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September 25, 2025
Welcome to the latest SAS in Focus, a newsletter that reports what’s happening in the School of Arts and Sciences.
In this edition, we’ll spotlight student and department accolades, recent research, things to do, and more.
Middle English Text Series receives award for website excellenceThe American Web Marketing association has awarded the the 2025 . METS received the award for its successful and innovative .
The Middle English Text Series was established in 1990 with the goal of providing authoritative and accessible editions of the widest possible range of literary production from the Insular Middle Ages to the widest possible readership.
Read more about METS
SAS student named Newman Civic Fellow
Congratulations to Ella French ’26! French, a major and an major, has been selected for the 2025-2026 cohort of the Newman Civic Fellowship.
The year-long program recognizes and supports community-committed students who have demonstrated an investment in finding solutions for some of society’s toughest challenges. Newman Civic Fellows come from 38 states, Washington DC, and Mexico.
Newly funded researchCongratulations to faculty members who recently secured funding for new research projects:
- , a scientist in the Petrenko lab, and , professor of received $732,679 from the National Science Foundation for a project titled “Kinetic Isotope Effects in Atmospheric Sinks of Methane.”
- , professor and chair of the , received $848,801 from the National Science Foundation for a project titled “Constraining Methane Emissions and Sources in the North American Great Lakes System.”
- , an assistant professor in the , received $2,076,102 from the National Institute of Health for a project titled “Differential Stress Responses of Organelles to Nutritional Versus ER Stress.”
- , associate professor of chemistry and associate professor of chemical engineering in the , received $310,000 from the National Science Foundation for a project titled “Collaborative Research: Tracking Reactivity in Porous Materials with Terahertz Spectroscopies.”
- , associate professor of economics and director of graduate studies in the , and , assistant of economics in the Department of Economics received $275,654 for a project titled “The Spillover Impacts of Charter Schools.”
- , an assistant professor in the Department of , received $693,000 the National Institutes of Health for a project titled “Selective Targeting of Cognitive Control Subnetworks with Spatiotemporally Optimized Transcranial Electrical Stimulation.”
- , an associate professor in the and , professor and chair of the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, received $848,801 from the National Science Foundation for a project titled “Constraining methane emissions and sources in the North American Great Lakes system.”
Daniel Beaumont, professor emeritus, remembered
, a professor emeritus in the at the Ģý, is being remembered by colleagues for his intellectual curiosity, insatiable creativity, and passionate teaching across seemingly disparate fields—from Arabic medieval and contemporary literature, to European philosophy, and blues music.
Beaumont, who died on August 6 at the age of 73, arrived on campus in 1992 and officially retired in 2020. He continued teaching on occasion, the last time in spring 2024.
“Dan was a unique spirit in our department—always eager to share his love of literature and music with his colleagues, his students, and friends,” says department chair , an associate professor of religion and the Jane and Alan Batkin Professor in Jewish Studies. “As a professor of Arabic literature, he had a rare gift for bringing ancient texts to life, revealing their beauty and timeless wisdom to all who had the privilege of studying with him.”
University flags on the Eastman Quadrangle and near the entrance of Strong Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department will be lowered on Tuesday, September 30.
Read the full remembrance of Daniel Beaumont
Bright spot: University faculty in the media, associate professor of arts in the is featured in a PBS segment of aha. The PBS video essay discusses Layton’s project “I Wish I Could Send You This Glass of Water,” a collaboration with young girls in Gaza that uses art to preserve hope and humanity. .
, assistant professor of biology and Levinson-Shapiro Faculty Scholar in the is featured on podcast Bugs Need Heroes. .
Coming up: International Theatre Program
Mark your calendar for the following events presented by the :
The Memo. Vaclav Havel’s classic satire , a biting, darkly comic satire of bureaucracy run amok, will run Oct. 2 through Oct. 11 at Smith Theatre in on the River Campus. Curtain times are 8 p.m. and 2 p.m. for matinees. Matinees on Oct 3 and Oct 5 will be ASL interpreted.
Ticket prices are $20 for the general public; $15 for Seniors (65 and over) and University staff, faculty, alumni; $10 in advance for University students; and $10 for non-University students. (Free tickets for University students at all mainstage/Smith Theatre shows are only available at the Sloan Performing Arts Center or Todd Theatre Box Offices 1 hour before showtime.)
or visit the Todd Theatre or SPAC Box Office. The box office opens 1 hour prior to curtain.
Todd Talks. The International Theatre Program’s first “Todd Talk” for 25-26 is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Oct. 6 with . The Tony-nominee and Lortel & Obie Award-winning costume and scenic designer, whose portfolio includes Dead Outlaw and Real Women Have Curves on Broadway, will discuss theatre design and his career with International Theatre Program Artistic Director .
A Zoom link to the conversation will be provided to registrants.
Community in photo: Meliora Weekend 2025
Another successful Meliora Weekend is in the books. From Sept. 18 through 21, students, alumni, staff, faculty, and families enjoyed activities including exhibitions, talks, reunions, and Meliora Village. Follow the for more photos and videos from Meliora Weekend and other University happenings.
Have news to share? Send it our waySend your news tips to Sheila Rayam, director of marketing and communications for the School of Arts and Sciences, at sheila.rayam@rochester.edu. Let her know about unique research, awards, publications, community collaborations and other interesting news. Please put “SAS in Focus” in the subject heading.
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