IN REVIEW

UNIVERSITY CAMPAIGN vital to the schools and units; $130 million in unrestricted support through the annu- al fund; and $120 million for new facilities ‘Thanks a Billion!’ and campus renovations. The Meliora Challenge, the University’s comprehensive “We are grateful for the vision, generos- ity, and support of our alumni, friends, fac- fundraising effort, passes the $1 billion milestone. ulty, staff, parents, and students,” Seligman said. “Let me especially thank [Chief Ad- By Sara Miller “This is a special day, literally a red-letter vancement Officer] Jim Thompson and the day,” said President during a great Advancement team for our progress The University is moving into the final November 20 announcement. “I encourage to date. phase of its first comprehensive fundrais- everyone to take a deep breath and stop and “On behalf of the University, I say to ing initiative on a historic note, reaching the smell the roses. It’s important to celebrate them all: ‘Thanks a billion!’ ” $1 billion mark in November. The milestone the victories.” Noting that the University will contin- places Rochester among 29 private univer- Planned to be completed in 2016, the ue to face challenges, particularly due to sities that have raised at least $1 billion and Campaign is the largest comprehen- changes in health care and other issues moves the University closer to the $1.2 billion sive fundraising effort in the University’s affecting the funding of federal agencies, goal set for The Meliora Challenge in 2011. history. Seligman also referred to remarks made by The $1.2 billion goal incorporates five Rochester’s first president, Martin Brewer uuGIFTED PHYSICIAN: A commitment from priorities: $225 million for student sup- Anderson: ophthalmologist James Aquavella—above, port, primarily endowed scholarships and “But let me add, ‘Our work is but be- examining Spencer Eisenhauer at the Flaum fellowships; $350 million for faculty sup- gun.’ We still have much to do to effective- Eye Institute—helped The Meliora Challenge port with an emphasis on endowed profes- ly support our faculty, students, and staff reach the $1 billion mark this fall. sorships; $375 million to support programs and to develop programs that place us in

12 ROCHESTER REVIEW January–February 2014 ADAM FENSTER

3_RochRev_Jan2014_Review.indd 12 12/12/13 10:58 PM IN REVIEW the vanguard of cutting-edge research, the highest quality education, clinical care, pro- Meliora Milestones fessional schools, and the creative arts.” Chaired by University Trustees Cathy A commitment of more than $4 million Minehan ’68, dean of Simmons College from James Aquavella, professor of oph- School of Management in Boston and a thalmology, pushed The Meliora Challenge former U.S. Federal Reserve executive, past the historic mark. A clinician and re- and Rich Handler ’83, chairman and CEO of searcher in the University’s Flaum Eye In- Jefferies & Company, The Meliora Challenge stitute, Aquavella made the gift in memory was publicly launched in 2011 after a quiet of his late wife, Kay, who was a nurse and phase that began in 2005. The $1.2 billion administrator dedicated to the establish- goal incorporates five areas, including stu- ment of the institute. dent support, primarily endowed scholar- Aquavella, who joined the University in ships and fellowships; faculty support with 1963 and specializes in corneal surgery, said an emphasis on endowed professorships; that he and his wife were guided by three support for school and unit programs; un- great passions: their commitment to one an- NEW FACILITY: One of several new restricted support through the annual fund; other and their work together; the advance- buildings supported by the Campaign, and new facilities and campus renovations. ment of ophthalmology; and the University. Rettner Hall opened in 2013. The Medical Center is a major part of the “Our gift to the University combines overall Campaign with a goal of $650 mil- Company for the renovation of what is them all,” he said, noting that his work as lion, of which $510 million has already been now Hall at Eastman Theatre. a clinician and scientist and his wife’s work raised. Among the key priorities are pro- • A $10 million gift from Rochester busi- as a nurse and administrator at the insti- grams and research to find breakthroughs nessman E. Philip Saunders and his wife, tute are a “case study in the principles of that will treat—and perhaps cure—many Carole, to support research programs Meliora.” diseases, such as muscular dystrophy, in muscular dystrophy, cancer, and “I merely represent the many thousands Alzheimer’s, spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s, translational medicine and to name the of people who gave gifts of all sizes,” he said. and cancer. Saunders Research Building. Saunders G. Robert Witmer Jr. ’59, chair emeritus dedicated the gift to veterans of the U.S. of the Board of Trustees, said the Campaign Key gifts since 2005 include: armed forces. is one of the University’s most significant • A $30 million commitment from Board • More than $10 million in support from initiatives in the five decades that he has Chair Ed Hajim ’58, and his wife, Barbara, the Wilmot family and the James P. been connected to Rochester, noting that to fund student scholarships and to sup- Wilmot Foundation for the James P. the effort is an important partnership port the endowment of the Hajim School Wilmot Cancer Center. among alumni, faculty, staff, and members of Engineering & Applied Sciences. • A multimillion commitment from Trustee of the Rochester community. • $25 million in support from Rich Handler Thomas Sloan ’65, ’67 (MS) and his wife, Beginning with the founding of the Uni- and his wife, Martha, for student Linda Sloan ’67, to support arts programs. versity in 1850, and continuing through the scholarships. 1920s campaigns that helped establish the • A $20 million commitment from Recent projects supported by River Campus and the Medical Center, the founder B. Thomas Golisano for the the Campaign include: Rochester community has a long history of construction of a new Golisano Children’s • Golisano Children’s Hospital, an ongoing supporting the University, he said. Hospital, scheduled to open in 2015. project scheduled to be completed in 2015. “The Rochester community has assisted • $14 million in support from Trustee • Ronald Rettner Hall for Media Arts and the University and vice versa,” Witmer said. Robert Goergen ’60 and his wife, Pamela, Innovation, opened in 2013. “It’s a symbiotic relationship, and the Roch- including $10 million for the Robert B. • Raymond F. LeChase Hall, home to the ester community has helped us accomplish Goergen Hall for Biomedical Engineering Warner School of Education, opened in what we have achieved to date.” and Optics. 2013. Seligman said that while major fund- • A $10 million gift from Eastman Kodak • The Eastman Theatre renovation and raising efforts often are characterized by expansion project, completed in 2011. the amount of money that they raise, he hoped members of the University commu- nity would remember that the fundamen- Donor Data Facts & Figures tal purpose of the Campaign is to support • Represented by all 50 states and AS OF DEC. 1, 2013 faculty, clinicians, alumni, and students as 78 countries • The Meliora Challenge: $1 billion they try to make a difference in the lives of • 90,000-plus donors in the Rochester area • 68 endowed professorships those around them. • 50,000-plus donors outside Rochester • 247 endowed student scholarships “When we started the Campaign, we real- • 38 percent of faculty and staff have and fellowships ized that it’s not about the dollars,” Seligman contributed to the Campaign • 2,700 Circle members said. “Dollars enable you. The Campaign is about touching people’s lives.”r For more information about The Meliora Challenge, visit campaign.rochester.edu. Sara Miller is University spokesperson.

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