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

Rochester Trustee Barbara J. Burger ’83—a respected leader in energy transition, corporate and non-profit board member, thought leader, speaker, and community builder—has made a $2,000,000 commitment to support research, innovation, and the student experience at the URochester. Burger’s philanthropy builds on a series of gifts she has made to the University, aligning her lifelong dedication to fostering exceptional education, research excellence, and the success of faculty and staff—cornerstones of the University’s 2030 strategic plan. This gift is a continuation of Burger’s years of support, furthering the impact of her overall philanthropy while exploring new areas of discovery.

Burger’s gift will specifically provide $1,000,000 to establish the Barbara J. Burger iZone Directorship. Her commitment to iZone began in 2015 when she made a lead gift of $1,000,000 to River Campus Libraries to create the space. Named in her honor, the Barbara J. Burger iZone is a collaborative creative problem-solving environment that opened in 2018, providing students with resources to explore ideas and develop innovative projects that drive social, cultural, and community impact.

Burger’s latest gift will also provide more than $250,000 to launch the Barbara J. Burger Chemical Sustainability Scholars pilot program. Open to chemistry and chemical engineering majors after their first or sophomore year, the pilot program will provide a new pathway for exploring professional interests during a 15-month research project.

Having dedicated her career to the energy industry, Burger is keenly interested in energy transition, focusing on improving the energy system’s access, reliability, and affordability, and reducing its impact on communities and the environment. This pilot program at the University, she says, will provide an opportunity for students to address this issue directly. Additionally, $750,000 will be allocated to a general fund, reserved for future designation to support initiatives that align with the University’s priorities and Burger’s philanthropic goals.

“Barbara’s multifaceted gift highlights her unwavering advocacy for education and innovation, and underscores her dedication as an alumna, volunteer leader, and trailblazer in science and technology,” says Sarah C. Mangelsdorf, Ģ����ý president and G. Robert Witmer, Jr. University Professor. “We are tremendously grateful for her ongoing partnership and her tireless pursuit of excellence.”

Says Burger, “When I was a student here, people invested in me, sharing their time, knowledge, and financial resources. This is a key driver in me helping the next generation. Today, I have the opportunity to give back, both philanthropically and through my ideas, energy, and the relationships I develop within the Rochester family.”

A history of impact

Burger has been a longstanding supporter of the University, contributing significantly to enhance the student experience, making gifts that complement and amplify one another. For instance, her $1,250,000 gift two years ago doubled the number of students receiving the Barbara J. Burger Endowed Scholarships in the Sciences. It also provided funds for iZone to support staff and student professional development, technology, and student-centered programs. Additionally, her 2022 gift launched a five-year within the University’s River Campus Libraries, offering 22 students hands-on experience in areas like publishing, event programming, marketing, and curriculum design, all under the mentorship of library staff.

Burger’s significant influence as a University philanthropist began in 2006, when she, along with other chemistry alumni, faculty, staff, and friends, established an endowed professorship in honor of Professor Emeritus Andrew S. Kende. A few years later, she became the lead funder to a second professorship named for a mentor and key figure in her life, Professor Emeritus Richard S. Eisenberg. Over the years, Burger has also generously given to the Department of Athletics and Recreation. This includes significant support for the Timothy G. Hale Endowment for Competitive Excellence in athletics, a fund that benefits the University’s cross country and track and field programs. As an undergraduate, Burger participated in both sports as well as on the field hockey team.

“Barbara’s deep interest in student success and in providing opportunities for learners to flourish in and out of the classroom is a testament to her commitment to academic excellence,” adds Nicole Sampson, University provost. “She is completely dedicated to creating experiences and opportunities that advance discovery and innovations across many fields, and to inspiring meaningful outcomes for students, faculty, staff, and the entire University community. Her focused and far-reaching support is truly inspiring.”

