Memorial

Many ID members did not know that Dick was born in Toronto, Canada on July 7, 1933, and that he lived in an orphanage from the age of six to the age of eighteen. His mother was a fashion model who traveled frequently and regularly left her son with his grandparents who adopted him. After his grandfather passed and his grandmother was too frail to care for Dick, “Little Dickie Cornell” was eventually sent to live at “The Child City” just outside of Chicago. When Dick was nine, his mother also died while living in Peru. Dick always wanted to know what happened to his mother, but his research was not successful.

When he was ready to leave the orphanage, he was provided with a tract of land. On that land, he established a small wildlife eco-habitat. Although still lacking a high school degree, Dick then joined the Algonquin National Park and later Pelee Island, Ontario, where he worked on wildlife management projects.

Although we cannot confirm the dates, at some point Dick was adopted by Bruce and Helen Gillies in Rochester, NY. While living there, he completed his high school diploma. His next step was to enlist in the Air Force.  Cornell became an Airman First Class and served at Sampson AFB, NY; Scott AFB, IL; Elmendorf AFB, Alaska; Mather AFB, CA; and Vandenberg AFB, CA. He specialized in Personnel and Information Services. 

Dick began his post-secondary studies at Alfred State Agricultural College in Alfred, NY. He initially majored in soil conservation but left the school before completing his studies.  Later, he earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at SUNY Brockport. Following that degree, he entered Syracuse University to earn a master's degree under the guidance of Drs. Don Ely, Gene Oxhandler, and Walter J. Mars.

Dick later completed a doctorate at Nova University with a dissertation entitled, Perception and Utilization of an 

Instructional Resource Center by University Faculty, First Steps Toward Output Assessment.

In addition to his career teaching at the University of Central Florida, his other achievements included serving as Director of Conversation Programs at Massawepie Camps; teaching at Winslow Elementary School and Austin Crittenden Elementary School; teaching television at SUNY Brockport; working as a media assistant at Syracuse University; serving as a visiting lecturer at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia; working as a coordinator of instructional materials at the University of South Florida; being the associate director at the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education; directing Instructional Media at Florida Technological University; teaching as a visiting lecturer at Riverina College in Australia; being a media consultant at the John F. Kennedy Center, NASA; and serving as the Principal Investigator at Eastern Airlines. 

The work for which Dick is most recognized is that of being a professor at the University of Central Florida. His students, however, also know him for his warmth, generosity, and guidance—and his cooking. The Educational Media Technology and Technology Year, Volume 42 chapter on Dick quoted a number of students as they spoke about their kind mentor. Here are two of them: 

Prof. Sam Pan of Nova Southeastern University was one of Prof. Cornell’s Taiwanese recruits and one of his dissertation students. Pan described Cornell as a professor who “models for his students.” Cornell traveled to Taiwan to enroll in a 3-month Mandarin course to advance his advising skills. “Atypical of the professors, he provided shelter and food for those students who first came to the States and treated them like family for the past 15 years. I was one of the students he hosted. The 10 months I stayed with him helped me become more enculturated.” 

Terry Tao of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, praised Prof. Cornell for devoting “..his life in advocating theories and practice on instructional design in Asia, especially in China.” Tao also recognized Cornell for exploring new ideas, being adventurous, and for welcoming new cultures.  Former student Rolando Marquez, associate director and assistant professor of instructional technology at Georgia Gwinnett College warmly expressed his thoughts of Cornell in this manner, “He ‘talks the talk’ but more importantly, he ‘walks the walk.’ His students are his priority and he truly exemplifies what caring for students means.” 

Dick also succeeded in obtaining 24 grants and utilized them for: the study of pilot fatigue; travel grants; software development; publisher’s grants; the Florida Endowment for Humanities; and numerous other topics. 

As a consultant over many years, Dick advised American Airlines; Eastern Airlines; Continental Airlines; Ministry of Education, Taipei, Taiwan; Ministry of Education, Beijing, China; and numerous additional clients. 

Two of the six books he authored or co-authored include Standards for college and university learning resources programs and An International survey of distance education and teacher training: From smoke signals to satellite II. He wrote chapters for five books, including Program management: Its relationship to practice. Cornell presented at more than 80 academic conferences throughout the United States and in many foreign nations. In addition, he published nearly five dozen peer-reviewed journal articles. 

Retirement did not slow Dick down. He continued to advise and house students, attend AECT and ICEM conferences, and was there to help anyone in need. Then, approximately a half-dozen of years ago, Dick followed his dream and moved to Taiyuan, China.  In addition to wishing to live in the Chinese culture, he wanted to help children from disadvantaged families learn how to speak, read, and write the English language. His hope was that this would provide opportunities for them. 

Although Prof. Richard Cornell has passed, his many kindnesses, compassion, and support will remain with all who were fortunate enough to know him. His impact on the International Division is unending.

For more information, see The Educational Media Technology and Technology Year, Volume 42, Chapter 16