Story library

Brilliant Minds

Transformative $10 million gift will establish Hajim School deanship

January 14, 2026

As part of For Ever Better: The Campaign for the University of Rochester, University of Rochester Trustee Emeritus John Bruning ’24 (Honorary), an optics and engineering leader and entrepreneur, and Barbara Bruning, a business and community leader, have committed $10 million to establish an endowed deanship.

Brilliant Minds

Longtime donors Arnold and Anne Lisio give $1.75 million to support the humanities

December 31, 2025

Their gift will support visiting professors and scholars focused on Italian and Mediterranean cultures, languages, and literatures.

Philanthropy

University Trustee Jay S. Benet ’76S (MBA) and Jeanne Benet establish an endowed scholarship for Simon Business School students

December 24, 2025

Their $1 million investment strengthens affordability and will help educate the next generation of business leaders.

Boundless Opportunity

Historic gift establishes the University of Rochester’s first endowed coaching position

December 15, 2025

In a historic milestone for the University of Rochester, University Trustee Tyler Zachem ’88 and Karen Zachem have established the first-ever endowment supporting a coaching position. Made during For Ever Better: The Campaign for the University of Rochester, the gift establishes the Michael & Connie Neer Family Head Men’s Basketball Coach fund and marks a significant milestone toward the Department of Athletics and Recreation’s 2030 campaign goal.

Engagement

University trustees share a “duty of care” for the University of Rochester Women’s Network

December 15, 2025

Kathy Waller ’80, ’83S (MBA) passes the torch to Judy Reinsdorf ’86. Together, Waller and Reinsdorf embody what it means to lead with purpose. They have shown that volunteer leadership is not just about giving time, it’s about creating impact.

Engagement

From Rochester to the Pacific, and everywhere in between

November 17, 2025

Marceline Martynek ’18 is currently a PhD student at the University of Pennsylvania. She works with the Barott Lab, aiding in the investigation of how corals and other marine organisms interact with their surroundings and coping with climate change. Her work regularly brings her to Hawaii and has taken her as far as Australia.

Engagement

Showing Up: How Victoria Liverpool ’22 found community beyond campus

November 12, 2025

After graduation, Victoria Liverpool ’22 quickly realized that life after college comes with its own set of challenges (and opportunities), especially when it comes to finding community.

Thriving Communities

Finding the magic in mentorship

November 12, 2025

Omar Asghar ’94 shares why he believes in the power of mentorship and its importance in our personal and professional lives.

Engagement

Every step of the way

November 12, 2025

Brett Sonnenschein P’28 shares his journey with his son, Owen, and why he helps others on the same path.

Thriving Communities

Taking a chance

November 5, 2025

When Lisa Jones (Wilson) ’16S (MS), ’17S (MBA) earned her degrees from Rochester, she was working full-time as a social worker and supporting her family. She went to classes on weekends, and while the process was hard, she said, “It’s one of the best things I’ve done.” It was a doorway to the Rochester network that showed up when she needed it most.

Thriving Communities

Helping others succeed

November 5, 2025

Mary Skow ’07, PhD, is the agency risk management officer at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), where she has worked for more than 15 years. When she isn’t overseeing NASA's holistic enterprise risk management (ERM) framework, she finds the time to volunteer with the University of Rochester.

Engagement

The Value of Mentorship

November 5, 2025

Laura DiChiacchio ’12M (MS), ’13M (PhD), ’15M (MD) relied on mentorship to navigate medical school. She now looks to help others in the same way.

Brilliant Minds

Investing in the future of education: Mary Ellen Burris ’68W (EdM)

November 3, 2025

A newly endowed professorship at the University of Rochester’s Warner School of Education and Human Development—established by longtime benefactor Mary Ellen Burris ’68W (EdM)—will provide vital, ongoing support for early-career faculty.

Philanthropy

Transformative gift helps Memorial Art Gallery get closer to its free admission goal

October 27, 2025

Abby and Doug Bennett, with the Sands Family Foundation, give $3 million to support permanent free access—and invite others to join their challenge.

Brilliant Minds

Bob and Pam Goergen give $2 million to Wilmot Cancer Institute

October 22, 2025

Gift establishes a professorship recognizing Jonathan Friedberg, MD, MMSc, Wilmot’s leader and a renowned oncologist.

