On November 21, 2023, Cornell University marked a significant milestone with the Centennial Celebration of Willard Straight Hall, a cherished hub for students that has fostered community for a century. Alumni, students, faculty, and staff gathered to honor the hall’s enduring legacy as a central gathering place on campus.
The event was infused with nostalgia as attendees explored historical displays and archival materials that highlighted the hall’s evolving role at Cornell. Participants enjoyed traditional treats, including “Straight Cookies” and popcorn—once a weekly offering in the hall. A time capsule was created, set to be opened at Willard Straight Hall’s 150th anniversary in 2075, where guests contributed personal mementos and memories.
Daniel Kaufman, a Cornell alumnus from the Class of 1989, shared his experiences as a student employee at Willard Straight. He expressed the significance of the hall, stating, “Our friends always knew where to find us. Pre-internet, pre-cell phone, if you were looking for Daniel or Sari, nine out of ten times, you could find us at the Straight.” Kaufman, who currently serves as a partner at the law firm Baker Hostetler, emphasized how his time at the hall shaped his understanding of community and friendship.
Sari Locker, a member of the Class of 1990, echoed this sentiment. She supervised the Browsing Library during her time as a student, where she fostered connections through shared interests in literature and media. Both Kaufman and Locker acknowledged the influence of Dorothy Straight, Willard Straight’s widow, who funded the hall to create a space for students to connect beyond the classroom.
Creating New Traditions
Current students are also crafting their own traditions within the hall’s walls. Adelaine Fincham, a chemistry major and artist selections and relations director for the Slope Day Programming Board, highlighted the hall’s role in student life. “Willard Straight is where you run into people that you met from all different organizations and classes. There’s always someone you haven’t seen in a while that you get to say hi to and catch up with,” she said.
Willard Straight Hall, named after Willard Dickerman Straight, Class of 1901, has been instrumental in shaping campus culture. Straight, an active student leader, was pivotal in establishing traditions like Dragon Day and Slope Day. After his death in 1918, Dorothy Straight fulfilled her husband’s vision by providing a space where students could foster friendships and community.
Kaufman and Locker’s experiences as student managers reflect the hall’s historical significance. They were taught about the Straight family’s commitment to creating a welcoming environment for all. Locker, who teaches at Columbia University, remarked, “I love connecting the past with the present and thinking about how we are who we are today because of what was here before us. History informs today.”
A Night of Celebration
The centennial celebration included performances by student musicians, the display of student artwork, and opportunities for attendees to create Cornell-themed buttons and paintings. Guests enjoyed cupcakes to commemorate the hall’s centenary, while Okenshields served a special dinner featuring culinary favorites from the hall’s past, including Bo Burgers—a cheeseburger named after legendary Cornell football player Irvin “Bo” Roberson, Class of 1958.
As the night unfolded, it became clear that Willard Straight Hall remains a vital part of the Cornell experience. Locker captured the sentiment of many attendees, stating, “Willard Straight Hall was the backdrop of our lives when we were students at Cornell, and it has stayed with us, having an important role in our lives today.”
The celebration will continue into the spring semester with additional events, including a showing of “Agents of Change,” which documents the 1969 takeover of the hall, and the Perkins Prize award ceremony. For more information about upcoming activities, interested individuals can visit the Cornell University website.
Laura Gallup, a communications lead for Student and Campus Life, noted that the centennial celebration not only honored the past but also embraced the future of community at Cornell.
