Support NYC Cornellians Running for Scholarship Fund

NYC Cornellians is in its second year of a partnership with New York Road Runners to support the annual NYC Marathon. This year, on November 2nd, Cornell will have over 70 volunteers spread throughout the racecourse supporting the water stations that runners depend on as they make their 26.2 mile journey. In recognition of Cornell's volunteer spirit, NYRR granted NYC Cornellians four spots in this year's marathon!

NYC Cornellians is using these spots to promote its undergraduate scholarship fund, which supports NYC students with financial need to attend Cornell. After a call for interested runners over the summer with many interviews, NYC Cornellians selected its four finalists. Please welcome: Arianna Kohilakis, Brad Ginesin, Jessi Kruse and Jacob Wynkoop as our runners for the 2025 NYC Marathon! You can read more about each of them below.

Please join us in making a contribution to this meaningful cause. Any support you can provide will be greatly appreciated!  

Meet Our Runner: Arianna Kohilakis

My name is Arianna Kohilakis, I’m a 2022 graduate of CALS where I double majored in Applied Economics and Management (go Dyson!) and Information Sciences. During my time on campus, I was involved in various pre-professional and social groups including the Cornell Consulting Group, Cornell Business Analytics, and D&I Business Advisory Council. I'm part of a Cornell red family as my older sister graduated before me and my younger sister is there now! 

I'm originally from Rye Brook, NY but have lived in New York City since graduation. I spent my first two years working as a consultant at McKinsey & Company before heading back to graduate school at Columbia’s 3-year JD/MBA program. Now in my second year, I’ve been exploring new careers through a wide variety of great internships (Sony Music, Sidley Austin, and D.E. Shaw Renewable Investments). 

In the past year, I’ve had the honor of being accepted onto the NYC Cornellians Board and have founded the NYC Cornellians Run Club.  It is one of my missions to help connect our Cornell community through running.  So please reach out if you're interested – we support every runner from casual joggers to serious long distancers.

As I look back at how running became important to me, Cornell stands at the center point.  I remember all the beautiful hiking trails and gorges that I explored on vibrant fall days and crisp spring mornings.  It was in those moments where my appreciation for the outdoors and running really began. Now several years removed from campus, I’ve focused more time on marathons – this will be my third marathon run in New York City.  And more importantly, it will be my second as a member of the Cornell team! I am so grateful for the opportunity to participate again in this quintessential NYC day and to represent our alma mater.
 
As someone who was able to pursue my degree with the assistance of financial aid, I understand, firsthand, the financial burden that many students face and all the Cornell benefits that they will gain. The scholarship fund not only allows students in need to focus on their academic studies, it also gives them access to a lifetime of opportunities - something I’m reminded of regularly. Especially in New York, there’s nothing that makes me happier than attending Cornell events, chatting with or recruiting students, hosting undergraduate networking events in the city, and running into fellow alumni on the sidewalk. Our special Cornell network may be the greatest benefit for the future students we support through the scholarship fund.
 
 Thank you for the opportunity to run. I am looking forward to seeing many of the Cornell volunteers on the racecourse and sharing my experience with the Cornell community after it’s all over.

Meet Our Runner: Brad Ginesin

As a not-well-traveled kid from Queens, I remember vividly the first time I set foot on Cornell's campus while on a school trip. The beauty of the campus, the engaging activities, and compelling programming awed me. I was so grateful when the acceptance letter arrived, and I endeavored to make the most of my time at Cornell, where I studied Applied Economics and Business Management (CALS-1992).

These days, I manage a hedge fund, write a financial column, and volunteer regularly at my town's recycling center, where we excel at turning trash into treasure and making recycling a community activity.

While at Cornell, I was truly inspired by Professor Sisler, who taught Economics of Agricultural Geography. He lost his sight in a military training explosion in 1954, at age 25. His resilience, work ethic, and dedication to teaching left an indelible mark on me. I hope to have acquired just a thimbleful of his perseverance.

One notable fun experience was the summer I spent in Ithaca to help create a Duck Derby for my fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon. It was a rubber duck race through a water course designed to raise money for charity. Late in the planning process, we learned that Cornell would not approve using any of its natural waterways. Our engineering majors designed a big course and the brotherhood rallied together to source materials and build it rapidly – enabling the race to take place and helpful funds to be raised. It was a learning moment about teamwork, commitment, and philanthropy.

