Jason Koski/University Photography

Cornell President David Skorton addresses the Class of 2010, Aug. 19 in Barton Hall.

"I want to ask each student here to find a way to put yourself into an uncomfortable situation," said Cornell President David Skorton, delivering his first address to students at the New Student Convocation on Aug. 19.

"Nothing will broaden your horizons more than going to hear a speaker whose political view you despise. Spend some time with a dorm mate or classmate whose background is much different than yours, who comes from a different part of the country or different part of the world, a different religious or philosophical background, a very religious person, or a nonbeliever. Someone who is different than you."

Skorton told a crowded Barton Hall that he and his wife, Robin Davisson, professor of biomedical sciences, were newcomers, too: "We consider ourselves first-year students, or transfer students, after 22 and 26 years, respectively, at the University of Iowa. We hope to finish up successfully here."

Welcoming the 3,238-member Class of 2010, Skorton noted, "You're a very distinguished group academically." He said the class comes from 49 states (all except Arkansas, and with 28 Ithaca students among the New York delegation of 31 percent of the total) and 57 countries (including Kazakhstan); 31 percent consider themselves students of color.

The president also told the students and their families that he and his wife will experience dorm living by moving into Mary Donlon Hall. "Don't worry: We won't be keeping an eye on you," he assured them.

And like the new students, Skorton said, he, too, would take a swimming test and discuss the first-year reading project book, F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby," joking that he would bring a cardiologist's perspective to the novel as host of one of the many small-group discussions.

Skorton talked about his decision to come to Cornell. "It's because there really is no other place in higher education like Cornell," he said. "Notice the banners of Ivy League. None of them has the particular mix of private and public consciousness and soul that Cornell does."

Copyright © Cornell University

President Skorton is all smiles after passing his swimming test Aug. 21.

After touching on Cornell's research activities and focus on undergraduate education, the Solar Decathlon and majors from apparel design to space sciences, Skorton turned to the social scene. "That's what students want to hear about from a 56-year-old guy," he joked. "Snoop Dogg headlined Slope Day 2005. Too bad I wasn't here: It would have been Snoop Dogg and Skorton, together at last."

Skorton said thousands of alumni, faculty and staff consider themselves Cornellians. "We have a focus here, and we hope to draw you into the focus and bring your strength and spirit and heart along, to develop a caring community everywhere that there is the name Cornell.

"When we're aware of someone else who is in distress -- physical, emotional, spiritual -- and we demonstrate compassion to them, we are growing in the most important way. When we adhere to the highest standards of academic integrity, we manifest our character and recognize that our choices have consequences for others as well as ourselves. And when our social behavior is consistent with the standards of the community and free from coercion and open to choice, we demonstrate respect for the rights of others.

"I urge you, as you move through the wonderful and tremendous life experience that is Cornell, to think about the person next to you, the person across the hall, the person in your class and to help us build an even more caring community.

"Go Big Red!"