Dear School of Arts and Sciences community,
Meliora Weekend is almost here!
The annual homecoming celebration of alumni, students and their families, and all things University of Rochester kicks off Thursday and runs through Sunday.
The full schedule of festivities includes more than 150 events, lectures, and performances, many of them sponsored by departments, programs, centers, and institutes within the School of Arts and Sciences.
Here is a sampling of those that highlight the depth and breadth of work in the School of Arts and Sciences:
Symposium: “Election 2024: A Test for Global Democracy”: This is a historic year for democracy worldwide, with elections in the United States, Europe, Latin America, and South Asia. A panel of experts on democratic politics and international relations discuss what’s at stake. Panelists are Democracy Center Director Gretchen Helmke; Associate Professor of Political Science Bonnie Meguid; Professor of Political Science David Primo; and alumnus Rochester Mayor Malik Evans. Interim Provost Nicole Sampson moderates. Strong Auditorium, 2-3:15 p.m., Friday, Sept. 27.
Theatre: “Oedipus”: You may think you know “Oedipus,” but you’ve never seen it performed like this. The International Theatre Program’s production is an immersive theatre experience in which audience members follow different characters throughout a Todd Union that doubles as the quarantined city of Thebes. The drama and the tragedy of Sophocles’s haunting story of a man escaping the curse of his destiny are all there, but with a twist not to missed. Get your tickets. The curtain rises at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, and the show runs through Sunday.
Meet-and-Greet: Susan B. Anthony Institute Director Stefanie Dunning: This academic year marks a new era of leadership for the Susan B. Anthony Institute for Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies, as Professor Stefanie Dunning started her tenure as the institute’s director. A Black feminist scholar of literature, ecocriticism, and queer theory, she brings scholarly excellence and diverse leadership experience to the role. This is your chance to welcome her and hear the fresh vision she brings to the program and university. Lattimore Hall 518, 3-4:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 27.
Lecture: The Cultural History of Glaciers and the Origins of Modern Climate Science: History professors Tanya Bakhmetyeva and Stewart Weaver draw from their ongoing research in freezing climes around the globe to share how glaciers emerged shifted from romantic and mystical landscapes to outdoor laboratories of geological science. Their talk, begins at 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, in Morey Hall 321, and follows a History Department open house and reception in Rush Rhees Library beginning at 3:30 p.m.
Lab Tour: Earth and Environmental Sciences: Join the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences for tours of its research laboratories and hear about the exciting work being conducted. Light refreshments will be provided. Hutchison Hall, Green Lounge, 3:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 27.
Concert: Arthur Satz Department of Music Prism Concert: Bask in a multi-faceted musical experience without applause, gaps between performances, or visual distractions. Participating ensembles — Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Jazz Ensembles, Gospel Choir, Chamber Singers, West African Drumming Ensemble/Sansifanyi, and Concert Choir — will give focused performances that showcase the high caliber of music on the River Campus. Strong Auditorium, 8-10 p.m., Friday, Sept. 27.
Enjoy the festivities! Meliora!
Your Dean,
Duje Tadin
