The wonder of being together: Meliora Weekend 2026 in photos

Thousands of Yellowjackets came home to URochester for four days of big ideas, big performances, and even bigger reunions.

Some things are simply better in person.

From October 1 to 4, more than 8,000 (and counting!) alumni, students, families, faculty, staff, and friends gathered across the University of Rochester’s campuses for Meliora Weekend 2026—a four-day celebration of the people, places, ideas, and traditions that make URochester a singular place to be.

There was plenty to wonder about. PBS NewsHour journalist Amna Nawaz made a case for resisting cynicism and holding on to our humanity—even when the world gives us reasons not to. Andrew Ross Sorkin looked to the lessons of 1929 to ask when economic optimism becomes dangerous. Actor, author, humorist, and woodworker Nick Offerman brought his signature wit to campus. And Grammy Award–winning Alarm Will Sound came home to Eastman, where the ensemble got its start 25 years ago.

But the real headliners? The thousands of Yellowjackets who came to reconnect—with classmates and professors, with campus traditions, with favorite haunts, and, of course, with each other.

Nearly 300 events filled the weekend with conversations and concerts, reunions and research, food and festivities, athletics and a whole lot of URochester spirit.

And because some things are better seen than summarized, we’ll stop talking now. Take a look back at Meliora Weekend 2026.

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Oh, hello again!

Reunions—planned and otherwise—are at the heart of Meliora Weekend, bringing generations of Yellowjackets back to the people and places that helped shape their URochester experience.

Four young male Meliora Weekend attendees stand on the Rush Rhees Libary balcony and wave at the camera.

Morgan Kath and Gabryella Pulsinelli each hold a flat Rocky while Morgan shows a photo printout of the two of them from years ago in a similar position.

A young woman, a yellow lab, and a middle aged man decked out in URochester gear sit on the Eastman Quadrangle steps with Rush Rhees Library in the background.

URochester alumni holding up their medals to mark 50 years since graduating.

A woman shows something on her phone to a man sitting next to her while Meliora Weekend attendees walk nearby.

Four Meliora Weekend 2026 attendees representing the Eastman School of Music in front of the school's main building.

University of Rochester Athletics alumni convene for a group photo.

URochester alumnae gather for a group portrait at the URochester Athletics Hall of Fame event.

Two Meliora Weekend attendees pose for a photo while a third captures a cell phone photo of them in front of the MELIORA letters.

Group photo of URochester attendees at Meliora Weekend.

A big group of young women awash in sunshine and huddled together while smiling on the Eastman Quad.

Five male Meliora Weekend attendees pose for a group photo with their arms around each other.

Nearly a dozen attendees sit together and smile for a group photo at a table with a big yellow umbrella overhead.

An elderly woman shows off something on her phone to the elderly man sitting next to her and sporting a University of Rochester cap.

Four young men wearing Midnight Ramblers baseball jerseys smile for the camera.

Overhead group photo with people holding up a big sign that

URochester president Sarah Mangelsdorf flanked by more than a dozen leaders, trustees, donors, and others at the ceremonial groundbreaking for the new Student Life Building and Greenbaum Center for Jewish Life. — (URochester photo / Matt Wittmeyer)

DIGGING IN: Construction is underway on a new Student Life building that will add 15,000 square feet of gathering, rehearsal, and programmatic space to the River Campus, with the second floor becoming the Greenbaum Center for Jewish Life, a new home for Hillel at the University. The ceremonial groundbreaking featured University leadership, including President Sarah Mangelsdorf (center), trustees, donors, Hillel leaders, architects and construction managers, and supporters.

Something to wonder about

Big ideas have always been part of the Meliora Weekend mix. This year’s speakers—journalist PBS NewsHour co-anchor Amna Nawaz, actor and comedian Nick Offerman, and journalist and author Andrew Ross Sorkin—took on questions of truth and trust, history and economics, community and connection—and, naturally, woodworking.

Amna Nawaz at a podium on stage in front of a large screen that reads

Amna Nawaz on stage during her presentation at the University of Rochester.

Nick Offerman on stage during Meliora Weekend 2026.

Audience members awash in purple light during Nick Offerman's Meliora Weekend 2026 set.

Nick Offerman plays a guitar during his appearance at the University of Rochester for Meliora Weekend 2026.

Nick Offerman poses with URochester students for a group photo during Meliora Weekend 2026.

