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Meliora Weekend 2013

crowd poses with Rocky mascot

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

woman takes a picture of Rush Rhees Library

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

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).


students look over a recording studio

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.


professor explains 3-D printing technology

Computer science professor George Ferguson talks to visitors about some of the 3-D printers that have been installed in Rettner Hall.


robert gates and joel seligman at kodak 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.


robert gates and joel seligman at kodak hall

Gates talked with President Joel Seligman after his keynote address.


instructor leading group in dance workshop

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.


students dancing at tropicana

Kristen Biedermann '14, James Bell '14, Zachary Quirk '17, and Fabiola Fernandez perform with the Salseros dance troupe during the 26th Annual Tropicana.


students dancing at 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.


students dancing at tropicana

Dean Kennedy '13 runs the ball on a quarterback keep into the end zone for a touchdown. The Yellowjackets defeated the Pioneers 38-13.


Arthur Miller and Barney Frank

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.


nursing alumni looking at photos

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.


nursing alumni looking at photos

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.


speaker on stage discussing music

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” . . .


speaker on stage discussing health care

. . . 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.”


alumni pose for photo

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.


alumni pose for photo

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.


demetri martin on stage

Stand-up comedian Demetri Martin kept a packed Palestra laughing with his surrealist humor.


50th reunion class photo with medallions

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.


students talking together at reception

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.


Yellowjackets a cappella group sings to a woman sitting at a table

The Yellowjackets serenade Sue Bokert, parent of Kyle Bokert '17, during a performance on Wilson Quad.


speakers on a stage

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.


runners finishing the fun run

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.


student lays a wreath at a memorial stone

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.


students all wearing red dresses pose for a portrait

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.


crowd gathers in fraternity house in front of a ceremonial ribbon

Brothers, family, and friends of Sigma Chi attended an open house ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate recent renovation to the Sigma Chi house.


performers from two a cappella groups performing a duet on stage

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.


students juggling fire at night

Julian Lunger '14, president of Strong Jugglers, juggles with fire outside Rush Rhees Library.


singing group performs in the art gallery atrium

The Midnight Ramblers helped celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Memorial Art Gallery as part of the gallery's "birthday party" on Sunday.