Jonathan Brand, president of Cornell College, has shared this message about Cornell to the MV-L Community.
“At Cornell College it is a source of pride to engage with and support our local community. This includes partnerships with the city, schools, businesses, and community organizations.
Maintaining our healthy college-community bonds strengthens both Cornell and the Mount Vernon-Lisbon community. Let us all continue to sustain this important relationship, and in the process, each other.
As a nonprofit organization, we are very pleased to play such an important role in ensuring that our home remains vital. Cornell’s strong presence since 1853 has dramatically influenced the development and success of Mount Vernon-Lisbon.
Here are highlights from our Community Impact Report on our contributions in 2022-23:
Generating economic activity: Cornell employs over 300 people • Bon Appétit spent $500,000 on local products • Cornell paid $53,685 in county taxes and $75,610 in city sewer fees • Cornell is among the top 5 supporters of the CDG (excluding government) • Rams athletic events attracted 28,500 fans to 136 competitions
Providing volunteer resources: 7 students served on the Ambulance Service and MVFD; Cornell Lunch Buddies paired 64 Cornell students weekly with 73 third graders at Washington Elementary; Over 350 students volunteered approximately 1,800 hours for a value of $57,240
Operating Mount Vernon’s public library: City residents made up 39% of Cole Library’s active users and checked out 59% of its materials; Cole held 182 community programs and activities and was open 86 hours/week during the school year (52 hours/week in summer)
Operating Mount Vernon’s public library: City residents made up 39% of Cole Library’s active users and checked out 59% of its materials • Cole held 182 community programs and activities and was open 86 hours/week during the school year (52 hours/week in summer)
Providing educational, cultural, and athletic events: A wide variety of intellectual, cultural, and athletic events are open to residents; Cornell offers summer youth programs for high schoolers, music students, and athletes in 11 sports
Sharing athletic facilities: The Mount Vernon Mustangs and Cornell Rams share the college’s baseball field and Mount Vernon’s softball field, and in 2022-23 MVHS used Cornell’s soccer fields
Sincerely,
Jonathan Brand
President”
