University Trustee Tyler Zachem ’88 and Karen Zachem have established the first-ever endowment supporting a coaching position. Made during For Ever Better: The Campaign for the University of Rochester, the gift establishes the Michael & Connie Neer Family Head Men’s Basketball Coach fund and marks a significant milestone toward the Department of Athletics and Recreation’s 2030 campaign goal.

In the Office of Global Engagement, Ravi Shankar has been appointed associate vice provost for strategic initiatives. Additionally, Ruth Levenkron has been appointed director of global engagement. Both positions became effective December 1. Find more details at the links above.

Hannah Smith, an assistant professor of surgery and of orthopaedics, outlines what symptoms mean and what to look for to get the right diagnosis.

The University has migrated to iThenticate v2, and a welcome email was sent to active users on November 22. To access your account, you will need to hit the “Activate your account” button at the bottom of that email. Can’t find the email? Check your deleted, spam, or junk mail folders. The link to reactivate your account expires on December 22. If your link has expired, contact iThenticate@rochester.edu for a new link. Direct questions via email.

Researchers at the School of Nursing are conducting a study to better understand how advanced practice providers (APPs) care for cancer survivors outside of oncology settings. The survey takes approximately 30 minutes to complete, and your input can significantly impact future training and resources. APPs in primary care, geriatrics, psychiatry, urgent care, and other non-oncology specialties are encouraged to participate. If you are a nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist, or physician assistant at the Medical Center and affiliate sites, and would like to know if you are eligible to participate, check the survey link or email the study team.

Winterfest, taking place on December 20 and 21, will feature performances by Eastman Community Music School students of all ages in Lowry Hall, Hatch Recital Hall, and Kilbourn Hall at the Eastman School of Music. All performances are free and open to the public.

The Memorial Art Gallery store hosts a holiday shopping day on Tuesday, December 23, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The STORE is also open during museum hours. And, don’t miss the following exhibitions: Desire and Abundance: American Culture and the Still Life (now open), Frontiers of Impressionism: Paintings from the Worcester Art Museum (through March 1), William Gropper: Truth, Beauty, Justice, Humor (through January 25), and Rachel Rose (through February 15). University students, faculty, staff, and retirees always get free admission with a valid ID. Tickets are available online and onsite at the admissions desk.

The Catholic Newman Community will celebrate Christmas Eve mass on December 24 at 5 p.m. in the Interfaith Chapel on the River Campus. Mass will be followed by a potluck reception. All are invited, but not required, to bring a dish to pass.

Full-time PhD students who have a child (or children) aged newborn through six years old may apply for the University’s childcare grant for PhD students. Find more information here.

The University Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs Office shares the winners of the 2025 Three Minute Thesis Competition, whose exceptional ability to communicate complex research in three minutes reflects the spirit of innovation and excellence at URochester.

The Atlantic, December 15

In a recent piece for The Atlantic, Adam Frank, the Helen F. and Fred H. Gowen Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, writes about how the fundamental nature of living things challenges assumptions that physicists have held for centuries. You can also access the piece on MSN (no subscription required).