A distinguished career

Barbara J. Burger is a Chevron “graduate” where she finished as the vice president of innovation and president of Chevron Technology Ventures. During her career, she held leadership positions across the company’s businesses as well as a wide range of civic and industry organizations.

Today, Burger remains focused on the challenges in energy transition, equity, and access to education. She has built an advisory and director portfolio with firms including Bloom Energy, Heliogen, Milestone Environmental Services, Emerald Technology Ventures, Energy Impact Partners, Marunouchi Innovation Partners, Syzygy Plasmonics, and Epicore Biosystems. She also proudly serves as the board president of the Houston Symphony.

Burger is an alumna of the URochester, where she serves on the Board of Trustees and chairs the University Libraries National Council. In addition to establishing the Barbara J. Burger Endowed Scholarship in the Sciences and the Barbara J. Burger iZone at the URochester, she supports graduate women in chemistry who will pursue careers beyond academia and serves on the Resnick Sustainability Institute Strategic Advisory Board at Caltech. She holds a bachelor’s in chemistry from the URochester, a PhD in chemistry from Caltech, and an MBA from UC Berkeley.

Update: Learn about the inaugural cohort of Barbara J. Burger Chemical Sustainability Scholars in this May 7, 2025 Ģ����ý New Center story.

Gift recognizes the couple’s commitment to research excellence and honors her late husband, University Trustee Emeritus Hugo Sonnenschein ’61, ’17 (Honorary)

Elizabeth “Beth” Sonnenschein ’61, ’62N has established the Hugo Freund Sonnenschein and Elizabeth Gunn Sonnenschein Research Endowment in Mathematics within the Ģ����ý’s School of Arts & Sciences. Her generous $1 million gift honors her late husband, University Trustee Emeritus Hugo Sonnenschein ’61, ’17 (Honorary), an acclaimed economic theorist and academic leader, and recognizes the couple’s shared commitment to research excellence.

Specifically, the new Sonnenschein Research Endowment in Mathematics will equip faculty and students with resources to integrate ideas from diverse disciplines—including physics, economics, engineering, and DNA biology–to drive solutions to challenges best addressed through mathematics collaboration.

“We are tremendously grateful to Beth for this gift and to Hugo for his scholarly impact and dedication to Rochester,” says Duje Tadin, interim dean of the School of Arts & Sciences. “Because of Beth’s vision and support, future generations can carry on Hugo’s legacy and apply mathematical concepts to advance transdisciplinary innovation.”

“This gift is a way to honor my appreciation for the role Rochester played in our formative years, and Hugo’s years as a board member and volunteer,” says Sonnenschein. “He loved math, Rochester, and the institution of higher education—he dedicated his life to all of this and more.”

Sonnenschein adds that Hugo majored in mathematics at Rochester, and, during his senior year, he found a reference in an economics journal that inspired him and became the basis for his lifelong work: the idea that important economic concepts could be modeled and hence better understood, using mathematics. For him, she underscores, it all started at Rochester.

Paul Funkenbusch, chair of the mathematics department, underscores that mathematics is foundational to many disciplines, often driving discoveries in engineering and the sciences and moving us toward solutions to such global issues as sustainable energy, cryptography, public health, and economic systems. “Because of this gift, the department will always have dedicated resources to help faculty and students pursue high-reward projects, giving them the freedom to study difficult questions and problems that span these areas and beyond.”

Hugo and Beth met during their first year at the University and married one year after graduation. Their three daughters, Rachel Mossi, Leah Schraudenbach, and Amy Venetianer were mathematics majors in college and, like their parents, have applied lessons learned from math into their careers and daily lives.

This optics major, a capella performer, and recipient of the Rick and Terri Rashid Endowed Scholarship in Engineering excels in the classroom and in the campus community

What are your academic/career goals? Was there a life experience that sparked your interest in what you’re studying or have planned for a career?

