Fast Forward: The University of Rochester Advancement E-Newsletter

Highlights from 2010 – A Year to Remember at the University of Rochester

Please join us for a look back over highlights of 2010 – a year filled with excitement and achievement at Rochester.

George Eastman Circle Annual Dinner: Legendary broadcast journalist Tom Brokaw was the featured speaker at the Third Annual George Eastman Circle Dinner in New York City, which was held at The Plaza on March 11.

Inaugural University-wide Endowed Scholarship Dinner: On April 8, grateful scholarship recipients had the opportunity to meet and honor donors at a special occasion that is sure to become a tradition. University leaders and students spoke about the life-changing impact of scholarships and the increasing need for more funding in this area.

The 11th Annual Discovery Ball: Hosted by the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, this year’s event was held on May 1 and raised $730,000 from guests committed to helping find better treatments and cures for cancer.

Garden Party: Guests gathered at the Memorial Art Gallery (MAG) to hear President Joel Seligman present “Celebrating Our Students,” this year’s address. Those in attendance also had the opportunity to enjoy two Gallery exhibitions: A selection of Rochestarian Albert Paley’s sculptures and drawings and 34 rare Rembrandt master etchings from the collection of Tobia and Dr. Martin Mower.

Annual Fund Record Achieved: Our generous donors and volunteers raised $10.5 million for the 2010 University of Rochester Annual Fund. Projections indicated it would take seven years to double giving, but we did it in five!

Regional Cabinets Convene: As part of an ongoing process, cabinets have formed, held meetings, and enjoyed celebratory dinners with University leaders in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, and Chicago. More than 50 alumni, representing all schools of the University are participating on these cabinets. Cabinets will be instrumental in Campaign activities in the regions.

Meliora Weekend 2010: This year more than 6,500 alumni, students, parents, faculty, friends, and staff members celebrated our first “Meliora Week” in Rochester. Two hundred forty programs were offered with 162 alumni serving as speakers, panelists, or event hosts. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, neurosurgeon and chief medical correspondent at CNN, presented a compelling and thought-provoking keynote address. With the participation of the Eastman School of Music and the School of Medicine and Dentistry this year, the breadth and depth of weekend programming became even more impressive.

Special George Eastman Circle Events During Meliora Weekend: Along with their participation in volunteer leadership advisory meetings, George Eastman Circle members attended a number of special events held in their honor. They enjoyed an evening with NPR commentator, author, and humorist David Sedaris and an invitation-only luncheon with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, who gave the Keynote Address. Dr. Gupta spoke about the necessity of philanthropy in building strong university medical centers.

2010 Alumni Awards Presented: Outstanding alumni were recognized for extraordinary contributions they have made to their professions, to our community, and to the world by their respective schools. Arts, Sciences & Engineering (AS&E) award recipients: Robert B. Goergen ’60, inaugural Dean’s Medal; Laurence H. Bloch ’75, James S. Armstrong Alumni Service Award; Louis G. Lange III ’70, School of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Alumnus Award; John Major ’67, Edmund A. Hajim School of Engineering Distinguished Alumnus Award; Nomi M. Bergman ’85, John N. Wilder Award. The School of Medicine and Dentistry’s award recipients: Frederick Parker Jr. ’58, ’62M (MD), John N. Wilder Award; Ruth Anderson Lawrence ’49M (MD), ’58M (Res), Distinguished Alumnus Award; Robert Scala ’56M (MS), ’58M (PhD), Alumni Service Award; Richard M. Hodes ’82M (MD), Humanitarian Award. The School of Nursing award recipients: Rachel Brody Bandych, who accepted the Dean’s Medal on behalf of her family.They were recognized for their dedication to perpetuating the legacy of the late Ruth Miller Brody ’42N, ’46 (EdM), the School of Nursing’s third director. Evelyn Marie Lutz ’55N, ’63, received the John N. Wilder Award. The Simon School of Business award recipients: Jay S. Benet ’76S (MBA), Distinguished Alumnus Award; Evans Lam ’83, ’84S (MBA), John N. Wilder Award.

