Forever influenced by Rochester’s distinctive approach to medical education, Anne Moore continues the legacy by supporting scholarships for future doctors.

Anne Moore ’70, ’74M (MD)

For Anne Moore ’70, ’74M (MD), being a physician has often meant figuring out difficult problems. Her Ģ����ý education helped instill a determination to get to the bottom of those questions that arise when caring for a patient. Faced with a medical challenge, Moore would go to all the resources she could to figure it out. She says, “I approach my work with a curiosity, asking myself, ‘What’s going on here, and can I fix it?’” Throughout her career, that process has been very rewarding.

Moore believes the Ģ����ý’s distinctive approach to medical education shaped who she is as a physician. Rochester’s biopsychosocial model is patient-centered and puts equal emphasis on understanding the biology as well as the environmental, social, and psychological issues affecting a patient. Reflecting on her experience, Moore shares, “The education is very unique in the sense that from day one we were talking about the interaction between mental health and physical health. This has produced a special breed of the most caring physicians, who pause to notice the emotional state of their patients.”

Moore received her undergraduate degree from the Ģ����ý and stayed to attend the School of Medicine and Dentistry (SMD). Her parents were teachers, and growing up, Moore thought she would follow their footsteps and teach math. When she arrived at Rochester, she chose to take many liberal arts classes alongside her math major. She saw her peers in the sciences were spending much of their time in the lab, but she knew that was not for her. She began to be interested in medicine while doing a research study about health education in schools. With the support of family, especially her father who enthusiastically urged her to follow her dreams, Moore entered medical school at SMD. Once she began her primary clerkship, Moore gravitated toward working with younger patients and went on to select pediatrics as a specialty.

Recently Moore celebrated her 50th medical school reunion. She has had a fulfilling career, working at Kaiser Permanente in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and then at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Currently, she works as a travel physician, visiting hospitals around the country. Now nearing retirement, Moore also devotes much of her time to the equestrian program at her property, Kent Hill Farm, near Denver, CO.

With so many fond memories of Rochester and feeling that the school helped to create who she is today, Moore joined the Wilson Society and established a bequest to support scholarships at SMD. Moore is eager to help other students have the same experience she did, and ultimately to ensure that future doctors value the interrelation of mind and body that she gleaned from the Ģ����ý’s biopsychosocial approach.

“It’s my honor and pleasure to participate in giving. I find it very meaningful to continue the legacy.”

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.

Carol Duquette believes her Rochester education set her up to succeed.

Carol Duquette ’85, ’03S (MBA)

Carol Duquette ’85, ’03S (MBA) recalls graduating from the Ģ����ý with a sense that she could do anything. She found the broad education and critical thinking skills she gained from her degrees could be applied successfully in any situation.

Carol grew up in Plattsburgh, NY. In her freshman year of college, she visited a friend in Virginia and went to see the friend’s father’s workplace at Langley Air Force Base, where she had the chance to observe testing on the airfoils that were being modeled for space shuttles. Carol came away from the experience knowing that she wanted to pursue mechanical engineering, though there were few women in the field at the time.

Initially drawn to Rochester by a scholarship and her knowledge of the school’s strong reputation for excellence, Carol was certain it was the right fit after visiting the campus and immediately liking what she saw. Her conviction in the strength of a Rochester education has remained steady. “I learned so much from my peers—it was incredible,” she shares. “As students, we were super-focused, staying up till 2 a.m. doing problem sets. We never took the easy way out.”

After graduating, Carol worked as an engineer and consultant for the City of Rochester, a land development consulting firm, and architectural firms before joining Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. in 1996, where she is now vice president of design services and maintenance. Carol returned to the Ģ����ý to earn an MBA at the Simon Business School and credits her professors for completely changing the way she thought about business and helping her develop invaluable leadership skills. Once again, her peers had a large impact on her education. The diversity of the class, coming from so many skillsets and industries, gave her a whole new perspective.

Carol’s family now has a long legacy of attending the URochester. Carol’s son came to the University to study engineering as an undergraduate student and later earned his MBA at Simon as well. Several of Carol’s nieces and nephews have pursued their own Rochester degrees before launching successful careers in development work, engineering, marketing, and law.

