Meliora Weekend 2017

Back for their second year, the Meliora letters were a popular touchstone as alumni, family and friends gathered by them—and on them—for selfies and group photos. (University photo / John Smillie)

Thousands of alumni, community members, and friends of the University returned to Rochester the weekend of October 12-14 to celebrate the annual Meliora Weekend traditions of reunions, thought-provoking conversations, and family fun. Keynote speakers included Robin Roberts, Peggy Noonan, and Jeffrey Toobin, and headline entertainers included comedian Mike Birbiglia and jazz great Chick Corea.

Meliora moments

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man and woman sprinting in a race in a park — A LARK IN THE PARK: Class of 2017 alums Laura Lockard, left, and Nate Kuhrt sprint toward the finish in the Alumni Fun Run in Genesee Valley Park. (University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)

two students sit on the L and outstretch their arms in the shape of the letter L, on the big letters on the quad — KEYNOTE: We’re here with Robin Roberts at the Palestra! (University of Rochester photo / Matt Wittmeyer)

PUTTING THE ‘L’ IN MELIORA: Ejiroghene Davies, left, and Lionel Imenakirenga pose for a photo at the Meliora letters on the River Campus. (University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)

two people standing on a balcony next to a sign that reads BIG R ATRIUM — THE BIGGER THE BETTER: George VanderZwaag, left, director of athletics and recreation, speaks with University Trustee Stephen Biggar ‘92 at a celebration of the new Genesee Hall. In recognition of a leadership gift from Biggar and his wife Elisabeth Asaro-Biggar ’92–both former varsity soccer players– the entryway to Genesee Hall and the Boehning Varsity House will be named the Big “R” Atrium. “Life is a sport,” says Biggar. “In both life and athletics, it’s really all about the people you experience it with.” (University of Rochester photo / Matt Wittmeyer)

crowds in a tent with chandeliers — BONDING WITH BBQ: Lines at Meliora Village for barbecue with all the fixings moved quickly. (University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)

man pointing to chart titled Real long term interest rates are low — ECONOMICS FOR THE REST OF US: Greg Bauer, associate dean of full-time programs and clinical professor of finance at the Simon Business School, leads one of two one-hour “back to class” sessions for alumni and visitors. (University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)

woman takes a selfie in front of a sign reading MELIORA — I AM MELIORA: School of Nursing PHD student Martez Smith takes a selfie in front of “Meliora” letters outside the School of Medicine and Dentistry. (University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)

Peggy Noonan on stage — TALKING PRESIDENTS: Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for The Wall Street Journal and best-selling author Peggy Noonan opens the annual Presidential Symposium with some advice: “Read books or they will disappear.” Noonan also offered her insights on U.S. presidents, past and present. The Meliora Weekend event was hosted by President, CEO, and G. Robert Witmer, Jr. University Professor Joel Seligman. (University of Rochester photo / Matt Wittmeyer)

five people posing for a photo outside a building — FIFTY YEARS LATER: From left to right, Roger “Skip” May 67, Mark Kearney ’67, Jack Dobberstein ’67, Paula Childs, and Eric Childs ’67 stop for a photo outside the Palestra while celebrating their 50th class reunion. (University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)

smiling woman in front of presentation slide reading DeconstructingStigma — KNOCKING DOWN BARRIERS: Christine Tebaldi ’96, ’96N, ’01N (MS), director of clinical business development and director of psychiatric emergency services at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts, discusses strategies to address the barriers of stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness and substance use disorders at the School of Nursing’s 59th Annual Clare Dennison Lecture. Tebaldi also received the school’s 2017 Distinguished Alumna Award. (University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)