The 10th Annual Toast to Your Health Wine Auction: Upstate New York’s premier wine event was held on Friday, November 12. Participants raised $685,000 to aid the University of Rochester Medical Center’s ongoing work to help prevent and treat Alzheimer’s Disease. This year’s auction was sponsored by Wegmans.

The 23rd Annual Golisano Children’s Hospital Gala: A record $874,000 was raised for the Pediatric Surgery Division, thanks to a tremendous show of support and caring.

The University Community Celebrates the New Eastman Evolution

The historic completion of the Eastman Theatre Renovation and Expansion Project was marked by Festival week—a weeklong series of events that showcased the Eastman School of Music and honored numerous individuals who made achieving the goal possible.

From December 6-12, the Eastman School presented “The New Eastman Evolution,” a series of stellar musical events. Offerings revealed the diversity and wealth of talent that resides in one of the world’s premier music schools as well as the vibrant cultural community in Rochester. Together, University leaders, community members, and special guests celebrated the dedication of Hatch Recital Hall, Wolk Atrium, and new spaces to serve faculty, students and community.

Nearly $47 million was raised to fulfill George Eastman’s original vision for the theatre and to ensure Rochester and the Eastman School have a central role in shaping 21st century culture. This project was supported by an extraordinary partnership involving the civic, public, and private sectors. Those providing leadership gifts were:

Eastman Kodak Company
Catherine B. Carlson
The Davenport-Hatch Foundation
Mary and George Hamlin
Betty Strasenburgh ’52E
Wegman Family Charitable Foundation
Louis S. & Molly B. Wolk Foundation
Thanks to the efforts of Assemblymembers:
David F. Gantt, Joseph D. Morelle, Susan V. John and David R. Koon
The State of New York
Roger B. ’56 and Carolyn T. Friedlander
Dan and Kiki Mahar
The Pike Company
Robert A. Rosevear ’39E, ’43E (MM)
Ron and Sharon Salluzzo
John and Jayne Summers Family Foundation

On Thursday, December 9, members of the Davenport-Hatch Foundation Board and other honored guests attended an invitation-only dedication of Hatch Recital Hall. Guests were treated to a performance by renowned pianist Garrick Ohlsson, whose interpretation of Chopin pieces was enriched by Hatch Hall’s superlative acoustics. The Eastman School awarded their Dean’s Medal to the Davenport-Hatch Foundation for their extraordinary generosity and leadership throughout the Eastman Theatre Renovation and Expansion Project. David Taylor, president of the foundation board, and Thomas Hildebrandt, chair of the foundation’s grants committee, accepted the award on behalf of the Davenport-Hatch Foundation.

On Friday, prior to the grand opening concert featuring the Eastman Wind Ensemble, Eastman Philharmonia, and Eastman Rochester Chorus, the project’s supporters attended a special reception and dinner in the newly restored East Wing.

Click here for a photo gallery of the Eastman Theatre opening.

George Eastman Circle Giving Provides Sustainability for Excellence

As of December 29, the George Eastman Circle - the University of Rochester’s premier annual giving society - had 1,580 memberships. Eastman Circle generosity is having a profound impact on achieving unprecedented 2010 fundraising totals—contributing mightily to the record-breaking years for our Annual Fund and College Reunion Giving Campaign. Your gifts touch lives locally and worldwide and support the broad range of endeavors our University engages in. These are ways your George Eastman Circle giving impacts lives:

Student Scholarships. You make it possible for the most promising students to become leaders. More than half of our students require some form of financial aid.

Outstanding Faculty. You make it possible for the University to recruit and retain the most talented and dedicated faculty who are not only inspiring teachers but leaders in their fields who make discoveries to change the world.

Medical Research. You make it possible for University researchers and clinical scientists to find better treatments and cures for diseases afflicting humanity.

Health Care. You make it possible for University physicians, researchers, and caregivers to cure and provide cutting-edge care for the simplest of injuries to the most debilitating diseases.

