June 2022
Meliora! Remarks from the University’s Annual Giving Chair
It was a magnificent sight. Everyone from every corner of the University came together in May to celebrate the Class of 2022. At our first institution-wide commencement ceremony in nearly three decades, graduates from all our schools were honored, together. Thanks in large part to your generosity, the next generation of leaders are looking forward to a bright future. As you read through this issue of our newsletter, you’ll find a quick video recap about the celebration. Trust me, you’ll want to watch this one.
The University also held its annual Day of Giving this spring, and I’m happy to share that the George Eastman Circle played an important role with a significant part of our membership participating. Overall, more than 350 donors contributed $1.6M to funds across the University and Medical Center.
As we are now in June, which marks the close of the University’s fiscal year, I want to remind you that if you have not yet made your annual membership payment, or renewed your membership, please take a moment to do so, by clicking here. Additionally, The University of Rochester is preparing to welcome and host Ukrainian university students who have been displaced by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We urge you to join us in supporting these students by making a gift to the University’s Global Emergency Response Fund today. Learn more about how to support Ukrainian students in need.
On behalf of the University, thank you for all you do. My best wishes for a wonderful summer.
Meliora,
Gwen M. Greene ’65
Board of Trustees Member
University Annual Giving Chair
“I was not going to let anyone else tell me that this was the end of my story.”
Nikki was treated at Wilmot Cancer Institute for an aggressive case of lymphoma. When chemotherapy was unsuccessful, she was the 13th patient at Wilmot to receive CAR T-cell therapy after it was FDA approved.
George Eastman Circle members philanthropically invested more than $400,000 into the Wilmot Cancer Institute last year. Read more about the difference members are making at Wilmot and everywhere across the University and Medical Center.
University community came together to celebrate the Class of 2022
On May 13, the University of Rochester conferred academic degrees to more than 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students as thousands of supporters cheered them on in the Brian F. Prince Athletic Complex and online. The first institution-wide commencement ceremony in nearly three decades honored the accomplishments of the entire graduating class.
Coming full circle
Four years ago, Mathew, Robert, and Nicole Gelb arrived on campus as first-year students at the University of Rochester. But it wasn’t their first experience at the University. 18 years prior, they were born minutes apart at Strong Memorial Hospital to proud parents and George Eastman Circle members, Jay and Sandra Gelb.
Day of Giving 2022: Thank you for making a difference!
This spring, the entire University of Rochester community joined together to make a difference on the Day of Giving and through our March Matchness annual athletics campaign. Collectively, more than 4,994 donors made charitable gifts to University and Medical Center programs that mean the most to them. To date, $2,858,711 has been raised through these initiatives.
Upcoming Events
George Eastman Circle members and their families stopped by Sesame Street for a photo at our Strong National Museum of Play event.
One of the ways we are able to thank you for your commitment to philanthropy as a George Eastman Circle member is to extend invitations to various virtual events and in-person regional gatherings, dinners, and programs. We encourage you to visit our George Eastman Circle events page or learn more about the many upcoming events we are hosting for all alumni, parents, and friends of the University and Medical Center. Here are just a few of the exciting upcoming events:
June 9-11: Reunion Weekend and the Volunteers in Partnership Leadership Conference
Pick up your special George Eastman Circle members-only gift and two free drink tickets on Saturday, June 11 between 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the Meliora Village Tent, located on the Wilson Quadrangle.
June 17: The Rochester Forum
June 18: George Eastman Circle Hospitality Suite at the 2022 CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival
July 24: Rochester at Tanglewood: A Spectacular Afternoon of Music
Unable to make it to a George Eastman Circle virtual event? You can now explore our past virtual events on our video gallery. We will continuously update this gallery as virtual events take place.
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