Gorge safety program dedicated in memory of Nathaniel Rand

Jacob Rand
Lindsay France/University Photography
Dr. Jacob Rand, father of Nate Rand, speaks during the dedication ceremony for the Nathaniel Rand '12 Memorial Gorge Safety Education Program at the Cornell Plantations’ Nevin Welcome Center Aug. 26.
Maggi Rand and Susan Murphy
Lindsay France/University Photography
Maggi Rand, mother of Nate Rand, receives a hug from Vice President Susan Murphy after making remarks during the ceremony.

In a tribute to Nathaniel Rand ’12, about 50 Cornell and local community members gathered at the Cornell Plantations’ Nevin Welcome Center Aug. 26 to dedicate the Nathaniel Rand ’12 Memorial Gorge Safety Education Program.

Among them were Rand’s sister, Freya, and parents, Dr. Jacob Rand and Maggi Rand, who have been strong advocates for the gorge safety education program, created after Nathaniel died in a swimming accident in Fall Creek Gorge in 2011. The program promotes the safe enjoyment of the natural gorges that slice through campus, cascading in stunning but dangerous splendor to the flatlands below.

Addressing the Rand family, President David Skorton thanked them for their determination and candor, saying, “While coping with profound grief, you have tirelessly devoted yourselves to preventing other such tragedies. You have worked with us to develop more effective methods of educating students and visitors on how to stay safe while enjoying the gorges.” He gave the Rands “all the credit” for “anything that we are accomplishing through our gorge initiative.”

Also speaking at the dedication were Vice President Susan Murphy; Todd Bittner, director of natural areas for Cornell Plantations and chair of the university’s Gorge Safety Committee; and Professor Jefferson Cowie, chair of the Department of Labor Relations, Law and History, who was dean of Keeton House when Nathaniel lived there. “Nate Rand possessed a rare golden light radiating energy, hope, love and joy,” Cowie said. “Nate was the first to help, and he was the last to quit.”

Jacob and Maggi Rand also shared memories of their son and thanked all who worked on developing the program. They challenged Cornell to continue its gorge safety efforts so that, Maggi Rand said, “no other parent, sibling, grandparent, friend, faculty person ... nobody” should go through such a loss again.

The program grew out of the work of a steering committee and four working groups charged by Skorton to address gorge safety issues, focusing on: improvements in the infrastructure of the gorges and trails; enforcement of swimming and hiking regulations; education, outreach and communication about the attractions and the dangers of Cornell’s natural areas; and promotion of safe recreational alternatives to swimming in the gorges.

In his remarks at the dedication, Bittner said that Cornell has rehabilitated 8,800 feet of gorge trails and staircases; installed 12,500 feet of new safety fencing and railings; and added four new trail destinations, new overhead trail lighting and an additional blue light phone.

Educational programs include orientation hikes for new students, information for orientation leaders and residence advisers, and a Gorge Stewards Program that, under the leadership of Cornell Outdoor Education, trains stewards to be “ambassadors of gorge safety,” Bittner said. Gorge stewards walk the trails during warm weather and advise visitors about trails, natural history, safety rules and legal swimming alternatives at municipal pools and nearby state parks with lifeguards.

“The stewards have tracked a significant drop in the percent of users who they observe violating rules,” said Bittner. Since 2012, violations have dropped from a high of 10 percent to just 3 percent this year, he said.

Other initiatives include a student-produced safety swimming video, a safety-focused revision to the Campus Code of Conduct, increased campus police enforcement, additional recurring student safety messages, and new regulation, safety and orientation signage.

A new gorge safety brochure and website – both accessible on cell phones and tablets – provide maps of the waterfalls, reminders about gorge regulations and safety precautions, and links to hiking and running trails in the gorges and other areas of Cornell Plantations.

Media Contact

John Carberry