Meliora Weekend 'exceeds expectations'

Politics, literature, the economy, not to mention humor, were all on the lineup for this year's Meliora Weekend--a three-day annual celebration that includes Reunion, Homecoming, Family Weekend, and the Stonehurst Capital Regatta. An early estimate shows that more than 9,000 visitors--nearly 2,000 more than last year--attended events on October 11-13.

"Meliora Weekend continues to exceed our highest expectations," says Thomas LeBlanc, the Robert L. and Mary L. Sproull Dean of the College Faculty. "The weekend has tranformed our reunion program, reengaged alumni from every decade, attracted parents to campus in record numbers, and welcomed the community into the life of the Unversity. It has also given our students and faculty an opportunity to shine, as we celebrate the values of an educated life."

U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton drew capacity crowds for her keynote talk at the Palestra. Clinton spoke only hours after casting her vote on the Congressional resolution authorizing President Bush to use force against Iraq. "The threats we face today are real, at home and abroad," said Clinton. "There's much we must do to address these threats but not in a way that undermines freedom and the values we cherish as Americans."

Later that evening, comedian and Daily Show host Jon Stewart performed two sellout shows. Stewart, in his trademark, laid back style, engaged the audience and covered many topics, including the Middle East conflict. "How come science can make people, but we can't make oil?" offered Stewart.

Liz Kay '00, former editor-in-chief for the Campus Times who now works as a reporter for the Baltimore Sun, attended Meliora Weekend for the first time as an alumna. "The talks have been amazing. It's impressive that the University was able to host speakers so relevant to the times, covering issues so critical to the nation and the world," said Kay.

An outgrowth of the 2000 Sesquicentennial celebration, the three-day weekend featured Reunions for alumni, Family Weekend for parents and friends, and a full slate of panel discusssions and speakers, as well as entertainment and other events.

Literary luminaries Salman Rushdie and Simon Winchester also gave talks during the weekend. Hosted by the Plutzik Memorial Series, Rushdie, whose book The Satanic Verses evoked a death sentence from Ayatollah Khomeini in 1989, read from his latest work Step Across This Line. When asked by an audience member if the writer had anticipated the Ayatollah's response, Rushdie replied: "I wasn't expecting it because I was getting good reviews at the time, and this was an unusually bad review."

Other keynote speakers included Bill Bennett, former Secretary of Education, who spoke on "Leadership and Value," and CNN founder Ted Turner, who spoke on "Leadership in a Global Environment" and who was awarded the George Eastman Medal.

The weekend also offered lots of sports action, including a 1-0 victory by the women's soccer team over Carnegie Mellon at Fauver Stadium. Also on Saturday, the Yellowjackets got out to an early 14-3 lead in the Homecoming football game, but longtime rival Hobart College rallied, winning 59-21.

On a sometimes rainy and mostly overcast Sunday, Harvard University captured the top men's and women's open trophies at the 14th Annual Stonehurst Capital Invitational Regatta cohosted by RIT and the University. Rochester finished 7th in the women's and 12th in the men's open fours.

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