Eager to stay connected to the school, Carol has served on many professional societies, such as Rochester’s Society of Women Engineers and has hosted internships for students. After having several opportunities to return to the University as a guest lecturer, Carol shares that she “was completely blown away by how insightful the students were in their questions—their intelligence and intellect, how well-rounded they are and all that they strive to accomplish.”

Now, as a member of the Wilson Society, Carol has set up a deferred charitable gift annuity, which has the advantage of providing a guaranteed income for life. The resulting endowment will provide support for underrepresented students in engineering—ensuring that students continue to benefit from Carol’s generosity well into the future.

“Attending the Ģ����ý set me up to succeed in the face of any challenge that has come up in my career. I hope my support helps future students receive the same opportunities I did.”

Talent, drive, and donor generosity fuel the ambitions of this scholarship recipient

Budge is the recipient of multiple scholarships, including significant support from the Joyce Osborn Violin Scholarship, made possible through the generosity of Joyce Osborn and the Wegman Family Scholarship Challenge.

By the time Ashni Budge arrived at the , she’d already dedicated most of her life to music. She started playing the violin at just three years old. When she was five, she added the piano to her repertoire.

At about that same time, Budge’s family discovered that she had perfect pitch. Budge attributes that to her grandmother, a professional Chinese opera singer. “She taught my younger brother and me to sing,” says Budge, who grew up outside of Los Angeles. “I have vivid memories of the two of us performing and of me putting on operas for our family.”

In middle school, Budge joined the band and, even though it didn’t have a string section, she wasn’t deterred. That’s when she picked up the clarinet, which she continued playing throughout high school. She joined the choir, too.

When it came time to decide on a college, Budge knew Eastman was for her. She was drawn to its renowned reputation and that it is part of the URochester, a leading private research university with a flexible undergraduate curriculum. She was also excited to travel and live on the other side of the country.

Being a scholarship recipient has made it all possible for Budge. “Without the generosity of others, I couldn’t afford to be here,” she adds. “I can’t believe that people who don’t even know me have provided me with scholarships. Someday, I hope to help others in a similar way.”

Budge and Nicholas Garcia-Hettinger ’24E, a Hamlin Family Scholarship Fund recipient, in the Wolk Atrium, Eastman School of Music

In the meantime, Budge is taking advantage of every opportunity. Not only is she an applied music major studying violin at Eastman, she is also a psychology major and brain and cognitive sciences minor at the University’s School of Arts & Sciences. Along the way, she’s performed in live-to-picture renditions of Danny Elfman’s Batman, cofounded a string quartet with friends, called the Avant Quartet, and earned the prestigious position of concertmaster for the Eastman Philharmonia. Budge has been recognized for her academic achievements, too. She’s on the dean’s list and was inducted into Psi Chi, the International Honor Society for psychology students, as a sophomore.

In 2022, Budge and her quartet participated in what’s become a life-changing experience for her: Eastman-to-Go. This one-semester chamber music course provides select ensembles opportunities to bring music into the Greater Rochester community, with a focus on presenting classical music to new, young audiences. Budge loved it, and so did the people with whom she interacted.

For instance, at the Dr. Charles T. Lunsford School No. 19, one of the schools they visited, Budge’s influence was so significant that she was invited back for the 2023–24 academic year to give violin lessons to fifth graders. “Working with them has been among the best experiences of my life,” says Budge. “We even played a few pieces with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra over the winter holidays, which was a thrill for us all.”

Next up for Budge? In the short term, she’s practicing for a Sibelius violin concerto and a performance of Schubert’s Cello Quintet in C Major. Long term, she hopes to go to graduate school for music. She’s even considering law school someday.

Whatever Budge does, she knows music will always play a part.

Natalie Lewis ’22N and Evelyn Santos ’23N (MS) are nursing champions for their communities.

Natalie Lewis ’22N

Nurses have always been at the forefront of addressing health disparities and that’s a role Natalie Lewis ’22N and Evelyn C. Santos ’23N (MS), RN, PMHN-BC have never shied away from. They’ve both committed to making a difference as nurses by caring for the mental health and well-being of their communities.

Since finishing her bachelor’s degree in 2022, Lewis has been passionate about contributing to her community through psychiatric and mental health nursing—it’s her way of staying connected to her city. In addition to her studies, she is a per-diem member of the City of Rochester’s Person in Crisis Team, a group who accompanies police on mental health calls. She also previously worked as a nurse at the Monroe County Children’s Detention Center.

