Yellowjackets from the start: Welcome Week sets the tone for a new school year
Johanna Lester
|
Digital Communications Specialist Excitement, anticipation, and school spirit abounded as new and returning students arrived at URochester for the 2026–27 academic year.
Celebration (and confetti, naturally) was in the air as the University of Rochester welcomed about 1,400 new undergraduates, including first-year and transfer students, for the 2026–27 academic year. They hail from across the country and around the world, arriving with impressive academic records—and experiences that range from publishing novels and performing at Carnegie Hall to launching nonprofits, flying planes, and even championship barrel racing.
Throughout a Welcome Week marked by hallowed—and more recent—traditions, Yellowjackets new and old are set to begin the semester guided by connection, wonder, and the spirit of URochester’s motto of Meliora.
URochester Photos by J. Adam Fenster, Gary Kong, and Keith Bullis.
A MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION: First-year and transfer students settled into their new lives on URochester’s River Campus and Eastman Campus, aided, as ever, by family members, URochester faculty and staff, and friends old and new.
PAINT BY NUMBER: It isn’t official until the class rock says so. URochester D’Lions student orientation leaders give the unofficial landmark and glow-up for the Class of 2030 outside of Susan B. Anthony Halls on the River Campus.
FIT CHECK: The School of Medicine & Dentistry’s incoming class took its next step toward becoming medical professionals, receiving their white coats at the 21st annual Dr. Robert L. and Lillian H. Brent White Coat Ceremony. The class includes 105 students from 27 states and several countries.
THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT: Sunshine, smiles, bubbles, and yes, even Rocky, were out in full force as URochester leaders welcomed first-year students and their families during this year’s Convocation ceremony.
STEERING THE (LEADER)SHIP: “As you study and live and take part in campus life, you will be taking lessons in how to be a leader; how to listen respectfully to ideas that may challenge you; how to honestly evaluate evidence; how to seek out opinions to round out your picture of the world in which we all live and work,” encouraged URochester President Sarah Mangelsdorf during her Convocation remarks.
SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED: Following Convocation, first-year students signed the class roll as a symbol of their entry into the URochester community. Class rolls are preserved in Rush Rhees Library and displayed at Commencement and class reunions.
PERFORMANCE PLUS: New students to the Eastman School of Music sported their Class of 2030 shirts during their welcome in Eastman Theatre’s illustrious Kodak Hall.
ENTER THE QUAD SQUAD: Does it get any better than this? Under a gorgeous August sky, first-year and transfer students experienced the annual Candlelight Ceremony and received their class jerseys on the Eastman Quadrangle—perhaps the most dynamic Rochester Tradition.
HEY, DJ, KEEP PLAYING THAT SONG: John Blackshear, vice president for student life, lent his considerable DJ skills to the mix, bringing energy and vibes to the Candlelight Ceremony. (Stream his set playlist below!)
Stream the Candlelight After Dark mix from DJ Blackshear
A DIFFERENT SORT OF ALL-HANDS MEETING: Wilson Day of Engagement, a beloved tradition for more than 35 years, offers students the opportunity to get to know the Rochester community and learn about its history through meaningful, hands-on interactions. As part of this year’s outing, Class of 2030 students volunteered at the Lilac Adventure Zone in Highland Park with members of the Highland Park Conservatory.
SMILE LIKE YOU MEAN IT: New undergraduate students in the School of Arts & Sciences, the Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, and Simon Business School form the iconic “Spirit R” for the traditional group photo on the Wilson Quadrangle on URochester’s River Campus, while members of the Eastman School of Music’s Class of 2030 strike an “E” in the historic Eastman Theatre.
ALL FUN AND GAMES: Is it even really Field Day if you don’t slide down the inflatable slide?
HOLD FOR APPLAUSE: As a Welcome Week finale, it’s hard to top Celebrate Rochester, which offers first-year students a sample of URochester’s global community through an evening of music, dance, and other performances from groups like the Trombone Choir, Xclusive, and Rangoli. Students can learn more about how to get involved through CCC.
Simon says, “Welcome to URochester!”
At the Simon Business School, orientation is more than an introduction—it’s the start of the relationships, experiences, and challenges that will define the months ahead. Even before classes officially began, the Simon MBA experience was already underway. The newest class spent orientation giving back alongside Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County, tackling their first case competition, learning about experiential learning opportunities, and getting to know classmates at a pre-fall social event.
A very Warner welcome
During the Warner School of Education & Human Development’s Welcome Week, students experienced opportunities to connect with classmates, hear from current students and Warner leadership, and learn about resources that will support their transition and well-being. We also welcomed our 2026 Fulbright Teachers, who arrived on campus in mid-August for three weeks of orientation before beginning the fall semester and their teaching placements. This year marks the fourth consecutive year that the Warner School has hosted Fulbright Teachers from around the world.
