E N D O W E D S C H O L A R S H I P S

Unleashing the FutureThis is a University where excellence is the standard.

For more than 150 years, our students have challenged themselves

to achieve in ways that advance knowledge, break new intellectual

ground, improve the standard of health care, enhance the creative

arts, and cultivate the imagination.

Students who have the ability, talent, and drive to pursue their

goals here should also have access to resources that help them

achieve those goals. We seek to be able to invest in young men

and women who are incredibly accomplished and enable their

brilliance to shine ever brighter. We aim to be able to provide

the support that gives disadvantaged students who have shown

special promise the opportunity to be the architects of their future.

There should be no limits on students’ ambition. That is what we

are striving for, and that is why The Meliora Challenge has a goal

of $225 million for student support, primarily through endowed

scholarships and fellowships.

Prospective University of Rochester students have the potential

to be tomorrow’s leaders, innovators, and difference-makers.

Endowed scholarships and fellowships unleash their future and

strengthen all of us.

Meliora!

J O E L S E L I G M A N

President

MELIORA. EVER BETTER./MEH•lee•OR•ah/

MELIORA IS MORE THAN OUR MOTTO AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER

It is a shared value AND A WAY OF LIFE T H AT H A S

FOR THE WORLD THE WAY IT IS

HELPED MAKE US ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST DISTINGUISHED RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES

WE EMBRACE RIGOR AND HARD WORKAND TAKE THE LEADI N M A T T E R S O F THE MIND AND HEARTWe never settleWE SEEK TO BE “EVER BETTER” FOR OURSELVES AND OUR REGION

TO BET TER SERVE

HUMAN KIND.experience and benefit

our nation and

our worldWe continually strive to build on our distinctive strengths

ACROSS ALL DISCIPLINES TO FIND NEW SOLUTIONS

that advance

U

the rochester

R

T H E S T A T E

S C H O L A R S H I P Sof

Over the last 50 years the number of undergraduate students at the

University of Rochester receiving financial assistance in the form of

grants or scholarships has nearly doubled.

Currently, financial aid makes a Rochester education possible for more

than 80 percent of freshmen and some 40 percent of graduate students.

In the last several years, the per-student cost of a Rochester education

has increased. Why? Because the University is continually enhancing

the student experience, both inside and outside the classroom.

The University remains competitive with the nation’s top research

institutions in attracting the best students, but there are simply too few

dollars for too many deserving students.

We need to address the issue at its core: our student endowment. And we

do this by deepening our pool of endowed scholarships and fellowships.

80%of University of Rochester

freshmen receive financial aid

Endowed scholarships and fellowships help

the University…

• STAY COMPETITIVE. For many students, scholarships

and fellowships are the difference between attending

Rochester and having to choose another school.

• HONOR DIVERSITY. Adequate support ensures

Rochester remains a diverse learning community with

high-performing students.

• PROVIDE FREEDOM. Scholarships and fellowships

provide students with relief from heavy debt loads

that often restrict career choices after graduation.

And they last for the life of the University.

more than

Endowed scholarships were established at the University

of Rochester as early as the University’s founding in 1850.

Some of these first scholarships covered three terms’ worth

of tuition ($30).

Today, endowed scholarships and fellowships continue

to help meet University students’ financial needs, as well

as recognize students’ scholarly achievements, service

to others, leadership potential, and other qualities that

forward the University’s mission to Learn, Discover, Heal,

Create—and make the world ever better.

My time as a student was profoundly transformative. Rochester taught me how to think critically, confront tough problems, and how to work hard. I created an endowed scholarship because I wanted to pass that experience on to future generations.

What you give you never truly give away, it comes back to you, and you end up getting back even more. Endowed scholarships will continue to provide talented students access to a life-changing education long after The Meliora Challenge ends.

E D H A J I M ’ 5 8

Chair, Board of Trustees Edmund A. Hajim Endowed Scholarship Edmund A. Hajim Scholarship

A LEGACYin higher education

As the University has grown, so has its

benefactors’ commitment to student support.

This is best exemplified by University Trustee

Rich Handler ’83, co-chair of The Meliora

Challenge, and his wife, Martha.

