What’s so special about Cornell University? Our land-grant mission for one. Fostering knowledge as a public good has been a cornerstone of Cornell University's history from its earliest beginnings. Since its very founding, many of the teachers, students and staff  at this university have focused on helping people solve problems to make their world—their neighborhoods, homes, farms, cities, towns and natural environments—a  thriving place to live, work and learn. Come to an interactive exhibit at Mann Library to learn more about their stories and the way their work has laid the groundwork for a lively culture of public engagement at Cornell today—making a difference to all of us over the last 150 years.