{"id":102412,"date":"2025-05-19T10:45:36","date_gmt":"2025-05-19T14:45:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/alumni\/?page_id=102412"},"modified":"2026-03-30T14:52:57","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T18:52:57","slug":"meet-your-faculty-hosts","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/alumni\/alumni-benefits\/travel-club\/meet-your-faculty-hosts\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet your University hosts!"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”grid” use_row_as_full_screen_section_slide=”no” text_align=”left” background_color=”#ffc70a” css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column_inner][vc_empty_space image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Meet your Travel Club University hosts<\/h1>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space image_repeat=”no-repeat”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”grid” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column][vc_empty_space image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text]Each tour is enhanced by University of Rochester faculty who will share their unique expertise to offer an educational lens into the cultures, histories, and landscapes you’ll encounter\u2014making every trip a true extension of your intellectual journey.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” background_image=”103022″ css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”200px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”grid” anchor=”test” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column offset=”vc_hidden-lg vc_hidden-md vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Treasures of Peru <\/strong><\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

August 25-September 4, 2025<\/h4>\n

Jeffrey Baron \u201920 (MA), PhD candidate, Department of History<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” use_row_as_full_screen_section_slide=”no” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column_inner width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]Jeffrey Baron \u201920 (MA)<\/strong> researches treasure-hunting, grave-robbing, and treasure law in the medieval and early modern periods. His dissertation, \u201cTreasure in the Hispanic World, 1500-1700,\u201d draws on archival records from across Spain, Peru, Colombia, and Mexico to explore buried treasure excavations and the laws that governed them. His recent article, \u201cGrave-Robbing as Philanthropy: How Tombs Became Taxable Treasure in Colonial Latin America,\u201d currently in the second round of peer review at Renaissance Quarterly, examines how colonial Peruvian jurists legally classified pre-Hispanic indigenous tombs and funereal artifacts as buried treasure, thereby authorizing a widespread licensed grave-robbing industry. At the University, he teaches \u201cThe History of Treasure,\u201d a global study of treasures literal and metaphorical, from prehistoric tombs to El Dorado fantasies to modern international artifact trafficking and repatriation.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”102442″ img_size=”full” mkd_css_animation=””][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space image_repeat=”no-repeat”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”grid” anchor=”test” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column offset=”vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Nepal & Bhutan: A Journey to the Himalayas<\/strong><\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

April 9-22, 2026<\/h4>\n

Jack Downey, associate professor in the Department of Religion & Classics<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” use_row_as_full_screen_section_slide=”no” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column_inner width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]Jack Downey<\/strong> first became interested in Himalayan culture through human rights activism as a student in the 90s. Some of his interest was also personal, given that his mother\u2019s side of the family hails from China\u2019s Sichuan Province, which shares some cultural overlap with areas that you will be visiting on this trip. He has spent a considerable amount of time in the Himalaya, including a year living in a Buddhist monastery in the hills outside Kathmandu, where he studied classical Tibetan language and philosophy, before returning to the US to continue formal academic studies at Harvard Divinity School, where he received a master\u2019s degree in theological studies. His PhD work at Fordham University focused on religion in North America, but he has continued to research, write, and teach about Buddhism \u2013 which have included guided tours of Tibetan refugee communities in northern India at his former institution, La Salle University. He could not be more excited to share some of his experience, especially since some of the places you will be visiting are profoundly important to the broader history of Himalayan culture.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”102732″ img_size=”full” mkd_css_animation=””][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space image_repeat=”no-repeat”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”grid” anchor=”test” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column offset=”vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Catalonia and the Cosmos
\nTotal Solar Eclipse on the Spanish Coast<\/strong><\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” use_row_as_full_screen_section_slide=”no” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column_inner width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

