Good morning, Ithaca.

Ithaca College will hold its commencement on May 18 at 10 a.m. in Glazer Arena with Graduate Hooding and Concert events on May 17; Tompkins Cortland Community College will have its ceremony at 6 p.m. on May 21 in the TC3 gymnasium.

Cornell University will celebrate its graduates with ceremonies from May 23—25 and a main event on May 24 at Schoellkopf Field—livestream options are available for those who cannot attend in person.

Cornell chemists developed a safe one-pot process that uses carbon dioxide to control methacrylate reactions—this new method could help make advanced materials for drug delivery and battery projects.

On May 17, 21 student teams will present their video games at the annual Game Design Initiative at Cornell 2025 Games Showcase in Clark Atrium (Physical Sciences building) from 1-4 p.m. The event will feature course projects and independent designs as students aim to gauge game fun with visitors beyond Cornell.

Cornell researchers found that developers of AI teaching tools and teachers do not agree on what harms are most serious.

Developers focused on technical issues like false responses while educators worried the tools could weaken students' thinking skills and add to teacher workload.

Researchers at Cornell built new solar cells with a 2D perovskite coating that protected the 3D layer, achieving 25.3% efficiency and only 5% performance loss in nearly 50 days of testing—an improvement that makes the cells more durable— and they expect this advance will boost renewable energy efforts.

Plans for a housing project in Collegetown on Oak Avenue are under review by Ithaca’s Planning & Development Board later this month.

The building will have three floors above ground and a basement—garbage collection is designed to be convenient through special doors and it will offer nearly 20 bicycle spaces.

Garden Fair and Plant Sale

1-7 p.m. — Ithaca Farmers Market — Free entry — Explore a variety of plants at this annual sale operated by Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins.

Jazz Mondays with Dave Davies RhythmMakers

5:30-8:30 p.m. — South Hill Cider — $5 suggested donation — Enjoy live jazz with local musicians while sipping on cider and enjoying food.

Cielle On Solid Ground

6-9 p.m. — La Tourelle Hotel & Spa — Cost not listed — Experience an evening of Blues/Rock surrounded by the scenic beauty of Ithaca.

Nonprofit Budget Basics & Financial Planning Workshop

1:30-3:30 p.m. — Tompkins County Public Library — Check website for details — Enhance your financial acumen to make informed decisions for your organization.

Cayuga Trails 50 Mile Ultra Marathon

6 a.m. — Cayuga Trail Parking — Entry Fee $163 — Experience breathtaking trails with aid stations and a chance to win prizes while running through stunning natural landscapes.

The Evergreen Social: Vintage Goods Market

2-6 p.m. — South Hill Cider — Free entry — Explore unique vintage finds while enjoying tasty cider and live music from DJ Dou.

Gorges Ithaca Half Marathon

7:30-11:30 a.m. — Black Diamond Trail Trailhead — Registration fees apply — Participate in the 10th annual half marathon that traces a beautiful course from Trumansburg to Cass Park.

Twilight 5K Run

7-8 p.m. — Cass Park — Register for a fee — Participate in an annual 5K event organized by the Finger Lakes Running Club.