Jackson

As we all know, last year's Sesquicentennial celebration on campus was a tremendous and unprecedented success.

More than 7,800 alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff, and friends gathered on campus in October; in addition, nearly 3,000 participants joined us at the 22 regional birthday events around the country. The good feelings and pride generated by the yearlong festivities continue to surround us.

No one wants to see the spirit and momentum come to an end. Thus, I write to tell you that we have launched a new annual River Campus tradition--"Meliora Weekend"--that will bring us together each fall to celebrate Rochester. I want to personally invite you to be a part of it.

Like the Sesquicentennial celebration, Meliora Weekend will feature programs of the highest quality and incorporate Reunion, Homecoming, Family Weekend, and the Regatta. Each year, the weekend will have a compelling theme to unite all programming. The theme for Meliora Weekend 2001, to be held October 12-14, is "Freedom."

Preliminary plans include programs on freedom from disease, loss of freedom, freedom to compete, financial freedom, artistic freedom, and freedom of speech. The entertainment will include performances by Bill Cosby, Second City Comedy, and Gap Mangione.

The College Alumni Relations Office is organizing the weekend, and I encourage you to contact staff there with any questions. For more information, you also can visit the Meliora Web site (begin at www.rochester.edu/alumni).

The Sesquicentennial celebration continues to reverberate--on and off campus--in a renewed appreciation for the teaching, research, service, and community that makes Rochester what it is. Meliora Weekend offers a splendid opportunity for us to celebrate that spirit year after year.

I look forward to a wonderful celebration in October as we build a new Rochester tradition together.

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