Andrew Ross Sorkin presenting on stage during Meliora Weekend 2026.

Meliora Weekend attendees in the audience for Amna Nawaz's keynote.

Andrew Ross Sorkin seated during a moderated conversation on stage at Meliora Weekend 2026.

Three URochester students smiling and jumping in front of the MELIORA letters on the Eastman Quad. — (URochester photo / Matt Wittmeyer)

JUMPING FOR JOY: Meliora Weekend brings out the URochester spirit—and, occasionally, some impressive hang time.

We came. We saw. We Ferris-wheeled.

Between the big events were hundreds of smaller ways to spend a fall weekend at URochester—from rides and games to campus traditions, family activities, and even a Yellowjacket victory (29–18) against Buffalo State on the football field.

Two people in a Ferris wheel gondola take a selfie against a bright blue sky.

A family of our walks around Meliora Village smiling and laughing with balloons, beverages, and crafts in town.

Young male Meliora Weekend attendees experiences the agony of defeat while playing a carnival game.

Long view of a table with Meliora Weekend attendees seated at it and smiling for the camera.

A URochester football player in uniform seen from behind getting hugged while tailgaters celebrate a Yellowjacket victory and Rush Rhees Library towers overhead.

A guitarist from the band The Seven Wonders performs on stage.

Two women beam at the camera while holding their food in the Meliora Village.

Young alumnae smile for the camera while holding their food truck meals outside of Wilson Commons.

Four young women in a decked out golf cart wave at the people cheering them on.

Three Meliora Weekend attendees wave while driving by in a decorated golf cart.

Tuba and other horn instruments players seen from above with a screen behind them showing a black-and-white archival photo of five men in suits with their horn instruments.

A small dog being carried around in a Meliora Weekend tote bag by its owner.

Two women by an easel paint a painting of flowers in a vase.

Six alumni gathered around a round table under the Meliora Village tent smile at the camera.

Meliora Weekend attendees throws a cornhole beanbag surrounded by fellow attendees in the Meliora Village area.

The Ferris wheel in Meliora Village against a bright blue sky.

Matthew Klocek and his wife, Priscilla, smile for a photo near the Meliora Weekend wayfinding signs. — (URochester photo / John Schlia)

HOME AGAIN: Matthew Klocek ’61 (right) celebrated his 65th reunion this year. A member of NROTC as an undergraduate, he came back to campus last year for NROTC’s 80th anniversary reunion celebration—and was the oldest member in attendance. He and his wife, Priscilla (left), lived in Honolulu for 50 years before moving back to Rochester two years ago so Priscilla could undergo cancer treatment at the Wilmot Cancer Center.

Blue. Yellow. Everywhere.

Yellowjackets showed their colors all weekend long, from the sidelines and stands to downtown gatherings and the Eastman Quadrangle.

Close-up of a fan wearing a blue and yellow striped rugby shirt cheering boisterously while watching the URochester football game.

Two University of Rochester undergraduates in blue-and-yellow gear hold up a blue sweatshirt with a giant yellow

University of Rochester seniors in their blue-and-yellow sweatshirts pose for a photo with mascot Rocky.

Football stadium seats filled with URochester alumni and supporters, including one woman holding up a sign that says

Five Meliora Weekend attendees decked out in URochester gear smile for a photo with their arms around each other.

Person seen from behind wearing a blue shirt that says

URochester alumnus Alex Vivenzio in head-to-toe yellow and blue gear walks across the Eastman Quad.

People sitting in blue and yellow Adirondack chairs in front of a giant yellow dandelion decal that reads Meliora in blue font.

Two women and a man in Rochester blue gear smile at the camera with one making a peace sign gesture.

A URochester alumnus in a yellow sport jacket smiles while holding a child in a Yellowjacket shirt.

Two undergraduates in their senior year sit on the giant

A dozen or so University of Rochester seniors sporting their new blue sweatshirts emblazoned with a yellow spirit

Alumni pose on and with the giant MELIORA letters on the Eastman Quad. — (URochester photo / Yucong “Gary” Kong ’27)

RITE OF REUNION PASSAGE: Is it even Meliora Weekend if you don’t take a photo on or with the big letters?

MW26 after dark

During the weekend’s festivities, the fun keeps going even after the sun goes down, with music, performances, celebrations, and plenty more reasons to linger on campus.