Cornell University – 5 Fun Facts

Cornell University is part of the prestigious Ivy League schools. Like other schools in the Ivy League, Cornell has a high standard of academic excellence and prestige. While you are likely familiar with some of the general statistics with the university, listed below are 5 fun facts you may not know about Cornell.

Cornell University – 5 Fun Facts

1. The school was founded in 1865 upon principles that were unheard of at the time. Since inception, the university has been co-educational and non sectarian with admission being offered without regard to religion or race.

2. Cornell has the second largest Greek fraternity and sorority system in North America and is considered one of the best in the United States. There are approximately 70 organizations governed by an Interfraternity Council, Multicultural Greek Letter Council, or the Panhellenic Association.

3. School colors are red and white. However, unlike others in the Ivy League, there is no official mascot for the school. A bear was deemed the unofficial mascot of the school in 1915. This stems from an actual live bear named Touchdown that was brought onto the field during the game.

4. A branch of the university, the Weill Cornell Medical College was founded in 2004 in Qatar. It is the first American medical school opened outside of the United States.

5. Some notable alumni include Lee Teng-hui, the former president of Taiwan; Mario Garcia Menocal, the former president of Cuba; Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Supreme Court Justice; and Janet Reno, the former Attorney General of the United States.

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