“Families don’t just form by blood, and I have learned that here, at the University of Rochester. I am very grateful for the family I have gained through my years here. A family that is part of my most memorable moments, biggest accomplishments and will support me in every circumstance. A family for life. I am grateful for this University becoming a home for me.”

Gulsinam Akhmadzhanova ’26
Major: Mathematics on the Pre-Medical Track
Minor: Psychology
Hometown: Rochester, NY

“I am so grateful for all the amazing people I have met at the University of Rochester. All my professors, friends, and mentors have been such a vital part of my academic journey. Rochester has given me access to a variety of opportunities and resources that I would otherwise have not received. I am honored to be a University of Rochester student and I hope to make my University proud! Thank you, University of Rochester!”

John Alex ’25
Major: Microbiology
Hometown: Hartsdale, NY

“I am truly grateful for the sense of inclusivity and welcome I’ve experienced at the University of Rochester. As an international student more than 8,000 miles from home, I’ve felt embraced by faculty, staff, and peers. The University’s dedication to inclusivity, highlighted by various events throughout the year, showcases its genuine care for all students. Furthermore, the exceptional support I’m receiving from the Simon School is shaping my academic journey and enhancing my job search in analytics, helping me grow into a well-rounded professional.”

Shakyadeep Bhattacharyya ’25S (MS)
Major: Business Analytics
Hometown: Kolkata, India

“I would like to give a big thank you to all of the members of the University of Rochester collective who’ve donated their time, energy, and resources to the betterment of our student body! As I embark on my final year at the University, I look back in amazement in all that I’ve been able to accomplish with the support of admin, alumni, and fellow advocates in the Rochester community. My journey has been marked by triumphs and trials, yet every step reminds me of the priceless gift of those who have walked beside me.

I truly appreciate all of the individuals who’ve invested in our future, and we can’t wait to showcase the fruits of your labor in the next chapter of our lives!”

Cam Cary ’25
Majors: Finance and Psychology
Hometown: Washington, D.C.

“I am grateful for my voice teacher Professor Ciesinski!!!!”

Izabella Gozzo ’25E
Major: Voice Performance
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY

“The Simon Business School community at the University of Rochester continues to be a major part of my life and has positively impacted my family and I in ways I could never imagine. As a staff member at Simon for over 17 years, this community has been and will remain a huge part of my life. I’ve met some of the most amazing people in my life here at Simon, and continue to grow both personally and professionally because of these lifelong connections and friendships. The students, faculty, staff, and alumni continue to amaze me year after year and it has been a privilege for me to call Simon home for almost 20 years, and hopefully 20 more years! Thank you Simon for all that you’ve done and all that you will continue to do for me.”

Nathan Kadar ’10W (MS),
Director of Advancement,
Simon Business School

“I’m so grateful for my four years here at University of Rochester. Everyone here has supported me and helped me to succeed. I’ve been afforded opportunities that have allowed me to grow professionally both through classes and my involvement as a Student Alumni Ambassador and Student Activities Government. Through my leaderships roles as a Teaching Assistant and President of the Ballet Performance Group I’ve become more confident in who I am. Most importantly my time here has allowed me to form friendships that I hope will carry on for years to come. I will be forever grateful to the university for the memories I’ve made here.”

Madison King ’25
Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Hometown: Syracuse, NY

“I am so grateful for the University of Rochester as a whole and more specifically the Eastman School of Music for giving me lifelong friends and colleagues who will support me for years to come. From the late nights in practice rooms to early morning theory classes, Eastman is a community of brilliant musicians and even better people. Throughout my time here, the University of Rochester has helped me find myself and what I’m truly passionate about. I’m also incredibly grateful to the study abroad program and scholarships that have allowed me to follow my dreams of going to Europe and learning foreign languages.”

Emily Krasinski ’25, ’25E
Majors: Vocal Performance and Business
Hometown: Avon, NY

“The University of Rochester has been a place I could truly grow and flourish as a person. Because of the supportive environment, I’ve been able to explore many activities and interests as well as my own identity. Being a part of this student body is a point of pride for me, especially since everyone is so passionate about their experiences and interests. The last three years have allowed me to grow more than I ever could’ve imagined.”

Catherine Lee ’25
Majors: Microbiology and Anthropology
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA

The University of Rochester has allowed me to meet such a diverse group of friends and classmates from numerous destinations around the world. Rochester provided me the opportunity to pursue my academic and professional pursuits through undergraduate research and being involved in the many student organizations available on campus. As a first-generation college student, Rochester’s collaborative nature and support from advisors eased the transition into college and provided me with the confidence to actively pursue research and internship opportunities to learn and discover more about the fields of engineering and medicine.”

Jason Lin ’25
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY

“I’m so grateful for my incredible voice professor, Katherine Ciesinski. My lesson is always the highlight of my week! She’s such a caring, supportive, and knowledgeable teacher who pushes me to be ‘ever better’ as a person and musician every day. I’m so grateful for all that’s she’s taught me so far and everything that I have yet to learn!!”

Sofia Mains ’27E
Major: Vocal Performance
Hometown: Mechanicsburg, PA

“I am grateful for the opportunity I have to make music with some of the best faculty and up-and-coming artists in the world!”

