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Dear Uncle Ezra,
I have in my possession --"True and Firm" Biography of Ezra Cornell. It was published by A.S. Barnes & Co. 1884. Could it be a first edition? Thank you for any help and guidance you may offer.
Dear collector,
This is the first biography of Ezra Cornell, and was written by his son, Alonzo. As far as we know, there was only one edition, although there were variant bindings (two in University Archivist Elaine Engst's office). There are a number of copies in the library system. It would be very hard to assign a monetary value to a book like this since very few copies wind up for sale. You have a large audience of Cornell alums should you decide to offer it. Good luck. Uncle Ezra - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Question 2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dear Uncle Ezra,
Why is our Medical College in New York City, and not Ithaca?
Dear inquiring,
Cornell's Medical College has always had a link to New York City. In the 1880s and 1890s the study of medicine transformed from an emphasis on classroom study progressing to bedside skills to the need for hospital medicine, thereby reaching beyond practice and study in just a private doctor's office. As the field changed, the need for linkages to large hospitals increased, and a small rural community such as Ithaca, did not have those kinds of resources nearby.
While Cornell's founders always desired a medical school as an important component of the university's breadth of studies, it did not formally happen until 1898. In April of that year, the Cornell Board of Trustees established the Cornell University Medical College in New York City, and the program opened its doors six months later. Coincidentally, the university established a two-year course in Ithaca that paralleled the first two years in the New York City school and admitted its successful students to third-year studies in New York, that same year. The Ithaca branch, located in Stimson Hall, eventually closed in 1938 due to declining enrollment.
Today the Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences is far reaching in its medical practice, research, and training, preparing students for the many opportunities in medical science. And we have established a Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar -- see http://www.aamc.org/newsroom/reporter/aug01/qatar.htm. Uncle Ezra - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Question 3 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dear Uncle Ezra,
First of all I would like to thank you for the advice you gave me when I was anxiously awaiting my decision from Cornell. Although I was always active this fall, it seemed like an eternity. The wait is over, and I'm overjoyed to announce I've been accepted early decision. This presents a new question, however. I've heard from other college students (not from Cornell) that it usually helps to take a community college class over the summer, giving you an advantage when choosing a fall schedule. Is this necessarily true and how do I find out if the credits transfer?
Thanks yet again,
ED
Dear ED,
Congratulations on your acceptance to Cornell University. Taking a course over the summer will not necessarily give you an advantage in your schedule, but it may free up some future credits, giving you more flexibility later on. It may also transition you for the increased workload you'll face in college.
The transferability of a course from another institution depends on the course content, what the course will serve as (free elective, major requirement, distribution credit), the college or school that you are in, and the grade earned in the course. Once we get closer to summer, contact the college that you will be entering with a copy of the course description for the class that you would like to take and they will be able to advise you on the ability to transfer those credits. At that time, you'll also have a better sense of whether you wish to continue taking classes throughout the year, or if you want to take an academic hiatus until your next educational chapter begins. We look forward to seeing you on the Hill next fall! Uncle Ezra - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Question 4 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dear Unc:
I've noticed that the game room on the top floor of Will Straight closed last semester for the summer and hasn't reopened yet. Why is it still closed?
I've also heard a rumor that the game room is going to be turned into a Kinkos copy store. Please tell me that's not true. In my opinion, the room, if it has to be changed for whatever reason, could be better used as a student study room or lounge, since the only place for quiet study in WSH right now is the browsing library. I think that huge window would provide for a nice atmosphere for study. How about it?
Dear student,
The game room had become less popular as currrent activity centers are located in what used to be just dorms, but are now residential centers in their own right. And perhaps student interest changed, too. In order to breathe new life into the Student Union, we hope to provide a service that will be well-used, while workers and customers alike enjoy the window. The south end of WSH has two good study rooms - the Music room and the International lounge - try them out! Uncle Ezra - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Question 5 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dear Uncle Ezra,
As it has been well documented on this site and others,
"Give My Regards to Davy" has at least two verses. The first was written by Charles Tourison 1905. The second is from the Lambda Chi Alpha songbook and seemingly refers to events in the 1950s. However, I can't seem to find a single author (or set of authors) to which the second verse can be attributed. Is this information available anywhere? If so, can you tell me who is/are the author(s)?
Sincerely,
Will D.
Dear Will,
The music librarians have never heard of a Lambda Chi Alpha songbook.
