This document summarizes several endowed scholarships at the University of Rochester. It discusses how endowed scholarships help the university attract talented students from diverse backgrounds by making education affordable and reducing debt burdens. Specific scholarships are profiled, including those supporting international medical students, students from Buffalo studying music, and well-rounded undergraduates involved in extracurricular activities. Donors of endowed scholarships hope to give opportunities to promising students and support areas of study for generations to come.

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

2. Unleashing the Future
This 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 AS
FOR THE WORLD THE WAY IT IS
HELPED MAKE US ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST DISTINGUISHED RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES
WE EMBRACE RIGOR AND HARD WORK
AND TAKE THE LEAD
I N M A T T E R S O F THE MIND AND HEART
We never settle
WE SEEK TO BE “EVER BETTER” FOR OURSELVES AND OUR REGION
TO BETTER SERVE
HUMAN KIND.
experience and benefit
our nation
and
our world
We continually strive to build on our distinctive strengths
ACROSS ALL DISCIPLINES TO FIND NEW SOLUTIONS
that advance
U
the rochester
R

3. T H E S T A T E
S C H O L A R S H I P S
of
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

4. 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 LEGACY
in 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
scholarshipthatwascreatedmorethanacentury
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.

5. 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

6. 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

7. Patrick Towey ’14E
Louis P. Ciminelli Endowed Scholarship
E A S T M A N S C H O O L O F M U S I C

8. 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 Scholarship
E A S T M A N S C H O O L O F M U S I C

9. 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

10. 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

11. Ankit Kumar ’13S (MBA)
Goldman Sachs Scholars Fund
S I M O N B U S I N E S S S C H O O L

12. 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.
NowafinancialanalystatJuniperNetworks,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 Fund
S I M O N B U S I N E S S S C H O O L

13. Carolyn Marthens ’12, ’13W (MS)
Cushman Scholars in Education Fund
WA R N E R S C H O O L O F E D U C AT I O N

14. 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 Fund
WA R N E R S C H O O L O F E D U C AT I O N

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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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M
E
L
I
O
R
A
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’scampusyoucanfindaclassical
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,
progressiveartandmedia,andexperimental
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. Theyaredata-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
alsoflourishlearningthroughtheSchoolof
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.

20. 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.

21. When we think about what makes endowed scholarship or fellowship
supportsoimportant,wekeepcomingbacktooneword: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
NANCY LIEBER M A N ’ 7 7
Co-Chair, Scholarships Initiative for
The Meliora Challenge
Member, Board of Trustees
Nancy A. Lieberman Scholarship
Consider the Impact

22. University of Rochester Advancement
300 East River Road • P.O. Box 270042 • Rochester, NY 14627
campaign.rochester.edu