Kay gift brings dedication of Hirshland Gallery in CU's Kroch Library

In recognition of a major gift to Cornell University Library by L. William Kay II '51 and his wife, Brit, and at William Kay's request, the exhibition gallery in the Kroch Library has been named in memory of his classmate and friend, Samuel L. Hirshland '51.

The Kay and Hirshland families gather at the dedication of the Hirshland Gallery in Kroch Library, Nov. 13. They are, from left, Roy Hirshland, Brit Kay, William Kay, Michael Hirshland, Geraldine Hirshland, Larry Hirshland and Robert Hirshland. Cornell University Library

The Hirshland Gallery was dedicated Nov. 13, 2002. University Librarian Sarah Thomas noted that the celebration also marked the 10th anniversary of the opening of Kroch Library. "This library was designed especially to house the University Archives and the library's rare and fragile materials, as well as to make Cornell's special collections as accessible and useful as possible," she said.

President Emeritus Frank H.T. Rhodes, who was the keynote speaker, noted that the gallery stands at the center of the library, which is itself a center for research, scholarship and teaching. "Today this gallery is a symbol of love and friendship on several levels," he said.

Kay and Hirshland were friends at Cornell and at home in the Philadelphia area. In the separate spheres of their professional and personal lives, both men made significant contributions to enriching and improving the lives of others.

A member of both the library and ILR School advisory councils, Kay also is a life member of the Cornell University Council and a founder of the Real Estate Advisory Council. He chaired the ILR Founders Fund and co-chaired the ILR Cornell Campaign Committee. He has been an avid supporter of the Cornell History Project through his support for preservation of photographs from the University Archives and processing of university presidents' papers. Kay has been honored for his dedicated efforts on behalf of Cornell with the 2000 Jerome Alpern Distinguished Alumni Award and the 1997 Frank H.T. Rhodes Exemplary Alumni Service Award.

Hirshland was a founder and managing partner of the Philadelphia law firm Liebert, Short & Hirshland. In 1993 he joined the firm Spector Gadon & Rosen and continued to practice even after retiring.

He also was very active in the community, serving as president and an advisory board member of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Association of Philadelphia and as president and director of his neighborhood association. Hirshland died in December 2001.