I want to design/invent new products and technologies. As a kid growing up in a very rural area, I often entertained myself by going outside and building structures or contraptions in the woods like catapults and bridges. In my house (much to my mother’s dismay), I would build incredibly complex chain reaction contraptions in my room composed of KNEX, Legos, marbles, cardboard tubes, the fan on my ceiling, and any other creative ways I could transfer energy. As an adult, I knew I wanted to be on the front line of creating groundbreaking technologies, and the rapidly growing field of optics was the best choice.

What are your favorite ways to engage with UR’s campus community outside of the classroom?

I am a member of the Yellowjackets a cappella group and am frequently involved with the chess club and spike ball club. I can often be found practicing my saxophone or singing in the acoustically sealed practice rooms that are provided to us on campus. I was recently elected to be the music director for the Yellowjackets, so I will be spending extra time arranging music and organizing the group in the coming semesters.��

What internship, research project, study abroad, or work opportunities have you been involved in recently? What skills are you taking away from the experience(s)?

For my first optics course (OPT 101), my group and I completed a very professional research poster to wrap up the semester. The poster was based on a lab study we completed with Professor Cotrufo, and demonstrated different light transmission properties of a material as we heated and cooled it.

As the project lead, I learned a great deal about the material on the poster and overcame many of the difficulties associated with working in a group. In the end, my group and I presented a poster that we are very proud of, and I finished with a 4.0 GPA in that class. I’m hoping to do more professional research in the future and am extremely grateful to have had this experience so early on in my college career.

In what ways do you feel scholarship support impacts your experience at the University?

As a student graduating from a high school in a relatively poor rural area, I am incredibly proud to be attending the Ģ����ý and am thoroughly enjoying my college experience so far. I cannot possibly express how appreciative I am of the donors that help fund the scholarships that make it possible for me and other students to afford going to such an amazing school. I feel as though I am getting a versatile and beneficial education for my future, and the Rick and Terri Rashid Endowed Scholarship in Engineering allows the University to continue providing a quality education for engineering majors such as me.

Meet D.C. Women’s Network member and cybersecurity consultant Grace Czechowski Llojaj ’13

Share a bit about yourself! What are you up to now?

I currently live in Washington, D.C. with my husband, fellow alumnus Gert Llojaj ’09, and we are expecting our first child in February, 2024. I work in the cybersecurity field as a consultant helping companies scale by providing services focused on growth, workforce planning, and talent solutions. Outside of work, I volunteer as co-chair of the D.C. Women’s Network, with Alpha Phi International Fraternity, and with Junior League of Washington.

What are your most cherished memories from the Ģ����ý?

The best memories of my time at the University were spent with my Alpha Phi sisters! Whether it was getting ready for a night out or just hanging out on the Alpha Phi floor, I absolutely cherish those times.

How did campus life and any co-curricular involvement (clubs, organizations, teams, etc.) impact your personal and professional growth?

Leadership opportunities that were provided to me during my time at the University allowed me to practice skills in a supportive environment that I use in my job to this day. As a leader across Ballet Performance Group, Club Cheerleading, Panhellenic, and Alpha Phi, I was able to learn to lead teams, delegate, plan events, make fundraising asks, and hone my time management skills. These continue to be valuable in my professional career and other volunteer roles.

Did the University offer any resources or initiatives that helped you transition smoothly into the workforce?

The Career Center’s résumé and cover letter templates were by far the most used resources that helped me as I made the transition from undergraduate to the working world. Since graduation, the network the University provides, whether formally through the Meliora Collective and events or just by having a common history with people in my field, has been invaluable.

How did your experience at the URochester influence your life?

My time at Rochester was a pivotal period where my independence grew and I really leaned into pursuing opportunities that align with my values.

What sparked your initial interest in volunteering with the University? What role(s) have you held?

I have tried to stay involved in some capacity since graduation whether that was volunteering with Alpha Phi or interviewing prospective students. Since then, my role has evolved to help lead the D.C. region of the Women’s Network. I have also served as an industry leader at events put on with the Career Center and contributed to the Meliora Collective. My role as a volunteer may have shifted throughout the years but the desire to stay connected to the Yellowjacket community has always been there, so I make donating my time to volunteering with the University a priority year after year.