The Handlers created the Alan and Jane

Handler Scholars fund in 2007 in honor of

Rich’s parents. The fund provides scholarships

to undergraduate students based on their

exceptional potential as scholars and future

leaders, as well as their financial need. Four

years later, so pleased with the first Handler

Scholars, the Handlers added to their fund—

providing the largest gift in support of

scholarships in University history.

For the Handlers, and for others who have given

lasting support, time will only enhance their

legacy. One of the best examples of this is a

scholarship that was created more than a century

ago. The Rhodes Scholarship, established in

1903 to help students of outstanding intellect

and character, now has a history as one of

the world’s oldest and most prestigious

international graduate scholarships.

Like the Rhodes Scholarship, all endowed

scholarships and fellowships have the potential

to reach a high level of prestige and endure for

centuries. At the University of Rochester, each

new group of Handler Scholars adds luster to

the scholarship’s name and strengthens its

lasting link to exceptional students.

Akosua Korboe ’16M (MD)

Levitan Family Endowed Scholarship S C H O O L O F M E D I C I N E A N D D E N T I S T R Y

BRINGING A WORLDVIEW TO ROCHESTER. Alexander Levitan ’63M (MD) has had

a lifelong devotion to medicine—and to the people of the world.

Both passions were fueled by his late father, Sacha Levitan, who greatly influenced

Alexander’s view of the world, as well as his choice to become a physician. Sacha,

a Russian emigrant, was himself a doctor and traveled the globe with his family

through his work with the World Health Organization.

Alexander, a retired internist and oncologist, and his wife, Lucy, honored

Sacha when they established the Levitan Family Endowed

Scholarship at Rochester’s School of Medicine and Dentistry.

It was their way of saying “thank you” to a treasured father,

honoring a commitment to diversity, and expressing gratitude

for Alexander’s first-rate education.

Their philanthropy now has a face. Seeing Akosua as the

first recipient of the Levitan Scholarship was especially

meaningful. “We keep in touch regularly,” Alexander notes.

“It’s quite gratifying to realize we are making a

contribution that can change lives and change

the world.”

Lucy &

Alexander

Levitan

Akosua is an aspiring pediatrician. In Ghana,

her home country, becoming a doctor is mainly

about following a prescribed path. She could

have gone to medical school there, where she

would have been thrust into intensive and

exclusive study in her field. Akosua wasn’t

interested in rushing to cross a finish line.

When Akosua becomes a doctor, she wants to

know that she is the most complete physician she

can be. Motivated by curiosity and an enthusiasm

for learning, she traveled to the U.S. to fill up on

knowledge in as many areas as she could handle.

Not just a doctor, the best doctor There is a saying that anything worth having doesn’t come easily. Akosua Korboe ’16M (MD) has made that saying a guiding principle for her career plans.

My scholarship makes it easier for me financially, but academically I feel even more challenged. The Levitans expect a lot from me, and I feel a responsibility toward them. I believe this relationship is helping me reach my full potential.

“

“

“It’s such a generous gift, especially if you

convert the dollars to cedi, the currency of

Ghana,” says Akosua. “It would have been very

difficult for me to come here without it.”

While continuing her education in the area of

global health, she is eager to put her knowledge

and skills to work. Her dream is to practice

medicine in a way that advances efforts to

increase access to health care for people

around the world. No matter where she decides

to practice, she will always be committed to

treating the world’s youngest citizens and, of

course, serving the people of Ghana.

Akosua was drawn to the School of Medicine and

Dentistry by its defining features: the Double

Helix Curriculum (blending basic science with

clinical medicine) and the biopsychosocial model,

which considers biological, psychological, and

social factors for the best understanding of health,

illness, and health care delivery.

As an international student without an American

citizen acting as a co-signor, Akosua wasn’t

eligible for the same loans on which so many

American medical students rely. The Levitan

Family Endowed Scholarship, which supports

international students’ medical education, helped

her overcome her financial obstacles.

Akosua Korboe ’16M (MD)

Levitan Family Endowed Scholarship S C H O O L O F M E D I C I N E A N D D E N T I S T R Y

Patrick Towey ’14E

Louis P. Ciminelli Endowed ScholarshipE A S T M A N S C H O O L O F M U S I C

Teaching and leading by ear He grew up in North Buffalo. He played in the city’s Little League system. And he attended St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute, where he was inspired by a music teacher.