In the 1988 "Songs of Cornell," a note says that Romeyn Berry '04 "divides responsibility for the song among Charlie Tourison 1905; W. L. Umstad 1906; and Bill Forbes 1906. 'That trio lived together at the Beta Theta Pi house... and at least started (either there or at Zinck's) most of the scores of burlesques on popular tunes that flourished that period. I'm pretty sure GIVE MY REGARDS TO DAVY came from them at the time, and in the manner indicated.'" The tune, of course, is George M. Cohan's Give My Regards to Broadway, originally published in 1904. Thanks to Elaine Engst of the University archives!
Uncle Ezra - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Question 6 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dear Uncle Ezra,
It's Saturday, and the chimes have been playing all night!!! I heard them playing at 9pm on my way back from the store and they've been going till now 11pm!!! Why have they been playing for so long?
Sincerely,
Chimed Out
Dear Chimed Out,
I am sorry that the bells disturbed you. More than 20 Chimesmaster alumni, representing classes from 1949 through 2003, were in town for an annual meeting. Most of the playing was by alumni Chimesmasters, who were eager to have the opportunity to play the bells, after such an extended absence. Please forgive their trip down musical memory lane.
If you have never been to a Chimes concert before, the Chimesmasters invite you to attend any of their three-times daily concerts (while classes are in session) in McGraw Tower, to experience this unique performance. Or become a part of the university's oldest musical tradition by trying out to become a Chimesmaster. The annual competition begins in early February. Visit http://www.chimes.cornell.edu for more. Uncle Ezra - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Question 7 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dear Uncle Ezra,
I've had a lisp since a very young age and did not receive treatment for it. Now I am 21 and my condition is not truly terrible, but the sheer fear for stuttering (in three languages, English being the second) and making a fool of myself has only reinforced my shyness and nervousness in social settings. As such, it's really limiting my choices in life because I am just deathly afraid of talking to people whom I don't know well. (I am actually very chatty and outspoken when I am with my friends.)
Now that my parents has a bit of money saved, they would like to get me some treatment. The thing is, all the speech therapists in the Ithaca area I've looked up are affliated with public schools. Will they be willing to treat me? Are there independent ones available? How much does the treatment cost? Does Cornell offer anything in this area? Are there any alternatives to traditional speech therapy? I know these are big questions, but I don't know whom else I can talk to about this. Thank you so much in advance.
Gratefully yours,
Silence
Dear Silence,
I'm glad you're deciding to pursue some help in this area. Did you know that the famous newswoman and interviewer Barbara Walters has a lisp? Unfortunately, there aren't any speech therapy services that we know of on campus. The Ithaca College Speech and Hearing clinic is located in Smiddy Hall on the IC campus and their number is 274-3714. We referred one of our international teaching assistants there and it was quite helpful. Health insurance may cover some of the cost, so check with your health insurance first. Joe Zanfordino, formerly of the Franziska Racker Center, is an excellent therapist now in private practice, at 272-6417. I hope that you find a more compassionate group of people to socialize with as you venutre forth. Uncle Ezra - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Question 8 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dear Ez,
Does the Cornell Dairy use rBGH on its cows?
Does the orchard use pesticides or have they gone organic?
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Dear Uncle,
I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt and say you haven't responded to my question from 3 weeks ago because you are still researching. In case you are not I shall ask it again. My grandfather said that his mother's side of the family donated the law school. I found out that Myron and Annabel Taylor did not have children. So, did they have siblings? Is it more that I am related by way of great great great Uncle instead of grandfather, etc.? My grandfather's last name is Blair. He too, along with my great grandfather are alumni of Cornell. Now my husband attends as a Ph.D. candidate. Let me know what you find even if you can't find anything. A disappointing answer is better than no answer at all. Thanks, searching for my heritage.
Dear Student,
I have tried researching your question to no avail. Does anyone in your family have records that might help you in your search? Genealogy is an exciting but time-consuming endeavor. If you start to delve, through courthouse records of births, deaths and marriages, you may be pleased with what you find. Good luck. Uncle Ezra - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Question 10 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dear Uncle Ezra,
Here is a statistics question. You have two data points, each of which is a mean of twenty values and the corresponding standard deviation, and you plot out those two values with the error bars. The error bars overlap from each of the data points, but don't overlap with the mean. Are the means significantly different from each other?
Thank you!
Dear stats,
If I told you you'd miss the fun of working it out. I'd hate to spoil it for you. Uncle Ezra |
