 However , even before Ezra Cornell and Andrew White met in the New York Senate , each had separate plans and dreams that would draw them toward their collaboration in founding Cornell . White believed in the need for a great university for the nation that would take a radical new approach to education ; and Cornell , who had great respect for education and philanthropy , desired to use his money " to do the greatest good . " Abraham Lincoln 's signing of Vermont Senator Justin Morrill 's Land Grant Act into law was also critical to the formation of many universities , including Cornell , in the post @-@ Civil War era . 