Although separated by more than 30 years, that

history belongs to both Patrick Towey ’14E and

Louis Ciminelli. Patrick and Louis made different

choices after St. Joseph’s, but their stories have

once again come together through music, as

student and benefactor, artist and aficionado.

Growing up, Patrick was influenced by his own

family members. He gained an interest in the

piano watching his siblings practice for their

lessons. And looking up to his parents, who

are both teachers, he developed a less-than-

surprising desire to stand at the head of a class

and pass his passion for music on to others.

Louis

Ciminelli

BUILDING BRIDGES BACK TO BUFFALO. As chairman and CEO of

LPCiminelli Inc., one of the nation’s top construction firms, Louis Ciminelli pursues

projects that result not just in beautiful facilities, but in stronger communities

as well.

Louis’s appreciation for quality, of buildings and people alike, extends to

the arts and the Eastman School of Music. His first connection to the School

came in the early 1990s when his firm was chosen to develop Eastman Commons,

a student living center.

He was captivated by the School, its talented students—and the remarkable music they produced.

“I was delighted that Eastman was right in my backyard,” Louis recalls. “I wanted to build a bridge

between Eastman and students from my hometown of Buffalo.”

He did so by establishing the Louis P. Ciminelli Endowed Scholarship. The first recipient,

Patrick Towey, has been a pitch-perfect match. He shares Louis’s love of music, his passion

for giving back to Buffalo—and even a diploma from the same high school.

Together, Louis and the students who benefit from his generosity are helping to build

the future of music education at the Eastman School of Music.

Thank you, Mr. Ciminelli, for helping me walk this career path. I’m looking forward to working with music students, and the Ciminelli Scholarship has made it possible for me to achieve that goal.

“

“

When Patrick was a student at St. Joseph’s,

his music teacher often let him assume the

conductor’s role. When Patrick graduates

from Eastman, he aims to be the teacher

passing the baton to students at the middle

or high school level.

“A lot of people ask why I am so passionate

about teaching,” Patrick says. “I look at it as

my way of passing on all I’ve learned and

giving back to those in the community.”

Their paths may once again diverge, but

the desire and ability to “pass the baton”

is a connection that Patrick and Louis will

always share.

Carrying an acceptance letter from another music

school in his back pocket and doubts about his

chances of making the cut in his heart, Patrick

auditioned at the Eastman School of Music. With

the poise of a seasoned professional, he delivered

an outstanding performance that earned him a

place in his dream school.

Ecstatic about being accepted, but conscious of

the realities of his financial situation, he inquired

about the opportunities for financial assistance.

That’s when fate seemingly brought Patrick and

Louis together. The Louis P. Ciminelli Endowed

Scholarship provides support for an Eastman

student from Buffalo who shows promise,

dedication, and passion.

Patrick Towey ’14E

Louis P. Ciminelli Endowed ScholarshipE A S T M A N S C H O O L O F M U S I C

Brittany Heffernan ’16

Ed and Andy Smith Undergraduate Scholarship Fund

A R T S , S C I E N C E S & E N G I N E E R I N G

Jane of all trades Growing up in a military family, Brittany Heffernan ’16 lived a nomadic lifestyle. And it wasn’t without challenges—who wants to be the “new girl” every year?

Andy & Ed

Smith

ENRICHING THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE. The arts, which have long inspired

Ed Smith ’72 and Lusette “Andy” Smith ’72, brought them together as students in the theater

program at the University of Rochester.

Through their ongoing involvement with the performing arts, they have

honed leadership skills, launched careers, and further developed a shared

interest in the arts over nearly 40 years of marriage.

Their appreciation for the University led them to establish the Ed and Andy Smith Undergraduate

Scholarship Fund. Monies allocated from the fund support students who have contributed to

student life through their accomplishments in extracurricular activities, particularly in the arts.

“What happens outside of the classroom is as important as what

happens inside,” Ed says.

Andy adds, “These activities help students develop a sense of

responsibility and independence that prepares them for a variety

of careers. If students can have these experiences instead of

waiting tables to cover their expenses, we want to make

that possible.”

