In Today’s Issue

• President Seligman Gives Midyear Report
• George Eastman Circle Exceeds 2,000 Members
• January Is National Mentoring Month
• Student Life Award Nomination Period Opens
• Rock Out for Leukemia Research
• Children’s Center Accepting Infant, Toddler Enrollments
• Workshops Cover Genomic Database Searching

News and Announcements

President Seligman Gives Midyear Report
“We are midway through a memorable year with many exciting events scheduled to occur in the spring semester,” President Joel Seligman begins his midyear report to the University community, which outlines recent accolades for faculty and students, notable events, and progress toward the University’s strategic goals. Read the full report.

George Eastman Circle Exceeds 2,000 Members
The George Eastman Circle, the University’s leadership annual giving society, has exceeded its most recent goal of 2,000 members, marking the second major milestone since its original aspiration of securing 250 charter members by 2008. Jim Thompson, senior vice president for Advancement, notes that the giving society has been the catalyst for greater involvement, communication, and engagement with University supporters. The group’s accomplishments include member activities around the world and the record-breaking growth of the University’s Annual Fund. Says Thompson: “We congratulate the alumni, community leaders, friends, faculty, staff, parents, students, and volunteers who are building the University’s community of leaders.” For more information about the circle and how you can become a member, click here.

January Is National Mentoring Month
Mentors help guide us along the path to success in many ways. The Office of Faculty Development and Diversity encourages you take the time to honor your mentor this month. Staff from the office will be at locations around campus starting Jan. 24 to promote National Mentoring Month. Additional resources to thank your mentor are available at www.rochester.edu/diversity/mentoring.

Student Life Award Nomination Period Opens
Nominations are now being accepted for this year’s University Student Life Awards. Undergraduates at the College and Eastman School are eligible for the awards, which recognize students who, through service to others, investment of talent and time, and pursuit of excellence, have significantly and positively impacted the University or the surrounding community. The awards are divided into two categories: Individual Leadership Awards and Student Organization and Programming Awards. Submit nominations online by Monday, Jan. 30. Contact Katie Smith in the Rochester Center for Community Leadership at 273-3691 with any questions.

Children’s Center Accepting Infant, Toddler Enrollments
The Children’s School @ URMC, a nationally accredited and New York State–licensed child-care center, is currently accepting enrollments for infants and toddlers. Visit the center’s website or request enrollment online. You can also contact Tiffany VanAuker, center director, at 273-3677 or tvanauker@cclc.com, for more information.

Workshops Cover Genomic Database Searching
Miner Library and the Clinical and Translational Science Institute present two workshops through the Molecular Biology Information Support Service. The first workshop on Jan. 20, “Genome and Database Searching: An Introduction,” will include a discussion on navigating genomic databases such as NCBI and KEGG. The Jan. 27 workshop, “NCBI’s BLAST: An Introduction,” will cover BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool). Both sessions will be held from 1 to 1:55 p.m. in the Nesbit Computer Classroom (G-7545) at the Medical Center. The classes are free, but registration is required. For more information, contact Mark Plessinger at 275-6413 or mark_plessinger@urmc.rochester.edu.