Joel Seligman and John Sexton on stage — HOLDING COURT: “America has developed–and this is not a recent phenomenon–an allergy to nuance and complexity, which has turned into an appetite for a simple answer,” says New York University president emeritus and University Trustee John Sexton ’05 (Honorary), right. “This allergy, at this point, is potentially a toxic fever celebrating ignorance. Counterpoints to that are events like this.” Sexton was speaking at the annual Miller’s Court event, joining University President and CEO Joel Seligman, left, and a panel of experts to discuss the most pressing legal issues of the day. (University of Rochester photo / John Smillie)

two friends greet each other and hug — WHERE FRIENDSHIPS BEGAN: Stefanie Greenberg Chautin ’97, left, hugs classmate Erica Kuntz Moor as fellow classmates Joanne Cosiol and Colette Stanzler look on in celebration of their 20th class reunion. (University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)

woman speaking behind a microphone — POWERFUL CONVERSATIONS: “Politics is not a place where you get a trophy for participating. You need to go for the win,” says Elsie L. Scott, founding director of the Ronald W. Walters Leadership and Public Policy Center at Howard University, during the 2017 Stanton/Anthony Breakfast and Conversation. (University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)

man giving presentation near UR Medicine podium — CUTTING EDGE: Ahmed Ghazi, assistant professor of urology, talks about his team’s work to use 3-D printing technology and imaging science to fabricate artificial organs and parts of the human anatomy that are so realistic that they are used to train future physicians. Titled “Cut Twice; Operate Once: An Innovative Approach for Safer Surgery,” the presentation was part of the School of Medicine and Dentistry’s “MED Talks.” (University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)

wind chimes spell out the word MELIORA — MUSICAL MELIORA: The Meliora letters make an appearance in chimes at the Eastman School of Music. (University of Rochester photo)

musicians on stage — HONORARY DEGREES: Legendary musicians Chick Corea on keyboard and Steve Gadd ’68E on drums perform with the Corea/Gadd Band in Kodak Hall during Meliora Weekend. Both performers received honorary doctor of music degrees during the evening event at the Eastman School of Music. In a separate ceremony, Hugo Sonnenschein ’61, a distinguished economist and University trustee, was awarded an honorary doctor of philosophy. (University of Rochester photo)

large group of people under flags in Hirst Lounge — HAPPY TOGETHER: Members of the Class of 1967 pose for a class photo after the medallion ceremony to mark their 50th reunion. (University of Rochester photo / Deron Berkhof)

Jeffrey Toobin behind podium — GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS: Jeffrey Toobin, legal analyst for CNN and staff writer for The New Yorker, shares his thoughts on the news business and television journalism during a Q-and-A with the Meliora Weekend audience. (University of Rochester photo / Sofia Tokar)

ON POINT: Vocal Point, the University’s all-female a capella ensemble, takes the stage at the popular A Capella Jam, featuring the YellowJackets, the Midnight Ramblers, PASApella, Trebellious, and After Hours. (University of Rochester photo / Kate Melton)

woman and child talking to a Yellowjacket mascot — MEET AND GREET: University staff member Rae Zhou and daughter Deeann meet Rocky. (University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)

two football players tackle another football player — END OVER END: Linebacker Josh Churchin, back, and cornerback Ricky Sparks upend Union College wide receiver Alex Kaplanovich in the first half. The Yellowjackets came up short, 27-0. (University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)

photographer takes a photo of a young man in a bow tie) — LOOKING GOOD: Renee Veniskey, right, takes a photo of Yiwei Zhou ’20 at the LinkedIn Photo Booth, where students and young alumni could get professional headshots. (University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)

comedian laughing on stage — COMEDY CLUB: “Mel-ee-or-a? So I’m going to have to be better?” ponders comedian Mike Birbiglia to a packed house in the Palestra. (University photo / Matt Wittmeyer)

jugglers with fire — LIGHT UP THE NIGHT: The Strong Jugglers entertain the Meliora Weekend crowd under the glow of Rush Rhees Library. (University of Rochester photo / J. Kate Melton)

people on a Ferris wheel — THE VIEW FROM UP HERE: The Ferris wheel on Wilson Quad provides a view from above the tree tops. (University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)

lights in the trees spell MELIORA — MELIORA MOMENTS: Meliora lights up the night at the Memorial Art Gallery. (University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)