Full Breakdown
Cornell Establishes Ashley School of Global Development and the Environment
12/17/2025, 12:00:45 PM
Historic Endowment and School Formation
Cornell University has announced the establishment of the Ashley School of Global Development and the Environment within its College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), following a historic $55 million endowment from Stephen B. Ashley, a 1962 and 1964 MBA alumnus. This contribution marks the largest gift in CALS history and will facilitate the merger of the Department of Global Development and the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment. The new school aims to address pressing global challenges through an interdisciplinary approach that integrates ecological science, social innovation, and community engagement.
Leadership and Structure
Rich Stedman, a professor and former chair of the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, has been appointed as the interim director of the Ashley School. Stedman is actively engaging with over 75 faculty, staff, and graduate students to shape the school’s direction. The school will support existing academic programs, including two undergraduate degrees, five minors, four master’s programs, and two Ph.D. degrees, ensuring that current students are not adversely affected by the transition. Interim section heads have been appointed: Rebecca Schneider for Natural Resources and Parfait Eloundou-Enyegue for Global Development. CALS plans to recruit at least ten additional faculty members, including three specializing in agricultural, development, and environmental economics.
Vision and Goals
The Ashley School is designed to create a dynamic ecosystem for discovery and innovation, transcending traditional academic boundaries. Benjamin Houlton, the Ronald P. Lynch Dean of CALS, emphasized that the school will leverage research and teaching to tackle significant global issues such as climate change, poverty, and biodiversity loss. Houlton stated, “Steve’s vision will allow us to leverage research, teaching and extension to address many of the world’s greatest challenges – personifying our land-grant mission.”
Stephen B. Ashley's Legacy
Stephen Ashley has a long-standing relationship with Cornell, having served on the University Council for 55 years and the Board of Trustees for 16 years. He co-chaired the Far Above capital campaign, which raised $6.3 billion for the university. In recognition of his contributions, he received the Frank H.T. Rhodes Exemplary Alumni Service Award in 2016. Ashley expressed his delight in supporting the new initiative, highlighting its potential to foster collaboration between agriculture, environmental science, and economics to positively impact communities.
Broader Implications
The establishment of the Ashley School represents a strategic move for Cornell to enhance its capacity to address sustainability challenges on both local and global scales. By integrating diverse fields of study, the school aims to prepare the next generation of leaders equipped to tackle complex environmental and social issues.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This investment to create the Ashley School is both timely and visionary, allowing us to bring together the expertise in agricultural, life, environmental and social sciences that underpin environmental and human well-being locally and globally.” — Michael I. Kotlikoff, President of Cornell University
- “Global crises like famine, war-induced migration, biodiversity loss and extreme natural hazards, as well as local challenges like siting solar projects in New York state so they support energy production while sustaining farming and rural communities – all require a transdisciplinary approach,” — Rich Stedman, Interim Director of the Ashley School
- “I appreciate how it creates even stronger collaborations between agriculture, environmental science, economics and research to positively impact communities.” — Stephen B. Ashley, Donor and Namesake of the School
The Ashley School of Global Development and the Environment is poised to become a pivotal institution for addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing society today.
