December 2017

Evans Lam is a member of the University of Rochester’s Board of Trustees and the national chair of the University’s leadership annual giving society, the George Eastman Circle. Over the years, he has supported the University in many ways, from establishing Lams Square in Rush Rhees Library to endowing the Susanna and Evans Y. Lam Professorship at the Simon School.

December 2017

Celebrating 10 Years of Impact

As 2017 draws to a close, we turn our sights to 2018: we will celebrate a remarkable milestone for the George Eastman Circle, our 10th Anniversary!

After a decade of hard work, with an inspired commitment to making a difference, our philanthropic membership stands 3,500 strong, and we have collectively pledged more than $10 million to the University and its Medical Center every year.

When I realize how much the George Eastman Circle has accomplished over the past 10 years, I am once again reminded what makes this group so special, and I am so proud of what we have been able to achieve together.

As members of the University’s leadership giving society, it is so obvious that all our generous commitments serve to enhance the University’s capabilities and expand its impact throughout society. In that spirit, if you need to make your George Eastman Circle pledge payment before December 31, it’s easy to do so online. Your continued membership will ensure 2018—and the years to come—will be life changing for many at Rochester and across the globe.

Thank for your role in helping us achieve success, year after year, as a champion of annual giving.

Meliora,

Gwen Greene ’65
Member, Board of Trustees
Chair, University Annual Giving Programs

A New Honor Roll

As the George Eastman Circle commemorates the leadership of its members over the last decade, a new and updated Honor Roll is now available online for you to read through. This special site offers a way for the University to recognize your commitment to making the world a better place.

Annual giving is powerful and vital to our University. Thank you for continually providing the leadership that allows us to challenge the limits of education, research, health care, and creativity.

To access the Giving By Level portion of the Honor Roll, please enter password M3mber.

Your Philanthropy at Work: Ever Better

The George Eastman Circle website is now featuring the incredible highlights of impact from the last decade—created by support of our membership. As you navigate the pages, you can glance at the exciting changes that have happened across all of the University of Rochester and Medical Center campuses.

The University’s new Ever Better website is also sharing stories of inspiration. This month, one of its spotlights is on the River Campus Libraries—which is constantly evolving in an increasingly digital world.

Hong Kong Connections

In this story, our George Eastman Circle National Chair Evans Lam ’83, ’84S (MBA) talks about the importance of the circle in Chinese culture and how his life really began, in many ways, at the University of Rochester. He says that his circle has to return the University—that it is his legacy. In addition to supporting River Campus Libraries and Simon Business School, Lam has also established a scholarship program to help Rochester students study and learn in Hong Kong and bring Hong Kong students here to experience the University. For his students, his impact is life-changing. Read more about Lam, learn about his commitment to the University, and hear directly from some of his scholars here.

Supporting Visiting Students from Puerto Rico
and the U.S. Virgin Islands

Months after Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Irma made landfall in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, universities and colleges in the area remain shut down, forcing students to suspend their degree programs. In response to this, the University of Rochester is offering up to 12 displaced college students from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands a tuition-free guest semester program. These visiting students will join the Rochester community for the 2018 spring semester.

The University has launched a crowdfunding project to support these visiting students during their time at the University. To see how the campaign is progressing, click here.

Upcoming Events

One of the ways we’re able to thank you for your commitment to philanthropy at the University is to extend invitations to various regional gatherings, dinners, and University programs. Here are just a few of the upcoming events that George Eastman Circle members are invited to join. To find more, please visit the George Eastman Circle website.

UR Alumni and Friends Holiday Party – Chicago
December 9
Chicago, Illinois

An Evening with the International Voices of Houston
December 10
Houston, Texas

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Concert & Reception
December 10
Atlanta, Georgia

UR Alumni and Friends New Year Celebration
January 6
San Diego, California

Philadelphia Network New Year Celebration
January 13
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Metro NYC New Year Celebration
January 14
New York, New York

Washington, D.C. Network New Year Celebration
January 14
Washington, D.C.

Baltimore Network New Year Celebration
February 3
Baltimore, Maryland