What advice do you have for fellow alumni and friends who may be interested in taking a more active role in our alumni and friends’ community?

Since graduation, I knew I wanted to give back and sometimes you feel like if you aren’t having a building named after you, then you really aren’t making an impact – that is just not true! Start by doing something small like volunteering to reach out to accepted students or showing up to events planned by your local alumni group. The University community is strongest when we all participate and give back, and like most things in life you will get out of it what you put into it, so just go for it and get involved!

What’s the most rewarding part of staying connected with your alma mater?

Staying connected to the Yellowjacket community has allowed the connections I made during my time on campus to continue to grow and develop, which was on full display this past Meliora Weekend at my 10-year reunion when there were so many people that I got to see, and it was like no time had passed at all! It has also permitted me to make connections in my field and with alumni whom I didn’t overlap within the school but share this common thread with. In volunteering with current and prospective students, I get the opportunity to help usher in the next generation as well, so it feels full circle.

Meet Women’s Network leader and product manager Ashley Nevins ’16S (MS)

Share a bit about yourself! What are you up to now?

I am a New Yorker turned Californian with a business degree from Simon Business School and undergraduate degrees in chemistry and biology from Boston University.

Though I started my career in sales at Eli Lilly, I eventually found my way into product management and have worked for companies like WebMD and Ancestry. Last year, I launched my own product management consulting business! Now, I have the entrepreneurial bug and am looking into opening a tea shop – more to come on that soon.

I am incredibly passionate about supporting other women and helped found the Ģ����ý Bay Area Women’s Network in early 2020. We were lucky enough to hold our in-person inaugural event right before lockdown. I am also the co-chair of our Women’s Regional Networks across the country and am an active advisor of the Simon Product Management Club.

When I’m not working or volunteering, you can find me taking long walks with my two German Shepherds, wine tasting, traveling to new places, or working out on my Peloton. A dream day would combine all 4…though it’s proven difficult to fit my dogs and my bike in my suitcase.

What are your most cherished memories from your time at the URochester?

I think many of us will agree that the people of the University are what make it so special. I met some of my best friends while studying at the University, and I married a fellow alumnus. For me, there is no single cherished memory of the University. Quite the opposite, I think about all the special experiences I have had and continue to have with the incredible people I met through the University. Rochester isn’t a moment in time for me…it’s more of a continued, special experience.

How did campus life and any co-curricular involvement (clubs, organizations, teams, etc.) impact your personal and professional growth?

During graduate school, my cohort regularly went out for drinks and snacks after long days of class. Sometimes, professors would join us. I happened to be sitting across from our professor one day and he listened in as I spoke to another student about a business idea I had. The professor turned to me and said, “I’d invest if you were to pursue that idea.” At that time, I hadn’t seen myself as a business leader. I initially laughed at his comment but ended up using the idea in my final project at Simon. Though I ultimately decided not to pursue this business outside of academia, the professor’s validation of what I saw as a “crazy dream” is always in the back of my mind. In fact, it’s helped to give me the confidence to pursue my tea shop venture.

The casual nature of these after-class team get-togethers fostered a discussion I never thought I’d have, a discussion that serves to remind me again and again that I can make my dreams a reality if I choose.

Did the University offer any resources or initiatives that helped you transition smoothly into the workforce?

My transition from the University was a unique whirlwind. I finished my graduate studies almost simultaneously with my move to California. Because I was already a working professional when I decided to get a graduate degree, my transition was less about entering the working world and more about moving from one chapter of my life in New York to another in California. California was wholly unknown to me – I had visited only once before and knew no one in the area besides my husband. I was introduced to the associate director of alumni relations in the Bay Area almost immediately after my move. She began introducing me to fellow alumni in the area right away. I shared my desire to develop a women’s alumnae network on the West Coast, and she helped me realize that vision. Before I knew it, I had a robust support network in the Bay Area, and I was leading the Women’s Network focused on providing that same support to other women in our area.

