Cornell (thank) U

Ayotunde Ejiko is only 20 years old, but somehow he has already fit an extraordinary amount into those 20 years.
He grew up in Nigeria, moved to the United States at 11, became one of the top high school sprinters in Washington, D.C., and learned early that when something isn’t working, you don’t just complain about it—you figure out how to make it better.
Today, Ayotunde is a Division I sprinter at Cornell studying Information Science and Sociology, while also fitting in internships, campus organizations, community work, friends and everything else that comes with being a college student.
We talk about what it was like moving to America as a kid with an accent, why he started speaking up for other students during COVID, and how those experiences shaped the way he thinks about leadership and creating change.
Ayotunde also takes us inside the intense world of sprinting, where you can train for months for a race that lasts about 10 seconds. He tells us how he ended up at Cornell, why he initially couldn’t believe an Ivy League school wanted him, and why one of the most important things he has learned at Cornell is that sometimes you simply can’t do everything at once.
We also talk about his interest in the intersection of people, technology and data, what he’s learning from his internships, and how he thinks about a future that is still very much taking shape.
Despite everything he’s already accomplished, when we ask what he ultimately wants, his answer is refreshingly simple: to be happy, keep learning and leave the world better than he found it.
And of course, we had to find out exactly what a Cornell sprinter is—and isn’t—willing to sprint for.
Ayotunde is smart, funny, thoughtful, curious and incredibly driven. We have a feeling he’s just getting started.
Special thanks to Tony Chen for introducing us to Ayotunde, thank you!

Instagram: ayoitstunde
Cornell Track and Field profile: https://cornellbigred.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/ayotunde-ejiko/85711

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

When we first met Ruthie Jones, we knew she had an incredible story. A Division I soccer goalie at Duke. A first-year student at Weill Cornell Medicine. But what surprised us most wasn't her resume—it was the way she thinks.
Ruthie shares how growing up in a family of athletes taught her confidence, resilience, and teamwork, why one decision at age 11 changed the course of her life, and how the mindset she developed as a goalkeeper has prepared her for the challenges of becoming a doctor.
We also talk about what life is really like as a first-year medical student, balancing athletics with academics, anatomy lab and cadavers (yeesh), moving to New York City after Duke, and the friendships she's found at Weill Cornell. Plus, we couldn't resist talking about our medical pet peeves.
It's a great story of how remarkable people find their paths. We loved her!
Shout out to her whole family and especially to her brother, Daniel Jones for bringing us all together. And a thank you too to Jack Gitlin - the Jones friendship started with him.

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

She's here!!
This interview has been at the top of our wish list for a long time.
Most people know Kate Snow as the journalist they've welcomed into their homes for decades. We walked away appreciating her even more—not just for the stories she's covered, but for the humanity she brings to every one of them.
In this episode, Kate takes us from Cornell to local news, CNN, ABC, and NBC News, sharing the moments that shaped her career—and her. We talk about earning the trust of people during the hardest moments of their lives and why the toughest conversations don't begin with the first question—they begin before the interview ever starts.
We also get a behind-the-scenes look at live television, hear why music has always been such an important part of Kate's life, and laugh about a few moments that remind us there's a really fun and relatable person behind the anchor desk.
What stayed with us most is that this conversation isn't just about Kate's television career. It's about curiosity, empathy, resilience, and the extraordinary impact one person can have simply by making others feel seen, heard, and respected.
A special thank you to our friend Dave Price for introducing us to Kate. Dave, you've made so many wonderful introductions over the years that we're starting to think you deserve an honorary producer credit. Thank you for always thinking of us—and for bringing Kate into the Cornell (Thank) U family.
Whether you've watched Kate for years or are just getting to know her, we hope you'll finish this episode feeling exactly as we did: inspired by the journalist, grateful for the storyteller, and genuinely touched by the person.
Editor's Note: Since recording this episode, I (Michelle) had the chance to see Kate and Snowdrift perform live, and they were phenomenal. The energy was incredible, they played so many songs we loved, and the night had an unexpected Cornell twist—I was reunited with one of Kate's sorority sisters and our former housemate, Donna Pekala Kirsh, and finally got to meet friend of the podcast Joe Marraccino. It made an already special conversation feel even more personal.
Here's where you can find Kate:
Instagram: @TVKateSnow
Facebook: @TVKateSnow
The Drink Podcast!! https://www.nbcnews.com/the-drink-with-kate-snow
LinkedIn: Kate Snow
 https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-snow-90527013b/
Music (you MUST listen!): https://hyperfollow.com/katesnow
Also on Apple Music and Spotify.
Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University.

She's here!!
This interview has been at the top of our wish list for a long time.
Most people know Kate Snow as the journalist they've welcomed into their homes for decades. We walked away appreciating her even more—not just for the stories she's covered, but for the humanity she brings to every one of them.
In this episode, Kate takes us from Cornell to local news, CNN, ABC, and NBC News, sharing the moments that shaped her career—and her. We talk about earning the trust of people during the hardest moments of their lives and why the toughest conversations don't begin with the first question—they begin before the interview ever starts.
We also get a behind-the-scenes look at live television, hear why music has always been such an important part of Kate's life, and laugh about a few moments that remind us there's a really fun and relatable person behind the anchor desk.
What stayed with us most is that this conversation isn't just about Kate's television career. It's about curiosity, empathy, resilience, and the extraordinary impact one person can have simply by making others feel seen, heard, and respected.
A special thank you to our friend Dave Price for introducing us to Kate. Dave, you've made so many wonderful introductions over the years that we're starting to think you deserve an honorary producer credit. Thank you for always thinking of us—and for bringing Kate into the Cornell (Thank) U family.
Whether you've watched Kate for years or are just getting to know her, we hope you'll finish this episode feeling exactly as we did: inspired by the journalist, grateful for the storyteller, and genuinely touched by the person.
Editor's Note: Since recording this episode, I (Michelle) had the chance to see Kate and Snowdrift perform live, and they were phenomenal. The energy was incredible, they played so many songs we loved, and the night had an unexpected Cornell twist—I was reunited with one of Kate's sorority sisters and our former housemate, Donna Pekala Kirsh, and finally got to meet friend of the podcast Joe Marraccino. It made an already special conversation feel even more personal.
Here's where you can find Kate:
Instagram: @TVKateSnow
Facebook: @TVKateSnow
LinkedIn: Kate Snow
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-snow-90527013b/
Music (you MUST listen!): https://hyperfollow.com/katesnow
Also on Apple Music and Spotify.
Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University.

What if one of the best beauty products has been sitting in your medicine cabinet all along?
Three years after her first visit to Cornell (Thank) U, GlossLab founder Rachel Glass is back with her newest venture, le-balme—and the story behind it is fascinating.
Rachel shares why she believes petroleum jelly has been one of skincare's best-kept secrets, how she partnered with a New York dermatologist to rethink a product that's been around for generations (what they've done is amazing), and why she couldn't stop thinking about this idea until she brought it to life.
We also talk about what changed after GlossLab, what she learned the first time around, why she's building this company differently, and how she decides which ideas are worth chasing.
Whether you're an entrepreneur, someone who loves hearing how products come to life, or just curious about the next thing you'll probably be throwing into your bag, this conversation is full of insights, honest reflections, and one product we have a feeling you'll be hearing a lot more about.
Launching! You can get on the waitlist and get more info here:
Oficinale.com and lebalme.com 
and on Instagram: @oficinale.co and @lebalme.co

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University