Welcome from the Provost

Welcome military members and families!

Whether you’re new to Cornell or have longstanding connections as a student, faculty, or staff member, we are proud to welcome you to a university that recognizes and celebrates your talents, your service, and your contributions to our country and community.

Cornell’s military community comprises undergraduate, graduate, and professional student veterans, undergraduate and graduate officers in training in our ROTC corps, and faculty and staff veterans, many of whom are active members of the Veterans Colleague Network Group. My daughter and son-in-law are both Navy veterans, having served as submarine officers, so I am directly aware of the commitment made by each of you as well as the value you bring to Cornell.

Cornell has provided military training since our founding and formally established an ROTC unit in 1917. Today Cornell has the only ROTC cohort in the Ivy League representing all branches of the U.S. military with ROTC programs. We actively recruit graduate and undergraduate veteran first-year and transfer students and have increased our undergraduate veteran population more than tenfold over the past six years. Cornell proudly participates in the Post–9/11 GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon programs to reduce financial barriers to come to Cornell, is a Purple Heart institution, and has established a Veterans House to enhance this important community. All of these efforts, and more, have led to Cornell being named the number one school for veterans by US News and World Report.

For our students, your success here is supported by the qualities you fostered during your time in the military, from your dedication to your community and to public engagement, to the ambition and determination you brought to your service and now bring to Cornell. Our entire community benefits from the insights and perspectives you have gained.

Thank you. For your service, for being part of this community, and for all you do for Cornell.

Michael Kotlikoff
Cornell University Provost

History

Cornell’s support of the military dates back to its founding as the land grant university for New York State. As established in the Morrill Land Grant Act of 1862, Cornell’s curriculum has always included instruction in military science and training. In 1916, the National Defense Act officially established the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC); the onset of World War I prompted Cornell to establish an Army School of Military Aeronautics as well as Army and Navy training schools. These units then transitioned into the Army, Naval, and Air Force ROTC units that exist today. Cornell is the only Ivy League University to host such programs, and the current detachment also hosts students from several neighboring universities and colleges. 

Among the notable Cornellians who served in the armed forces, Colonel Frank A. Barton, Class of 1891, became the University’s first ROTC commander. Built in 1914–17, the New York State Armory and Drill Hall was renamed Barton Hall in 1940 to honor Colonel Barton’s achievements. Visit the Wortham Museum in Barton Hall to learn more about Cornell’s illustrious military history, or take a tour of all of the military memorials across campus.  

Memorials on Campus

Cornellians who have served in times of war are honored by military memorials across campus. Many of the memorials are outdoors and accessible 24/7. Indoor memorials are generally accessible during business hours.