Speeches and Essays
As chief spokesman for Cornell, President David J. Skorton is charged with presenting the university's point of view on a range of topics to a variety of audiences. The president has fulfilled this role with humor, empathy, and insight as the occasion demanded: from sharing the excitement and apprehension of being new Cornellians with the Class of 2012 to expressing the Cornell community's grief amidst tragedy, as well as laying out university policy on matters local and global.
Recent Speeches
- 2008 Local Leaders Brunch Remarks
November 8, 2008 - 2008 State of the University Address
October 17, 2008 - 2008 New Student Convocation Address
August 23, 2008 - 2008 Reunion Address
June 7, 2008 - Weill Cornell Medical College Commencement Address
May 29, 2008 - 140th Commencement Address (watch the video)
May 25, 2008
More Speeches 
Recent Essays
- Why Speak With our 'Enemies'?
Cornell Daily Sun, December 1, 2008 - Higher Education: Special Interest or National Asset?
Chronicle of Higher Education, November 21, 2008 - Advice for Tough Times
Cornell Daily Sun, October 26, 2008 - Skorton on Race, Intellectual Diversity and the Review
Cornell Daily Sun, September 29, 2008 - Voting is Gorges
Cornell Daily Sun, September 2, 2008 - A Chat with Chris Marshall
Cornell Alumni Magazine, Sep./Oct. 2008 - Why the Arts and Humanities Remain the Heart of Our Research University
Cornell Alumni Magazine, Jul./Aug. 2008 - Higher Education: One of the U.S.'s Strongest Diplomatic Assets
Cornell Alumni Magazine, May/Jun. 2008
More Essays