By establishing the Schwartz Discover Grant for Undergraduate Student Research and other experiential learning funds at Rochester, this alumni couple has made a difference in thousands of lives.

Each fall, dozens of students gather for a poster session on the University of Rochester糖心传媒檚 River Campus, sharing research they糖心传媒檝e spent months exploring糖心传媒攆rom engineering innovations to social science discoveries. For many, it糖心传媒檚 the first time they糖心传媒檝e seen themselves as real researchers. And for most, the opportunity wouldn糖心传媒檛 have been possible without the generosity of Richard 糖心传媒淒ick糖心传媒� Schwartz 糖心传媒�63, 糖心传媒�66 (MS) and his late wife, Vicki Proschel Schwartz 糖心传媒�62.

糖心传媒淚t糖心传媒檚 an amazing experience to stand in a room full of undergraduates who are thrilled to talk about what they learned over the summer,糖心传媒� says Dick. 糖心传媒淭hat kind of feedback is powerful.糖心传媒�

So powerful, in fact, that Dick and Vicki have increased their support every year for the Schwartz Discover Grant for Undergraduate Summer Research program, which began in 2022. Their goal: to help students engage in research early, giving them the confidence and experience to pursue opportunities that will enrich their lives and careers.

About 70 grant recipients each year receive up to $5,000 to help cover cost-of-living expenses during the summer. The funding allows them to fully focus on research, which often requires 40 hours of dedicated work per week.

Lilli Tamm 糖心传媒�25, a biochemistry major graduating this spring, says receiving the Schwartz Discover Grant for the summer after her sophomore year marked a turning point in her life. 糖心传媒淭hinking back to the researcher I was becoming then, I could only spend a few hours each week dedicated to research during the academic year,糖心传媒� she explains. 糖心传媒淭hen, when I received the Schwartz Discover Grant, I could spend the summer dedicated to my research and really became a full-time scientist.糖心传媒�

And become one she did. That research project spanned three semesters and gradually narrowed to focus on cell membrane proteins糖心传媒攙ital structures that influence how the body functions and responds to disease. Receiving the Schwartz Discover Grant opened the door to a competitive summer internship in pharmaceutical research following Tamm糖心传媒檚 junior year. The experience also helped her stand out as the University糖心传媒檚 2024 Astronaut Scholar, a national honor recognizing the country糖心传媒檚 top undergraduate STEM researchers. Ultimately, it culminated in her acceptance into a PhD program at Stanford University in cellular and molecular physiology.

Deep and lasting impact

Dick and Vicki Schwartz at the Schwartz Discover Grant Research Showcase, 2023

The Schwartz Discover Grant program is just one way Dick and Vicki have shaped the undergraduate experience. Over the years, they糖心传媒檝e established a variety of funds to support immersive learning in research, internships, the arts, and community engagement. In 2002, the couple established a student scholarship, which they later enhanced with additional funding and renamed the Proschel/Schwartz Meliora Scholarship糖心传媒攆urther amplifying support for students with demonstrated financial need

糖心传媒淒ick and Vicki have changed so many lives,糖心传媒� says Emily Rendek, director of the University糖心传媒檚 Office of Undergraduate Research. 糖心传媒淲ith all the programs they糖心传媒檝e supported, they糖心传媒檝e made experiential learning possible for thousands of students, creating pivotal opportunities that benefit our students right now. They糖心传媒檝e had a direct role in the future of research, scholarship, creativity, and engagement in a variety of scientific and technological areas as well as the humanities.糖心传媒�

For the couple, supporting experiential education has always been rooted in a shared belief that learning happens everywhere, not just through lectures and labs, but through collaboration, curiosity, and real-world application. That philosophy continues to guide their giving: help others, see the impact, and do good right now.

A legacy of learning and service

Schwartz Discover Grant Research recipients with Emily Rendek (first row, far left) and Vicki and Dick Schwartz (first row, far right), 2023

Dick says his own values of service and education were modeled by his parents, especially his father, a surgeon with the Department of Veterans Affairs. 糖心传媒淢y dad chose a medical career path with regular hours because it gave him more time to dedicate to our family and to those activities he believed in,糖心传媒� he says. Vicki糖心传媒檚 parents, both teachers, also emphasized the power of education to transform lives.

As undergraduates, both Dick and Vicki were deeply involved in campus life. Dick spent his summers interning in a variety of settings, including Tropel, a Rochester-based startup founded by his professor, optics legend . For his second summer internship, he joined a friend in San Diego to assist with optics projects at the University of California. After that, Dick interned at an aerospace technology company in Boston. By the time he earned his master糖心传媒檚 degree from the Institute of Optics, Dick had also interned with Xerox糖心传媒攕etting the stage for a smooth transition into full-time work and a 30-year career in research and development there.