What sparked your initial interest in volunteering with the University? What role(s) have you held?

While living in New York, my mother-in-law (a fellow alumna) invited me to a NYC Metro Women’s event that she was helping lead. This was before my time in graduate school at the University, and I accepted the invitation primarily as a show of support for my family. The event featured a panel of women talking about their experiences connecting with other women at different stages of life, and it really resonated with me. The honesty of the panelists and the warmth of the audience were unlike anything I had previously experienced. The event was like a hug for the soul, and I was hooked on this amazing group.

When I eventually moved to California, I quickly realized that there was no similar alumnae network in the area, and I had to change that. In addition to my role as the founder of the Bay Area Women’s Network and now co-chair of the Women’s Regional Networks across the country, I am an advisor of the Simon Product Management Club and have also volunteered in the National Leadership Committee. I have even tried my hand at managing the Bay Area alumni social media accounts in partnership with a few other alumni.

What advice do you have for fellow alumni and friends who may be interested in taking a more active role in our alumni and friends’ community?

Jump in and participate your way! I’ve spoken to many people who want to be more involved but don’t think they have the time to commit at the level “required”. There is no minimum or maximum time requirement to get involved, and there is no single way to be active. You could help organize a single activity, help lead an affinity group, or simply attend a local event. You can increase or decrease your level of participation at any time based on the ebbs and flows of life. Get to know alumni relations teams at the University and work with them to find the engagement type and amount that works best for you.

What’s the most rewarding part of staying connected with your alma mater?

As I look back on my life thus far, I feel incredibly grateful for the people who helped me become who I am today. I owe much of my career success to others who said “yes” to my requests for mentoring, “yes” to network intros, “yes” to informational interviews…These people were often strangers or loose connections.

It’s very important to me that I pass this generosity and kindness forward to the younger people of today. Staying connected with the University provides me with ongoing opportunities to support current students and recent graduates. Thank you, Ģ����ý!

Meet Boston Network Leadership Council member Bridgitte Mott ’09

Share a bit about yourself! What are you up to now?

I am a 2009 graduate of the University, where I majored in economics and minored in political science.�� I moved to Boston about 5 years ago, where I live with my husband, daughter, and dog (with some Rochester pride, named Dandelion).�� I am a litigation partner at the law firm of Saul Ewing, LLP, where I focus my practice on business, real estate, and higher education litigation.�� Outside of the office, I enjoy vegan cooking, yoga, hiking, and spending time with my family.

What are your most cherished memories from the Ģ����ý?

The little things. Drinking coffee on the deck of Rush Rhees, painting the underground tunnels with my pledge class, reading in Periodicals, spending time on campus with two of my sisters (who are ’08 and ’12 graduates), and returning to campus for Meliora Weekend with friends.

How did your experience at the URochester influence your life?

My time at the University not only pushed me to think independently and be self-sufficient, but it also opened my eyes to new perspectives, allowed me to see and circumnavigate the world through my study abroad program (Semester at Sea ’08), and gave me a network of life-long friends.

What sparked your initial interest in volunteering with the University? What role(s) have you held?

My interest in volunteering started early on during my time at the University and stemmed from a desire to give back to a place that gave so much to me.�� While at Rochester, I served as an orientation volunteer, but my passion for volunteering didn’t stop there. After graduating I served as a volunteer for accepted student outreach, and now I currently serve as a member of the Ģ����ý Boston Network Leadership Council.

What advice do you have for fellow alumni and friends who may be interested in taking a more active role in our alumni and friends’ community?

Carpe Diem! For me, getting involved with the Boston Network Leadership Council shortly after I had moved to Boston and during the pandemic was a great way to meet other Yellowjackets in the area and give back to the University no matter where I was located. Participation can take many forms no matter what your schedule is or how much time you have to dedicate, so don’t be afraid to start with small steps.

