Cornell University Athletics

A major benefactor of the University and one of the pioneers in the aviation and aerospace industries, he was the founder of Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp., which grew to be one of the nation’s largest defense contractors. A Cornell trustee from 1953 until 1966 when he was named a trustee emeritus, he was among the first alumni designated a presidential councilor in 1966. Among his many contributions to the University were funds for the construction of Grumman Hall in the College of Engineering and funds for the Graduate School of Aerospace Engineering. His gifts also made possible the construction and maintenance of the Grumman Squash Courts. In 1961 he gave the University a DC-3. It was used until 1970. Named the “Far Above,” the plane flew more than 250,000 miles and through the years carried more than 30,000 people, including Cornell staff and faculty, athletic squads and special student groups. Grumman brought his knowledge of aviation to the service of the nation during both World Wars, in the first as a Navy pilot and in the second as a leader of designing and producing fighter planes for the U.S. and British governments.