Rochester Review Rochester HEADED TO HOUSTON? A PRESIDENT ARRIVES EVOLVING IDEAS Alumni and friends would Sarah C. Mangelsdorf How research in biology is like to show you the town. introduces herself. influencing the study of evolution. UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER /SUmmER 2019 Summer 2019 u NIV ER SITY OF r OCH e ST Why is Albion Tourgée, Class of 1862, once nationally known ER for his work on racial equality, back in the limelight? rr_Summer2019_FCover.indd 1 8/6/19 1:57 PM University of Rochester neuroscience researchers are collaborating in the largest long-term study of child brain development in the United States. Tracking 10,000 growing brains through adolescence into young adulthood, the study looks at how different childhood experiences—music, sports, social media, and video games—affect brain, social, emotional, and cognitive development. Rochester research of this magnitude will impact and enrich educational practices, help doctors predict and prevent developmental problems, and guide parents in raising young adults. The Rochester Effect. For childhood ever better. EverBetter.Rochester.edu rr_Summer2019_FCover.indd 2 7/29/19 12:55 PM University of Rochester neuroscience researchers are collaborating in the largest long-term study of child brain development in the United States. Tracking 10,000 growing brains through adolescence into young adulthood, the study looks at how different childhood experiences—music, sports, social media, and video games—affect brain, social, emotional, and cognitive development. Rochester research of this magnitude will impact and enrich educational practices, help doctors predict and prevent developmental problems, and guide parents in raising young adults. The Rochester Effect. For childhood ever better. EverBetter.Rochester.edu rr_Summer2019_FCover.indd 1 7/29/19 12:55 PM A genius gift. “I am a collector of Albert Einstein’s writings. A few years ago, I acquired a manuscript of more than 100 pages of his private working papers that had never been seen by the public before. After considerable thought, I decided to sell these pages and several letters of historical importance. I take comfort knowing that the materials are now in an important archive and available to Einstein scholars. In part, because of the source of these funds, my wife and I gifted the proceeds to the University of Rochester to fund a flexible deferred charitable gift annuity designated for an endowed professorship in medical education. This legacy gift is an expression of my gratitude for the life- changing education I benefited from as a medical student at Rochester.” —GARY BERGER ’69M (MD) To learn more about income for life from charitable gift annuities and other planned giving methods, visit www.rochester.giftplans.org/income Office of Trusts, Estates & Gift Planning (800) MELIORA (800-635-4672) • [email protected] Charitable Gift Annuity Age 60 65 70 75 80 Imagine your legacy. Rates (as of July 1, 2018) Rate 4.7% 5.1% 5.6% 6.2% 7.3% rr_Summer2019.indb 2 8/5/19 10:07 AM Features SummER 2019 20 Evolution’s 26 Show Us Your New Era Town: Houston Our tour of Rochester’s Regional What happens to DNA when it’s in Networks turns to Houston, home to the grip of parasites, “selfish genetic nearly 1,200 alumni who say the East elements” that are harmful to the Texas city is welcoming, diverse, and individual and even the species? infused with a “dream it, do it” mind-set. Biologists Jack Werren (above), Daven By Kristine Thompson Presgraves, John Jaenike, Amanda Larracuente, and Tom Eickbush have 30 For a Union made Rochester one of the world’s leading centers for understanding ways ‘Better Than It Was’ in which some genetic elements defy The legacy of Albion Tourgée, the lead expectations, in an evolutionary arms attorney for Homer Plessy in Plessy race that’s not between organisms but v. Ferguson, had been relegated to within them. By Lindsey Valich footnotes for much of the 20th century. But the Rochester alumnus’s ideas about bringing racial equality to the post–Civil ON THE COVER: Albion Tourgée, Class War South are getting a new hearing. of 1862. Courtesy of the North Carolina By Karen McCally ’02 (PhD) Department of Natural and Cultural Resources J. ADAM FENSTER (WERREN); ADOBE STOCK (HOUSTON) Summer 2019 ROCHESTER REVIEW 3 rr_Summer2019_Toc.indd 3 8/6/19 1:59 PM Departments Summer 2019 5 President’s Page | 6 Letters | 62 Books & Recordings In Review their achievements and 18 36 service. 8 ‘I Want to Get to 53 Happy Birthday, George Know the University Eastman! Community’ President Sarah C. Mangelsdorf 56 Graduate Arts, Sciences introduces herself to the & Engineering University community. 57 Eastman School of 10 Board Elects Two Music Alumni as New Trustees 58 School of Medicine and Longtime board members Dentistry are also named life trustees in recognition of 58 School of Nursing their service. 