Now a young woman, she has come to appreciate

how always being the new kid in town was a

blessing in disguise. Meeting different people,

exploring new interests, and keeping an open

mind about each new place has made her

exceptionally well-rounded. It also helped her

become a beneficiary of the Ed and Andy Smith

Undergraduate Scholarship Fund.

The fund supports Arts, Sciences & Engineering

students who contribute to student life through

their accomplishments and activities, particularly

in the arts. Receiving this scholarship put a

dream of Brittany’s within reach. “The University

of Rochester was my first choice,” Brittany says.

“This scholarship allowed me to follow through.

Being able to do that has meant everything to me.”

I really want to thank Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and I hope they know how much I appreciate their generosity. This scholarship helped me find a home at the University of Rochester and has given me the chance to study what I love.

“

“

It’s this kind of diverse experience that attracted

Brittany to the University. When she was weighing

her options for college, anywhere that offered her

the academic freedom to study the properties of

“heavy metal”—for a suspension bridge prototype

or on a Metallica album—had major appeal.

Brittany’s scholarship enabled her to take

advantage of the Rochester Curriculum and

study what she loves while exploring a variety of

interests. It also helped the University feel like

home, and that’s not something Brittany has been

able to say about many schools.

For Brittany, getting through childhood required

what she thinks of as “cerebral teamwork.” Now,

using both sides of her brain is helping to shape

her education.

A mechanical engineering major with a minor

in music, Brittany’s days are often filled with a

little of both disciplines. One day it might be

designing bridges and discussing the Beatles’

influence on modern music. The next day it

could be studying thermodynamics and taking

clarinet lessons from an Eastman School of

Music graduate student. And on either day, she

might be leading a campus tour or promoting

community spirit with the D’Lions, a group that

helps freshmen adjust to life on campus.

Brittany Heffernan ’16

Ed and Andy Smith Undergraduate Scholarship Fund

A R T S , S C I E N C E S & E N G I N E E R I N G

Ankit Kumar ’13S (MBA)

Goldman Sachs Scholars FundS I M O N B U S I N E S S S C H O O L

Building a CFO’s résumé Rochester is a lot colder, has significant cultural differences, and is more than 7,000 miles from home. All of these would be a deterrent for most people from New Delhi, India, but Ankit Kumar ’13S (MBA) knew it was the best place to take his education to the next level.

Ram

Sundaram

A SMALL STEP LEADS TO A BIG IMPACT. For Ram Sundaram ’91S (MBA),

philanthropy is the tie that binds.

Ram was disconnected from the University of Rochester for more than a

decade-and-a-half following his graduation from Simon Business School.

No ill feelings, no bad memories. His education, he recalls, was

“outstanding.” But the busyness of his professional life consigned his

alma-mater to less than top-of-mind status.

That changed a few years ago. Ram, a successful Wall Street executive, had a decision to make.

A portion of his compensation at Goldman Sachs is invested each year in a donor-advised fund,

which is managed by the firm, to encourage philanthropy. His part was choosing a cause

that mattered.

Ram selected the Simon School, establishing the Goldman Sachs Scholars Fund.

The goal: to help students overcome unexpected financial setbacks. “I want to

make sure students facing tough times can stay in school and finish their

degree,” he explains.

The fund supports one student annually. “It’s a small scale, what I’m doing,

but the impact is big for that one student every year,” Ram says. “I find it

very fulfilling.”

After Ankit earned an undergraduate degree

in engineering in India, he used the problem-

solving muscles he developed as an engineer

during an internship at a consulting company.

That experience also introduced him to a range

of professional disciplines that gave him an

appreciation for a cross-functional approach to

business. Feeling he had found his career path,

he set his sights on becoming the chief financial

officer for a global organization.

I could not be more grateful for the assistance or more appreciative to have my hard work recognized. I have really enjoyed the opportunity to build a relationship with an accomplished professional like Ram.

“

“

removed some of the financial burden of Ankit’s

education and connected him with someone who

has achieved great success in the world of finance.

Now a financial analyst at Juniper Networks, Ankit

continues to benefit from Ram, who has become

a role model and respected mentor. Occasional

meetings and regular email correspondence have

given Ankit invaluable guidance that is helping

him work toward the goal he set as a student.