Lewis spends most of her week either at school or her two jobs as a nurse and emergency response social worker. Recently, she returned to the Ģ����ý Medical Center as part of the .

Natalie Lewis ’22N

“It’s always been mental health for me. That’s my niche,” said Lewis, who is currently pursuing her master’s degree in the family psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner specialty. “It’s so important, especially for African American families. Most people will tell you— ‘you’re not depressed,’ or ‘you’re not stressed.’”

Growing up, Lewis said she experienced “old-school” beliefs about mental health in the Black community, but she has also seen attitudes start to shift. Her interest in mental health, combined with a natural gift for math and science, led Lewis to pursue her first bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University at Buffalo.

Afterward, Lewis knew she would need an advanced degree if she wanted to work in a clinical setting. She had considered pursuing a master’s in mental health counseling, but she also felt drawn to nursing. A job as a crisis specialist at Strong Memorial Hospital, where Lewis worked alongside the various members of a behavioral health team, helped confirm her interest in psychiatric nursing.

That has also been one of the most rewarding parts of her work as a nurse so far, at both the Monroe County Children’s Detention Center and the hospital. “I’m able to make an impact on the youth and have conversations with them about their current situation and how they can make changes in the future,” she said.

Continuing her education is one of Lewis’ proudest achievements. She is the youngest of six siblings, and the first to go to college. She is grateful not only for the chance to build a better future for herself, but to make her family proud as well.

“Seeing my mom happy and proud is the most important thing to me,” Lewis said. “I want to make her life easier and be able to take care of her. I like knowing she doesn’t have to worry about me.”

Evelyn C. Santos ’23N (MS), RN, PMHN-BC

When Santos joined the School of Nursing’s (LHCS) master’s program, she had already built a reputation at the URochester Medical Center as a fierce advocate for underserved populations.

Her years of experience in psychiatric and mental health nursing have inspired her work. Santos is the former lead nurse of , Upstate New York’s only bilingual outpatient mental health clinic. It’s a role that she developed and implemented herself, leveraging the ability of nurses to build strong ties with the communities they serve.

“Working with the Latino community was personally important to me. I knew my work made a significant impact on patient outcomes,” Santos said.

Rochester’s Latino population has more than tripled since the 1980s, . Nationally, Hispanic and Latino communities in the U.S. to mental health care, such as a lack of cultural competence among providers, immigration status, stigma, or language barriers.

Her LHCS capstone project focused on optimizing depression screenings among the local Latino community.

“The most rewarding part of the role is being an advocate for cultural awareness and providing equitable health care services,” she added. “I completed a needs assessment through a diversity, equity, and inclusion lens and implemented the utilization of iPads at my working site to capture depression screens electronically in Spanish,” she explained.

“This project provided an opportunity to improve depression screening rates among our Latino patient population, and also helped improve our collaborative decision-making strategies within the program I support.”

Santos’ graduate capstone is the latest highlight of a career defined by breaking barriers for this growing population. In addition to her role at the Lazos Fuertes Clinic, she served as a consultant to help expand UR Medicine’s Spanish-language neurology clinic, and created a guide dedicated to helping English-speaking nurses overcome language barriers that often interfere with care.

During her time at the School of Nursing, Santos was honored with the Paul J. Burgett Nursing Student Life Award, which recognizes a graduating student who enriches the School’s environment and serves as a positive catalyst for change.

Evelyn C. Santos ’23N (MS), RN, PMHN-BC

Just a few months after finishing the LHCS degree, Santos accepted a promotion within the Department of Psychiatry to a new role as a quality and education nurse. She looks forward to utilizing her nurse educator role to bring diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, trauma-informed care, and the impact of adverse childhood events (ACEs) to the forefront of the department’s educational curriculum.

Both Lewis and Santos knew they were in the right place at the URochester School of Nursing.

Eager to widen her scope of practice as a nurse, Lewis already felt a strong sense of belonging during her time as an accelerated bachelor’s student. Santos knew she could advance her work as an advocate for health equity.

“I enjoy the community within the school,” Lewis said. “I have developed friendships in nursing school that I feel I will have for a lifetime.

