Banker and diplomat, husband of Dorothy Payne Elmhirst (1887-1968), patron of education and the arts.

Army Distinguished Service Medal
Service: Army
Rank: Major
Division: General Staff, 1st Army, American Expeditionary Forces
GENERAL ORDERS:
War Department, General Orders No. 50 (1919)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal (Posthumously) to Major (Adjutant General's Corps) Willard D. Straight, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. In the service of the organization, development, and administration of the War Risk Bureau, Major Straight's efforts resulted in marked efficiency in the handling of the large volume of insurance, as well as the numerous applications for allotments and allowances which covered almost the entire personnel of the American Expeditionary Forces. As an Assistant in the First Section of the General Staff of the 1st Army, he rendered particularly valuable services to the Government by his great energy and high ability.
(added by Andy)
Willard Dickerman Straight, Cornell University Class of 1901, was an artistic, boisterous architectural student with a derring-do attitude who got things done. To raise money for athletics, he established what became Spring Day—a precursor to Slope Day—and organized a College of Architecture Day on St. Patrick's Day – precursor to today's Dragon Day.
Willard Straight died of pneumonia caused by infection by the pandemic Spanish flu. In his will, he directed his wife Dorothy to do "such thing or things for Cornell University as she may think most fitting and useful to make the same a more human place." She used his estate to fund the construction of Willard Straight Hall, which opened in 1925.
Willard Straight Hall was one of the first student unions in North America—a building devoted solely to student extra-curricular interests, not academic interests. Nearly a century later the "Straight" continued to support the events and functions of the many units within Student and Campus Life, including the Office of the Dean of Students, Campus Activities, and Sorority and Fraternity Life.
It is also home to an art gallery, a browsing library, multiple meeting rooms, and large lounges.
Willard Straight Hall is a college-gothic-style building located in the heart of Cornell's campus. Modeled after Hart House at the University of Toronto, the building is an art exhibit in itself — the public rooms on the 4th floor feature distinctive artwork, the original wood carving, stonework, and wrought-iron work. The words carved in stone above the fireplace in the Memorial Room are Willard Straight's advice to his son, Michael: "'Treat all women with courtesy. The respect of your fellows is worth more than applause. Understand and sympathize with those who are less fortunate than you are. Make up your mind but respect the opinions of others. Think it out yourself guided by the choice of those whom you respect. Hold your head high and keep your mind open, you can always learn.'"
Information from Cornell University
Contributed by Starfishin [#48860385]

Banker and diplomat, husband of Dorothy Payne Elmhirst (1887-1968), patron of education and the arts.

Army Distinguished Service Medal
Service: Army
Rank: Major
Division: General Staff, 1st Army, American Expeditionary Forces
GENERAL ORDERS:
War Department, General Orders No. 50 (1919)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal (Posthumously) to Major (Adjutant General's Corps) Willard D. Straight, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. In the service of the organization, development, and administration of the War Risk Bureau, Major Straight's efforts resulted in marked efficiency in the handling of the large volume of insurance, as well as the numerous applications for allotments and allowances which covered almost the entire personnel of the American Expeditionary Forces. As an Assistant in the First Section of the General Staff of the 1st Army, he rendered particularly valuable services to the Government by his great energy and high ability.
(added by Andy)
Willard Dickerman Straight, Cornell University Class of 1901, was an artistic, boisterous architectural student with a derring-do attitude who got things done. To raise money for athletics, he established what became Spring Day—a precursor to Slope Day—and organized a College of Architecture Day on St. Patrick's Day – precursor to today's Dragon Day.
Willard Straight died of pneumonia caused by infection by the pandemic Spanish flu. In his will, he directed his wife Dorothy to do "such thing or things for Cornell University as she may think most fitting and useful to make the same a more human place." She used his estate to fund the construction of Willard Straight Hall, which opened in 1925.
Willard Straight Hall was one of the first student unions in North America—a building devoted solely to student extra-curricular interests, not academic interests. Nearly a century later the "Straight" continued to support the events and functions of the many units within Student and Campus Life, including the Office of the Dean of Students, Campus Activities, and Sorority and Fraternity Life.
It is also home to an art gallery, a browsing library, multiple meeting rooms, and large lounges.
Willard Straight Hall is a college-gothic-style building located in the heart of Cornell's campus. Modeled after Hart House at the University of Toronto, the building is an art exhibit in itself — the public rooms on the 4th floor feature distinctive artwork, the original wood carving, stonework, and wrought-iron work. The words carved in stone above the fireplace in the Memorial Room are Willard Straight's advice to his son, Michael: "'Treat all women with courtesy. The respect of your fellows is worth more than applause. Understand and sympathize with those who are less fortunate than you are. Make up your mind but respect the opinions of others. Think it out yourself guided by the choice of those whom you respect. Hold your head high and keep your mind open, you can always learn.'"
Information from Cornell University
Contributed by Starfishin [#48860385]