Bernard Yudowitz papers

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: 37-5-4518

Scope and Contents

Collection consists of correspondence, coursework, programs, meeting minutes, agendas, reports, and paper ephemera of Bernard S. Yudowitz, Cornell University Class of 1955. Materials document Yudowitz’s involvement with student government at Cornell, including the National Student Association and the Cornell Student Council, as well as his academics, student activities at Cornell, and additional ephemera.

Dates

1952 - 1958

Creator

Yudowitz, Bernard (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Biographical Note

Bernard S. Yudowitz was born in 1933 in New York. He graduated from Peekskill High School and then earned a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University in 1955. While an undergraduate at Cornell, Yudowitz was active in student government. He was a member of the Cornell Student Council and served as president of the New York State Chapter of the National Student Association. He then obtained a law degree from Rutgers Law School in 1961, and a medical degree from the University of Glasgow School of Medicine in 1966. Yudowitz married Evelyn Margulies, Cornell University Class of 1956. They had four children.

Yudowitz was a board-certified psychiatrist and served as the medical director of Bridgewater State Hospital in Massachusetts, the director of psychiatric services for the Massachusetts Department of Corrections, and director of psychiatry and the pain management unit at New England Rehabilitation Hospital. He also founded Wild Acre Inns, a network of residential psychiatric treatment facilities across Massachusetts.

In 1998, Bernard and Evelyn Yudowitz made a bequest of $2.75 million to Cornell Hillel. The chapter was renamed the Yudowitz Center for Jewish Campus Life at Cornell University in recognition of this gift. In 2025, Cornell Hillel (now the Steven K. and Winifred A. Grinspoon Hillel Center for Jewish Community at Cornell) instituted the Yudowitz Prize for Jewish student leadership, awarded every spring to a student or recent graduate for their contributions to Cornell’s Jewish community.

In addition to serving on Hillel’s board of trustees, Yudowitz was a member of the Council Committee for Student and Academic Services and the Cornell University Council. He was recognized as a Foremost Benefactor of Cornell University in 2000.

Bernard Yudowitz died on December 11, 2018, at age 85.

Extent

0.5 cubic feet.

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Collection documenting the academic career of Bernard S. Yudowitz, Cornell University Class of 1955. The collection contains materials related to Yudowitz’s involvement in student government organizations at Cornell and at the New York State regional level, including the Cornell Student Council and the United States National Student Association. Also present are course syllabi, schedules, and additional materials related to Yudowitz’s academics, as well as news clippings and other ephemera.

Arrangement

Collection is arranged into three thematic series: I. Cornell University, II. National Student Association, and III. Ephemera. Series I. is further divided into three subseries: I.a. Cornell Student Council, I.b. Other Student Activities, and I.c. Academics. Subseries are arranged chronologically, and then alphabetically by title. Undated folders are arranged alphabetically by title.

Series II is further divided into three subseries: II.a. General, II.b. New York State Chapter, and II.c. Other Regional Chapters. Subseries are arranged chronologically, and then alphabetically by title. Undated folders are arranged alphabetically by title.

Series III is arranged chronologically, and then alphabetically. Undated folders are arranged alphabetically by title.

Processing Information

Box 1 and additions from accession #2026-A-XXXX were processed at the folder level in April-May 2026 by the Processing Archivist. Items were housed in original Box 1, and new Box 2 and Box 3.