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<\/a><\/p>\nWelcome to the September edition of our George Eastman Circle newsletter. This summer, I started my new role as National Chair, and my first order of business is to thank Nathan Moser <\/strong>’75<\/strong> for his six years of tremendous service leading our program. Thanks to your leadership, we are now nearly 3,500 members strong.<\/p>\n In this issue, you will read about one of our youngest members, Koji Muto<\/strong>, who joined the George Eastman Circle before he even graduated from the Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ in 2015. Koji embodies what it means to be a leader, and we are fortunate he serves as an ambassador for us.<\/p>\n Koji lives in Houston, Texas. Thankfully, he remained safe throughout the duration of Hurricane Harvey. In all, 15,000 alumni, parents, and friends of the University live in Texas, Florida,\u00a0Puerto Rico and the Caribbean\u2014where Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria recently left a path of destruction. Our hearts go out to everyone affected there,\u00a0and in Mexico where two catastrophic earthquakes recently occurred.<\/p>\n Thank you<\/em> for all you do for the people who your dollars impact at the URochester and its Medical Center. The collective power of what our George Eastman Circle membership can achieve is incredible. I hope you enjoy this issue, and I look forward to the work ahead of us. Hope to see you October 12-15 at Meliora Weekend.<\/p>\n Evans Y. Lam ’83 ’84S (MBA) [vc_separator type=’normal’ position=’center’ color=’#065143′ thickness=” up=’20’ down=’20’]<\/p>\n [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n Meliora Weekend\u2014the Ä¢¹½´«Ã½\u2019s one-stop destination to celebrate our collective impact, as well as Reunions, Family Weekend, and Homecoming\u2014will run October 12-15 and\u00a0will be filled with incredible moments and new memories.<\/p>\n The weekend of events will feature Robin Roberts, Peggy Noonan, Mike Birbiglia, The Corea\/Gadd Band, and Miller\u2019s Court.<\/p>\n The\u00a0George Eastman Circle Dinner Reception<\/strong> will be held\u00a0on Friday, October 13 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Memorial Art Gallery. This special experience will lead up to the Corea\/Gadd Band concert at Kodak Hall.<\/p>\n George Eastman Circle members have special access to the Circle\u2019s Hospitality Suite<\/strong> on Saturday, October 14. The Suite, located in the Welles-Brown Room, will offer breakfast, lunch, and additional refreshments throughout the day. It will also host entertainment from student musicians. Family and friends are welcome to join you.<\/p>\n Registration closes at 12 noon on October 9. To register, please visit\u00a0www.rochester.edu\/melioraweekend<\/em><\/a>.<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n [vc_separator type=’normal’ position=’center’ color=’#065143′ thickness=” up=’20’ down=’20’]<\/p>\n [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n When Koji Muto was a senior at the URochester, he decided to join the George Eastman Circle. After graduating in 2015 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and a BA in Business, Koji eventually joined ExxonMobil as a Project Development Engineer in Houston, Texas. He exemplifies Meliora, also serving as a member of the Hajim Young Leadership Council and the Houston Network Leadership Cabinet.<\/p>\n First thing\u2019s first. Why did you decide to attend the Ä¢¹½´«Ã½?<\/em><\/p>\n Koji Muto:<\/strong> The world-renowned faculty, customizable curriculum, and beautiful campus were all strong influencers, but my decision to attend Rochester was primarily based on financial aid. My parents were not in a position to support me financially, and I wanted to avoid graduating with tens of thousands of dollars in debt. Rochester offered a generous financial aid package, funded in part by alumni donations. With additional scholarships, my total cost of attendance came out to less than my sister, who attended a state school at in-state tuition. I\u2019ll never forget how fortunate I was to be provided the opportunity to attend Rochester.<\/p>\n Tell us about your current role at ExxonMobil, and how your Rochester experience made a difference in your professional career.<\/em><\/p>\n KM:<\/strong> I am a mechanical engineer supporting design development of capital projects. My experience with University clubs and organizations made a particularly impactful difference in my professional career. Rochester has a great focus on student-run organizations. The faculty have always been happy to support ideas for new clubs or events. It\u2019s an invaluable opportunity to build leadership skills by pursuing personal ventures in a low-stakes environment. It fed my creativity, ambition, and sense of ownership. All critical traits that have helped me professionally.