I started running at Cornell and now live and train in the Hudson Valley.  A portion of the Empire State Trail, aptly named The Great Swamp, is my favorite training ground.  The area’s beauty boosts my energy and spirits, and reminds me of my old running turf, Cornell’s Botanical Gardens.

In my marathoning journey, I've been fortunate to run three in NYC for various charities. This year will be the most special as I raise funds for my alma mater, which I am so grateful to represent! Supporting student scholarships is one of the best causes I can train and run for. It is crucial to enable a path forward for the next Cornell generation who otherwise couldn't afford it. I look forward to fulfilling that responsibility as part of the Cornell running team.

Also – a special bonus for me – my son, who graduated this spring from Cornell's Engineering College, had signed up to work as a Cornell volunteer at a marathon fluid station. Now I look forward to seeing him on the course and thanking all the volunteers who helped make my run possible.

Meet Our Runner: Jessi Kruse

I love moving through the world—whether hiking the Adirondacks, backpacking in Patagonia, or exploring NYC as I train for a marathon. I got into endurance sports young. I raced cross-country mountain bikes throughout my childhood, racing at the semi-professional level in high school. I later discovered running as a way to explore Cornell’s campus and unwind from classes. Running became my main form of exercise in graduate school, especially after my husband and I rescued a high-energy dog who required long (10-15!) mile trail runs to tire her out. After she sadly passed from an aggressive cancer earlier this year I decided to train for my first marathon to honor her and the many miles we shared. Having it be the NYC Marathon—and running on behalf of NYC Cornellians student scholarship fund—feels incredibly special.

Cornell was such a foundational part in shaping the person I am today. As a Human Development major in Human Ecology (2018),  I was able to explore and nurture my passion for geropsychology and lay the foundation for my career. Cornell was also where I met, and fell in love with, my husband. From studying together on the top floor of the Olin stacks to walking around Beebe Lake, Cornell was where we started building our life together and I will forever treasure those moments. While on campus I also had the opportunity to volunteer with Cornell University EMS, and responded to countless medical calls on campus while forming lifelong friendships with my crew. Finally shout out to my Donlon floormates (D4 best floor!). I learned so much through our adventures (and misadventures). I’m so grateful that many of them remain some of my closest friends and travel companions to this day.    

Professionally, I’m just finishing up my Clinical Geropsychology Fellowship at Northwell Health and will be joining NYU Langone Rusk Rehabilitation Hospital as a staff psychologist this October. I look forward to bringing my curiosity and drive to help people build resilience and navigate life’s ups and downs. 

I can’t wait for my chance to run in this year’s NYC Marathon and raise money for student scholarships! It’s a wonderful cause - giving more folks access to academic opportunities and life changing experiences. I’m excited to pay it forward so that the next generation can enjoy their own Cornell journey! 

Meet Our Runner: Jacob Wynkoop

Hi - I’m Jacob Wynkoop, a CALS 2023 grad who majored in environmental and sustainability sciences. During my time on campus, I joined Cornell Sustainability Consultants where I specialized in helping small businesses reduce their carbon footprints.  I also got involved with Epsilon Eta (a professional sustainability fraternity) to study and promote environmentalism and had the opportunity to lead the organization as president in my senior year. Over the last two years since graduating, I’ve taken that Cornell knowledge into project work with a sustainability education company and an agribusiness investment company. Recently, I joined McKinsey & Company where I’m now translating that knowhow into large organization initiatives across sectors and project types.

During my time at Cornell, my greatest passion was the Sprint Football team. I remember the first day I visited Cornell – touring the stunning campus and meeting many future teammates.  I knew at that moment that Cornell was the place where I needed to be.  My time training and competing on the Sprint Football team formed many important friendships that remain with me to this day. And I’m now a proud member of the team’s alumni board.

After I finished playing in my senior year, I was looking for another athletic focus – and I found running. At first it was casual, but after I began running longer distances (especially the black diamond trail near Cayuga Heights), I started to think more seriously about marathons and made them my main pursuit.  Over the last two years, I’ve run marathons in Philadelphia, Cape Cod, Berlin and London!  The last one was my first running for a charity – and I now look forward to continuing that effort for Cornell.  And what an experience the NYC Marathon will be.  Last year, I had a wonderful time supporting the race as a Cornell water station volunteer (which I highly recommend to everyone) – and this year, I’ll be on the other side representing Cornell’s spirit throughout the course!

I’m so honored to be running for NYC Cornellian’s Student Scholarship Fund. It’s a perfect way for me to combine my current athletic passion with a foundational part of my life, Cornell.  I look forward to making a difference for the next generation of students!