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Ithaca College welcomes Cornish as 10th President

On Monday, March 7, Dr. La Jerne Terry Cornish became Ithaca College’s 10th President.

Cornish was welcomed to the position after serving as the college’s interim president since August 2021 following Shirley Collado’s departure, according to WENY News. Cornish gave a speech to the Board of Trustees, which was livestreamed from the community to enjoy.


In 2018, Cornish became Provost of Ithaca College. Her wife, Deborah Ptak, is the principal of Lehman Alternative Community School in the Ithaca City School District. Cornish has stated her intention to lead by the principles of intentionality, connection, and care.

“Those will be the guiding words that inform what we do moving forward,” said Cornish.

You can read Ithaca College’s full announcement here.