August 9-17, 2026<\/h4>\n

Kelly Douglass, associate professor of instruction in the Department of Physics and Astronomy<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text]Kelly Douglass<\/strong> is currently the Director of the C.E.K. Mees Observatory, the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Physics, and runs the NSF-funded Research Experience for Undergraduates program in physics and astronomy at UR. While Prof. Douglass’s research focuses on mapping the structure of the universe, she was one of the primary coordinators for UR’s solar eclipse festivities in April 2024 and is excited to share some of the science behind solar eclipses and witness the total solar eclipse in 2026 (hopefully with fewer clouds)![\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”102762″ img_size=”full” mkd_css_animation=””][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space image_repeat=”no-repeat”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”grid” anchor=”test” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column offset=”vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Croatia & the Dalmatian Coast<\/strong><\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

October 9-20, 2026<\/h4>\n

Elizabeth Colantoni, associate professor of classics in the Department of Religion and Classics<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” use_row_as_full_screen_section_slide=”no” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column_inner width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]Elizabeth Colantoni<\/strong> teaches in the University\u2019s program in archaeology, technology, and historical structures. She is an archaeologist, and her research is focused on the ancient Mediterranean world, particularly Italy in the time before and during the Roman Empire. She regularly teaches courses on Greek and Roman archaeology, archaeological and museum ethics, and ancient Roman religion as well as Latin language courses. She has, since 2007, been taking students to Italy to participate firsthand in archaeological excavations there. In 2025 and 2026 she will be taking Rochester students to excavate at Trebula Mutuesca (near modern Monteleone Sabino, Rieti, Italy), a settlement that thrived during the Roman period and is noted today particularly for the remains of its ancient amphitheater and sanctuary to the Italic goddess Feronia.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”102792″ img_size=”full” mkd_css_animation=””][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space image_repeat=”no-repeat”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”grid” anchor=”test” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column offset=”vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Holiday Markets Cruise-The Festive Rhine River<\/strong><\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

December 9-17, 2026<\/h4>\n

Tim Peterson, Ann and Irving Norry Curator of Contemporary Art<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” use_row_as_full_screen_section_slide=”no” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column_inner width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]Timothy Peterson<\/strong> serves as the Ann and Irving Norry Curator of Contemporary Art at Memorial Art Gallery. He is a leading curator noted for premiering major solo exhibitions by an exceptionally diverse slate of fast-rising and established artists including Reggie Burrows Hodges, Ryan Adams, Alison Hildreth, Yashua Klos, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Paula Mpagi Sepuya, Ghada Amer, Wangechi Mutu, Christian Marclay, Uta Barth, Alejandro Cesarco, and Shinique Smith. Peterson previously served as Executive Director and Chief Curator for the Center for Maine Contemporary Art (Rockland, Maine), Founding Director and Curator of Franklin Art Works (Minneapolis) and Chief Curator for the SCAD Museum of Art (Savannah), with prior curatorial posts at Lannan Foundation (Los Angeles), the Williams College Museum of Art, and the Provincetown International Film Festival.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”102812″ img_size=”full” mkd_css_animation=””][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space image_repeat=”no-repeat”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”grid” anchor=”test” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column offset=”vc_hidden-lg vc_hidden-md”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Nepal & Bhutan: A Journey to the Himalayas<\/strong><\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

April 9-22, 2026<\/h4>\n

Jack Downey, associate professor in the Department of Religion & Classics<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text]\"Jack<\/p>\n

Jack Downey first became interested in Himalayan culture through human rights activism as a student in the 90s. Some of his interest was also personal, given that his mother\u2019s side of the family hails from China\u2019s Sichuan Province, which shares some cultural overlap with areas that you will be visiting on this trip. He has spent a considerable amount of time in the Himalaya, including a year living in a Buddhist monastery in the hills outside Kathmandu, where he studied classical Tibetan language and philosophy, before returning to the US to continue formal academic studies at Harvard Divinity School, where he received a master\u2019s degree in theological studies. His PhD work at Fordham University focused on religion in North America, but he has continued to research, write, and teach about Buddhism \u2013 which have included guided tours of Tibetan refugee communities in northern India at his former institution, La Salle University. He could not be more excited to share some of his experience, especially since some of the places you will be visiting are profoundly important to the broader history of Himalayan culture.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”65px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Catalonia and the Cosmos
\nTotal Solar Eclipse on the Spanish Coast
\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