“What stood out to me as I explored opportunities for my master’s degree was the UR School of Nursing’s mission to be an inclusive environment,” Santos recalled. “The School of Nursing makes diversity, equity and inclusion efforts a priority. As a minority student, this was important to me.”

The Ģ����ý School of Nursing will always be a place Jane Tuttle calls home.

Jane Tuttle, PhD, ’79N, ’84N (MS)

In choosing a career, Jane Tuttle, PhD, ’79N, ’84N (MS) thought about how she loves people and she loves science, so nursing was the perfect fit. That’s been reinforced again and again, and she believes the Ģ����ý School of Nursing has shaped her career enormously.

Considering herself a lifelong learner, Tuttle has appreciated that a nursing education can be completed in stages and can be adapted to a distinctive path like hers. Throughout her career, she found the flexibility and support she needed at Rochester and has used that foundation to become an advocate for other nurse practitioners as they join the field.

She arrived at the school already a practicing nurse, and as an adult learner was able to complete a tailored program that maximized learning right from the beginning. After she completed her BS in 1979, she moved to Washington, DC to take a position working with Georgetown University’s community health plan, and her UR education was noted by the person who hired her as a major factor. Then, after moving back and completing her master’s as a family nurse practitioner at Rochester, she went on to take a faculty position at the Yale School of Nursing. Once again, her UR education set her apart. During her eight years in New Haven, she completed her PhD at the University of Connecticut and then returned to Rochester, this time to take a faculty position in the family nurse practitioner program, which she later directed for more than 20 years.

Tuttle shares, “What is unique about Rochester is the mentoring, the reputation, the way we work in an interdisciplinary way across the University and Medical Center. That’s not true everywhere. I enjoy the balance I’ve had with patient care, research, writing, and of course teaching. I feel very fortunate to have had a long career in teaching.”

There was already a separate division of adolescent health at the URochester, and that was a huge draw for Tuttle who studied pediatrics and chose to focus her work on adolescents when her own son was becoming a teenager. “Those years are such an important time for families, when the child is going through separation and individuation, and I consider adolescents to be underserved in health care,” she explains.

Tuttle has directed her giving toward scholarships because she has a special place in her heart for students. “As a faculty member, students are what it’s all about,” she says. “That’s why we do what we do. They need the support, especially those who don’t have family to fall back on. When I started out, I was a young single mom and didn’t have a lot of resources.” Now, Tuttle and her husband value being members of the Wilson Society, staying connected with alumni, and contributing to the future of the school.

Tuttle says, “I knew I wanted to recognize the Ģ����ý in my will in memory of my dear friend Eleanor Hall who was instrumental in founding the School of Nursing here. When she died, I became a member of the bequest society in her honor.” The society, formerly named the Eleanor Hall Bequest Society, has been incorporated into the University’s Wilson Society; however, Hall, chair of the Department of Nursing of the School of Medicine and Dentistry from 1957 to 1971, is still remembered profoundly. Tuttle often walks by the portrait of Hall at the school and feels she can hear her mentor’s voice, guiding her in her practice.

When she thinks about why other alumni should join her as a donor, Tuttle says, “we all benefited from the resources, and now we can help others take advantage of that. The Ģ����ý is always on the cutting edge. I am so proud of how highly regarded we are.”

“I feel lucky that I found nursing and that the URochester has been a real home to me over all these years,” Tuttle reflects.

Meet Rochester’s new softball coach–a seasoned leader with a history of softball success

Abby Hurley-Martin

In July 2023, Abby Hurley-Martin took the reins as the head coach of the Ģ����ý’s softball program, bringing four years of coaching experience from Trinity University in Texas and another four from Oswego State. Her arrival closely follows the team’s record-breaking 38 wins in 2023, setting the stage for continued success.

“Abby’s experience has prepared her to lead one of the most successful teams in the country,” says George VanderZwaag, executive director of Athletics. “Her leadership style will add strength to our program, and we are excited to welcome her to Rochester.”

Hurley-Martin’s love of sport began in her youth, having played three sports before focusing on softball. Elevated to the junior varsity team in eighth grade, she discovered her knack for pitching. When college beckoned, Monmouth University on the Jersey Shore became her playing ground, where she earned a full scholarship and played Division 1 softball for three years. Hurley-Martin then transferred to SUNY Cortland for her senior year, earning a bachelor’s in kinesiology and exercise science and a master’s in sports management.