Meet Strong and Simon community member Farrell Cooke ’14, ’19N

Share a bit about yourself! What are you up to now?

Since graduating in 2014, I decided one bachelor’s degree from the Ģ����ý was not enough. I came back to Rochester from NYC in 2018 to go to the Ģ����ý School of Nursing.�� Currently, I am an assistant nurse manager in the surgical ICU at Strong Memorial Hospital and am also a part-time student at Simon Business School, finishing my MBA this May!

While much of my time is spent at the medical center or on the River Campus – I live in Fairport with my fiancé, Tyler (also a University alumnus), with our dog, Eastman.

What are your most cherished memories from the Ģ����ý?

Too many to count! The original Danforth and getting late-night paninis in Sue B are some of the most notable, but there are even more memories that are still relived when all our alumni friends get together.

From memories with the swim team, waking up for practice, trudging through the snow to get to Goergen (where we were once asked to bring a shovel with us to classes after a snowstorm), or the Sunday morning pancake breakfasts on the DG floor.

Of all these memories, what I am most grateful for are the relationships I’ve made during my years at the URochester because I still get to create new memories all the time with the friends I’ve made.

How did campus life and any co-curricular involvement (clubs, organizations, teams, etc.) impact your personal and professional growth?

The involvement I had within athletics, various organizations, and my academic major were all huge reasons as to why I am who I am today. I owe so much of my personal and professional growth to the people who supported me through my time on campus.

What was most impactful has to be my four years on the swim team. Being a part of a team where your performance affects the larger group motivates you to aim higher and work harder – in the pool and the classroom. I learned to balance my practice schedule with an academic workload and how to make that work. You learn to surround yourself with people who encourage you, and my teammates and coaches were some of the best support systems I could have.

How did your experience at the URochester influence your life?

My time at the URochester helped me come into my own as a friend, teammate, co-worker, and all around become the best version of myself.�� To this day, my closest friends are the people that I have met while at school or while volunteering for the University.

Each aspect of my academic career has also led me to new educational experiences – from undergraduate degree to nursing school then business school. Every step of the way, I have gained not only more knowledge, but also increased my networking, critical thinking, and became aware of opportunities that I would not have known about otherwise. I can’t thank my mentors, coaches, and friends enough for the countless hours they spent helping me achieve my goals.

What sparked your initial interest in volunteering with the University? What role(s) have you held?

After graduating, I knew the University hosted events in New York City. I really enjoy getting to meet new people, especially when there are so many common areas of interest. I can’t remember my initial reasoning for getting involved but after almost 10 years of being a volunteer within the University, I am so happy that I chose to get involved! I have been a member of the Young Alumni Council (YAC) in two cities, a regional point of contact for NYC, and have also been the national co-chair for the YAC which allowed me an opportunity to be a member of the Alumni Board. I have also been able to volunteer with Simon being a member of the Part Time Advisory Council!

What advice do you have for fellow alumni and friends who may be interested in taking a more active role in our alumni and friends’ community?

It’s an amazing opportunity to do something a little different. What you get out of volunteering or participating is so much more than you think it could be. I have made so many friendships, created memories, and taken part in experiences that I would not have had otherwise. I think in a world post-Covid, looking for shared experiences and opportunities to socialize are more common. Becoming an active participant within the University community, I think would satisfy that need for a lot of people!

What’s the most rewarding part of staying connected with your alma mater?

I have created so many friendships volunteering with the University and participating in events that I would not have otherwise. I think as an undergraduate student, you do not always get to see the scope of impact that the University can have not only for you but for the community.�� Being able to see all aspects of how the University seeks to engage opportunities for prospective, current, and past students is really rewarding.�� When speaking to students, I get to share these insights and also help them understand the value that they can get from this institution.

