Cornell University ILR School

⏪ Construction at the ILR School: then (1960s) to now (2026)

Did you know? ➡️ In the 1960s, after having spent 17 years on what is now known as the Cornell Engineering quad, ILR moved into four buildings – Dolgen Hall, King-Shaw Hall, the ILR Research Building and the Ives faculty building – which had earlier served as Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine's surgery, blacksmith shop, laboratories, and large and small animal clinics. Ives Hall and Catherwood Library went under construction in the late 1990s, and King-Shaw Hall was renovated in the early 2000s.

⏩ King-Shaw Hall is currently undergoing construction! When it reopens, the building will be home to the Gerald L. Dorf ILR Class of 1957 Student Commons, as well as Jerry’s Café, thanks to a generous gift from the Dorf family.

Read more about Gerald Dorf '57 and the new café named in his honor: https://www.ilr.cornell.edu/news/alumni/legacy-gerald-l-dorf-57-celebrated-student-centered-gift

We can’t wait to welcome ILRies back to campus at Cornell Reunion, starting tomorrow! 🌟

🗓️ This year's Reunion events will be held from June 4-7. Check out the full schedule: https://alumni.cornell.edu/come-back/reunion/

Another round of applause for our latest ILR graduates! 👏

From classwork and internships, to snowy walks up the slope and late nights in the library — all your hard work led up to moments like Commencement. 🎓

ILR Class of 2026: we’re so proud of what you’ve accomplished, and we can’t wait to see what you’ll achieve! ❤️

During Commencement weekend, two members of the ROTC Tri-Service Brigade – Sidney Anop, ILR Class of 2026 (pictured here) and Juan Rodriguez, Engineering Class of 2026 – became Cornell’s first ROTC graduates to earn the title of "mustang," a term referring to officers who started their military careers as enlisted service members.

For Anop, who came from a family of enlisted sailors and is now a U.S. Navy ensign, meeting mustangs helped instill a belief that college and commissioning were viable options. “Cornell had people and processes in place to give me the best possible chance of success, even if I didn’t believe it myself at first,” said Anop. “As an officer, I hope to put people in situations to succeed and give them the resources they need to accomplish anything. That’s exactly what Cornell did for me.”

Read more about their stories: https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2026/05/first-mustangs-among-cornell-rotcs-newly-commissioned-officers?utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin&utm_campaign=ilr-ilr-anop-mustang-rotc-2026

Rain or shine, the ILR Class of 2026 always works it! 🎓🫶 Congratulations, ! ❤️

Yesterday, we gathered to celebrate Kate Bronfenbrenner’s 33 years of teaching at the ILR School. At the retirement luncheon, ILR faculty spoke about the incredible impact Bronfenbrenner has had on labor studies, the labor movement, and the many students and scholars she has mentored and collaborated with.

Thank you for everything, Kate! ❤️

Earlier this month, Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan officially declared May 7 as ILR Day in Buffalo! 🤝

Since the Buffalo Co-Lab’s founding in 1946, the ILR School has played a vital role in western New York, working in partnership with business, union, government, education and community organizations.

On May 7, this partnership was honored at an event attended by SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr., students and faculty from ILR and Buffalo State University, and other state officials.

“The partnership between SUNY - The State University of New York and the Cornell ILR School represents the very best of what higher education can do when institutions work together toward a shared purpose,” said Cathy Creighton, director of the Buffalo Co-Lab.

Read more: https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2026/05/community-engaged-learning-celebrated-buffalo-co-lab-honored?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=ilr-buff-education-in-action-event-2026