Art and Culture. You make it possible for the artistic expression and appreciation of works of music, literature, and art, which have the power open our minds and move our souls.

During the past five years, the George Eastman Circle has made University history. The years ahead will offer exciting new events and opportunities for involvement. Many Charter Members are approaching the completion of their first five-year term. We encourage you to remain a vital part of the movement you had such an important part in launching. Review your current George Eastman Circle membership, and please consider renewal and adjustments in your giving level. 

Please contact:
Justin Croteau
Director of the George Eastman Circle
University of Rochester
Alumni and Advancement Center
300 East River Road
Rochester, NY 14627
Tel. (585) 276-3597 or (800) 598-1330
Main Advancement Tel. (585) 273-2700
justin.croteau@rochester.edu

Your ongoing support is deeply appreciated!

College Reunion Giving Sets $12 Million Record at the University of Rochester as 2010 Draws to a Close

College Reunion classes helped make 2010 a watershed year for the University of Rochester with unprecedented generosity that reflects excitement on campus and a belief in a bright future for the institution. As of December 20th, class giving totals are $11,404,423 - a 120% increase over the original goal. Alumni were able to increase the power of their giving. Three remarkable challenges sponsored by Robert B. Goergen ’60; Gwen Greene ’65 and Tom Sloan ’65, ’67 (MS); and Larry Bloch ’75 and Nathan Moser ’75 helped boost giving for their three classes. Here are current successes that resulted from these class challenges:

Class of 1960 – The Robert B. Goergen Challenge

15 bequest gifts from the class have yielded $1 million from the challenge.

17 new George Eastman Circle commitments from class members.

Goergen Challenge extension for an additional $250,000 is completed with a 2:1 match of $218,062 in commitments received since Meliora Weekend.

The class has committed a record $5,952,049, far surpassing the original goal of $4 million.

Class of 1965 – The Greene-Sloan Challenge

The class total is currently $1,226,211. They have broken the 45th Reunion record of $809,157 set by the Class of ’59.

Seven new George Eastman Circle members.

$1,226,211 has been raised toward the $1.3 million Class Reunion gift goal.

Class of 1975 – The Bloch-Moser Challenge

The class has nearly doubled its total commitments from $410,492 for its 30th Reunion to $811,820 for its 35th Reunion.

15 new George Eastman Circle members and 4 membership upgrades have been added so far as a result of the challenge.

Other 2010 Class Reunion Giving Highlights

Class of 2005 is the first 5th Reunion to ever surpass 100 donors.

Class of 2000 continues to smash the 10th Reunion record with $85,117 in total commitments to date.

A total of 66 new George Eastman Circle commitments and 18 membership upgrades or extensions through the College Reunion Class Cohort.

Time still remains to fulfill and surpass all aspects of the 2010 College Reunion Campaign. Your leadership today will set a new standard for generosity and inspire next year’s Reunion classes.

Memorial Art Gallery Director Grant Holcomb Honored for 25 Years of Leadership and Service

Grant Holcomb, director of the Memorial Art Gallery, celebrated his 25th anniversary as the gallery’s director at a dinner event on November 9. On hand were 200 members of the museum’s Board of Managers and Director’s Circle as well as other special guests. Reflecting upon the event, Holcomb said: “It was an evening of warm feelings for this museum as well as gratitude for what the Gallery has meant in the individual lives of so many people.”
 
The highlight was a 45-minute illustrated presentation by Holcomb, during which he shared a wealth of experiences and insights. Following the talk, a group of the gallery’s top volunteer leaders presented him with a ceramic piece by artist Wayne Higby to express their appreciation.
 
Joseph T. Carney, the gallery’s advancement director, said: “Grant Holcomb is a renaissance man who cares deeply about both the value of art and about people. He has empowered the gallery staff to make significant acquisitions for our permanent and encyclopedic collection. Grant has brought exciting and important temporary exhibitions here and has created enduring community programs that touch and engage a diverse audience.”