Anastasia Maritsas ’26E
Major: Vocal Performance with Arts Leadership Certificate
Hometown: Kingston, NY

“I’m grateful for the incredible opportunities, support, and inspiration the University has provided. My time here has been transformative, filled with learning, growth, and meaningful connections that I’ll carry forward. I’m deeply grateful to be part of this diverse community.”

Sarvesh Nyachhyon ’25S (MS)
Major: Finance
Hometown: Kathmandu, Nepal

“I am grateful for being able to find a direction to pursue in my post-graduate studies from an elective course that I took in my senior year in Economic Statistics. It opened my eyes to an area that I could apply mathematical and statistical concepts and analyses to solve business problems. And it led me to a career in applying management science techniques in the pharmaceutical industry to improve both the efficiency and effectiveness of allocating resources in my company (Sandoz and Novartis Pharmaceuticals) and in a number of other companies while I worked on the consulting side after retiring from Novartis. I am also grateful that both my (late) wife and I could ‘help shape tomorrow’ for the next generation through gifting a scholarship in Data Science to undergraduates at the University of Rochester.”

Mark Rose ’64

“As a reunion volunteer, I found great reward in old friends, and some new with a connection long ago, both in-person and in the circle of messages surrounding our reunion. Especially as post 50th Reunion – Medallion Alumni – we could savor our long, unique history and our view forward. We are thankful for the solid organization and support from Tim Sukhenko, University of Rochester Class Programs.”

Gary Tobey ’64

“I am grateful to the University of Rochester for the incredible people I get to meet and build friendships with every day. I’m also thankful for the opportunity to connect with alumni and expand my network as a Student Alumni Ambassador. Being part of this community has truly enriched my experience here.”

Lorraine Tshamekang ’26
Major: Chemical Engineering
Hometown: Gaborone, Botswana

“As a freshman, I am grateful for the amazing experiences I’ve had in just a few short months. I’ve already made friends from around the world and had the chance to learn from supportive professors who genuinely care about our success. The research opportunities, scholarships, and grants are inspiring and motivate me to work hard. I love being part of study groups that make learning enjoyable and appreciate the activities that celebrate our diverse community. I am also thankful for the big UWC community in the University of Rochester and am excited about the networking opportunities with alumni. I can’t wait to see what the rest of my time here will bring!”

Sevara Umarova ’28
Major: Brain&Cognitive Sciences and Business Analytics
Hometown: Tashkent, Uzbekistan

“I am deeply grateful for the incredible community I’ve found at the University of Rochester. The friendships and connections I’ve made here are truly lifelong, and I am constantly inspired by the rich Meliora spirit that I see every day. My experiences on campus, surrounded by such a diverse and supportive group of people, have shaped me into the person I am today, and for that, I am endlessly thankful!!”

Katie White ’25
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Jamesville, NY

“The University of Rochester has given me more than I could have ever imagined when I first made my decision to attend. In the times where I was struggling academically, mentally, or emotionally, I never felt alone. I’m grateful for my academic and department advisors for always letting me be myself. I’m grateful for the Kearns Center for making me feel welcomed into the University. And most of all, I’m grateful for the people I’ve met and the friends I’ve made.

Joyce Zhang ’27
Major: Data Science
Hometown: Queens, NY

“I am so grateful to have such a great community at Eastman, I feel very loved and supported every single day!”

Evie Afflerbach ’27E
Major: Voice Performance
Hometown: New Bern, NC

“I am grateful for the opportunity to attend this University and receive a high education. I have already gained so much from my time here and cannot wait to be able to apply the skills that I have learned to my future career.”

Amelia Basco ’26
Major: Health, Behavior, & Society
Minor: Dance
Hometown: Portland, OR

“This one year I’ve spent at the University of Rochester has been one to remember. I am extremely grateful for having been given the opportunity to grow as a person while being surrounded by incredible people every single day; I’ve made friends from all around the world that I’ll do everything in my power to keep for as long as I can, and that wouldn’t have been possible without the University’s openness to us international students. I’ve learned lessons and made connections that I’ll always remember, and no finance class could ever teach me how to put a price on any of it.”

Joyce Zhang ’27
Major: Data Science
Hometown: Queens, NY

“My journey so far at the University of Rochester has been extraordinary to say the least. From the academics side, my professors and teaching assistants all commit to helping students succeed in the classroom and beyond. From the extracurriculars side, the NROTC unit I am apart of has awarded me friendships and bonds that will last a lifetime. I wouldn’t have had my success without the people here, and that’s the real treasure of this University.”

Steven Kang ’25
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Lexington, MA

“The classes I’ve taken here have been very challenging and I like the rigor, for two reasons. The first is the enrichment I feel as a participant from the course material here. I can say with absolute confidence that I am a better writer, reader, and thinker because of the ambitious courses I have taken at the University of Rochester. The second is that I feel a pride and sense of accomplishment in myself when I look back at the challenges I’ve surpassed in my time here. So much of what I’ve completed felt insurmountable at the time, so the fact that I have made it this far makes me feel proud of myself. Outside of academic development, I have also found that I have become a much better person overall these past three-and-a-half years. I often think and look back upon the version of myself that walked through the doors of my freshman residence hall. What I find is that I am far more satisfied with the present version of myself—what I stand for, what I believe in, what I know, who I am—than that younger version. It is this growth as a student and person here that I am most grateful for.”

Jake Scinta ’25
Major: History
Hometown: Orchard Park, NY