On May 17, the University conferred academic degrees to more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate students at the 174th Commencement ceremony.

A look back at some moments in August you may have missed—and some images we couldn’t help but share.

The annual Veterans Day pinning ceremony recognizes members of the University community and their families from all branches of the US Armed Forces, with “Veteran Rocky” pins handed out in honor of their service.

Twice a year, during Scare Fair in October and in the weeks leading up to Commencement, University of Rochester students can ascend the iconic tower of Rush Rhees Library to enjoy 360-degree views of campus and the city skyline. Missed the most recent tower tour? Enjoy this drone shot and mark your calendars for your next opportunity to participate in a Rochester tradition. 

Midshipmen Charlie Shanks ’24, Nicholas Perry (St. John Fisher ’24), and Miriana Kelly ’26 stand as Rochester’s NROTC unit held its annual vigil at the Meridian on Eastman Quadrangle honoring members of the University community who were killed in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Among the nearly 3,000 people who died during the attacks were six University of Rochester alumni: Jeremy Glick ’93; Jean Hoadley Peterson ’69N; Jeffrey Smith ’87, ’88S (MBA); Zhe (Zack) Zeng ’95, ’98S (MBA); Aram Iskenderian ’82; and Brendan Dolan ’86. (University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)

A bust of singer, actor, and activist William Warfield ’43E, ’46E (MM), ’88 (Honorary) has been installed at the Miller Center Courtyard across from the Eastman School of Music in downtown Rochester, New York. “We are proud to partner with the William Warfield Scholarship Fund and to display this remarkable sculpture by artist Shawn Dunwoody, honoring Mr. Warfield’s legacy to our Eastman community, as well as to Rochester and the world,” says Jamal Rossi, Joan and Martin Messinger Dean of the Eastman School. Learn more about the sculpture and commemorative plaque. (University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)

“I understood early that international affairs was not just another academic subject, it was a matter of life and death for real people whose fate could be determined by the moral and policy choices that were made,” said former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright. “These convictions were only strengthened for me in my years as Secretary of State.” Albright spoke to a packed house at Strong Auditorium on the University of Rochester River Campus. Her talk is part of the University’s “Difficult Conversations as a Catalyst for Change,” which is presented by Donald Hall, the Robert L. and Mary L. Sproull Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Sciences & Engineering.

A rainbow appears over Eastman Quadrangle and Rush Rhees Library after an October rainstorm, and was widely photographed across campus and the city. (University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)

From left, Naval ROTC midshipmen third class Cal Niezabytowski ’22 and Andrew Lazarus ’22, and midshipmen second class Vanessa Carollo ’21 stand at attention on Eastman Quadrangle at a vigil remembering the terrorist attacks of September 11. Among the nearly 3,000 people who died during the attacks were six University of Rochester alumni: Jeremy Glick ’93; Jean Hoadley Peterson ’69N; Jeffrey Smith ’87, ’88S (MBA); Zhe (Zack) Zeng ’95, ’98S (MBA); Aram Iskenderian ’82; and Brendan Dolan ’86. (University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)

In her keynote address at the 10th Annual Diversity Conference, novelist, activist, and commentator Samina Ali described the fear she faced when the birth of her son left her with brain damage. “I was scared, and I was completely alone,” says Ali. “Courage is like any other physical function in your body … each time we exercise our brave heart we are reinforcing our neural pathways for courage.” (University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)