Cornell . . . Skating Rings Around the Competition!
As one of America’s most prestigious universities, it’s not surprising that Cornell can lay claim to many “firsts”. However, one of those “firsts” is much more interesting than the others. It may not be the best known or even the most important but it certainly is the most interesting. Cornell University was the very first college in America to allow its students to borrow books from the library! We take it for granted that someone can borrow books form a library. After all, that’s what libraries are for isn’t it? Well, not a century and a half ago it wasn’t! At that time, books were a very precious and valuable commodity. Books were at the core of a school’s being and were considered much too important to trust to ordinary students. Cornell was the first college to break with the tradition and actually trust students with its books.
When Ezra Cornell founded the university in 1865 he declared that "I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study". He meant exactly what he said and Cornell is well known for creating areas of study before its Ivy League competitors. For instance, Cornell was the first college to offer a four year program in Hotel Administration. It offered the first college degree in veterinary medicine and was also the first college to offer a four year degree in industrial and labor relations.
Most Ivy League colleges aren’t well known for their athletic accomplishments. Cornell hockey is definitely an exception. At one point, led by future NHL Hall of Fame goaltender Ken Dryden, Cornell hockey won 8 consecutive Ivy League Championships, 4 consecutive ECAC Championships and 2 NCAA National Championships! Quite an accomplishment for a school of “smart kids”.
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