Molly Darnieder is named new CIVR director

By Jacquie Powers

Molly Darnieder, most recently a legislative associate in Cornell's Office of Government Affairs in Albany, has been named director of Campus Information and Visitor Relations (CIVR). She succeeds Joel Seligman, who relocated to Boston this summer.

Darnieder, whose appointment was effective July 19, has worked in university relations since 1995, starting as a student employee in Cornell's Information and Referral Center (IRC). Darnieder was promoted to IRC student manager in her senior year.

"Molly's experience working in CIVR and in government affairs has been exemplary, and I know her energy and commitment to Cornell will be a credit to the division," said Henrik N. Dullea, vice president for university relations.

As director of CIVR, Darnieder manages the university's cross-departmental efforts to provide timely, accurate information about Cornell to a variety of important audiences, including students, prospective students, visitors, alumni, faculty and staff. She is responsible for the highly visible and heavily used public relations unit that includes the Information and Referral Center; the telephone call center, which also serves as the university's main switchboard; the campus tour program; the Cornell World Wide Web home page; and four visitor information booths.

"I am thrilled to be back on campus in my new role as the director of Campus Information and Visitor Relations," Darnieder said. "CIVR's staff plays an important role in introducing the public to the Cornell campus and answering inquiries, and I am proud to be their new leader. In the next few years I hope to see Campus Information and Visitor Relations move into a visitor center, so that the university's guests have the best possible experience visiting the campus."

As a communications major in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Darnieder worked as a teaching assistant for public speaking classes. She also was a member of the university's 1996 champion women's ice hockey team and remains active as a coach. She received her bachelor's degree in 1998.