"Grow. Learn. Change."
CBS anchor Price '87 welcomes new students
Knee-slapping funny, CBS weather anchor Dave Price '87 knows how to break the ice.
Hundreds of new ILR students and their parents howled with laughter as Price poked fun at everything and anything ILR during the school's annual welcome Saturday in a packed Uris Hall auditorium.
Then, he got serious.
"Don't worry a thing if it takes a little while to settle in," Price told students who are among ILR's 152 freshmen and 124 transfers.
"Be nice to the people around you."
"You will never know the sacrifices your parents made to get you here … say 'I love you and thank you.'"
"Don't do anything stupid. And, I mean that. Don't ever get into a car with someone who has been drinking."
"Don't cheat. Ever, ever."
"Align yourself with good people."
"Grow. Learn. Change."
Gloria George, mother of Leighann George '13, heard Price's standing-ovation talk just before returning home to Seaford, Long Island.
"These issues are close to my heart. He was absolutely wonderful," Gloria George said.
Price, who sold ice cream and cleaned helicopters to help finance his ILR education, talked for more than an hour.
The Early Show personality fielded questions from the audience and told stories on himself, like the time he got a 32 on a test.
ILR's best kept secret, he said, is that "of all the places on this campus, this is going to be the most intimate educational experience."
Price urged students to get to know their professors, people such as David Lipsky, "One of the most remarkable people you'll ever meet."
At Cornell, Price said, "You never know who you're going to meet who will change your life forever."
Price cautioned students that coursework might seem overwhelming at times. "Accept it. It's OK … You'll learn how to fit in academically."
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Robert Smith, also speaking at the welcome event, reminded students their admission to ILR was no fluke.
"We don't make mistakes … you are a very select group," he said.
ILR's faculty, he said, is passionate about teaching. "We all feel very lucky to be here and to teach students who are like you."
Laura Lewis, ILR's Frank B. Miller Director of Student Services, encouraged students to tap into ILR's leadership opportunities and alumni network.
And, to consult with the Office of Student Services. "There are no stupid questions," she said.
In the audience, a threesome of new students said they welcomed the chance to orient themselves to ILR and Cornell before beginning classes Thursday.
James Feld '13, Raj Kannappan '13 and Shao Chen '12 said ILR events in New York City, "Cornell Days" and Facebook also helped acquaint them with their classmates.