Lindsay Forness (Lindsay Liotta)
Hotel Administration
Tell us about what you're doing with your life
This picture is from a trip we took to Mackinac Island this summer - no cars - just bicycles and horses! We love to travel, especially to National Parks.
Bob '87 and I live in Bermuda, where Bob works in reinsurance and I volunteer as a Board member for a local private school and as a Board member for the International Women's Club. We maintain a home base in Bucks County, PA as well, which is useful for seeing our adult daughter and son, both of whom are also Cornellians! Bob and I both volunteer for Cornell in various capacities.
What was your favorite class at Cornell, or the one you found most useful?
Hotel Ezra Cornell. It's not just an activity; the Executive Team gets credit for the course in the Fall and Spring Semesters. Working as a team all year for a weekend long event for industry executives will always stand out in my memory.
What is your favorite memory of your time at Cornell?
This is the hardest question! Procrastinating work and hanging out with friends, in Donlon, and the Kappa Delta house (where I lived for three years).
Which Cornell classmates do you keep in touch with?
Too many to name!! Janet Insardi and I have been very close since Orientation - she was my next door neighbor in Donlon. We have traveled together, she's Aunt Janet to our kids...
(And I am married to Bob '87...and our daughter Keri '15 and son Brian '20.)
How has your time at Cornell influenced you since you graduated?
My time at Cornell has continually influenced my life, largely because I stay connected as a volunteer. In the early days of being an alumna, things I learned at Cornell directly applied at work. As time progresses, it's the people connections that mean even more.
What extracurricular activity or hobby from your time at Cornell was most meaningful?
My membership in Kappa Delta Sorority enabled me to enjoy a "home away from home" and to live with 40+ other Cornell women each school year. We came from many different places and studied many different subjects, but volunteered and partied together as one!
What random or surprising encounters with Cornell or Cornellians have you experienced since you left? Alternatively, who do you keep in touch with?
I LOVE randomly meeting someone with a Cornell connection due to a sweatshirt, a sticker on my car window, etc. Many long time friendships have started this way. My husband and I have also belonged to many Cornell Clubs - everywhere we have lived!
If you could change anything about your Cornell experience, what would it be?
I would have followed the suggestion of a female tenured Econ professor and "tried out" an advanced Econ class - simply because she thought I would like it. I would also have focused on my grades a bit more...
What does being a Cornell alumnus mean to you?
Cornell's alumni community is a continually growing and welcoming group of people. I really enjoy giving back to Cornell with my time, and I enjoy meeting students also. Attending Red Hot Hockey in November, meeting alums in fun places; it's all good.
What advice would you give to a student starting at Cornell?
1. Find your "place" at Cornell where you can find peace. For me, it's the second floor of the AD White Library.
2. Use Professor and Teaching Assistant office hours - not just for help, but to get to know them and the subject better.
What are you most looking forward to at Reunion 2024?
I am looking forward to seeing old friends, making new ones, and finally rappelling down the wall at Schoellkopf Stadium. It's a reunion activity that I keep missing.