President's Inauguration Day ends with an out-of-this-world flourish

President Jeffrey Lehman takes a call from NASA astronaut and Cornell alumnus Ed Lu (shown on the screen) from the International Space Station, during "Ezra and Andy's Excellent BIG RED Adventure," Oct. 16. Frank DiMeo/University Photography
Frank DiMeo/University Photography	The student dance ensemble Sabor Latino performs during the show.
President Jeffrey Lehman, center, is joined on stage -- after being outfitted -- by the Cornell ECAC champion men's hockey team, during "Ezra and Andy's Excellent BIG RED Adventure" in Barton Hall, Oct. 16. Frank DiMeo/University Photography

By Franklin Crawford

Music, dance and a "collect call" from outer space -- now that's entertainment.

Cornell President Jeffrey S. Lehman's day of inaugural celebrations in Ithaca was capped with an hour and a half tour de force -- and occasional tour de farce -- better known as "Ezra and Andy's Excellent BIG RED Adventure" Thursday night, Oct. 16.

Within hours of Lehman's formal academic procession and installation ceremony, Barton Hall was transformed into a cavernous cabaret, saturated with red-hued lighting effects and clouds of dry ice wafting across the stage like smoke from 100 panatelas.

While the evening's events were scripted and rehearsed, one piece of unresolved gestalt kept the audience on the edge of their metal folding chairs. Just minutes into the show, the suspense ended. A phone rang.

"Dad, it's for you," said Jacob Lehman '06, son of Cornell's new president. The president rushed onstage and was asked by the "operator" to please deposit $25 million. Lehman said, "I'll take it," and then asked if he could put it on his Cornell card.

The caller was NASA astronaut and Cornell alumnus Ed Lu '84, speaking from the International Space Station, which was orbiting earth at 17,000 miles an hour some 240 miles above the Pacific Ocean. The audience burst into applause.

The call was a stellar marvel of space-time coordination and satellite communication. Despite slight delayed response times during the conversation, Lehman and Lu chatted for about 5 minutes, while images of Lu aboard the space station were displayed on a large screen behind the stage. At one point Lu joked that he'd attempted to get some nice shots from space of the Cornell campus, but every time he passed over the area, it was covered with clouds.

Lu's call was one of the highlights in an evening bursting with diverse and often dazzling entertainment that showcased the talents of Cornell's student community. As if that wasn't enough, the evening included a roll call of Cornell's schools and student programs, all by way of introducing the president to the "Big Red adventure."

The Cayuga's Waiters, a group that helped start Cornell's a cappella tradition, did a humorous sendup of Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the Fire," with the chorus altered to "We Didn't Go to Harvard" and a comedic litany of reasons to be grateful for the choice. Again, it was a family affair, and Jacob Lehman took to the stage after performing with Ring of Steel, a theatrical combat and stunt group.

"Dad, I really don't mind that you decided to follow me back here," he said. "I know you have really strong Big Red ties, but ... Cornell has really changed since you were here. Let me tell you."

Following young Lehman's recitation of his own verse about Cornell, co-announcer Peggy Haine, associate director of Cornell's Communication and Marketing Services group, kicked off what turned out to be a comprehensive introduction to the university's various student groups, beginning with the Orientation Steering Committee. Members of various groups and programs ascended and descended a pair of risers set on either side of the center stage. The procession of programs evolved into a procession of colleges represented by students enrolled in each. The roll calls were interspersed with performances by student ensembles, with a heavy emphasis on music and dance. Among the show-stoppers were the Sabor Latino dancers; Absolute Zero, a break dance ensemble; and Bhangra, a student group specializing in Punjabi culture and dance.

The show was jam packed with nearly every conceivable element of student life at the university, including ranks of ROTC units and the Cornell sports teams. The finale included appearances by international students representing 125 countries, carrying flags and dressed in festive homeland attire.

The show reached its climax with the Cornell hockey team rolling down the aisle on inline skates and then performing a choreographed routine to the tune of "Gonna Go Round the Rink." Lehman once again found himself center stage, as members of the 2003-04 team, circling him so the audience could not see, appeared to divest Lehman of his suit. The president emerged from the scrum unscathed and adorned in a Cornell hockey jersey. Players hoisted the president on their shoulders, and in a grand finale, nearly everyone who had appeared in the extravaganza moved down the aisles toward the stage. Streamers were launched and the entire crew, along with many audience members, broke into the alma mater, cheerfully singing "Far Above Cayuga's Waters." Indeed, it was an excellent adventure.