Softball remained a constant throughout, guided by her mentor and coach, Hall of Famer Julie Lenhart. Winning championships and competing at a national level fueled her coaching ambitions as well. Coaching provided her with the opportunity to combine all of her interests and skills in a career dedicated to helping young people be the best they could be, both in and out of the classroom.

Drawn to Rochester for its strong reputation and proximity to her hometown of Oswego, Hurley-Martin is gearing up for the spring season, building on the dedication she observed during the team’s 24 fall ball training games. The official schedule kicks off in early March with eight games in Kissimmee, Florida, followed by a weekend of games at the University of Salisbury in Maryland later in the month.

“Everything I’ve seen makes it clear that we have exceptional women and an outstanding team,” she says. “They have so much going for them: speed, skill, great pitching, and great hitting. Most importantly, they have the right attitude and a fantastic commitment to the sport, to their studies, and to each other. They have a fire inside them, which excites me as a coach. They are really well-positioned for another banner year.”

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This alumnus has set running records, earned career-related accolades, and was recently honored by her alma mater

Jackie Blackett ’81

For more than four decades, Jackie Blackett ’81—a Columbia University coach and athletics administrator—has been a driving force in women’s sports and athletics management. In recognition of her achievements, the Ģ����ý inducted Blackett into its Athletics Hall of Fame in the fall of 2023.

“Throughout her life, Blackett has redefined excellence,” says Terry Gurnett, associate director of Athletics. “When she was a collegiate runner, she set records. As a Rochester cross country and track & field coach, she led the Yellowjackets to their best-ever NCAA track & field finish in 1989. Remarkably, seven of the eight women’s cross country and track & field members of the Rochester Hall of Fame competed under Blackett’s leadership.”

During her 30-year career at columbia, Blackett has played a pivotal role in the athletic department’s senior management, steering the success of more than 5,000 student athletes. Wearing multiple hats as deputy athletics director, senior woman administrator, and deputy Title IX coordinator, she oversees crucial programs and ensures compliance with University policies.

Blackett’s foray into sports started unexpectedly, when a friend invited her to a track and field meeting during the first few weeks of her first year on campus. “Much to my surprise, that meeting was held in the men’s locker room,” she recalls. “That’s the first time I met Coach Hale, who told us that if we were serious about running to come see him the next day.”

Blackett and her friends were serious and did go back to Coach Hale. Encouraged by him and the men’s team, they competed in as many events as they could. Over the years, the number of events increased and, then, in 1978 the women’s varsity team was officially established. “Coach Hale ended up paving the way for us,” she says. “His support truly marked the beginning of an unforeseen path for me and others.”

Here, Blackett talks about her life and career in sports.

What was it like being inducted into Rochester’s Athletics’ Hall of Fame?

It was humbling. Initially, I thought others were more deserving, but a former teammate reminded me that I represented a group of women who may not have the opportunity to be individually inducted into the Hall of Fame. I came to realize that this honor wasn’t just about me; it was about the early days of the sport and�� the women who sacrificed to build a women’s cross country and track & field program.

What was your childhood like?

I grew up in Barbados, which was part of the British educational system. Students earned points for academics, community service, and athletics. That’s when I discovered I had some talent in running and netball. After emigrating to the US at 13, I attended an all-girls high school in Brooklyn, where I didn’t play sports—I did take up dancing though, which I still love.

Why Rochester?

I came to Rochester to be a teacher. I was on track to be one and then, immediately following my senior year, I received a call for the athletic director at RIT who was looking for a part-time coach for their women’s program. I took the job as an opportunity to give back to students what I had gained from the sport.

Did you know you were making history at Rochester?

Absolutely not. Back in the late 1970s, making history was far from my mind. Without a women’s varsity team, I was, along with my teammates, simply track & field athlete who entered several events. It wasn’t until senior year, qualifying for nationals, that I realized the significance of what I was doing.

What might surprise people to know about you?

I never really liked running, but I really loved competing. Ask any of my former coaches, training was never my forte. I did what was necessary to do well in an event.

What are some memories of your time at Rochester?