Ankit’s newest aspiration is to leave his mark

by walking in Ram’s footsteps—as a mentor and

philanthropist.

Ankit chose to pursue his goal at Simon Business

School because he believed it would give him

access to elements that would be critical to his

success, such as a world-class faculty, a diverse

student population, and proximity to the business

capital of the world, New York City.

“I wanted to go to a school where I would have the

most beneficial experiences,” Ankit says. “I was

looking for global exposure and leadership in the

field of finance. For me, that was Simon.”

Ankit received support from the Goldman Sachs

Scholars Fund, which was available thanks to

the generosity of Ram Sundaram and his wife,

Preethi Krishna ’91S (MBA). The scholarship

Ankit Kumar ’13S (MBA)

Goldman Sachs Scholars FundS I M O N B U S I N E S S S C H O O L

Carolyn Marthens ’12, ’13W (MS)

Cushman Scholars in Education FundWA R N E R S C H O O L O F E D U C AT I O N

A LASTING IMPACT THROUGH TEACHING. University Life Trustee Jeanine

Cushman ’63 has always believed in the transformative power of education. As college

drew near, she planned to carry on two family traditions—study at the University of

Rochester and pursue a career in medicine.

She chose Rochester, but soon realized she wanted to make her impact on people through

teaching rather than health care.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in education, Jeanine worked as a teacher in New Jersey,

where she met and married her husband, John. Her professional career came to a close as her

family grew, but her passion for education continued to flourish.

She and John established the Cushman Scholars in Education

Fund in 1993, supporting graduate students at the Warner

School of Education. “John and I realize how important

good teachers are to education,” Jeanine says. “Without

good teachers, no child would have the opportunity to

achieve their full potential.”

In her time in the classroom, Jeanine played an important

role in the lives of many students. The Cushmans’ generous

support of aspiring educators will continue to touch

countless teachers and the generations of

students they will inspire.

It’s a concept that was planted in Carolyn’s mind

when she moved from a private elementary school

to an urban public school in her hometown of

Pittsburgh. At her new school, it became clear

students were being left behind. That’s why years

later she jumped at the chance to serve as a teacher

with Horizons at Warner, a six-week enrichment

program for K–8 Rochester City School students.

At Horizons, Carolyn turned reluctant participants

into enthusiastic learners. She lived out the fact

that there is no single way to inspire a child and

tailored her approach to the unique qualities and

needs of each student.

“When you have an impact on a child’s life, you

have an impact on the world,” Carolyn says.

One child at a time What is the value of one child’s education? Carolyn Marthens ’12, ’13W (MS) knows it’s incalculable.

Jeanine &

John

Cushman

I would not have been able to come here without the generosity of the Cushmans. The experience was so worthwhile for me; I am going to make sure the investment in me was worthwhile for them.

world itself. Her pursuit of a degree in Art

History took her to Italy, where she studied

the Renaissance. While immersed in the

sculptures of Brunelleschi and the paintings of

Michelangelo, she developed a desire to pass on

her own knowledge and skill to others.

A University of Rochester education inspires

students to follow their passions and offers

practical experiences both inside and outside

the classroom, taking graduates anywhere they

want to go. It eventually took Carolyn back to

Pennsylvania where, each day, she helps children

discover a love for learning and for life.

“There’s a ripple effect. Every step leads to the

next, and one day all those steps could lead to

something that changes the world. But it starts

with that first step.”

Carolyn herself is the beneficiary of a “ripple

effect.” As a student at the Warner School

of Education, she was awarded a scholarship

from the Cushman Scholars in Education Fund.

Without that support she could not have said

yes to a Warner education.

As an undergraduate student, Carolyn enjoyed

the Rochester Curriculum, which allowed her

to explore a world of possibilities—and the

“

“

Carolyn Marthens ’12, ’13W (MS)

Cushman Scholars in Education FundWA R N E R S C H O O L O F E D U C AT I O N

Zachary Perry ’15

Peter George Landberg Memorial Scholarship Fund

H A J I M S C H O O L O F E N G I N E E R I N G & A P P L I E D S C I E N C E S

TAKING THE LONG VIEW. “I have always felt obligated to help those who rely on

scholarships,” says George Landberg ’61, ’64 (MS). “I absolutely would not have been able to

attend the University of Rochester if not for a scholarship.”

