Meliora Weekend 2013
Thousands of alumni and parents returned to Rochester the weekend of October 10-13 for a weekend of performances, reunions, lectures and more.
Photo Gallery
Denise Wachhter takes advantage of the fall sunshine and snaps a photo of Rush Rhees Library. She was up from Pennsylvania for Meliora Weekend, vising her son Nick Wachhter '17.
Rabbi Asher Yaras offers a prayer before the ribbon-cutting to formally dedicate Ronald Rettner Hall for Media Arts and Innovation, named in recognition of lead benefactor Ronald Rettner (center, behind Yaras and to the left of President Joel Seligman).
Dan Waldman '17, an audio and music engineering major, and Peter Snell '17, a neuroscience major, look over the control booth in a music recording studio in Rettner Hall.
Computer science professor George Ferguson talks to visitors about some of the 3-D printers that have been installed in Rettner Hall.
"The future of our economy is in our research universities," Robert Gates, former secretary of defense and director of the CIA, told a full house at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre.
Gates talked with President Joel Seligman after his keynote address.
Rebeca Tomas '98, the artistic director and choreographer for A Palo Seco Flamenco Company, led alumni, students, and parents in a workshop on flamenco dancing at Spurrier Gymnasium.
Kristen Biedermann '14, James Bell '14, Zachary Quirk '17, and Fabiola Fernandez perform with the Salseros dance troupe during the 26th Annual Tropicana.
Ugwu Okeke Ewo '16 (#4) celebrates with his twin brother Ani Okeke Ewo '16 after his third quarter interception during Saturday's game against Alfred State.
Dean Kennedy '13 runs the ball on a quarterback keep into the end zone for a touchdown. The Yellowjackets defeated the Pioneers 38-13.
Former Democratic congressman Barney Frank was the quest at a special combined Miller's Court / Presidential Symposoium hosted by Arthur Miller '56. The two discussed Frank's role in advancing LGBT issues and financial reforms.
Carole Fiske Spragg '68N, '68 (seated, left), Sue Toce Caprio '68N, '68 (standing), and Adair Bowman Small '66N, '68 look through scrapbooks and other memorabilia during the School of Nursing's breakfast reception.
Madeline Schmitt '65N, '70 (MA), professor emerita of nursing, delivered the Clare Dennison lecture, an annual talk named in honor of Dennison, who oversaw the school's educational programs from 1931 to 1951.
The weekend's programming featured a new addition: MEL Talks were TED Talk–style presentations by single faculty members and alumni who shared their experiences and expertise in brief, engaging presentations. Presenters included Aaron Michalko '14 of the Midnight Ramblers on “Setting My Jersey Aside: A Midnight Rambler's Look at Being Defined by Others” . . .
. . . and Sarah Peyre, director of the Center for Experiential Learning, associate professor of surgery, and assistant professor of nursing, presented “Producing Dream Teams: The New Direction in Healthcare Delivery.”
Howard Bourdages, Steven Grinspoon, Christopher deFilippi, and David Propp, all from the 1988 MD class, take time out for a photo during the School of Medicine and Dentistry's all-alumni happy hour.
Ralph Moore '63M (MD), Carolyn Moore, Gretchen Scherping, and Steven Scherping '63M (MD) pose for a reunion photo at the School of Medicine and Dentistry's all-alumni happy hour on Friday.
Stand-up comedian Demetri Martin kept a packed Palestra laughing with his surrealist humor.
Members of the Class of 1963 celebrated their 50th reunion, complete with medallions presented by President Joel Seligman and Ed Hajim '58, chairman of the Board of Trustees.
The Office of Minority Students Association (OMSA) hosted its annual networking reception, offering students and alumni a chance to meet each other and talk about educational opportunities, careers, and life after college.
The Yellowjackets serenade Sue Bokert, parent of Kyle Bokert '17, during a performance on Wilson Quad.
Beth Bailey, professor of history at Temple University (left) and the author of America’s Army: Making the All-Volunteer Force, was joined by Aaron Belkin, author of Bring Me Men, and Melissa Dichter of the Philadelphia VA Medical Center, for a discussion on the role of women in the military and how women are perceived within the services and in the media at the annual Stanton/Anthony Conversations.
One of the early morning activities on Saturday was an alumni fun run, where runners like Gary Hammond '78 and Bill Doyle '78 crossed the finish line at Fauver Stadium.
Jaclyn Reinhart '14, the current recipient of the scholarship established by Mark Zaid '89 to honor the Rochester students killed in the Pan Am flight 103 tragedy, places a wreath near the memorial plaque that honors Eric Coker '90 and Katharine Hollister '90. The tragedy occurred 25 years ago this year.
The sisters of Alpha Phi celebrate their annual Red Dress Gala. All proceeds from the event go directly to the Alpha Phi Foundation in support of heart health.
Brothers, family, and friends of Sigma Chi attended an open house ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate recent renovation to the Sigma Chi house.
Aditya Nellore '16 of the Yellowjackets and Allison Eberhardt '15 of Vocal Point sing a duet during Saturday night's A Cappella Jam at the Palestra.
Julian Lunger '14, president of Strong Jugglers, juggles with fire outside Rush Rhees Library.
The Midnight Ramblers helped celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Memorial Art Gallery as part of the gallery's "birthday party" on Sunday.