Nancy Law
College of Human Ecology
Tell us what you are doing with your life
After graduation, I stayed in Ithaca (no place to go because my parents sold the house to live in a 5th wheel) and ended up returning to Cornell to work all over campus for the next three decades—temp jobs to start with the Law School Career and then Admissions Offices (where they thought I changed my name for the job); secretary in the Engineering Co-op Program Office where, among other things, I helped students identify their best employment fit and planned summer picnics in the beautiful Ithaca parks; five years in Cornell Undergraduate Admissions where I worked on the Red Carpet Society Project - still going on today under a different name – which matches visiting prospective students with campus volunteers (maybe you did this when you were accepted?); the Cornell Regional Office in Boston (basically “Cornell in New England”); back to Ithaca in 1991 to work at Alumni House where I worked on Cornell Club Programs in the Northeast and Southeast, and Classes of the 30s-60s and 90s-2000s (fun fact, this building is right next to the Triphammer Bridge and the Pancake House - you’ve walked by it a million times - and is currently called The Intercultural Center, housing the Asian American Center, the LGBTQ Resource Center, the First Gen Center, the Center for Student Equity Empowerment and Belonging and many others); then on to Career Services for over 15 years, connecting students with alumni for job shadowing and networking, advising students on finding internships, as well as working with the PCCW (President’s Council of Cornell Women) mentoring committee. In 2015, I went across town to Ithaca College as Director of Alumni Engagement where I learned that Ithaca College is not really a rival with Cornell, it’s just a completely different culture. Finally, I returned to Cornell in a transactional role with the Office of Sponsored Programs, managing incoming research grants from all Federal agencies.
My partner (retired from the Vet School) and I share a home in Brooktondale with two golden retrievers – Susie and Rocky. We also have an “off grid” cabin in Richford, NY (Tioga County) - Round Top Retreat - purchased before Y2K - that we rent out through AirBnB and Hipcamp, for anyone who wants to get away from city life, which many people did during COVID.
What was your favorite class at Cornell?
My two favorite classes were Psych 101 with Professor Maas because I loved all the clips from Candid Camera that Maas used to prove the point he was trying to convey and HSS 315 (Human Sexuality) with Andrea Parrot because it covered such a depth and breadth to the class, truly covering all aspects of humanity and not "simply" sex.
What is your favorite memory of your time at Cornell?
Joining Kappa Delta and playing on the very first Women’s Varsity Soccer Team.
Which Cornell classmates do you keep in touch with?
Lindsay (Liotta) Forness, Phil George (whom I met randomly in Balch when he walked by my open door and saw an Organic Chem book, it was my roommate’s book – he left her a note so she could avoid the mistake he made in lab – he and I became immediate friends and have been friends ever since); Christine Eng; Beverly Pincus; Ena (Mitra) Sarkar; Kathleen Marinelli; Evan Shapiro; Linda Silveira; Windy (Werber) Bost; Kathy Hsiao; George Ferrari and, of course, the entire Class Council.
What advice would you give to a student starting at Cornell this year?
Try new activities that you never knew existed; never say no; get involved; take a few classes just for fun; find your safe spaces where you can de-stress, write papers, get away from people and reflect. Stay in touch with people you meet your first two years, but always strive to make new friends and create a broad network. Engage with people face to face, not electronically.
How has your time at Cornell influenced you since you graduated?
As I stuck around campus, everything I learned and experienced during my time as a student influenced my roles as an employee, wanting to make the experiences of new students as good as, if not better than, my experiences.
On a personal level, my life evolution after coming out, my work with CUGALA- the Cornell Gay and Lesbian Alumni Association (now called Cornell Pride), which spanned over 25 years, led me to work with Joyclyn Hart, first African American woman in Cornell's Senior Administration, and Susan Murphy, VP, as they developed the new LGB Resource Office (because adding extra letters and calling it a Center at the time was too big, too involved or controversial for other Administrators/Trustees to accept) at the time. I served on the first search committees and the staff/student advisory committee for several years.
What extracurricular activity or hobby from your time at Cornell was the most meaningful?
Kappa Delta and Women’s Soccer
If you could change anything about your Cornell experience, what would it be?
I would have studied abroad; thirteen weeks is not as long as it felt at that time.
What random or surprising encounters with Cornell or Cornellians have you experienced since you left?
In my various roles for the University, I meet Cornell Students and prospective students who are kids of classmates and friends. When I first heard about “Facebook”, I opened an account (to see what it was all about, not be that out of touch old staff person) and searched for some friends names. I found a Cornell guy named David from Rhode Island, I contacted this random student and excitedly asked him, “Are you Steve Shippee’s son?” Of course he was.
What does being a Cornell alumnus mean to you?
Cornell Alumni are a worldwide family of people with shared experiences who always have something to talk about and a willingness to help. You are never a stranger to a fellow Alum (so always wear something Cornell when you travel, you never know who you'll meet. A student in the Rome Program went for a tour at an archeological place nearby and was disappointed that it was closed. She was wearing a Cornell hat, and a staffer (and Cornell alum) on-site gave her a specialized tour).
What are you most looking forward to at Reunion 2024?
Good weather and seeing a handful of classmates attending their first Reunion. (It’s never too late! My aunt and uncle graduated in 1948 and forty years later went to their first Reunion. Since that time, they have never missed a Reunion or a summer in Ithaca)
I look forward to introducing the new returnees to the Cornell (and the Ithaca) of today.