George and his wife, Melody, established the Peter George Landberg Memorial

Scholarship Fund to honor the memory of their son, a graduate of the Class of 1987.

They have continued to build the fund over the past 20 years, paying tribute to a

beloved child with a gift that would endure.

“We have given back since George graduated,” Melody notes,

“even while we were putting three kids through college. We

made it work.”

Ongoing contact with those benefiting from their scholarship,

which is awarded to juniors and seniors in the Edmund A.

Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, has

deepened their commitment. “It’s rewarding to see how the

scholarship is helping students today,” George says.

The Landbergs hope to set an example for others

through their giving. “Long-term dedication

is how we got there,” says George. “All of

us can make a difference.”

Self-discovery through research Most people probably don’t know what Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia is—let alone how to pronounce it. Zachary Perry ’15 knows both, and a whole lot more.

Melody &

George

Landberg

With Danielle Benoit, assistant professor of

biomedical and chemical engineering, Zach

investigated how the over-production of a

protein called “immunoglobulin M” affects the

blood and, ultimately, causes this rare form of

cancer. His work was technically biomedical

engineering, but it used chemical engineering

applications. The experience left no doubt in

his mind: he was in the right field.

It was the culmination of a journey that started

with breaking out of “the family business.”

Without the Landbergs, it would have been difficult for me to get the most out of my education and fully enjoy a career path that I love. I will always be grateful for their support.

“

“

says. “That’s the way it was for me. I really liked

the atmosphere, and I liked how I was able to

play an active role in choosing what I studied.”

While Zach knew he chose the right campus, he

wasn’t so sure chemical engineering was the right

major. It was a lot more math and physics than

he had anticipated. In his first few semesters, he

struggled and wrestled with uncertainty. Thanks

to the guidance of David Foster, associate

professor in the Department of Chemical

Engineering, Zach found his stride that, shortly

after, became his passion.

And thanks to George Landberg and his wife,

Melody, Zach received support that will allow

him to follow his true calling to its greatest extent.

Zach comes from a long line of teachers. His mother

is a teacher, and her mother and grandfather

were teachers. His paternal grandmother and

grandfather? Teachers.

Zach was more interested in the practical

application of science. So, naturally, that’s where

he began blazing his own trail. After an especially

positive internship experience at Corning

Incorporated, Zach decided to pursue a degree

in engineering. The only question was “Where?”

His grandfather encouraged him to look at the

University of Rochester.

“They say you will know if a college is right for

you the minute you walk onto campus,” Zach

Zachary Perry ’15

Peter George Landberg Memorial Scholarship Fund

H A J I M S C H O O L O F E N G I N E E R I N G & A P P L I E D S C I E N C E S

Stephanie Brown ’15N (DNP)

Ralph R. and Fay Wadsworth Whitney Endowed Fund

S C H O O L O F N U R S I N G

FIVE DECADES LATER, STILL MAKING A DIFFERENCE. Throughout her

distinguished career as a professor, researcher, and clinician, Fay Wadsworth Whitney ’60, ’61N

maintained a singular focus: to advance the profession of nursing.

“I wanted to be a nurse from when I was a tiny girl,” she recalls. For more than five

decades she lived out that desire, primarily as an educator and advocate for

nurse practitioners.

Now, even in retirement, she continues to give others the opportunity

to pursue leadership roles in the field. She and her husband,

University Trustee Ralph (Roy) ’57, ’73S (MBA), created the Ralph R.

and Fay Wadsworth Whitney Endowed Fund at the University of

Rochester School of Nursing.

Their gift provides scholarships, grants, and fellowships for nursing

students in advanced degree programs.

“There aren’t many scholarships available for adult students

coming back to school in advanced programs,” she notes.

“Most are for undergraduates. This was our way of

supporting something we believe in—and planting

the seeds for others to give back in the future.”

Appreciating the little things As a child, Stephanie Brown ’08N (MS), ’15N (DNP) spent a lot of time at Strong Memorial Hospital. Birthdays. Holidays. Far too many days.

Fay & Roy

Whitney

Two of her brothers were battling, and would

eventually succumb to, Niemann-Pick type C, a

rare genetic disease.

