live and practice close to where I grew up in Huntington, NY. What started out as a love of learning turned into a fulfilling career using the skills I gained to help people in my community. I have been able to deliver amazing advances in eye care to my patients over the years, including cataract surgery with special lenses and the administration of vision-saving intraocular medications. I served as chief of ophthalmology at the local hospital for ten years. Some of my patients have been my childhood schoolteachers and helping them has made me feel that my life has come full circle. I have been married to my husband Howie for 25 years. We have two children, Matthew, 22 and Allison, 19. We enjoy traveling overseas with them once a year.
What was your favorite class at Cornell, or the one you found most useful?
The neurobiology course "Animal Behavior" opened my eyes to the amazing diversity and intelligence of the animals on our planet.
The astronomy course "Life in the Universe" was mind-blowing and was taught by Professor Frank Drake with Carl Sagan as a guest lecturer.
Let's not forget the popular courses "Introduction to Wines" and "Human Sexuality."
My father objected to using his money to pay for the latter.
What is your favorite memory of your time at Cornell?
Freshman year at U Hall 1 was a whirlwind of meeting new friends. We spent hours enjoying meals in the dining hall while gaining the freshman fifteen. I clocked in attending eleven fraternity formals that year and discovered how to nurse a hangover.
I met my best friends at Pi Phi. Somehow all of the students on campus knew our secret sorority handshake. I have fond memories of pranks including relocating composites from fraternities under cover of darkness.
I remember my marathon eleven-hour study session at Rand Hall library for the Organic Chemistry final. Not one of my favorite memories.
Which Cornell classmates do you keep in touch with?
Kim Glasgal '84 and Kristi Jaska '84, my sorority sisters
Nancy Twomey '87, by biological sister
How has your time at Cornell influenced you since you graduated?
During a summer at Cornell, I waitressed at the Statler, did genetics research, volunteered at CGSS, and splashed in the gorge. The research required hours of pouring agar plates in a windowless lab in Bradfield Hall. My experiment never took off partly because my plates kept growing mold. The experiences that summer made me realize that I needed a career which involved human interaction, so I took the MCATs and eventually found my calling.
What extracurricular activity or hobby from your time at Cornell was most meaningful?
Downhill skiing at Greek Peak for physical education led to a lifelong joy of skiing.
What random or surprising encounters with Cornell or Cornellians have you experienced since you left?
My son Matthew was accepted to Cornell's class of 2023. Soon after his acceptance, we went on vacation together. A man walked past us, glanced at Matthew's Cornell T-shirt, and said "Go Big Red!!" Matthew beamed with pride as did his mother! An instant connection was made.
What does being a Cornell alumnus mean to you?
I get choked up whenever I hear the alma mater. What more can I say?
What are you most looking forward to at Reunion 2024?
I can't wait to reconnect with friends that I lost touch with and visit the beautiful campus again.