The Learning Commons
On behalf of the Mu brotherhood, we would like to thank all of those who contributed to the Dining and Learning for the 21st Century project and for making the trip to the Mu chapter house to take part in the official ribbon-cutting of the new Learning Commons. The creation of this new space, as well as the improvements made to the kitchen, stop-and-go, and other basement areas, could not have occurred without generous donations from our alumni, and we are honored that you came to see them in person. While we wish the brotherhood could have spent more time with you, we look forward to hosting many future visits to our new and improved space.
The Learning Common’s dining area can seat 120 patrons and has a commercial kitchen connected to it. In addition, The Learning Commons provides the social experience of studying and snacking in a designated Cornell-wifi-enabled educational section of the dining hall. The Learning Commons features two displays, bluetooth speakers, videoconference equipment, a mountable projector screen, and a programmable lighting system.
On any given week day at Mu Chapter, brothers are found in the Learning Commons, working around the tables, using the monitors for group projects, and visiting the stop-and-go for late night snacks. The basement’s use has increased significantly and will be a huge perk of living in the house for years to come. Thank you again for helping to make all of this possible.
Richard Cahoon ’77 Tech Center
About Richard Cahoon ’77 Tech Center
The Tech Center, funded by a generous gift from Richard “Dick” Cahoon ’77 to the Mu Chapter of Sigma Pi Educational Foundation, is a state-of-the-art video-conferencing system that will facilitate interactions between undergraduates and alumni. The Tech Center, which is housed in the Memorial Room of Sigma Pi, will allow for one-to-one and one-to-many webcasts between alumni and undergraduates. A frequent request from Sigma Pi undergraduates is for alumni assistance with career planning, internships, mentorships, and job placement. The undergraduates also want advice from alumni regarding graduate school and/or post graduate degrees. The Richard Cahoon ’77 Tech Center will directly address these requests and play a pivotal role in Sigma Pi’s focus on career and mentoring. As such, the Richard Cahoon ’77 Tech Center aligns with the Mu Chapter of Sigma Pi Educational Foundation’s mission.
The Tech Center’s custom oak cabinet was designed to match the historic decor of the Memorial Room, thanks to John Kingsley Furniture.
Richard Cahoon ’77 Statement at Unveiling Ceremony
“As technology was fueling the NASDAQ in the late 90’s there were actual efficiencies that could change a lumbering industry into something far more efficient. We started Dealer Tire in 2000 and bet our future on technology. The car industry was changing, tire inventories were getting complicated, so we decided to choose the Auto Dealer channel and make tire and related services easy and profitable for car dealers. That was our mission statement. The business sold in December for $1.425 billion to an investment firm that understands value. Unfettered access to information for our customers was the key to making it work. We refused to use in 2000 what we believed were old technologies of fax machines, phone calls and the like to process transactions. All transactions from day one were web transactions. It was the key to value.
Today’s college students have more and faster access to everything than any generation prior. In order for Sigma Pi to continue its’ positive trajectory, we need to make certain that all the benefits available to today’s students are available at the Pi House. It is why your Alumni Board and Education committee wanted to make this investment, and it is why I made the gift. My two brief years at Cornell taught me more about myself and my abilities than at any other period of my life. Although I didn’t earn my degree here, I owe much of my success in life to Cornell and the Pi House. I am honored to be here. Thank you.”
About Richard “Dick” Cahoon ’77
Dick was born and raised in Akron and graduated from Firestone High School in 1973. He went off to Cornell, joining Sigma Pi in 1974. After Cornell, Dick returned to Akron working at the Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. and attending night school at the University of Akron. Dick met his wife Doreen at Firestone, and they married in 1979. He went on to have a highly successful career in the automotive industry—specializing in tires—working at companies such as the Dunlop Tire Corporation where he ended up becoming the Senior VP of Sales and Marketing to assist in the start-up of Dealer Tire, LLC in Cleveland. Now retired, Dick has always made time to give back. He has served on the Board of Directors at the Children’s Museum of Cleveland, MOCA Cleveland, College Now Greater Cleveland and Progressive Arts Alliance. He is currently the Lead Partner with Cleveland Social Ventures and an active supporter of his fraternity, Sigma Pi at Cornell University.