Dale Corson was president when I was a student at Cornell. He helped Cornell get over the rifts caused in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He will be greatly missed.
Dear Cornellians,
I am deeply saddened to inform you that our colleague, friend and leader, Dale R. Corson passed away early this morning at his home in Ithaca. He was 97 years old, just a few days short of his 98th birthday.
During a remarkable career that spanned more than a half century, Dale served Cornell as professor, dean, provost, president and chancellor. As our eighth president, Dale guided the university through one of its most difficult periods with extraordinary integrity, strength, wisdom and grace. His love for this institution was exemplary, and I feel privileged to have had him as a mentor and friend.
Dale has left an indelible mark on our great university and the world. Each time one of us walks past the sundial he designed and built on the engineering quad, let us remember that we walk in the footsteps of a giant.
Please join me in expressing our deepest sympathies to the entire Corson family, and most especially to Nellie, his wife of 73 years, and their four children David, Bruce, Richard and Janet, as well as their spouses, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
A celebration of Dale Corson’s life is being planned and details will be announced at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Cornell University to support student health and well being, or to a charity of your choice.
David J. Skorton
