December 4, 2008
Values and Action
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FeaturesEd Hajim’s Transformational Gift CommitmentAt the Trustee dinner on October 16, Board Chair Edmund A. Hajim first announced his $30 million gift commitment to the University of Rochester, the largest single gift commitment in University history. The gift will support scholarships and endowment at the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. The next day, Hajim announced the gift publicly during a symposium celebrating the 50th anniversary of the University’s engineering program. He joined President Seligman and Dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Robert L. Clark to share the news with the campus community and media, which generated a standing ovation. Hajim spoke about how a scholarship allowed him to benefit from a University of Rochester education. He explained his desire to ensure that talented students with financial challenges will have similar opportunities. He also cited George Eastman’s famous dictum, “the progress of the world depends almost entirely upon education,” but went further to present his own view that “the progress of the world depends entirely upon education.” Hajim nicknamed his gift a “Roger Bannister gift,” in reference to the first person to run the mile under four minutes. That historic feat inspired others to soon break that running record. Hajim said, “As they say in sports, records are made to be broken. Nothing would make me happier than to see this gift quickly surpassed by many others.” Click links below to view photo galleries: George Eastman Circle Celebrates Charter Phase SuccessGeorge Eastman Circle Charter Members gathered at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center on October 17 to mark the success of the University’s new leadership annual giving society. George Eastman Circle Luncheon With Anderson CooperOn October 18, CNN reporter Anderson Cooper joined George Eastman Circle Charter Members at a special luncheon after his Meliora Weekend keynote address. He shared some inspirational remarks with the group and acknowledged the important impact that leadership donors make on America’s institutions of higher education. To view photos from the event, click here. Speakers included Gwen Meltzer Greene ’65, chair of annual giving programs; Larry Bloch ’75 and Tom Sloan ’65, ’67 (Mas), George Eastman Circle National Co-Chairs; and President Joel Seligman. After a special video presentation, Tony Award winner Christian Hoff entertained the audience with musical selections from his hit Broadway show Jersey Boys. The George Eastman Circle is well on its way to surpassing a milestone of 1,000 Charter Members. Through their vision and support, these leaders are helping to strengthen the University and making history together. Click link below to view photo gallery: One Weekend, One University CommunityMeliora Weekend and Eastman Weekend were held together October 16-19, a first for the University. More than 7,650 alumni, parents, faculty, and friends came to the River Campus and Eastman School’s campus downtown to enjoy an incredible variety of events ranging from the Meliora Weekend keynote address by Anderson Cooper to the College 50th and Slater Reunion Medallion ceremony and the Craighead-Saunders Organ dedication and gala concert. Guests were also treated to a series of compelling discussions on timely topics including the Presidential Symposium on Great Issues of the 21st Century and a Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine panel led by Dr. Bradford C. Berk ’81M (MD, PhD), senior vice president for health sciences and CEO of the University of Rochester Medical Center. Click links below to see photo galleries: Installation of New Lindsey Chair for Pediatric ResearchOn October 28, renowned microbiologist Dr. Porter W. Anderson Jr. joined President Seligman and Trustee Emeritus G. Robert Witmer Jr. ’59 in honoring the research work of Dr. Francis Gigliotti ’83M (Flw) , the new Lindsey Chair for Pediatric Research. Chief of the Division of Pediatric Diseases at Golisano Children’s Hospital, Dr. Gigliotti is at the forefront of his field for understanding infections in those with compromised immune systems. Dr. Anderson endowed the chair, naming it after one of the first children to receive the H influenza type B vaccine that he co-developed. His intention for the chair is to recognize children and their parents who participate in clinical trials and who make it possible to move fundamental biomedical research findings into clinical practice. Dr. Anderson is a professor emeritus of the departments of Pediatrics and Microbiology and Immunology in the School of Medicine and Dentistry. Click link below to view photo gallery: Warner School’s New National CouncilThe Warner Graduate School of Education’s newly formed National Council held its first meeting during Meliora Weekend on October 18. Members of this advisory group include: Front row (left to right): Lauren Doyle ’98W (MS), Ellen Rusling ’66W, ’79W (MA), Warner School Dean Raffaella Borasi; and Donna Thompson ’65W (BS), ’79 (MS). Back row: Herb Miller ’62, ’64W (MA); National Council Chair and Trustee William Carpenter; and Bill Costello. Michael Scandling is also a Council member, but was unable to attend. |
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Upcoming Events
Event Registration: To register for events by phone, call (877) 635-4672 (unless otherwise indicated). To register for events online, check for updates, view attendee lists, and explore alumni programs, click here. Alumni Travel and Learn Program: Alumni Association tours, open to all members of the University community, offer many opportunities to visit exciting locations while learning from noted staff and faculty experts. For more information, click here. |
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Fast Forward Archive
October 21, 2008 |