This part of the exhibit recognizes and honors several students in Cortland's history who played a profound role within their College, community, and profession.
- Abraham Lincoln DeMond was Cortland's first African-American graduate (1889) who continued his studies beyond Cortland and became a teacher and pastor.
- Mary Kirby Nakamura was Cortland's first international graduate (1900) and taught English to students in Japan.
- Marjorie Carter graduated in 1950 and went on to become Syracuse City School District's first African-American teacher and President of the Syracuse Teachers Association where she taught for 40-years.
- Dr. George Jones was Cortland's first African-American President of the House of Delegates (now SGA) and served in numerous campus roles. He graduated in 1956. His career largely consisted of his work with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) where he served in 24 African nations for over 20-years.
- Honorable Theodore McKee graduated from Cortland in 1969 and went on to have an illustrious legal career. He was appointed to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals where he served as the Chief Judge from 2010-2016.
- Gen. Ann Dunwoody graduated from Cortland in 1975 and played in numerous sports on campus. She would go on to break several barriers including becoming the first women in the United States military to be promoted to a four-star general.