Meet psychiatric nurse practitioner and dancer Sydney Robinson Phillips ’14

Share a bit about yourself! What are you up to now?

I currently live in the city of Philadelphia with my husband, Jovan, and our dog, Charlie. I work as a psychiatric nurse practitioner at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Delaware and teach simulation labs at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. In my free time, I love running on the Schuylkill River Trail, baking, trying new restaurants in the city, and spending time with friends and family.

What are your most cherished memories from the Ģ����ý?

Late-night dance rehearsals in Spurrier, painting the tunnels, attending Boar’s Head, performing a flash mob in the old Douglass cafeteria, cozy nights studying in Rush Rhees, “bring a shovel to school day,” and exploring the city of Rochester on weekends and during the summer!

How did campus life and any co-curricular involvement (clubs, organizations, teams, etc.) impact your personal and professional growth?

Extra-curriculars were a significant part of my identity at the URochester (and sometimes prioritized more than academics and doing laundry). I was heavily involved in the dance department, where most of my waking moments were spent choreographing, rehearsing, or performing. I was a member of a few performing arts groups on campus as well, including Ballet Performance Group and Rochester Raas, and have made lifelong friends from these respective groups. During my sophomore year, I helped to create a dance outreach program at a local elementary school called “Dare to Dance,” which is still going strong today.

From an academic perspective, I was granted opportunities to serve as a TA within the psychology department and work as a research assistant within the Kid Neuro Lab on campus for three years. Since graduating from the University, I have been eager to combine all of my personal and professional passions (including dance, neuroscience, psychology, and medicine) into one career. Fast forward 10 years later, I am in the process of obtaining my dance/movement therapy certification, to provide more holistic-based care for my patients and families. This has been such a full-circle moment for me, especially since the certification program is led by one of my former professors at the University!

How did your experience at the URochester influence your life?

The Ģ����ý has helped to instill a continued sense of curiosity, drive, and passion in everything that I set out to achieve and has provided me with the tools to be an honest leader, friend, teacher, advocate, clinician, and lifetime learner.

What sparked your initial interest in volunteering with the University? What role(s) have you held?

Since I had such a positive experience throughout my four years at the URochester, I knew I wanted to give back in some capacity upon graduation. After establishing roots in Philadelphia in 2016, I started to attend various University events in the city and became an alumni interviewer, for both local and domestic/international prospective students. In 2019, I was introduced to the Young Alumni Council (YAC) and have been a member of YAC ever since! I am also excited to be a part of the 10^th Reunion Planning Committee this year.

What advice do you have for fellow alumni and friends who may be interested in taking a more active role in our alumni and friends’ community?

Try it out! There is no commitment that is too small – life can be chaotic, and so any type of involvement is welcomed and appreciated. Whether it be via community engagement, mentoring students, or providing admission support, there is surely something that will spark your interest.

What’s the most rewarding part of staying connected with your alma mater?

Having the opportunity to meet and develop connections with alumni across generations with diverse backgrounds.

Meet George Eastman Circle and Young Alumni Council member Jackson R. Halebian ’18

Share a bit about yourself! What are you up to now?

I majored in political science and after graduating started a career in advertising. I have a 9-5 job in advertising and own and manage two online businesses on the side, HPG Networks and The��Empire City Wire. This unique side hustle gives me a reason to continue to pursue making connections and staying connected with different volunteer and��philanthropic networks.

What are your most cherished memories from your time at the URochester?��

My fraternity and playing tennis all 4 years with my freshman year roommate. My fraternity provided me with friends, connections, people to study with, and people I still stay in touch with. Tennis is my favorite sport and having an opportunity to have a partner to play with and courts at my disposal was a��major asset during my undergraduate career and kept me in shape. Living in New York City and trying to find tennis courts and people to play with is substantially harder.

How did campus life and any co-curricular involvement (clubs, organizations, teams, etc.) impact your personal and professional growth?

