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Campus Life

Forever better at Meliora Weekend 2024

ROCHESTER TRADITIONS: Meliora Weekend 2024 is officially in the books. (University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)

The signature fall event welcomed thousands of University community members to campus for a weekend of joyous celebrations and meaningful conversations.

Meliora Weekend 2024 hosted more than 10,000 registered attendees—including students and families, alumni, community members, faculty and staff, and distinguished guests—on the University of Rochester’s campuses. The traditional fall event, which took place September 26–29 this year, combines homecoming, reunion, and parents and family weekend into a unique opportunity for members of the Yellowjacket family to celebrate, reunite, reminisce, socialize, and learn together.

Enjoy this look back at the festivities!

Aerial view of Meliora Village on the Wilson Quad during Meliora Weekend 2024.
(University of Rochester photo / AJ Pow)

A YELLOWJACKET’S-EYE VIEW: Wilson Quadrangle, transformed into Meliora Village, is where much of the Meliora Weekend magic happened.


Two people smile from a ferris wheel with Rush Rhees Tower in the background.
(University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)

RIDING IN STYLE: Attendees enjoyed ferris wheel rides on the Wilson Quad.


A student in a University of Rochester t-shirt break dances on stage during Meliora Weekend 2024.
(University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)

MAKING MOVES: Performers and student groups, including Free Flow, performed on one of several stages set up in Meliora Village on the Wilson Quad.


Crowd of people mingling and celebrating during the Eastman Block Party in downtown Rochester, New York.
(University of Rochester photo / John Schlia)

STREET EATS AND BEATS: Revelers gathered outside of the Eastman School of Music for a block party—complete with food trucks and performances by Eastman School student musicians.


Norah O'Donnell smiling while delivering a keynote address on stage.
(University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)

NORAH THE EXPLORER: Veteran newscaster and Emmy Award–winning journalist Norah O’Donnell, who is one of only three women in history to solo anchor a network evening news broadcast, delivered the weekend’s keynote address in the Palestra.

“Fear and self-doubt is your constant companion. And that may sound daunting, but the key is to turn that fear into fuel and that doubt into determination,” she told a rapt audience. “I wouldn’t be sitting in Walter Cronkite’s chair today,” O’Donnell recalled, if she had let others’ doubts about her determine her future.


Panelists, including City of Rochester Mayor Malik Evans, seated on stage.
(University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)

DIALOGUE ON DEMOCRACY: A panel of experts on politics and international relations discussed democracy and elections worldwide during the University Symposium in Strong Auditorium. Among the speakers was City of Rochester Mayor Malik Evans ’02 (second from left), who noted that “Most of the folks in our country, not even just in the city of Rochester or Monroe County, they want solutions to their problems, but they’re turned off from the far right and far left. And that’s dangerous because then they won’t participate in the democratic process.”


Three University of Rochester alumni chat outside during Meliora Weekend 2024.
(University of Rochester photo / Matt Wittmeyer)

THREE’S (GOOD) COMPANY: Valeria Lopez Aldaco ’14, Conor McNamara ’13, and Zamantha Lopez ’13 made the most of their reunion.


People playing a game of giant checkers on the Wilson Quad.
(University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)

CHECK IT OUT NOW: Oversized lawn games could be found throughout Meliora Village.


Shankar Vedantam presents on stage in front of a screen that says "Hidden Brain."
(University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)

INSIDE OUT: Shankar Vedantam, the host and executive editor of the Hidden Brain podcast and radio show, talked about the psychological keys to success during his presentation in Strong Auditorium. “Part of the reason for our endurance and resilience is that we’ve had a number of people looking out for us … helping other people transforms the way we think about ourselves. The act of helping other people makes us feel better about ourselves,” he said. “If you want to make your life better, spend more time looking outward instead of inward.”


University of Rochester Yellowjackets football team strategizes on the sidelines.
(University of Rochester photo / John Schlia)

BIG WEEKEND WIN: The Yellowjackets triumphed over the visiting University of New England by a 42–21 score during the homecoming game on Saturday afternoon. Rochester’s 4–0 start to the season is the first for the program since 2000. Go, Jackets!


A mother and father in matching University of Rochester t-shirts smile for a photo with bleachers and campus in the background.
(University of Rochester photo / John Schlia)

PROUD PARENTS: Lily and Prince Nuamah cheered on the Yellowjackets during the big game, including their son Samuel Nuamah, #8.


Five University of Rochester students smile and hold up blue sweatshirts with big yellow R's on them.
(University of Rochester photo / Deron Berkhof)

GEARLY BELOVED: Meliora Weekend is the only time and place for undergraduates in the College to pick up their limited-edition Rochester Traditions™️ giveaway item. This year’s seniors (not to mention a skateboard) snagged—and showed off—their vintage “R” sweatshirts.


Hand holding a donut with white glaze and blue and yellow sprinkles with a ferris wheel blurred out in the background.
(University of Rochester photo / Matt Wittmeyer)

DO OR DONUT. THERE IS NO TRY: University of Rochester–themed baked goods? We’ll take a dozen.


Joel McHale on stage with a mic.
(University of Rochester photo / David Hildreth)

BRINGING THE LOLZ: Actor, comedian, and television host Joel McHale brought his signature brand of comedy to the guests at the Palestra on Saturday night.


Members of the Yellowjackets a cappella group perform on stage.
(University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)

WHEN WE SAY ‘EVER’, YOU SAY ‘BETTER’: It wouldn’t be a proper Meliora Weekend without performances by the Yellowjackets and other student a cappella groups.


People seated at long rows of tables under the lights of a tent.
(University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)

I LIVE FOR THE APPLAUSE: You could say the a cappella jam in the Meliora Village was in tents.


Two people juggling items on fire at night.
(University of Rochester photo / David Hildreth)

LIGHT MY FIRE: Intermittent rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of the Strong Jugglers during the group’s 11th annual fire show.


A couple poses for a selfie in front of the giant letters spelling out "Meliora."
(University of Rochester photo / Matt Wittmeyer)

DO IT FOR THE GRAM: Gretchen Friedhaber Badami ’99 and Ashirwaad Badami ’99 were among the many guests who posed for a selfie together on the Eastman Quad.


A group of School of Medicine and Dentistry graduates takes a tour.
(University of Rochester photo / John Schlia)

THERE AND BACK AGAIN: Alumni were taken on guided tours of the School of Medicine and Dentistry.


Students pose for a photo in a giant letter "O" on the Eastman Quad.
(University of Rochester photo / John Schlia)

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO: And that’s a wrap on Meliora Weekend 2024. Can’t wait to see you next year, Yellowjackets!