The Class of 2026 poses for a group photo on Wilson Quad in August 2022. URochester photo, J. Adam Fenster. 

As Commencement approaches on Friday, May 15, we’re spotlighting the stories, accomplishments, and perspectives of the members of URochester’s Class of 2026.

At this year’s Venice Biennale, visitors to the pavilion sponsored by the Vatican will find a fusion of past and present in the music of the 12th-century German Saint Hildegard of Bingen being interpreted by some of today’s most innovative artists. Honey Meconi, a professor of musicology whose extensive research into Hildegard has shaped how the world understands and performs her music, is helping bring the exhibit to life.

Konstantinos Chochlidakis, a professor of dentistry, offers five key things to consider before choosing dental veneers.

Join the Office of Total Rewards today, May 11, at 1 p.m. for a webinar designed to help you better understand your health and dental benefits—including key health care terms, the medical and dental plan options available to you, and how spending accounts like FSAs and HSAs work. You’ll also learn about helpful tools and resources to make confident, informed choices during enrollment and beyond.

This interactive two-day course builds practical skills that enhance both personal and professional effectiveness. Participants will explore proven principles for leadership, productivity, and meaningful change. The June session is your last chance to attend for $200 before the price increases in August. As part of that price increase, attendees will receive access to FranklinCovey’s All-Access Impact Portal, featuring award-winning resources on leadership, productivity, change management, coaching, and more. Learn more and register to attend June 15 and 16; August 31 and September 1; or November 3 and 4.

Earn $150 and learn what you can do to lower your cholesterol during Well-U’s personalized condition management coaching sessions for high cholesterol. Register now.

The Goergen Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence hosts the lecture “A New(ish) Framework for Measuring Ideology Through Discourse” with Kenny Joseph, an associate professor of computer science and engineering at the University at Buffalo, on Thursday, May 14, from 11 to 11:50 a.m. in Sloan Auditorium.

The Hill, May 6

Hein Goemans, a professor of political science and the director of the Peter D. Watson Center for Conflict and Cooperation, who specializes in war termination, was skeptical that either side was willing to make the necessary concessions to reach a long-term peace deal. “At minimum, the Iranians are thinking no deal with America is credible. America can change its mind overnight and then start bombing us even in the middle of talking. So any Iranian leader will know that. So they will, they will hedge on some form.”

The Student Employment Office shares that Tengge “Steven” Wang has been named undergraduate Student Employee of the Year for their work as a research assistant for the Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute. Tao Tang is the graduate Student Employee of the Year for their work as a research assistant for the School of Nursing.