Commencement

Honorees Named for Spring 2004 Ceremonies

Notable scientists, business leaders, and authors were among those selected to receive honorary degrees from the University during Commencement ceremonies this spring.

Arunas Chesonis ’91S (MBA), the chairman and CEO of the Rochester-based telecommunications company PaeTec, and author Andrea Barrett, who won the National Book Award for her short story collection Ship Fever, received honorary degrees during the College ceremony on May 16; Nobel Prize–winning scientist Harold Varmus received an honorary degree at the School of Medicine and Dentistry ceremony on May 9; and pioneering financial expert Muriel Siebert will receive an honorary degree at the Simon School ceremony on June 13.

University trustee Barry Meyer ’64, the chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc., was chosen to receive the Hutchison Medal, the University’s highest alumni award, presented to recognize outstanding career achievement and service.

Nationally recognized muscular dystrophy researcher Kevin Campbell ’79 (PhD) and Xerox executive Siddhartha Dalal ’73S (MBA), ’76 (PhD) each received the University’s Distinguished Scholar Medal.

This year’s graduate teaching award winner was Arie Bodek, professor and chair of physics and astronomy, who was chosen for the University Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching.

Undergraduate awards went to Zvi Zeitlin, Distinguished Professor of Violin at the Eastman School, who was chosen to receive the Edward Peck Curtis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching; and Curt Signorino, assistant professor of political science, was selected for the G. Graydon Curtis ’58 and Jane W. Curtis Award for Excellence in Teaching by a Nontenured Member of the Faculty.

The University also presented W. J. (Jack) Hall, professor emeritus of statistics, with the University’s first award for Lifetime Achievement in Graduate Education.

Look for more on Commencement in the fall issue of Rochester Review.