The texts, likes, and occasional catch-up calls are great. But nothing compares to being back together on campus for Meliora Weekend. Reconnect with classmates, traditions, and the Rochester community that continues to bring us together.
MELWKND26
CONNECT HERE OCT 1–4
MELWKND26
CONNECT HERE OCT 1–4
Headliners
Amna Nawaz: PBS News Hour co-anchor and co-managing editor
Amna Nawaz is an Emmy, Peabody, and Cronkite award-winning journalist who currently serves as co-anchor and co-managing editor of the PBS News Hour.
Her reporting ranges from politics and foreign affairs, to immigration and education, to culture and sports… Read more
Andrew Ross Sorkin: New York Times bestselling author, journalist, & co-anchor of Squawk Box
Andrew Ross Sorkin is an award-winning journalist for The New York Times and a co-anchor of Squawk Box, CNBC’s signature morning program. He is also the founder and editor-at-large of DealBook, an online daily financial report published by The New York Times that he started in 2001.
Nick Offerman: actor, author, humorist, and woodworker
Nick Offerman is an actor, author, humorist, and woodworker whose credits include the Emmy Award-winning role of Bill in The Last of Us (HBO), Ron Swanson on NBC’s Parks and Recreation, Jinx in Margo’s Got Money Troubles (Apple). His latest book is Little Woodchucks: Offerman Woodshop’s Guide to Tools and Tomfoolery.
Eastman Presents: Alarm Will Sound: Homecoming
2026 Grammy Award-winners Alarm Will Sound return to their alma mater for Meliora Weekend! Founded at the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music 25 years ago and led by Eastman alumni Alan Pierson ’06E (DMA) and Gavin Chuck ’96E (MA), ’04E (PhD), Alarm Will Sound has been hailed as the future of American classical music. This performance will feature multi-genre arrangements of electronic music for small orchestra, drawing inspiration from jazz, film, classical music, contemporary music, and everything in between. With a program that has something for everyone, this promises to be a musically diverse and inspiring evening.
Alarm Will Sound’s visit is generously supported by the Elizabeth Ward Chicares ’86 Distinguished Visiting Artist Program.
Headliners
Amna Nawaz: PBS News Hour co-anchor and co-managing editor
Amna Nawaz is an Emmy, Peabody, and Cronkite award-winning journalist who currently serves as co-anchor and co-managing editor of the PBS News Hour.
Her reporting ranges from politics and foreign affairs, to immigration and education, to culture and sports… Read more
Andrew Ross Sorkin: New York Times bestselling author, journalist, & co-anchor of Squawk Box
Andrew Ross Sorkin is an award-winning journalist for The New York Times and a co-anchor of Squawk Box, CNBC’s signature morning program. He is also the founder and editor-at-large of DealBook, an online daily financial report published by The New York Times that he started in 2001.
Nick Offerman: actor, author, humorist, and woodworker
Nick Offerman is an actor, author, humorist, and woodworker whose credits include the Emmy Award-winning role of Bill in The Last of Us (HBO), Ron Swanson on NBC’s Parks and Recreation, Jinx in Margo’s Got Money Troubles (Apple). His latest book is Little Woodchucks: Offerman Woodshop’s Guide to Tools and Tomfoolery.
Eastman Presents: Alarm Will Sound: Homecoming
2026 Grammy Award-winners Alarm Will Sound return to their alma mater for Meliora Weekend! Founded at the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music 25 years ago and led by Eastman alumni Alan Pierson ’06E (DMA) and Gavin Chuck ’96E (MA), ’04E (PhD), Alarm Will Sound has been hailed as the future of American classical music. This performance will feature multi-genre arrangements of electronic music for small orchestra, drawing inspiration from jazz, film, classical music, contemporary music, and everything in between. With a program that has something for everyone, this promises to be a musically diverse and inspiring evening.
Alarm Will Sound’s visit is generously supported by the Elizabeth Ward Chicares ’86 Distinguished Visiting Artist Program.
Symposium speakers
Heather Higginbottom is the head of research, policy & insights for corporate responsibility at JPMorganChase. Her distinguished career includes senior leadership roles at CARE USA, the U.S. State Department, the White House, and on Capitol Hill, shaping her as a respected voice in public policy and philanthropy.
Brian Mitchell is the president and managing principal of Academic Innovators. With a distinguished leadership career in higher education. He regularly contributes to outlets such as The Huffington Post, Academe, and University Business Magazine.
David B. Nash is a globally recognized leader in healthcare quality, physician leadership, and outcomes accountability. A board-certified internist and author, he has influenced policy and practice through his roles on numerous boards, publications, and pioneering contributions to public reporting of healthcare outcomes.
Lynn Vavreck is the Marvin Hoffenberg Professor of American Politics and Public Policy at UCLA, a political scientist, and is known for her research on campaigns, elections, and public opinion. Her award-winning books and contributions to The New York Times have solidified her reputation as a leading voice on American politics.