Contact: Kerry Kahl, Sports Information Director - Cornell College, kkahl@cornellcollege.edu
MOUNT VERNON, Iowa — Director of Athletics Jeff Meeker presented Cornell College President Jonathan Brand with the Midwest Conference (MWC) Meritorious Service Award prior to Wednesday’s men’s basketball game.
Brand has assumed an active role in the leadership of the MWC since arriving at Cornell in 2011. He served as chair of the search committee for a new MWC Executive Director in 2013-14. The following fall, Brand was elected chair of the MWC Council for a two-year term.
On Cornell’s campus, Brand has been an impactful leader modeling wellness of the mind and body. The recent completion of the Richard and Norma Small Athletic and Wellness Center is one profound example of his value on athletics within a small, residential college experience.
“President Brand has been an enthusiastic and consistent advocate for the student-athlete experience here at Cornell and within the Midwest Conference,” said Cornell Vice President for Enrollment Management Wendy Beckemeyer. “Jonathan has been Cornell Athletics’ greatest supporter during his tenure. There is no better evidence than the $20.5 million Small Athletic and Wellness Center. Jonathan’s vision for this project and fundraising efforts made this dream a reality.
“Jonathan is a huge sports fan. He attends as many contests as possible, and when he can’t, he is following the Rams online.”
Brand’s familiarity and support of the conference and its athletics programs extends significantly beyond his 11 years of service at Cornell. He frequented MWC athletic events as a college sports enthusiast on the campus of Grinnell College.
In his role as Vice President of Institutional and Budget Planning, Brand took the lead on Grinnell’s athletics complex design and implementation project in the early 2000s. Grinnell’s state-of-the-art facility is home to 20 MWC varsity teams, as well as recreation, intramurals and physical education.
The Meritorious Service Award honors individuals for significant contributions and outstanding service to the MWC and its member institutions.