By Lisa Ryan
Counseling and Advising

About 300 parents of new students were welcomed to a dean’s reception in Trillium Dining Hall on August 18. The new orientation event was a great success as parents mingled with Dean Henry, faculty, staff, and parent volunteers in an informal setting.

The College wanted to provide a special welcome for parents on their student’s first day on campus. The reception — organized by the Office of Counseling and Advising with assistance from the staff of Alumni Affairs — provided a wonderful opportunity to serve local food and drink and highlight CALS alumni. The two-hour evening reception featured Cornell Catering and flowers generously donated by the cut flower program of the Department of Horticulture.

Finger Lakes wine was featured from four wineries owned by CALS alumni: Dave Peterson, ’79, Swedish Hill Winery; Fred Frank ’79, Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars; Peter Saltonstall ’75, King Ferry Winery; and Sayre Fulkerson ’75, Fulkerson Winery. Beer from the Ithaca Beer Company, Dan Mitchell ’00, was also offered. Additionally, the menu included lemonade and ice cream from the Cornell Dairy Store and New York state cheeses and fruit.

Peterson was able to attend the event to talk about his wines and his experiences as a winery owner. The parents he spoke with enjoyed their conversation with him and walked away with a greater knowledge of New York wines.

A parent thanking Dean Henry wrote, “We especially liked the reception for parents that was held on Friday night. It was a great opportunity to meet key faculty members, as well as parents of other students, in an informal, laid-back kind of setting. This event is definitely a winner; it should definitely be continued in coming years.”

As new students are settling into campus and beginning their classes, plans are underway for next year’s parent reception. We look forward to many faculty and staff joining us with the parents of next year’s incoming class.