The lifelong friends that allowed me grow. On the track, I remember deliberately keeping one shoe slightly untied during our daily mile warm-up so I had to strategically stop to re-tie them. Coach would shout, “Can’t you keep your shoes tied?” There was also the perpetual struggle of being fashionably late to practice due to General Hospital ending at the same time that practice started. I remember the bubble chairs in Wilson Commons, too, which, by the way, aren’t there anymore. We spent a lot of time in those chairs solving the world’s problems.

What do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities in sports today?

In D1 collegiate sports, we’re at a turning point, grappling with questions about our identity, educational value, and the purpose of athletics. The recent spotlight on NIL—Name, Image, and Likeness—in televised congressional hearings caught my attention. This NCAA rule allows students to earn from their personal brand. Despite its complexity, one thing became clear to me: high school and collegiate sports mattered to every senator who spoke during those hearings. As someone deeply involved in NCAA and Division 1 governance issues, I know that these are conversations that will determine the future of sports.

What are you most proud of?

I take pride in two things. Firstly, the Hall of Fame ceremony, where my great nephews witnessed a different side of me and had the chance to glimpse the value of life’s work. Secondly, when former students bring their own children back to campus, it tells me that they had an experience that was so positive it’s worth sharing with their children.

What makes today’s generation of students and athletes stand out?

Their grit and determination to make a difference. This generation wants to be part of the decision-making process. Even if they don’t have all the info, they want to have a voice if it involves them. They want a say in the process.

What are you reading right now?

I’m currently reading by James Kerr, which delves into the story of New Zealand’s All Blacks, the world’s most successful rugby team. I work long and late office hours, so my reading time is limited, but Kerr’s book always accompanies me in my bag. For a more leisurely escape, I turn to Walter Mosley, an American novelist who writes a lot of crime fiction revolving around a Black private investigator—I love his work.

Explore its rich history, vibrant arts, and culinary scenes, and find out why nearly 3,000 alumni love calling the region home.

Jessica Rose ’16

“We all love the Liberty Bell, our sports teams, and cheesesteaks, but Philadelphia is so much more,” says Jessica Rose ’16, a pediatric nurse practitioner who lives in Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square neighborhood.

“You’ll find fantastic food, art, and culture; loads of history and people proud of it; neighborhoods full of interesting people; and tons of green space, despite being a very urban place.”

If you have a chance to explore the city, here are a few of Rose’s recommendations—almost all in or within a short distance from Philly’s Center City.

Art and culture

A must for Rose is 🅐 Mural Arts Philadelphia (128 N. Broad St), the world’s largest outdoor art gallery and the country’s oldest program of its kind. She suggests taking a guided tour to learn the city’s visual history. Be sure also to visit the 🅑 Philadelphia Museum of Art (2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.), known as the cultural heart of the city (and for the Rocky Steps and the nearby Rocky statue).

For music, dance, and theatre buffs, Rose recommends the one-of-kind ��� Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts (300 S. Broad St.) and the 🅓��Walnut Street Theatre (825 Walnut St.)—the oldest continuously operating playhouse in the United States.

Alleys and architecture

Rose says there’s no better way to experience Philadelphia than on foot. Wander the many hidden brick and cobblestone alleys of 🅔��Old City and 🅕��Society Hill; take a walking tour to learn the stories—and even the secrets—of the homes and their residents; or visit the ��� Betsy Ross House (239 Arch St.) where the nation’s most famous seamstress is long said to have stitched the country’s first flag. Have time for just one destination? Rose recommends 🅗��Elfreth’s Alley, the nation’s oldest continuously inhabited residential street and home to 18th-century artisans and tradespeople.

Iconic history

Of course, a must-visit is 🅘��Independence Hall (520 Chestnut St.), where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed (look for George Washington’s inkstand and chair). Rose also recommends a stroll across Independence Mall to the 🅙��Liberty Bell.

Gardens and parks

The Pennsylvania Historical Society offers 🅚��Pop-Up Gardens, great places to kick back and enjoy food and beer from some of the city’s best restaurants. Rose frequents the one at 1438 South Street. For a different experience, enjoy a hike and relax by the ancient 🅛��Schuylkill River (pronounced SKOO-kil). On its west bank, south of Center City, is Bartram’s Garden (5400 Lindbergh Blvd.), the country’s oldest botanical spot of its kind, and accessible by trolley. Be sure also to spend time at its Sankofa Community

Farm, a crop farm rooted in the African Diaspora. Rose notes that Philly, a city of about 10,000 acres, has more than 100 parks. Her favorite is Fairmount Park, an urban oasis north of the art museum and extending to both sides of the Schuylkill River.

