Early Life and Influences:
Ratan Tata’s initial visit to the United States at age 11 left a lasting impression, fostering a desire to attend college in the US. His father’s friend, Ted Vinicombe, a Cornell Hotel School graduate, influenced Tata’s decision to pursue architecture at Cornell.

Arrival at Cornell:
Tata arrived at Cornell in 1955 and was assigned to University Hall No. 6. He met his dorm counselor, Dick Barger, who became a friend and mentor.

Homesickness and Cultural Adjustments:
Tata experienced homesickness during his first year at Cornell and wrote frequent letters home. Communication was limited to a phone in the corridor or a pay phone in the dorms.

Visit from Father and Trip to India:
Tata’s father, Naval Tata, visited Cornell and invited Dick Barger to India as a gesture of gratitude. Barger, along with two other friends, visited India and stayed at the Tata House in Bombay.

Shift from Engineering to Architecture:
Tata initially pursued mechanical engineering but switched to architecture at the end of his second year. His father wanted him to be an engineer, inspired by the Kaiser Corps of Engineers’ visit to their Iron and Steel Works after World War II.

Architecture as a Problem-Solving Discipline:
Tata found architecture to be everything he hoped it would be. He emphasized the problem-solving nature of architecture, which he found transferable to business.

Impact of Architectural Training on Business Career:
Tata’s architectural training influenced his approach to product design and interaction with design engineers. His aesthetic sense and understanding of materials proved valuable in business.

Academic Success and Recognition:
Tata excelled in his architectural studies and was a member of honoraries. He received a commended grade for his thesis project under the Beaux-Arts system.

Design Sense and Integration into the Architectural Community:
Tata quickly adapted to the architectural program and demonstrated excellent taste and design sense. He integrated well with other students and showed promise as an effective and productive designer.

Fraternity Experience and Belonging:
Ratan Tata joined Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity during his freshman year, finding a sense of belonging in a smaller community within the larger university.

Pledge Raid on Fraternity House:
As part of the initiation process, pledges were tasked with raiding the fraternity house. During one such raid, Ratan Tata was kidnapped and tied up by the pledges, signifying his acceptance into the brotherhood.

Signing the Pledge Paddle:
Each pledge had to make a paddle, which was signed by fellow pledge brothers and fraternity members. Ratan Tata’s pledge paddle bears his name, symbolizing his connection to the fraternity.

Fraternity Social Events and Parties:
Ratan Tata enjoyed the social aspects of fraternity life, participating in parties and events. He served as the steward for the fraternity house, ensuring the provision of good meals for the members.

Academic Support and Gratitude:
During a difficult time with a challenging course, Ratan Tata received support from a fellow fraternity member. He reorganized his study schedule and improved his grades, expressing gratitude for the assistance.

Pledge Raid and Fraternity Unity:
Ratan Tata participated in a pledge raid on the fraternity house, intended to send a message and wake up the Brotherhood. Despite the initial conflict, the fraternity members eventually united and worked together to clean up the house.

Ratan Tata’s Martial Arts Skills:
During a fraternity raid, Ratan Tata exhibited his martial arts skills by subduing several individuals, including Bob Allen. His reflexes and knowledge of martial arts allowed him to effectively control the situation.

Visit to Fraternity in Later Years:
In 2002, Ratan Tata revisited his fraternity, Alpha Sigma Phi, with friends. He expressed joy and reminisced about his time there, looking at old pictures and sharing memories.

Ratan Tata’s Fraternity Connection:
Ratan Tata joined Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity at Cornell University, and his fraternity brother introduced him to Dean of Architecture, Bob Allen. The fraternity members were aware of their notable alumni, including Tata.

Ratan Tata and Bob Allen’s Roommate Days:
After living in the fraternity, Tata moved into an apartment with Bob Allen in Ithaca. Tata disliked grocery shopping and relied on Allen to purchase groceries for their meals. They enjoyed “giant toast-a-thons” on Saturday mornings, consuming a large amount of toast while having conversations.

113 West Lincoln Street Apartment:
The apartment at 113 West Lincoln Street was a small house with two apartments, one upstairs and one downstairs. Tata and Allen lived upstairs, while Bruce Herbert and another roommate lived downstairs.

Bruce Herbert’s Antics and Ratan Tata’s Record Swap:
Bruce Herbert had an obnoxious theater organ record that he played loudly. One night, Tata swapped Herbert’s record with his own and broke Herbert’s record.

Ratan Tata’s Dislike for Cold Weather:
Tata initially enjoyed the snow but quickly realized the challenges of wet shoes and cold classes. He vowed to never live in a cold climate again. Tata went skiing once with his roommate, Ken Kuen, but spent most of the time falling and sliding down the slopes.

Ratan Tata’s Tongue Stuck to Ski:
Tata asked his roommate to hold his skis, but his roommate accidentally stuck his tongue to the steel edge of the ski. It took some time and effort to free his roommate’s tongue without injury.

Ratan Tata’s Uncomfortable Stay in a Cold House:
Tata stayed overnight at his friend’s house during winter, which lacked insulation and was extremely cold. He described the experience as the coldest night he had ever spent in bed.

Ratan Tata’s Understanding of the American Frontier:
Tata’s experience in the cold house may have given him a glimpse into the challenges faced by early American settlers.