August 9-17, 2026<\/h4>\n

Kelly Douglass, associate professor of instruction in the Department of Physics and Astronomy<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text]\"Kelly<\/p>\n

Kelly Douglass<\/strong> is currently the Director of the C.E.K. Mees Observatory, the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Physics, and runs the NSF-funded Research Experience for Undergraduates program in physics and astronomy at UR. While Prof. Douglass’s research focuses on mapping the structure of the universe, she was one of the primary coordinators for UR’s solar eclipse festivities in April 2024 and is excited to share some of the science behind solar eclipses and witness the total solar eclipse in 2026 (hopefully with fewer clouds)![\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”65px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Croatia & the Dalmatian Coast<\/strong><\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

October 9-20, 2026<\/h4>\n

Elizabeth Colantoni, associate professor of classics in the Department of Religion and Classics<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text]\"ElizabethElizabeth Colantoni<\/strong> teaches in the University\u2019s program in archaeology, technology, and historical structures. She is an archaeologist, and her research is focused on the ancient Mediterranean world, particularly Italy in the time before and during the Roman Empire. She regularly teaches courses on Greek and Roman archaeology, archaeological and museum ethics, and ancient Roman religion as well as Latin language courses. She has, since 2007, been taking students to Italy to participate firsthand in archaeological excavations there. In 2025 and 2026 she will be taking Rochester students to excavate at Trebula Mutuesca (near modern Monteleone Sabino, Rieti, Italy), a settlement that thrived during the Roman period and is noted today particularly for the remains of its ancient amphitheater and sanctuary to the Italic goddess Feronia.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”65px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Holiday Markets Cruise-The Festive Rhine River<\/strong><\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

December 9-17, 2026<\/h4>\n

Tim Peterson, Ann and Irving Norry Curator of Contemporary Art<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text]\"TimTimothy Peterson<\/strong> serves as the Ann & Irving Norry Curator of Contemporary Art at Memorial Art Gallery. He is a leading curator noted for premiering major solo exhibitions by an exceptionally diverse slate of fast-rising and established artists including Reggie Burrows Hodges, Ryan Adams, Alison Hildreth, Yashua Klos, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Paula Mpagi Sepuya, Ghada Amer, Wangechi Mutu, Christian Marclay, Uta Barth, Alejandro Cesarco, and Shinique Smith. Peterson previously served as Executive Director and Chief Curator for the Center for Maine Contemporary Art (Rockland, Maine), Founding Director and Curator of Franklin Art Works (Minneapolis) and Chief Curator for the SCAD Museum of Art (Savannah), with prior curatorial posts at Lannan Foundation (Los Angeles), the Williams College Museum of Art, and the Provincetown International Film Festival.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Questions?<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text]For more information on these trips or the\u00a0University of Rochester Travel Club<\/ins><\/a>, contact\u00a0Rebecca Picone,<\/b>\u00a0Associate Director of Lifelong Learning & Career Services,\u00a0at\u00a0rebecca.picone@rochester.edu<\/ins>\"\"<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0or 585-797-5709.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space image_repeat=”no-repeat”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”grid” anchor=”test” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column offset=”vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”][vc_empty_space image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Questions?<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text]For more information on these trips or the University of Rochester Travel Club<\/a>, contact Associate Director of Lifelong Learning and Career Programs Rebecca Picone at rebecca.picone@rochester.edu<\/a> or 585-797-5709.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space image_repeat=”no-repeat”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”grid” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”100px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”grid” use_row_as_full_screen_section_slide=”no” text_align=”left” background_color=”#ffc70a” css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column_inner][vc_empty_space image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text] Meet your Travel Club University hosts [\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space image_repeat=”no-repeat”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”grid” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column][vc_empty_space image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text]Each tour is enhanced by University of Rochester faculty who will share their unique expertise to…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":56,"featured_media":0,"parent":101182,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"full_width.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-102412","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/102412","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/56"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=102412"}],"version-history":[{"count":57,"href":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/102412\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":113842,"href":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/102412\/revisions\/113842"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/101182"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=102412"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}