With the snip of a ribbon on April 9, Cornell University officially opened Atkinson Hall, a state-of-the-art research facility designed to unite scholars across disciplines in pursuit of solutions to global challenges. The new building—located at 350 Tower Road—is the first on campus not affiliated with a single college and is poised to become a central hub for radical collaboration.
Atkinson Hall was made possible by a $30 million gift from David R. Atkinson ’60 and Patricia Atkinson, longtime Cornell benefactors whose support has already helped launch transformative programs in sustainability and public health.
“This investment is the physical embodiment of the Atkinson family’s long-term commitment to research that makes a tangible difference in the well-being of people and the planet,” said David Lodge, the Francis J. DiSalvo Director of the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability, during the dedication ceremony.
The building will house the Cornell Atkinson Center, the Master of Public Health program, the Department of Computational Biology, and the forthcoming Cornell Center for Cancer Immunology. It’s designed to foster “creative collisions” among researchers in cancer biology, immunology, nutrition, and global health, as well as computational and biomedical sciences.
Cornell President Michael I. Kotlikoff praised the Atkinsons for their vision and commitment to discovery. “They deeply understand the power of research to improve lives through discovery, interventions, collaborative partnerships and the economic benefits of innovation,” he said.
The Atkinsons’ impact at Cornell includes over $80 million in support, including the founding of Cornell Atkinson, which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. Their latest gift further anchors the university’s mission to enhance lives locally and globally.
Provost Kavita Bala emphasized how Atkinson Hall embodies the university’s goals. “Their ongoing support allows Cornell scientists to propel their science into the world,” she said. “This is how we solve the issues we face across the globe.”
Designed by Lake Flato Architects and SWBR, Atkinson Hall reflects Cornell’s commitment to sustainability, incorporating energy-saving innovations such as rooftop solar panels, thermal exterior regulation, and a cascading air system that reduces energy use by over 26% compared to similar structures.
Philanthropic support for the building also came from alumni Erica Chan ’91 and David Drinkwater ’94, whose contributions helped fund meeting spaces and faculty leadership roles.
“Atkinson Hall will allow Cornell to do what it does best—bring together faculty from across disciplines to achieve the next level of investigation and discovery,” said Interim Vice Provost for Research Gary Koretzky. “This will be transformative.”
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