Why Cornell? A Landscape of Learning

Gottfried’s decision to attend Cornell was driven by two primary factors: the desire for a broad-based education and the allure of Cornell’s natural surroundings. I early decision’ed to Cornell for two reasons: 1) I wanted to have an undergraduate education that spanned widely (from humanities to art to science). Cornell’s ‘every person every study’ resonated with me.2) the environment appealed to me. Nature and the sublime are very crucial to me – so I wanted to go to a university that had trees on its campus.

The campus’s natural beauty has been more than just a backdrop. Getting to pass by waterfalls on my way to class has, unironically, been very critically important for my education, Gottfried noted, highlighting the profound impact of the environment on their academic experience.

Favorite Classes: Rigor and Relevance

When asked about favorite classes,Gottfried highlighted two that stood out for their rigor and personal impact.

• Topics in 20th Century Philosophy: Simone De Beauvoir (prof. Kosch): It was one of the most rigorous philosophy classes I’ve taken. It gave me a new outlook on love, violence and interpersonal relationships. It’s rare that a philosophy class leads to one making actual changes in their life. This one did for me.
• Methods in Medieval: Writing through the Forest in Search of the Trees (Cynthia Robinson): that class taught me how to edit both my academic and creative writing with an exactitude I had not yet achieved.

Extracurricular Activities: Mind and Body

Gottfried’s extracurricular pursuits reflect a commitment to both intellectual and physical growth.

1. Logos: Undergraduate Philosophy Club & Journal: I just enjoy being part of a community that is united by a shared pursuit for Truth. Logos is filled with people who I vehemently disagree with and am also supremely glad they exist.
2. Past European Martial Arts: I believe it’s critically important for someone who pursues excellence of mind to also try to pursue excellence of body. I have chronic pain and joint disorders, so sometimes that is difficult for me (and I’m well aware of the ableism that people who hold this position oftentimes have).But, for me, it’s been important to practice physical control in new and captivating ways, and learning historical martial arts is an outlet for that.It scratches both the experimental archaeology part of my brain that wonders “how did people live and die in othre times?” and also the part of my brain that enjoys physical competition, i.e. swinging a big sword at other people (in a friendly manner, of course).

Treasured Memories: A Tapestry of Experiences

When asked about a treasured Cornell memory,Gottfried found it nearly impossible to choose just one. The response was a vibrant list of experiences:

• Running through the rain to chase after the dragon in Dragon Day 2023.
• Submitting a midterm for a squishmallow (thanks to Prof. Anette Schwartz).
• Cooking for an authentic medieval feast.
• Boxing with a best freind at night by the light of Human Ecology’s polymorph sculpture.
• Going through Sapsucker Woods with a birding class.
• Doing Greek calligraphy during a reading of the iliad.
• Playing baseball with friends during sophomore Slope Day.

Evolving Perspectives: From Individualism to Intersubjectivity

Gottfried’s time at Cornell has also led to significant shifts in perspective. I’ve gone from being a staunch individualist to being someone who thinks intersubjectivity is the most critically important part of the human condition. I also have learned I really like birds (more than I thought).