Cornell Establishes Ratan Tata Distinguished Alumni Award

Photo: Tata received the Cornell Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2012 from then-President David J. Skorton. Photo:Cornell Chronicle

India-West News Desk

ITHACA, NY – Cornell University’s College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP) has launched the Ratan N. Tata Distinguished Alumni Award to honor the legacy of Ratan Tata ’59, B.Arch. ’62. A visionary business leader, philanthropist, and former Cornell trustee, Tata’s transformative contributions to the university and global community are being celebrated through this recognition. He will posthumously receive the inaugural award, which will later be presented annually or biennially to AAP alumni who exemplify a commitment to societal betterment.

“Ratan Tata’s impact on Cornell was transformative,” said Interim President Michael I. Kotlikoff. Tata himself expressed gratitude for his Cornell education, which he credited with shaping his life and problem-solving approach. The award symbolizes his belief in using education to create meaningful global change.

Tata, who initially enrolled in Cornell’s College of Engineering before transferring to AAP, briefly worked as an architect in Los Angeles before returning to Mumbai to join Tata Sons, the family business. Under his leadership as chairman (1991-2012), the Tata Group grew exponentially, reaching $100 billion in revenues. Following his retirement, he led the Tata Trusts, India’s largest private-sector philanthropic organization, focusing on nutrition, education, water, sanitation, and social inclusion.

J. Meejin Yoon, Dean of AAP, lauded Tata’s expansive vision and dedication to improving lives through education, health, and the built environment. His initiatives at Cornell included establishing the Tata Scholarship for Students from India, the Tata-Cornell Institute for Agriculture and Nutrition, and the Tata Innovation Center at Cornell Tech.

Beyond Cornell, Tata’s influence extended globally, serving on prestigious boards and earning numerous accolades, including India’s Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan, and the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy, the Cornell Chronicle noted.

A forthcoming ceremony will celebrate Tata’s legacy, emphasizing his humanitarian leadership and contributions to Cornell and the world, the report said.