University announces 2015 commencement honorary degrees and award recipients
The University of Rochester will recognize the outstanding contributions of distinguished leaders and scholars by bestowing honorary degrees, the Eastman Medal, Hutchison Medals for exemplary service, and awards for scholarship and teaching. Deborah Bial, founder and president of the Posse Foundation, will receive an honorary doctor of humane letters degree and deliver the College’s commencement address on May 17.
Three companies approved for START-UP NY
The START-UP NY initiative provides participating companies with tax exemptions for 10 years when they locate in designated areas associated with colleges and universities and align with a school’s core academic mission.
Rochester delegation visits University of Ghana looking for synergies
At the end of March, 12 representatives from the University of Rochester spent three days at the University of Ghana in Accra, Ghana, exploring how the two universities could work together. The delegation laid the groundwork for undergraduate, graduate and faculty exchanges, public health fieldwork, and research partnerships.
Humanities Center created
Dean of Arts & Sciences Gloria Culver has announced the creation of a Humanities Center, which will support multidisciplinary engagement around literature, history, the arts, and philosophies of cultures past and present. Culver and interim director of the new center Joan Shelley Rubin have chosen “Humanities at the Crossroads: Charting Our Future” as the center’s theme for its first year. Faculty and students will organize research projects, seminars and symposia around the theme.
Gloria Culver appointed dean of the School of Arts & Sciences
Gloria Culver has been appointed dean of the School of Arts & Sciences, effective immediately. Culver has been serving as interim dean since July 1, 2014.
Evans and Susanna Lam commit $1 million to River Campus Libraries
Evans and Susanna Lam have committed $1 million to the River Campus Libraries to establish the Evans and Susanna Lam Library Revitalization Fund. The fund will support the modernization of the patron services area in Rush Rhees Library, which will be named Evans Lam Square.
Jesse Moore—history professor, diversity champion, and grand marshal—remembered
Jesse T. Moore Jr., a professor emeritus of history and prominent scholar of American and African-American history who helped focus the University’s efforts to bring diversity to its academic programs and community, died Saturday, April 18, at the age of 82, after a battle with cancer.
Robert and Pamela Goergen commit $11 million to Institute for Data Science
Trustee Robert B. Goergen and Pamela M. Goergen have committed $11 million to the University’s Institute for Data Science. In recognition of the Goergens’ commitment, the institute will be named the Goergen Institute for Data Science.
The Meliora Challenge campaign surpasses $1.2 billion initial goal
On the way to $1.2 billion, the University has met—and is currently exceeding—its campaign goals for faculty ($350 million) and the Annual Fund ($130 million). Campaign support to date has established 93 new endowed professorships throughout the University, which has exceeded the original goal of 80.
University of Rochester Libraries join HathiTrust
The University of Rochester Libraries have become one of the newest members of HathiTrust, a worldwide partnership of more than one hundred major research institutions and libraries working to preserve and provide access to the cultural record in digital form.