Boundless Opportunity

R. William Cornell, Jr. ’64D (Pdc), DDS, and Chloe T. Cornell establish a $2 million research fund at the Eastman Institute for Oral Health

October 8, 2025

R. William “Bill” Cornell, Jr. ’64D (Pdc), DDS, and his wife, Chloe Cornell, have made a historic $2 million gift to UR Medicine's Eastman Institute for Oral Health (EIOH) during For Ever Better: The Campaign for the University of Rochester.

Boundless Opportunity

Alumni Joan and Jeff Beal make record gift to the University’s Eastman School of Music

September 22, 2025

Vocalist, music and education champion, and University Trustee Joan Beal ’84E and Emmy-winning composer Jeff Beal ’85E have made a historic, multimillion-dollar gift to the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester.

Boundless Opportunity

Meet your campaign co-chairs

September 17, 2025

Answering the call: Meet the alumni and friends leading the For Ever Better campaign. Behind every bold plan to make the world a better place is a group of passionate individuals who answer the call of leadership: to act and to inspire others to action.

Boundless Opportunity

Rochester students win national awards and fellowships

September 17, 2025

From Fulbright awards to Projects for Peace funding, the honors recognize the scholars’ academic achievement, research potential, and commitment to service.

Boundless Opportunity

Four Rochester students earn Goldwater Scholarships for science achievement, research promise

September 17, 2025

Four University of Rochester students—Maria Ahmed ’26, Wimeth Dissanayake ’26, Aashay Mardikar ’26, and Marvin Wu ’26—have been selected as 2025 Barry Goldwater Scholars. This year’s class marks the second time that Rochester has had a record four recipients in a single year.

Boundless Opportunity

University of Rochester Trustee Barbara Burger ’83 gives $2 million to support research, innovation, and the student experience

September 12, 2025

Burger's latest gift continues her legacy of philanthropy and engagement, establishes a new directorship, and launches a pilot undergraduate research program.

Thriving Communities

Leading with purpose: Tess Troha-Thompson ’06 on advocacy, female empowerment, and mentorship

September 11, 2025

Meet Washington, D.C. Network Leadership Council Member and Women's Network Co-Chair Tess Troha-Thompson ’06

Brilliant Minds

Mary Ellen Burris ’68W (EdM) will establish a deanship, professorship, and scholarship at the Warner School of Education and Human Development

September 11, 2025

Mary Ellen Burris ’68W (EdM) will establish a deanship, professorship, and scholarship at the Warner School of Education and Human Development

Boundless Opportunity

Creating pivotal student experiences: Dick and Vicki Schwartz

September 11, 2025

By establishing the Schwartz Discover Grant for Undergraduate Student Research and other experiential learning funds at Rochester, this alumni couple has made a difference in thousands of lives.

Boundless Opportunity

The new Piaker Family Scholarship Challenge will expand undergraduate financial aid

September 11, 2025

The new Piaker Family Scholarship Challenge will expand undergraduate financial aid - This matching challenge will inspire a new wave of philanthropy and generate up to $3 million in student support.

Brilliant Minds

Joanne Y. Law ’98 (PhD) establishes a distinguished professorship in optics

August 27, 2025

Joanne Y. Law ’98 (PhD), an inventor and optical engineer, has established a new endowed fund—the Joanne Y. Law Distinguished Professorship in Optics—at the University of Rochester’s Institute of Optics.

Boundless Opportunity

The Kessler family invests in the future of Hillel at Rochester with a new gift

August 27, 2025

Rochester Trustee Larry Kessler; his wife, Karen; and his brother, Dennis—the Edward J. and Agnes V. Ackley Clinical Professor in Entrepreneurship at the University’s Simon Business School—have made a $1 million commitment.

Boundless Opportunity

Two alumni generously give $1 million each to support Simon Business School

August 27, 2025

Ron Fielding ’73 (MA), ’76S (MBA), ’18 (Honorary) and University of Rochester Trustee Juan Jones ’88S (MBA) have each made new $1 million gifts to support students at Simon Business School.

Next-Generation Spaces

Peter J. Landers ’83 (MS) and Kathleen E. Landers ’82 commit $1 million to support Strong Memorial Hospital Expansion Project

August 27, 2025

Rochester business leaders Peter J. Landers ’83 (MS) and Kathleen “Kathy” E. Landers ’82 have committed $1 million to support the Strong Memorial Hospital’s Expansion Project.