Being the treasurer and president of my fraternity taught me an immeasurable amount about working with a team and running a business in the real world. It gave me firsthand skills that I still use today in the workplace.

Did the University offer any resources or initiatives that helped you transition smoothly into the workforce?

The career center helped me perfect my resume which helped me land multiple internships and jobs. I still currently use the same template they provided me.

How did your experience at the URochester influence your life?

The��University is an essential staple in my life that I can always depend on. People change jobs, cities, hobbies, and careers,��but your university and degree will always stay with you. I genuinely believe my degree from the Ģ����ý��has not only helped me land multiple jobs but has also allowed me to stay employed during poor economic conditions as well as helped in getting promotions.

What sparked your initial interest in volunteering with the University? What role(s) have you held?

It is very important to maintain a strong work-life balance and one of the ways of doing so is by volunteering or by doing philanthropic work. Your identity extends much beyond the job you have and being��able to stay involved with the things you care about is a very important part of life. I am a member of the George Eastman Circle and a member of the Young Alumni Council of NYC.

What advice do you have for fellow alumni and friends who may be interested in taking a more active role in our alumni and friends’ community?

There is no reason not to, whether you want to network, are looking for funding for research, want to start a business you think others would be interested in, or just want to make friends,��maintaining a positive and meaningful relationship with your alumni network is key.

What’s the most rewarding part of staying connected with your alma mater?

Making friends and getting exposed to new and interesting people. You never know where your paths may cross whether at multiple networking events, a conference, or even a job interview!

Meet proud Delta Gamma and author Jerramy Fine ’99

Share a bit about yourself! What are you up to now?

I was born in Colorado. After graduating from the University, I moved to London and have been here ever since.�� Currently, I’m finishing up my fifth book and first novel, Royal Resistance, and working part-time for Democrats Abroad.

What are your most cherished memories from your time at the URochester?

Honestly, I loved every minute. There is something magical about that stage of life when your only obligation is to study something you love, surrounded by people that you cherish. I will always treasure the instant camaraderie of my freshman year hall, the excitement of joining a sorority my sophomore year, my London internship in Parliament the following year, and the intense bittersweetness of senior year – knowing the magic would soon come to an end.

How did campus life and any co-curricular involvement (clubs, organizations, teams, etc.) impact your personal and professional growth?

Delta Gamma was an incredible crash course in leadership and the strength of women in numbers, but my UK semester abroad changed my life irrevocably as it triggered a desire to return to London after graduation, reshaping my entire trajectory.

What University resources or initiatives were most impactful to your next steps after graduating?

I remember walking through the halls of Congress in Washington, D.C. with my resume, knocking on every Ģ����ý alumni door (including the door of Josh Shapiro ’95, current Governor of Pennsylvania, who was only a staffer at the time) – all greeted me warmly, with tips for people on the Hill who were hiring. I went to The London School of Economics and Political Science for my masters in the end, but I’ll never forget the job prospects that opened up for me that day in D.C.

How did your experience at the URochester influence your life?

The Ģ����ý gave me my best friends, a springboard to the life abroad I’d always dreamed of, and even, as of a few years ago, a new literary agent (Jason Bartholomew, ’96.)

What sparked your initial interest in volunteering with the University? What role(s) have you held?

I’ve always been keen to show my devotion to the University and how it changed the life of a Colorado farm girl like me. I love volunteering at the URochester booth at the US university fair in London and explaining to prospective UK students why the University is such a great place to study. I also love contacting students from my home state and being the first to tell them the exciting news that they’ve been accepted to the URochester.

What advice do you have for fellow alumni and friends who may be interested in taking a more active role in our alumni and friends’ community?

I truly believe that the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young. Reconnecting with the college phase of life, when the world was our oyster, is good for the soul. Even if you meet University alumni who are older or younger than you, we all have a shared experience that has made us who we are today – and you can’t help leaving an alumni event with a smile on your face, feeling like you’re 21 again.