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Becker Cafe: Advice for Living From the Oldest (And Wisest) Americans - Dr. Karl Pillemer
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Wed, Oct 14, 2026
7:15 PM – 8:15 PM EDT (GMT-4)
Bethe Common Room
Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
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To answer this question, Dr. Karl Pillemer, gerontologist and Professor of Human Development at Cornell University, decided to seek advice on how to live from the oldest Americans. In the Cornell Legacy Project, he surveyed over 1200 elders, asking them for their most important lessons for living – on topics like marriage, career, parenting, aging, regrets, happiness, and overcoming loss.
In this talk, he highlights some of the key findings from the project, focusing on practical advice from the “Greatest Generation” for living a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling life.
This lecture is given in celebration of the Class of 1966.
Class of ’66 Day on West Campus is a special opportunity to celebrate our 20-year partnership and friendship with the Cornell Class of 1966.
A brief history:
In 2006, as part of their 40th Reunion, the Class of 1966 established the Becker Dean Fund, providing enduring support for programming in Becker House. For their 50th Reunion, they created ThrivingRED, an initiative dedicated to advancing student well-being across West Campus. Five years later, through their 55th Reunion gift, they expanded that commitment by establishing ThrivingRED/The Arts, supporting arts-related programming throughout the community.
And this year, in celebration of their 60th Reunion, the Class of ’66 has once again made a lasting contribution:
The ’66 Overlook: a newly created gathering and reflection space on Libe Slope, designed to foster connection, encourage moments of pause, and offer one of the campus’s most scenic views for all Cornellians to enjoy.
We are deeply grateful for the Class of ’66’s remarkable generosity and their enduring commitment to enhancing the West Campus experience for generations of students.
Please join students, staff and faculty, along with our special guests from the Class of '66, on Wednesday, October 14 at 7:15pm in the Bethe House, Common Room (Rm 235)