Struggles with Finances:
Foreign exchange was difficult to obtain, and the Reserve Bank of India allocated a limited amount of dollars for studies. Ratan Tata faced financial challenges, sometimes having to borrow money from friends to cover expenses. He supplemented his income by washing planes at the airport in exchange for flying time.

The Cufflink Incident:
One speakerrecalled a time when Ratan Tata wanted to sell a pair of ruby cufflinks due to financial constraints. One speakerinitially declined to buy the cufflinks due to his own limited budget. In retrospect, One speakerexpressed regret for not purchasing the cufflinks, recognizing their potential sentimental value after 50 years.

Hand Slapping Game in Sibley Hall:
During their time at Cornell, Ratan Tata and his fellow students engaged in a hand-slapping game as a form of entertainment and stress relief. Ratan Tata had incredibly quick reflexes and often defeated others in the game when he was the one with his hands underneath. Ratan Tata’s hands became shriveled due to the intense slapping during these games.

Graduation Ceremony:
Ratan Tata returned to Cornell for a few days to attend his graduation ceremony, despite not needing to do so. He felt it was important to experience the tradition of graduating from an American university, wearing the cap and gown, and participating in the ceremony.

Ratan Tata’s Mercedes-Benz:
Ratan Tata owned a black Mercedes-Benz, known as the “blackest Mercedes in Ithaca.” It was a fancy car for a college student. He took meticulous care of his car, following a unique method to protect it during the winter. He bought a clunker every winter, put his Mercedes on blocks, and resold the clunker in the spring. Ratan was very particular about closing the Mercedes’ door gently, as slamming it was not allowed. He sold his pristine Mercedes to another architect in 1962 for $300.

Flying Experiences:
Ratan Tata loved flying and started taking lessons at age 14 in India. He soloed at the local airport in Ithaca. During summer school, he enjoyed flying over the lake and taking classmates up for rides, sometimes scaring them with stalls. He flew to New York to meet his father with his instructor and friends in a small plane, having a close encounter with a large TWA DC-7B airplane. He invited friends on a flying trip over Cayuga’s waters in a rented Tri-Pacer single-engine plane.

Cornell Friendships:
Ratan Tata formed close friendships with his Cornell classmates, who shared his passion for flying and architecture. He often invited friends to join him on flying adventures, sharing the costs and the excitement of being in the air. His friends recall his meticulous care for his Mercedes and his insistence on closing the door gently. They fondly remember the flying experiences they shared with him, which were often exhilarating and sometimes scary.

Background:
Ratan Tata, a renowned Indian industrialist, shared a personal experience of a plane crash he faced with Titus, Nan, Charlie Green, and Mo Ben-Shom. The plane, flown by Todd, encountered engine failure, causing it to shake violently and go silent.

Landing Attempt:
Amidst the chaos, Todd decided to land on a practice field but noticed people practicing for a football game. He then aimed for the airport but realized they were too high for a safe landing. Ratan made a Mayday call, signaling a distress situation.

The Miracle Landing:
As they approached the airport, they saw the tree line coming up, signaling a potential crash. Miraculously, Todd managed to land the plane on the wrong side of the airport, narrowly avoiding a collision with a Mohawk Airlines plane. Ratan skillfully rolled the plane onto the taxiway and turned off the runway.

Aftermath:
Ratan expressed gratitude to Todd for his calmness and skill in handling the emergency situation. He later gifted Cornell University to enable young Indian students to pursue education there. Ratan’s contributions to Cornell include a $50 million gift towards research and scholarships.

Ratan Tata’s Qualities:
He is admired for his humility, humanity, and pragmatism. He is a citizen of the world and a dedicated supporter of Cornell University. His generosity and contributions to Cornell are highly regarded.

Ratan Tata’s Character:
Ratan Tata is a humble leader who focuses on the work being done rather than seeking personal recognition. He encourages others to be humble and to keep their eye on the goal rather than becoming self-absorbed.

Ratan Tata’s Role in Preparing for Trip to India:
In January 2007, Ratan Tata played a significant role in preparing a group for a trip to India. He opened many doors for the group, including arranging a meeting with Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India.

Ratan Tata’s Friendship:
Ratan Tata is known for his genuine and enduring friendships. He values his friends deeply, and friendships with him can span many years without losing their closeness. His ability to be a good friend with people right from the heart makes him a special person.

Ratan Tata’s Charm and Enthusiasm:
Ratan Tata has a charming personality and a genuine enthusiasm for Cornell. He is a true Cornelian who has consistently demonstrated his dedication to the university throughout his life.

Ratan Tata’s Time at Cornell:
Ratan Tata was a world-renowned figure who left a lasting impression on those who knew him at Cornell University. He lived in Sibley Hall with his fellow students and formed close friendships that lasted a lifetime. Over the years, they became like a family, spending time together on projects, overnights, and social gatherings.

Ratan Tata’s Personality:
He was an architectural student who lived an ordinary life like his peers. Despite his later success and fame, he remained the same person, known for his great sense of humor and ability to joke about himself. His signature way of saying goodbye, “Tata,” became a memorable part of his interactions with others.

The Significance of Ratan Tata’s Legacy:
David Skorton, a former president of Cornell University, described Ratan Tata’s time at Cornell as a treasure more precious than gold. His experiences there shaped him and left an enduring impact on those who knew him, highlighting the importance of the university community in fostering lifelong connections and personal growth.