Philly fare and other fine food

Founded in 1893, 🅜��Reading Terminal Market (1136 Arch St.) is one of Rose’s favorite places. Reading offers food from around the world, arts, crafts, books, flowers, clothing, and just about everything else. Grab a donut at Beiler’s Bakery, a cheesesteak at DiNic’s, or some delicious food at the Little Thai Market. Venture beyond the market to 🅝��Zahav (237 St. James Pl.) for authentic Israeli flavors (make a reservation, says Rose); 🅞��Vedge (1221 Locust St.), where Rose’s favorite is the sweet potato pâté; 🅟 Continental Midtown (1801 Chestnut St.) to sip a cocktail on its rooftop deck; 🅠��Dirty Franks (347 S. 13th St.), a dive bar and Philly institution; and Philly Pretzel Factory, at locations around the city.

Cochairs Kathy Waller ’80, ’83S (MBA) and Abby Zabrodsky ’14, ’19S (MBA) lead the group to connect, support, and engage women.

Abby Zabrodsky ’14 and ’19S (MBA)

Amidst the historical significance of 2020—a year marked by Susan B. Anthony’s 200 birthday and the centennial milestone of the 19th Amend­ment to the US Constitution—the University launched its global Women’s Network. Today, Kathy Waller ’80, ’83S (MBA) and Abby Zabrodsky ’14, ’19S (MBA) lead the group, which is made up of alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff, and allies. Members develop programs to facilitate mutual support and explore shared interests among women who have similar goals, challenges, and life experiences.

“Women have made such an impact on history and in all of our lives,” says Waller, retired chief financial officer at Coca-Cola Co., a member of the Simon Advisory Council, and a University trustee. “The network provides a structure and a community to unite us, from virtual programs that serve the global community to in-person events that build relationships, to our strong presence on The Meliora Collective, the University’s online platform for personal and professional growth.”

Zabrodsky, the director of business development for the engineering and manufacturing systems firm Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Inc.; a member of the University’s Alumni Board; and a mentor within The Meliora Collective, underscores how the network also serves as a catalyst for cross-generational mentor­ship and networking. “The University has played and continues to be an important part in our lives,” she says. “We encourage and invite everyone to get involved.” She and Waller first met as cochairs of the network’s personal and professional development committee.

Kathy Waller ’80, ’83S (MBA)

Beginnings

At its official launch, Gail Lione ’71, also a trustee, initially led the network alongside Tiffany Taylor ’91 and recruited fel­low women trustees, Gwen Greene ’65, Liz Bruno ’89, Joan Beal ’84E, Betsy Ward Chicaras ’86, and Waller. A few years later, Waller became the Women’s Network’s cochair, and Zabrodsky replaced Taylor earlier this year.

Although officially launched in 2020, Kathy Murray ’74, also a trustee, planted the network’s early seeds. In 2013, she started the Metro New York Women’s Network to connect and support alumni living in and around New York City. Soon after, other regionally based women’s networks formed in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington DC, building momentum for the global network that was to come. Today, there are six regionally based women’s networks. Rochester and New England were added a few years ago.

“Early on, these women leaders and others saw the positive impact they could make in one another’s lives through the Women’s Network, says Karen Chance Mercurius, vice president of Alumni Relations and Constituent Engagement. “The global Women’s Network launch came at the height of the pandemic, fostering a sense of belonging by providing support, guidance, connection, and community.”

Giving back

Waller’s and Zabrodsky’s dedication to their alma mater is deeply rooted in their desire to give back. Zabrodsky says her family “instilled a strong wish to do whatever I can to improve the places that are important to me, including the University.”

Waller was a recipient of an undergraduate scholarship. That opportunity, combined with mixed experiences at the University, fuels her determination to drive change and support women and underserved students, aligning with President Mangelsdorf’s vision for a more inclusive University.

“I believe that if you want to see change, you have to help make that change,” she says. “I will continue to lend my voice and show my support to women and underserved students so that all 18-year-old Black women who come here have amazing experiences and then want to raise their hands to help the next person.”

Learn more about Kathy Waller and Abby Zabrodsky.