<\/p>\n We are honored that you joined the George Eastman Circle before you even graduated in 2015! That\u2019s an incredible demonstration of leadership. What motivated you to take that path?<\/em><\/p>\n KM:<\/strong> I\u2019ve always felt indebted to alumni who donated and funded the scholarships that allowed me to attend Rochester. Returning that favor to future students is the least I could do. It certainly was not an easy decision, but this University is fortunate to have some truly amazing alumni who inspired me to take similar steps.\u00a0 Great names like Ed Hajim, Gwen Greene, and Barbara Burger. Hearing their stories and witnessing all they do for the University \u2013 it\u2019s contagious!<\/p>\n Do you have a favorite memory or experience while you were attending the Ä¢¹½´«Ã½? What was it?<\/em><\/p>\n KM:<\/strong> As clich\u00e9 as it is, the memory I\u2019ll carry with me forever is my first day of sophomore year when I saw the most amazing girl walk into my mechanical engineering class. I would later find out she transferred over from biomedical engineering, which is why I never saw her freshmen year. She\u2019s here with me in Houston now, and we just celebrated our four-year anniversary in New Orleans. I\u2019m not sure how much credit the University can take for that, but it certainly reinforced that I came to the right school.<\/p>\n You live in Houston, Texas \u2013 which is more than 1,550 miles from Rochester. Geography clearly knows no boundaries when it comes to making an impact. What advice would you give to fellow alumni who live across the globe and are considering how they can support Rochester?<\/em><\/p>\n KM:<\/strong> If you are not in a position to support the University with monetary donations, don\u2019t underestimate how much of an impact you can make by supporting with your time! Whether it is helping plan local alumni events, providing industry contacts to recent graduates, or offering advice to students through University programs. It all collectively helps us build a stronger alumni support network, something powerful that lasts well beyond graduation. For many, college proved to be our most formative years. The path we continue on for the rest of our lives is oftentimes determined by the handful of years spent in Rochester. Let us build on that connection to our alma mater, and make it ever better.<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n [vc_separator type=’normal’ position=’center’ color=’#065143′ thickness=” up=’20’ down=’20’]<\/p>\n [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n Your Philanthropy at Work<\/strong><\/p>\n Over the last decade, George Eastman Circle members have created a collective, tremendous impact by supporting hundreds of funds in every corner of the University and its Medical Center.<\/p>\n To read through the difference you\u2019ve made in so many lives, click here<\/em><\/a> <\/strong>to read our new George Eastman Circle Impact Report.<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n [vc_separator type=’normal’ position=’center’ color=’#065143′ thickness=” up=’20’ down=’20’]<\/p>\n [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n One of the ways we\u2019re able to thank you for your commitment to philanthropy at the University is to extend invitations to various regional gatherings, dinners, and University programs. Here are just a few of the upcoming events that George Eastman Circle members are invited to join. To find more, please visit the George Eastman Circle website.<\/p>\n Celebrating 10 Years of Impact<\/strong><\/a> Celebrate UR: California<\/a> Meliora Weekend<\/strong><\/a> Bat Out of Rochester: Toronto Brunch<\/a><\/strong> Wendell Castle Remastered<\/a><\/strong> Celebrating Impact: Chicago<\/strong><\/a><\/a>
\nMember, Board of Trustees
\nNational Chair, George Eastman Circle<\/p>\nMeliora Weekend: Reserve Your Tickets
\nRegistration Closes Soon<\/em><\/h5>\n<\/a><\/p>\nEngineering a Brighter Future<\/h5>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nYour Philanthropy at Work<\/h5>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n\u00a0Upcoming Events<\/h5>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nSeptember 25
\nWashington, D.C.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>October 6
\nLa Jolla, California<\/p>\n
\nOctober 12-15
\nRochester, NY<\/p>\n
\nOctober 29
\nToronto, Ontario, Canada<\/p>\n
\nOctober 30
\nRochester, New York<\/p>\n
\nNovember 6
\nChicago, Illinois<\/p>\n