The idea to become a nurse first occurred to

Stephanie as she watched her mother form

close relationships with the nurses caring for

her brothers. Many years later, when Stephanie

lost another family member—her son, Hayden,

born prematurely at 22 weeks—she channeled

her grief into the pursuit of a doctor of nursing

practice degree.

Working at another hospital, without tuition

benefits, Stephanie had little hope of being able

to finance her graduate education. That’s when

I was so thankful to receive the scholarship created by the Whitneys. Fay and Roy have given me financial support, emotional support, and friendship. I’m so fortunate to have them as a part of my education and my life.

“

“

Now, with her degree in sight, Stephanie

is making a difference by caring for foster

children at Strong affiliate Starlight Pediatrics.

Whether comforting a child during treatment

or comforting a family who lost a child, she

provides a wealth of emotional support—much

like the kind nurses provided her when she was

coping with her brothers’ and son’s health issues.

Along with her work, Stephanie co-leads the

Face-to-Face Friendship Group, a support

group for families who have suffered a stillbirth,

miscarriage, or infant death.

Stephanie now spends every birthday, every

holiday, and every minute she can with her

family. And every moment, she appreciates all

she has been given.

another nurse—and later, good friend—entered

her life: Fay Wadsworth Whitney.

The help of Fay and her husband, Ralph “Roy”

Whitney, was one of the primary reasons

Stephanie was able to pursue her dream of

obtaining her doctorate in nursing. Stephanie

had the empathy, desire, and determination,

but without the Ralph R. and Fay Wadsworth

Whitney Endowed Fund, she would not have had

the means to reach her goal.

“After losing my son, I had a lot of medical bills,”

Stephanie says. “I would not have been able to

start classes. I’m so thankful for Fay and Roy.”

Stephanie Brown ’15N (DNP)

Ralph R. and Fay Wadsworth Whitney Endowed Fund

S C H O O L O F N U R S I N G

OUR STUDENTS. Our Strengths.

Meliora is more than a concept; it’s a fellowship of people who

believe in that concept, and that includes our students. They share

an impatience with the world the way it is. They always strive to be

“ever better,” not only for themselves, but for the benefit of humanity.

Past and present, our students have always been defined by certain

special qualities—and Meliora is one of them.

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Multidisciplined. They are passionate about their education, which frequently blends multiple disciplines. Many students are double majors and often have completely unrelated minors. On Rochester’s campus you can find a classical pianist with entrepreneurial aspirations, a biomedical engineering student who sings in an a cappella group, or a biology major with a minor in sociology who plays soccer and performs Irish dance.

Empathetic. They are concerned about the undertreated, undereducated, and underserved people around the world. Our students pursue careers that help reduce suffering caused by illness or poverty, enhance our quality of life, and ensure future generations have the knowledge, skills, and technology to carry their work forward.

Leading. They are best in class. They go on to be the scientists and teachers, the entrepreneurs and caregivers, and the musicians and engineers who connect the dots, find the missing puzzle piece, and dream up the ideas that take us in new directions. Rochester alumni have won five Nobel Prizes, eight Pulitzer Prizes, and dozens of Grammy Awards.

Innovative. They are creators—of music, smartphone apps, medical treatments, recumbent tricycles for stroke survivors and amputee operators, and more. Their intellectual curiosity and enterprising spirit leads to cutting-edge technology, progressive art and media, and experimental therapies for diseases that are currently incurable. They are the freethinkers, paradigm-breakers, and thought leaders of their generation.

Rigorous. They are up to the challenge. A Rochester degree does not come easily. The approach to learning is demanding and the expectations are high. But these are the very conditions in which Rochester students thrive. At the Medical Center, rigor is what drives “Medicine of the Highest Order,” and at Simon Business School, it’s the foundation of “Toughen up.”

Analytical. They are data-driven, critical thinkers. The more complex a problem and the more elusive its solution, the more engrossed our students become in their work. Opportunities for research are like academic carnivals. Rochester students also flourish learning through the School of Medicine and Dentistry’s biopsychosocial model, the School of Nursing’s unification model, and the cross-functional approach at Simon.

