The University has launched the Department of Sound Arts and Engineering, a new interdisciplinary academic department bringing together the Eastman School of Music and the Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences. The integrated department advances research, education, creative practice, and public engagement at the nexus of sound, technology, and the musical arts.

URochester researchers led by the Department of Chemical and Sustainability Engineering’s Marc Porosoff, an associate professor, and Andrew White, a visiting associate professor, are now harnessing the benefits of large language models similar to ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini to empower more researchers to use AI to discover new materials and accelerate experiment workflows.

University flags on the Eastman Quadrangle and near the entrance of Strong Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department, and the flags atop the Eastman Theatre at the corner of Gibbs and Main Streets, will be lowered on Tuesday, April 28, for Peter Crane, an associate professor of emergency medicine, who died on March 13. Crane joined the University in 2002.

Well-U provides eligible employees and spouses or domestic partners the opportunity to get a full view of their present health and earn $150. Start your 2026 assessment by creating an account or logging in to the wellness portal.

Open to all URochester instructors, this program discusses the implications of generative AI for teaching and learning. Participants will consider how to revise courses in response to generative AI, and if and how to integrate it into student or instructor work. Appropriate for instructors who have never used generative AI and those who have used it extensively. Learn more and register here.

Join Memorial Art Gallery for an exploration of the colors and sounds of nature, brought to life by musicians of the Rochester Philharmonic and Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestras, as you look through MAG’s collection. Find tickets here to attend today, April 16, at 6 p.m.

In a webinar on Friday, April 17, from noon to 1 p.m., Kathy Parrinello, president and CEO of Strong Memorial Hospital, will discuss how hospitals like Strong have the challenge of delivering high-quality, cost-effective care while expanding access to underserved populations. Join the discussion to learn how the URochester healthcare system is developing a collaborative infrastructure, expanding the workforce, and redistributing patient care across the network. You can find recaps for previous webinars on the Leadership Conversations page.

Join Simon Business School for an engaging webinar with University Trustee Evans Lam ’83, ’84S (MBA), as he reflects on the realities of building a career in finance and investment—and how classroom theory translates into real-world practice. This session on Monday, April 20, at 3 p.m. is ideal for students, alumni, and professionals interested in bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world impact in finance. Advance registration is required.

URochester’s Brain Exercise Initiative student group is hosting a charity fun run on April 18 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. There is a $5 entry fee, with all proceeds benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association Finger Lakes Chapter. Tickets are available at the Common Market or online, and Rocky Bucks can be used for in-person purchases.

Stop by Hillside Marketplace today, April 16, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and treat yourself to a free can of Poppi. While you’re there, enter for a chance to win a Celsius gravity chair.

You can also celebrate culinary excellence at Danforth Dining Center during today’s lunch service with Ace Rivers’ famous French toast bar.

The Susan B. Anthony Institute for Sexuality, Women’s, and Gender Studies announces its annual call for nominations for the 2026 SBAI Awards. Learn more about each award and how to nominate a colleague, mentor, or community partner. Nominations are due April 25.

Join the Central New York Humanities Corridor for “Learning in Relationship: Reciprocity, Context, and the Work of Community” at noon on May 12 at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva. Find details and register.

Did you know that when you pledge to United Way, you give children and families access to support through organizations like Mt. Hope Family Center? “Families thrive when they have reliable support, and the United Way gets that,” said University Campaign Chair Shaun Nelms, vice president for community partnerships. “Whether it’s an after-school program for kids or prenatal care for an expecting mom, your participation helps fund programs making a difference across our community.”

The Paul J. Burgett Intercultural Center hosts its annual Rainbow Cord Ceremony on Wednesday, May 13, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in the Feldman Ballroom, honoring graduating students who have demonstrated support for LGBTQ life at the University. The celebration includes the presentation of rainbow cords to wear at Commencement. Graduating students from all URochester schools are invited to attend. RSVP by May 1.

Cheer on Rochester’s varsity teams at home contests scheduled for this coming week. Find more information on the Athletics website calendar and social media channels. Events are weather-dependent and subject to change.

Friday, April 17

• Women’s lacrosse vs. Skidmore College, 4 p.m.
• Women’s tennis vs. Vassar College, 4 p.m.

Saturday, April 18

• Women’s lacrosse vs. RPI, 2 p.m.
• Women’s tennis vs. SUNY Geneseo, 2 p.m.

Sunday, April 19

• Men’s and women’s track and field URochester Alumni Invitational, 10 a.m.