58 Simon Business School 11 Ask the Archivist: 59 Warner School of What’s the weight— Education ceremonial and physical— of the mace? 59 In Memoriam 12 The Eastman School 61 Remember Pioneering That’s for Everyone Art Critic Douglas For nearly a century, the Crimp Eastman Community 64 Tuning in to Sonic Music School has Culture Take out your welcomed all comers. carry momentum into says she “hit the jackpot” earbuds and just listen, 2019–20. in life. 13 Bird by Bird A biologist says musicologist tracks the evolution of 41 In the News Winning the Gabrielle Cornish ’13, ’16E an endangered species of Alumni Gazette “Olympics” of the carillon, (MA). birds. and other news. 36 Connecting the 14 Discover Why can you University Community see your friend waving Rochester’s new head Class Notes in a sea of people at the of Alumni Relations 42 College Arts, Sciences airport? How do nations and Constituent & Engineering escape a colonial past? Engagement wants to strengthen connections, 44 Class of 1969 16 University Notebook opportunities, and What are some Admissions goes test networks. of your favorite optional, Paul Burgett memories of the ’68E, ’76E (PhD) is 38 Toting a Tony A drama University? remembered, and other teacher receives a news from around the top accolade for her 48 Dinner with University. unconventional and the Coach inclusive approach. 18 First Vice President for 50 Alumni Equity and Inclusion 39 What Are You Awards Appointed Mercedes Researching? Research Schools Ramírez Fernández will on disease pathogens earn recognize implement and lead an two alumni membership graduates for institution-wide diversity in the National Academy strategic plan. of Sciences. 19 What’s Ahead for 40 A Lifetime as a Leader A the Yellowjackets? trailblazing pediatrician, a 64 Rochester’s athletic teams Medical Center physician 4 ROCHESTER REVIEW Summer 2019 J. ADAM FENSTER (RAMÍREZ FERNÁNDEZ, CHANCE MERCURIUS); DAVID COWLES FOR ROCHESTER REVIEW (CORNISH) rr_Summer2019_Toc.indd 4 8/6/19 4:49 PM President’s Page A Time of Optimism and Opportunity I look forward to hearing your ideas about how our great University can be ever better. By Sarah C. Mangelsdorf Campus with Jessica Robbins ’20, a mem- ber of the Meridian Society, a group of un- In late August, the Class of 2023 will ar- dergraduates who lead campus tours for rive on campus. They will come from 44 our Undergraduate Admissions Office. states and 77 countries, and they will bring She introduced me to some of the iconic new energy and intellectual curiosity to spaces—tunnels!—and newest additions— our campus, and fresh perspectives that iZone!—to the River Campus. will help us better understand and define I hope to repeat this experience at oth- who we are as a community. I am thrilled er campus locations. I know I have a lot to to join them as a “classmate,” as I too begin learn in the coming months, and I am look- my first year as a member of the Universi- ing forward to every minute of it. ty community. Since I was introduced as Rochester’s I have had many experiences with first 11th president late last year, I have received days of school—as a student myself, as a an outpouring of well wishes from alumni, parent, a professor, and as an administra- faculty, students, staff, and members of the tor; on big campuses and small—and for Rochester community. It is clear that the me, nothing matches the excitement of the University holds a special place in the lives start of a new academic year, especially at of many of those who have been part of its a great research university like Rochester. long and distinguished legacy. My family These beginnings are a time of enormous and I were gratified to receive such a warm optimism and opportunity. and supportive welcome, and I thank you In the coming weeks, I will celebrate for your support and encouragement. many “firsts.” I will help students as they history of the United States. I have long I am honored to have been given the op- move in to their residence halls for the first been aware of the institution’s stature, the portunity to lead the University of Roch- time. I will attend my first Rochester con- strength of its faculty, and the impact of ester, but I am mindful that we are all vocation and participate in my first Wilson its research and scholarship. I have long stewards of this remarkable institution. I and Eastman community service days. I am admired the City of Rochester’s role as a am grateful for the strong foundation laid looking forward to joining the audience at linchpin in the historic struggles for equal- by my predecessors, and I look forward to Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre for my first ity and as the home of companies that in working with all of you to sustain and ex- Gateways Music Festival.