Original. They are out of the ordinary and proud to deviate from the norm. Even outside of the Eastman School, our students march to the beat of their own drums. At Rochester, the atypical is typical. Rochester students’ quirks and eccentricities are badges of honor and the traits that allow them to be innovators and leaders.

The Meliora Challenge, with a goal of $1.2 billion, is

enhancing the University of Rochester’s ability to

educate tomorrow’s leaders, provide “Medicine of the

Highest Order,” and help solve some of society’s greatest

challenges.

To achieve these aspirations, we have made our students

a top priority. We seek resources totaling at least $225

million to provide the support they need. Increasing

the University’s number of scholarships and fellowships

will be critical to reaching this goal by the end of the

Campaign—June 30, 2016.

This goal is tied to our mission to Learn, Discover, Heal,

Create—and make the world ever better. It will be our

students who carry it forward. The stories on these pages

provide a small sample of the ways that the benefactors

of endowed scholarships and fellowships open doors and

empower talent leading to world-changing endeavors.

Endowed support exemplifies “ever better” in higher

education. Funding an endowed scholarship or fellowship

creates an essential resource that will support generations

of deserving and outstanding students.

...and make the world ever better

T H E F U T U R E of our

M I S S I O N

Make an Immediate Difference($5,000+ annually for a period of five years)

I N V E S T I N G in a

B E T T E R W O R L D

History has demonstrated that supporting our

students is an investment that pays off many

times over. By creating an endowed scholarship

or fellowship, you ensure our future students

have the opportunity to reach their potential.

These resources nurture a culture of academic

excellence at the University and have an impact

on the lives of students who are on a path to

make the world “ever better” while creating

lasting tributes to their namesakes.

George Eastman Circle Scholarships help qualified and deserving students pursue their dreams with fewer of the burdens and limitations that come with debt.

These gifts provide current-use funds that are disbursed as soon as the following academic year. With a pledge of $5,000 or more annually for a minimum of five years, you’re helping to put the world within a student’s reach.

UNIVERSITY PATRON SCHOLARSHIP ($1 million+)

SUPPORTING SCHOLARSHIP ($100,000+)

BENEFACTOR SCHOLARSHIP ($600,000+)

Provides full tuition, room, and board (or graduate stipend)

Provides a portion of tuition, room, or board

Provides full tuition

Endowed scholarships and fellowships can be established with a minimum gift of $50,000. To help you meet your philanthropic goals, you can also create an endowed scholarship at one of the following levels:

Choose the

school you

wish to support.

The scholarship can be

awarded in your name or

in the name of someone

you wish to honor.

You will qualify for a

George Eastman Circle

membership if you are not

already a member.

When we think about what makes endowed scholarship or fellowship

support so important, we keep coming back to one word: opportunity.

We feel fortunate to have attended the University of Rochester, for

the education we received and the impact it has had on our lives.

We cannot imagine someone being deprived of that experience—

be it by choice or by circumstance—which brings us to what many

college-bound students are going through today.

The rising cost of higher education has turned hopes of being

accepted into hopes of being able to finance. Too many students

and their families are currently making choices based on where they

will receive the most money, rather than where they will receive the

best education. Endowed scholarships and fellowships help shift the

focus back to where it belongs.

Meliora reminds us to aim high, in all of life’s endeavors. In regard to

student support, we can do better, and there’s plenty of motivation

to take action.

Your gift can be a “thank you” for support you once received, an

investment in the future of our society, or a tangible representation

of your passion for education.

Whatever the “why,” we are asking you to consider the impact, which

for these gifts is long lasting. Not just one student, but generations,

will realize their dream of attending the University because of your

help. That, we feel, is an opportunity too great to ignore.

L A R R Y C O H E N ’ 6 6

Co-Chair, Scholarships Initiative for The Meliora Challenge

Lawrence J. Cohen ‘66 and Jane Zimelis Cohen ‘67 Endowed Undergraduate Scholarship Fund

NA N CY L IEBERMAN ’ 7 7

Co-Chair, Scholarships Initiative for The Meliora Challenge

Member, Board of Trustees

Nancy A. Lieberman Scholarship

Consider the Impact

University of Rochester Advancement

300 East River Road • P.O. Box 270042 • Rochester, NY 14627

campaign.rochester.edu