MELIORA
WEEKEND
SEPTEMBER 18-21, 2025
MELIORA
WEEKEND
SEPTEMBER 18-21, 2025
Meliora Weekend
September 18-21, 2025
Join us across all campuses for a spectacular Meliora Weekend packed with unforgettable alumni reunions, inspiring academic lectures, thrilling athletic competitions, and family-friendly fun. This year’s Meliora Weekend is extra special as we proudly mark the University’s 175th anniversary—plus centennial milestones for the School of Medicine and Dentistry, Strong Memorial Hospital, and the School of Nursing.
Be part of the excitement as we launch For Ever Better: The Campaign for the University of Rochester. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to honor our legacy, shape the future, and celebrate together!
Registration opens July 23.
Headliners
Trevor Noah is an Emmy Award-winning comedian, bestselling author, and former host of The Daily Show, who has captivated audiences worldwide through his stand-up tours, best-selling books, and widely followed podcast. He also leads Day Zero Productions and the Trevor Noah Foundation, championing diverse storytelling and equitable access to education.
Lisa Genova is The New York Times bestselling author of the novels Still Alice, Left Neglected, Love Anthony, and Inside the O’Brien’s. She brings science to life with stories and insights that have captivated millions of readers and viewers worldwide. Her TED talks on Alzheimer’s and memory have been viewed more than 11 million times.
Erik Larson is the author of six previous national bestsellers—The Splendid and the Vile, Dead Wake, In the Garden of Beasts, Thunderstruck, The Devil in the White City, and Isaac’s Storm— which have collectively sold more than twelve million copies. His books have been published in nearly forty countries.
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.