March Ups and Downs

March Madness has been bittersweet this year. The headlines out of Cornell University this past month have been as taunting as they have been haunting.

Cornell clinches NCAA berth -- Cornell earned the Ivy League title with an 86-53 win over Harvard Saturday.

College on edge after recent wave of student suicides --A wave of suicides at Cornell University in the past two semesters is a "public health crisis," the school's mental health initiatives director said.

Historic day for Cornell: Basketball team upsets Temple, advances in NCAA...

Cornell posts lookouts on bridges after suspected suicide…

Cornell basketball dominates Wisconsin, will play Kentucky in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16…

Two suspected suicides confirmed at Cornell; total now at six …

I have been impressed with how the university community has reacted to the suicides. The Administration is doing a tremendous job reaching out and the students are rallying to support each other, too. The feeling on campus is that people care. Students even took it upon themselves to take the words of encouragement printed in the newspaper by the President of Cornell and write it in chalk on the bridges, “Ask For Help.”

It has been shocking to read some of the comments following the online media reports.

“Spoiled little silver spoon kids. Too bad being born with money can't buy you a perspective of having to work for everything you get!”

Thankfully articulate students responded to those posts.

“You are obviously ignorant to say spoiled ivy league kids ... What does learning how to make a living for yourself by working have to do with Cornell suicides? Nothinggg.”

Since I have been in class with them, my husband teaches them, and my kids are babysat and coached by them, I can tell you they are smart and work harder than any students I have ever met. And by the way, most of them are not rich.

At Cornell, you can see the spirit of the school in sports, too. Between all the hockey and basketball we have watched this year, it is clear these Ivy Leaguers are serious student-athletes that are recruited because they are not only passionate and talented, but are willing to sacrifice in order to achieve goals.

Trying to make sense out of all that has happened this month for us in Ithaca, New York, I can tell you in one word what does work: Teamwork.