Author: Nicole Biton
On Monday, President Garrett announced that she would begin undergoing treatment following her recent diagnosis with colon cancer. The unexpected announcement rocked the Cornell community, but a few students saw it as an opportunity to do something positive on campus.
It started when Jade Womack, a graduate student studying Applied Economics and Management, posted in the Overheard at Cornell Facebook group with an idea: to have students and faculty sign a card for President Garrett. The post drew the attention of freshman Chris Arce, who commented on the post, eager to put her plan into action. Neither Arce nor Womack had met or knew of the other beforehand; rather, the plan was brought together by two Cornellians who wanted to work together towards something good.
Photo by Hadley Parker
And it worked: in a few short hours, with some poster board and markers from the Cornell Store, Womack set up camp in Ho Plaza and began asking passersby to sign. Arce also set up a Facebook event to help spread the word.
Womack credited her experience studying in a small undergraduate environment with inspiring her to organize the project. “Where I did my undergrad was very much a community,” Womack explains, recalling the initiatives her fellow classmates took in light of the Sandy Hook shootings in 2012. “As much as I love Cornell, there’s a sense of fragmentation that exists between students and faculty within and across the different colleges.”
Photo by Hadley Parker
Arce’s motivations were similar. When asked about what spurred his involvement, he replied, “I think just the sense of community that Cornell fosters. Everyone that I’ve met here and become close to has been especially supportive of me during my transition to Cornell. It seems only fair that we should extend the same support and friendship to President Garrett.”
The two explained that the idea of a card just seemed a very “organic” way for the Cornell body to express their sympathies and show how much they cared. “A card doesn’t require a club or an organization to back it – anyone can sign it.”
Photo by Hadley Parker
As unfortunate as the circumstances are, Womack and Arce’s effort demonstrates the silver lining to hardship in its ability to bring people together. “It shows that there is a school spirit beyond Homecoming or Slope Day,” Womack explained. “It’s in the spirit of a caring university community.”
