Class Memories

Looking back on our time at the University of Rochester is especially poignant because this is "where it all began" for our lives together personally and professionally.

Lora - As a daughter of Italian immigrants, I was the first one in my family to go to college. The opportunities I was presented with were endless and transformed the way I looked at, and engaged in, the world around me.

Dan - I had the flexibility of merging my interest in biology, chemistry and environment science into an interdisciplinary environmental science degree. I also cherish the real world work experiences as a Resident Advisor and as an employee at one of the Medical Center research laboratories.

Both of us are forever grateful for the financial assistance we needed in order to attend Rochester. The excellent education we received set us on a path for lifelong fulfillment and success.

I have a many favorite Rochester memories - cherry tree blossoms behind Holt, watching crew races in the fall along the Genesee, cheering the Rochester football and basketball teams, and beginning my role as a scientific researcher while working in Dr. Jaenike's lab in Hutchison Hall. I guess my best memory is how I felt while attending Rochester. It was a time spent exploring and figuring out how to be an adult in an environment that was beautiful, intellectual, engaging, fun, and supportive. The UR environment allowed me to start my future as an adult and a scientist with a set of experiences and skills that set the foundation for my future (and what I consider successful!) paths in life.

My mother passed away my junior year--Dean Paul Burgett invited me to his office to see how I was doing. I was very touched by his genuine concern. Throughout the rest of my time at the U of R, he would check on me. I was experiencing a wide variety of emotions and feeling lost. He was an immense source of comfort during that time. He helped me feel safe and connected to a caring community. It was a very hard time of my life and I remember his reaching out to me with great fondness. He still means a lot to me to this day!

Rochester was a place where I developed meaningful and life-long friendships. I was safe to discover my path and purpose in life.

My favorite memory from my years at University of Rochester is when my wife (then girlfriend) and I were going to go to the Viennese Ball. We took the Waltz class, since both of us were not really great dancers. For two weeks before the Ball my wife and I would go to the tennis courts on the top of the Gym, to practice dancing the Waltz. We had lots of fun, and a great view of the campus. When we went to the ball we had a great time, all dressed up, and ready to dance the night away.

What Rochester means to me? It means learning, fun, and relationships. My four years at Rochester was my first step into adult hood. I was challenged to open my mind to different Ideas and learn new and exciting things. I was born in Brooklyn and interacted with a variety of people from different cultures. At UofR I made relationships with people from all over the world, and I found it a great learning experience due to my lack of travel. I have made long lasting relationships that are still strong to this day.

Every once in a while I flashback to U of R....it's usually a song. Our SDT pledge song "Tenderness", the song I wrote about in freshman English "Wonderful Tonight".....the list goes on. Each memory brings with it a longing for a time when our whole lives were there for the taking....only ourselves to think about. I miss Phase...the lofts, cheerleading practice, the White party, being a three musketeer and the three amigos with Rosario and Amy, working at the market, pizza from Backdoor, keg parties with the Ninjas, Pearls and Bowties, suite parties.....most of all, I miss Amy, Rosario, Amy B, Liz, Joanna, Danielle, Marta, Cindy, Kim, Marsh, Dog, Schutzie, Boules, Tuza, Jomark, Jeremy, Missy, Simone, Lisa, so many more to list......you are not always in my mind but you are forever in my heart.