Through teaching, research and outreach, ILR generates and shares knowledge to solve human problems, manage and resolve conflict, establish best practices in the workplace and inform government policy.
Alumni
The Good Cornellians Can Do: Scott Alter ’01
Cornellians
Scott Alter '01 has led his company, Standard Communities, to become one of the largest affordable housing owners in the country, with more than 30,000 units across 22 states and more than 160 employees.
JC Tretter ’13 Elected Executive Director of NFL Players Association
The NFL Players Association Board of Player Representatives has elected JC Tretter ’13 as the union’s next executive director following a comprehensive, player-driven search process.
Legacy of Gerald L. Dorf ’57 Celebrated with Student-Centered Gift
The life of Gerald L. Dorf ’57 was defined by his love of family, flying, opera, the practice of law and Cornell. His family has decided to honor his legacy with a generous gift to establish a new ILR student commons, which will house Jerry’s Café.
Trailblazing Researcher Put a “Spotlight” on Unions
Kate Bronfenbrenner, Ph.D. ’93, retired this year as labor education research director at the ILR School. For three decades, she trained thousands of Cornellians and students of the Cornell/AFL-CIO Strategic Corporate Research Summer School.
The Goodman Ethos: Take Risks, Explore, Be Alert to Opportunities
The 2026 Alpern Award winner, Stephen Goodman '65, recently retired after enjoying a more than 50-year career spanning education, government, international banking and private industry.
Ken Kirschner: Generous Man, Successful Lawyer, Proud ILRie
The ILR School’s 2026 Groat Award winner, Ken Kirschner ’75, has a distinguished career as an employment and labor law practitioner who consistently gives his time, his wisdom and his guidance to those in need.
Springboard to an ILRie Bond: A Boat in the Galapagos
In October, Jay Waks ’68, J.D. ’71, P ’08, and his wife, Harriet, P ’08, traveled to Cairo, Egypt, to attend the wedding of Louisa Heywood ’20, an ILRie roughly 50 years his junior. The latest chapter in a friendship that began in the unlikeliest of places – a boat off the Galapagos Islands.
ILR to the Military to the Private Sector: Bassney Star Keeps Rising
Kevin Bassney ’13 was named a finalist for the Rising Star of the Year award, sponsored by Forces in Business, the world’s largest celebration of ex-military in second careers.
Future of Work Fellow Brings Technology Lens to Worker Struggle
As a Future of Work fellow, Joy Ming ’25 has worked with Ariel Avgar, Ph.D. ’08, to examine ways technology can be utilized to enhance the home health care industry.
Randi Weingarten ’80 Book Talk Slated for NYC Office
American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten ’80 will discuss her new book, “Why Fascists Fear Teachers: Public Education and the Future of Democracy,” on Monday, November 17 at ILR’s New York City Conference Center at 570 Lexington Avenue.
Kenneth Kirschner ’75 will receive the ILR School’s 2026 Groat Award and Stephen H. Goodman ’65 will receive the 2026 Alpern Award on March 26 at The Plaza Hotel in New York City.
Inspiring Students to Become Global Citizens Through Engaged Learning
Richard “Dick” Fincher ’73, who has been instrumental in creating and teaching the Vietnam Engaged Learning Program and the Hopi & Navajo Engaged Learning Program, has announced his intention to slow down and gradually retire from teaching, but the legacy he has created will continue.
McKenna “MJ” Raade ’25 "wanted to sample everything" before settling on a career path. She had that opportunity at the ILR School before entering the UCLA School of Law this fall.
Hecho en México: Alum Brings Authentic Flavors to Home Kitchens
Cornellians
Inspired by her cultural roots, Isela Hernández ’95 founded HERNÁN, which sells cookware, tableware and specialty foods from her family’s ancestral land.
Kheel Center to Celebrate “ILR at 80” During Reunion Weekend Exhibit
An exhibition celebrating the history and evolution of the ILR School, from its founding in 1945 to the present day, will be on display in the Catherwood Library lobby as part of Cornell Reunion Weekend.
Shelly Cerio ’92 Makes the Path to Cornell Even Wider
A new $1.5 million endowment established by Shelly Cerio ’92 will fund undergraduate affordability scholarships for multiple students at the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations each year.
Pambianchi ’90 Offers Insight on Obtaining Success in Hatfield Lecture
Cornell Chronicle
In a conversation with Cornell President Michael I. Kotlikoff, Christy Pambianchi '90, reflected on her more than 30 years of experience as a human resources officer as Cornell’s 42nd Robert S. Hatfield Fellow in Economic Education.
Knowles '87 Helps Lead Ohio State To Football National Title
Cornell Athletics
ILRie Jim Knowles '87 helped guide the Ohio State University to the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday evening as the team's defensive coordinator. The Buckeyes defeated Notre Dame 34-23 in the championship game in Atlanta to lift the eighth-seeded squad to its ninth national title.
Linda Gadsby ’88 takes on new professional responsibilities with the same vigor she brings to helping young people explore career paths that align with their values.
After three decades as a human resources professional, Angela Cheng-Cimini ‘92 has decided to “rewire,” stepping away from her latest role as the senior vice president and chief human resources officer at Harvard Business Publishing.
School violence reduction program led by 2007 alumna
Marie Schell ’07 is leading Maryland’s new Statewide Youth Conflict Coaching Pilot Program as project director and executive director of the Conflict Resolution Center of Baltimore County.
When Christopher Fateh ’13 first entered ILR, he didn’t want to limit his future by choosing a career path. The school gave him a well-rounded education and an appealing philosophy—that he could make a difference in the lives of regular people.
JC Tretter ’13 returned to the ILR School lecture hall Monday where he learned how to think critically, understand others’ perspectives and negotiate – skills he has wielded to help shape the labor-management dynamic in America’s most-watched sport.
“Stories of Belonging” Highlights Journeys of Central Americans
A traveling exhibit highlighting the intersections of racism, dispossession and migration grew out of LR Worker Institute Executive Director Patricia Campos-Medina’s doctoral thesis.
Scott Buchheit, M.S. ’77, will receive the ILR School’s 2025 Groat Award and Linda Gadsby ’88 will receive the 2025 Alpern Award on April 24 at The Pierre Hotel in New York City.
