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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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.