Ezra Cornell is a Life Trustee of Cornell University and the great-great-great grandson of University founder Ezra Cornell. He holds the unique Life Trustee position established by Cornell’s charter for the eldest living lineal descendant of the Founder.

Following the sudden death of his father, William Ezra Cornell ’40, who had served on Cornell’s Board of Trustees, Ezra Cornell was named a “trustee-in-waiting” at the age of 11. He officially joined the Board in 1969, during his senior year at Cornell, shortly after turning 21. He has gone on to serve the University as a trustee for more than five decades, making him Cornell’s longest-serving trustee.

A graduate of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell has been deeply involved in the University’s governance and development throughout his tenure. As Life Trustee, he has a unique responsibility to help preserve and uphold the founding vision and values established by his great-great-great grandfather and co-founder A.D. White.

His more than 50 years of service, combined with his unique family connection to Cornell’s founding, give him a perspective on the University that few others can offer.