While Willard Straight Hall has evolved over the last 100 years, one thing has remained constant: It's the place where Cornellians gather.
"Our friends always knew where to find us," said Daniel Kaufman '89, recalling his days as a student employee in the building. "Pre-internet, pre-cell phone, if you were looking for Daniel or Sari, nine out of 10 times, you could find us at the Straight."
Students enjoy the celebration.
Kaufman and Sari Locker '90 - best friends who met while working as student employees at the Straight - joined alumni, students, faculty and staff at the Centennial Celebration: 100 Years of Willard Straight Hall on Nov. 21. The fourth floor of the building was filled with nostalgia: historical displays and archival materials, a Willard Straight trivia game, traditional treats like Straight Cookies and popcorn - which used to be served weekly in the Straight - and a WSH100 time capsule to be opened at the hall's 150th anniversary in 2075. Attendees wrote memories on postcards and added small personal mementos to the capsule.
As student managers, Kaufman and Locker oversaw teams that helped keep the Straight running 12 hours a day, seven days a week. Kaufman managed the service desk - a bustling hub where students bought candy, newspapers and cigarettes, borrowed keys for meeting rooms and sought information about Cornell and the campus. Locker oversaw the Browsing Library, where Cornellians could check out books and VHS tapes or read magazines and newspapers from around the country.
"Throughout my life, wherever I've worked, I've always become friends with my coworkers," said Kaufman, a partner with the law firm Baker Hostetler who previously served as deputy director of the Federal Trade Commission Bureau of Consumer Protection. "And I've always viewed my jobs as something more than a job, but something that is contributing to my overall well-being and the well-being of the community. Those have always been important principles for me, and I look at the origin of that, and it comes from Willard Straight."
Current students are developing their own traditions. Adelaine Fincham '26, artist selections and relations director for the Slope Day Programming Board, often comes to the Straight to study or grab a meal - and this year, for countless Slope Day meetings.
"Willard Straight is where you run into people that you met from all different organizations and classes," said Fincham, a chemistry major in the College of Arts and Sciences. "There's always someone you haven't seen in a while that you get to say hi to and catch up with."
Willard Straight Hall is named for Willard Dickerman Straight, Class of 1901, who was active in student life and helped launch traditions such as Dragon Day and Slope Day. Straight believed Cornell needed a central space for students to connect beyond the classroom. After his death in 1918, his widow, Dorothy, fulfilled that vision by funding the building that would become the university's hub for student community.
The history of Willard, Dorothy and their mission was an integral part of the training Kaufman and Locker received as student employees.
"We knew that Dorothy had a passion for community and friendship and finding ways for students to feel alive and human and happy, and so we carried that history with us all the time," said Locker, who teaches at Columbia University. "I love connecting the past with the present and thinking about how we are who we are today, because of what was here before us. History informs today."
Throughout the centennial night, attendees viewed student artwork and musical performances, crafted Cornell buttons and paintings to take home, and enjoyed cupcakes for the hall's 100th "birthday." Later, Okenshields served a special dinner featuring culinary favorites from the hall's past, including Bo Burgers - a cheeseburger with grilled onions and a fried egg - and chocolate chip cookies. Bo Burgers were named for legendary Cornell football player Irvin "Bo" Roberson '58.
"Willard Straight Hall was the backdrop of our lives when we were students at Cornell, and it has stayed with us, having an important role in our lives today," Locker said.
Additional events to commemorate the centennial - including a showing of "Agents of Change," which documents the 1969 takeover of the Straight; the Perkins Prize award ceremony; and Spring Days - will continue in the spring semester. Visit the website to learn more.
Laura Gallup is a communications lead for Student and Campus Life.
