This statement, incorporated in the official seal of the university, has been the guiding principle for Cornell University throughout its 132-year history. The university's co-founder and first president, Andrew Dickson White, articulated the same sentiment and applied it specifically to women and minorities. The nation's first African American fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, was founded at Cornell in 1906. But top universities and business schools, like top corporations, can diversify only as much as the supply of top women and minority applicants allows. It's my job as director of the Johnson School's Office for Women and Minorities in Business to get that message out and to increase the number of women and minority students in the pipeline-to reach out to high school and undergraduate students and encourage them to prepare for careers in business and to make sure that those of you who are ready for an MBA today know the resources available to you at Cornell.
Business has a strong influence on society and community.
I offer that by challenging yourself to become a great business leader, you will have a hand in shaping society. And I invite you to take a closer look at the Johnson School through this web site and by getting directly in touch with us. We welcome your interest and hope to welcome you as a part of our community in the very near future.