Rep. Tom Reed (R-N.Y. 29) often talks about the town hall forums he has held across upstate New York, citing them as evidence of grassroots support for his re-election. However, his opponent has accused him of funding his campaign through corporate interests.

Cornell athletics is increasingly leaning on philanthropic gifts from Big Red enthusiasts to bolster its financial game plan. Under a University mandate, 11 of its 36 varsity sports teams must be fully self-funded by 2015.

Three years ago, the University forecasted a budget deficit of about $122 million, but Day Hall administrators now say they look forward to closing that gap almost completely by the end of Fiscal Year 2012 on June 30 — one year ahead of schedule.

Despite a financial crisis that caused philanthropy to plummet nationwide, the University raised 80 percent, or $3.83 billion, of its “Cornell Now” fundraising campaign goal as of Feb. 3, putting it ahead of track to reach its target of $4.75 billion by 2015.

Former Enron director Robert Belfer was revealed on Wednesday to be the anonymous benefactor behind a $100 million donation to help finance a state-of-the-art research building at Weill Cornell Medical College.  

Peter Nolan ’80 and his wife Stephanie Nolan ’84 donated an undisclosed amount to endow the directorship of the Charles Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management in September.

In contrast to last year’s fundraising record, private donations to the University declined by more than 31 percent, totaling approximately $308.2 million. 

Nancy Cameros, wife of Alan Cameros '57, donated her collection of 300 cookbooks to the University.

In recent weeks, the University has bolstered its reputation as an institution committed to a sustainable future.

The gift is the largest individual donation to a university for sustainability research.