Be Part Of Our 2025-2026 Membership

Dear Cornell Club of Switzerland Community,

As we have announced, the 2025–2026 membership year is officially underway, and we would love for you to be part of it.

Your membership enables us to bring the Cornell spirit to life in Switzerland through engaging events, informative newsletters, and our new website. Thanks to your support, our community continues to grow stronger and more connected.

If you have not done so yet, now is the perfect time to renew or join for the year. The annual dues are CHF 60, as approved at our 2024 Annual General Meeting. Our first update in over a decade. These funds go directly toward covering Club operations and programs. Our volunteer Board members continue to donate their time to make it all happen without remuneration.

If you have already renewed... thank you! If not, please take a moment to visit our website and sign up.

Thank you for being an essential part of our Cornell community in Switzerland.

Warm regards,


Dr. Christophe Zimmerli, LL.M. 2000
President, Cornell Club of Switzerland

Celebrating 39 Years: A Special Offer For Dues-Paying Members

To celebrate the 39th anniversary of the Cornell Club of Switzerland, we are excited to share a special incentive with our community!

Thanks to Cornell alumni and Switzerland-based entrepreneur James Jennings (MBA 1991) and his wife, Valerie (MBA 1991), members who pay their dues between 1 June and 31 August 2025 will receive a 39% discount on up to two bottles of his award-winning Vermont Maple syrup.

Discover Basel’s Urban Art Scene

(Mural by Mr. Cenz - royalty free)

There is still time to register and join the guided Basel Urban Art tour organized with Artstübli, Basel’s expert in urban art and graffiti. 

Our guide will take us through Basel’s streets to explore a wide range of techniques and styles (from classic graffiti to contemporary street art) created by both Swiss and international artists. The tour highlights how these creatives respond to the unique cultural and physical environment of each site.

Join us on Saturday, 23 August 2025 for an inspiring afternoon in Basel! 
Deadline to register is 15 August. See you there!

Explore The Gorge Du Gottéron On Our Cornell Annual Hike

Join us on our Cornell Annual Hike on Sunday, 7 September. Thanks to the thoughtful planning of Jürg, we will explore the picturesque city of Fribourg and venture through the dramatic Gorge du Gottéron, returning by way of a panoramic path above the Old Town.

Known for its beautifully preserved medieval architecture, Fribourg is a city full of surprises. Our route begins in the Old Town and descends into the mysterious Gottéron Gorge, once feared by knights who believed a dragon lived within. After winding through the gorge and across tranquil meadows, we will return to Fribourg for optional refreshments in a local restaurant.

For planning purposes, please register for the hike even though it is free event.
See you there! 

Beautiful Alpine Weekend To Remember

This July, the Cornell Club of Switzerland gathered for its 11th Mountain Weekend in the majestic Engadin valley, with 42 adults, 6 children, and 3 cheerful dogs enjoying a sun-soaked summer escape at the legendary Grand Hotel Kronenhof in Pontresina.

Our Club extends a big, heartfelt Thank You to the General Manager, Claudio Laager and his staff for an impressive and memorable weekend!
 
Since everyone agreed the weekend was a huge success, we have already reserved the event for next year, again thank you to Claudio! Mark your calendar for 4 - 5 July 2026! 

Save-The-Date

Mark your calendars for our upcoming events and reconnect with your Cornell roots!

International Spirit of Zinck's Night

Thanksgiving Gala 2025

The Cornell Club of Switzerland is delighted to invite you to our 39th Annual General Meeting (“AGM”), followed by our traditional Thanksgiving Dinner on Saturday, 29 November 2025. This year, we gather at the picturesque Landhotel Hirschen in Erlinsbach (AG), a venue that perfectly blends rustic charm with culinary excellence.

Registration is now open!

An Invitation From the AWC

The American Women’s Club (AWC) in Basel has graciously invited Cornell Club members to attend their Annual Kickoff Luncheon. The keynote speaker, Dr. Elena Filipovic, is a Cornell graduate.

Dr. Filipovic is the director of the Kunstmuseum Basel, which, according to Wikipedia, “houses the oldest public art collection in the world and is generally considered to be the most important museum of art in Switzerland.” She holds a BA in English from Cornell and a PhD in Art History from Princeton. She is known for her scientific work and innovative approaches to art curation and museum management. Elena Filipovic has curated more than seventy exhibitions at leading institutions around the world.

Event Details

Date:    Saturday, 20 September 2025

Time:    12:00 Apéro, 12:30 Lunch

Cost:    CHF 85.00 (non-refundable)

Place:   Du Pont Basel, Greifengasse 2, Basel, Grand Meriansaal Ballroom

Registration

Send email to info.awcbasel@gmail.com. Space is limited. Deadline to register is 12 September 2025. The AWC will respond with a confirmation, an invoice, and a request for you to select your menu.

An Invitation From Columbia Alumni of Switzerland

Join Columbia Alumni of Switzerland on 2 October 2025 for an exclusive conference to explore current and future challenges facing the Swiss pension system.

Speakers Include

• Manuel Leuthold (President of the Fonds de compensation AVS / AI / APG)
• Alexandre Michellod (Chairman of the Board of Directors, Lemania - pension fund)
• Stéphane Rossini (OFAS)
• Yves Cuendet (Member of different conseils de fondations)
• Céline Amaudruz (Conseillère nationale, membre de la Commission de la sécurité sociale et de la santé publique du Conseil national)
• Jacqueline Curzon (Former President of the CPEG and Member of the Board of Directors of the Alberta Sovereign Wealth Fund)

Event Details

Date:    Thursday, 2 October 2025

Time:    18:30 to 21:30

Cost:    CHF 100 (CHF 80 early bird pricing until 15 September)

Place:   Cercle de la Nautique, Quai de Cologny 1, Geneva 1223

Register today!