University News

Since 2001, Gerald L. Pickering has served as Webster police chief, overseeing a force of 32 sworn officers and 10 civilian professionals. Pickering will start in the new position at the University on Jan. 5.

Founded in 2006, the Central New York Humanities Corridor is an interdisciplinary collaboration among research institutions and liberal arts colleges focused on enhancing scholarship in the humanities. The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has committed a matching grant of $500,000 to the University of Rochester, which will establish an endowment for the University’s continued partnership.

The Intercultural Center has been named to honor alumnus, dean, and University leader Paul J. Burgett. Earlier this month, the Board of Trustees paid tribute to Burgett ’68E, ’72E (MA), ’76E (PhD), by naming the center on the occasion of his 50th year at the University.

PharmAdva is commercializing a technology developed at the University of Rochester Medical Center by Michel Berg, M.D. The company will be making automated home pill dispensers that prompt patients to take their medications on time and in the proper doses.

Alumni, parents, friends, students, and community members gathered on campus for Meliora and Eastman Weekends 2014, October 16–19. This year’s program featured dozens of events, including guest speakers, performances, lectures, athletics, receptions, and much more. Enjoy these highlights and snapshots from this weekend’s festivities.

On Friday, Oct. 17, University officials celebrated with Mt. Hope community members; city, county, state, and federal government leaders; and project partners the dedication of College Town, the $100 million shopping, dining, business and residential district in the city of Rochester near River Campus and the Medical Center.

The Health Plan Committee, which evaluates new proposals for inclusion in the University’s health program offerings, recently approved this expansion of benefits to enrolled employees and their covered family members. The benefit will cover medically necessary transition-related coverage, including hormone therapy, medical and psychological counseling, and gender affirmation surgery.

Strong Memorial and F.F. Thompson Hospitals are the only Western New York hospitals to earn this distinction from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRCF), , which is the nation’s largest organization devoted to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender civil rights issues.

On Saturday, Oct. 18, two popular experts on University of Rochester history—Paul Burgett, vice president and senior advisor to the president and Melissa Mead, University archivist—will highlight some its most significant milestones and retell some of its best stories.

As head of patron services in Rush Rhees Library, Kathy Metz has helped redefine how students and faculty access library services and resources. Her ingenuity and leadership have earned her the 2014 Messinger Libraries Recognition Award.

Robert Lamb Sproull, internationally known physicist, professor and the seventh president of the University of Rochester, died Oct. 9 at the age of 96. Sproull joined the University as provost in 1968 and was president from 1970 to 1984.

Knill, who came to the University as an associate professor in 1999, was a leading scientist in the study of human perception. He also served as the associate director of the Center for Visual Science since 2001. Most of his work, which included over 60 research and review articles, focused on visual perception and how humans use vision to guide physical actions.