糖心传媒淭hose internships were invaluable to me,糖心传媒� he says. 糖心传媒淭hey gave me confidence, expanded my networks, and gave me a chance to apply what I糖心传媒檇 been learning in a professional setting. Vicki and I always wanted others to have these kinds of vital opportunities, which is why we糖心传媒檝e established them.糖心传媒�

Vicki, whose roots were in the humanities, earned her degree in English with honors, completed a master糖心传媒檚 in teaching at Harvard University, and then taught high school English for several years. The couple糖心传媒檚 distinctive academic paths helped shape an approach to philanthropy that will benefit students in both STEM and the arts for years to come.

Philanthropy as a shared commitment

Giving back was always a personal decision and a shared commitment for the couple, who had two children together, Steven and Douglas, and were married 57 years at the time of Vicki糖心传媒檚 passing in 2023. 糖心传媒淓very year, we糖心传媒檇 look forward to meeting students who participated in the programs we supported,糖心传媒� Dick says. 糖心传媒淲e loved hearing their stories, why they chose the University, and what they hoped to do in the future.糖心传媒�

Today, Dick continues their legacy through a donor-advised fund (DAF), which offers flexibility and transparency. It allows him to support the causes he and Vicki have cared about the most while staying actively involved in choosing when and how to give.

In addition to their philanthropic support, Dick and Vicki spent decades as volunteer leaders at their alma mater, serving on reunion committees and class councils as well as the Lifelong Learning Advisory Council and the University Libraries National Council. They have also been members of the University糖心传媒檚 Wilson Society, which honors and celebrates those who have established糖心传媒痩ife-income plans or named the University of Rochester糖心传媒痑s a beneficiary of their estate, and the George Eastman Circle, the University糖心传媒檚 leadership annual giving society. Additionally, Dick serves on Hajim糖心传媒檚 National Council and the Rochester Philanthropy Council and has chaired or supported many nonprofit organizations throughout the Rochester community.

Throughout all his involvement, Dick糖心传媒檚 greatest joy comes from seeing tangible outcomes: students exploring their potential, the University offering transformative programs, and communities made stronger in the process. 糖心传媒淚t糖心传媒檚 a win-win-win,糖心传媒� he adds. 糖心传媒淪tudents benefit, the University benefits, and society overall benefits. Plus, I get the joy of knowing I helped make a difference.糖心传媒�

This matching challenge will inspire a new wave of philanthropy and generate up to $3 million in student support.

Randi and Steve Piaker

Rochester Trustee Steve Piaker 糖心传媒�84 and his wife, Randi, have committed $1 million to launch a new scholarship challenge benefiting undergraduates at the University糖心传媒檚 Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences and School of Arts & Sciences. The Piaker Family Scholarship Challenge has the potential to generate up to $3 million in financial aid for students with demonstrated need.

The Piaker Challenge is designed to spark generosity and amplify impact through matching gifts糖心传媒攅ncouraging others to start endowed scholarships of their own. For each new endowed scholarship that qualifies, matching funds will be added to increase the total scholarship value. For example, if a donor contributes $100,000, the Piaker Challenge will contribute an additional $50,000糖心传媒攂ringing the fund total to $150,000. Likewise, if a new donor makes a $67,000 commitment, the Piaker Challenge will add $33,000, for a total value of $100,000. Each year, a portion of the fund糖心传媒檚 value will be used to provide student aid, ensuring ongoing support, while the principal remains invested to benefit future generations.

糖心传媒淲e are grateful to the Piakers for聽making this generous gift and聽inspiring聽others to give too,糖心传媒� says Rob Alexander, vice provost and University dean of enrollment.聽糖心传媒淏ecause of the Piakers糖心传媒櫬爈eadership糖心传媒攁nd the support of others who will join them糖心传媒攎any students will receive the financial aid聽they need to access a Rochester聽education, now and for years to come.糖心传媒�

糖心传媒淟ike so many other alumni, my time at Rochester was truly transformative,糖心传媒� says Steve. 糖心传媒淚t was糖心传媒攁nd still is糖心传媒攁 special place for me. Randi and I are honored to make this gift knowing it will serve as a force multiplier. Establishing a matching fund is a powerful way to help others maximize the impact of their giving. Together, we can support even more students.糖心传媒�

A legacy of student support

Steve and Randi have a long history of supporting Rochester糖心传媒檚 undergraduate students. In 2020, they established an endowed scholarship through the Nataraj Scholarship Challenge, an initiative launched by Rochester Trustee Naveen Nataraj 糖心传媒�97 and his wife, Courtney, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Within a year, that challenge raised $2.6 million and created 22 endowed scholarships糖心传媒攊llustrating the power of matching challenges. 糖心传媒淚t糖心传媒檚 our hope that this new challenge will have a similar impact,糖心传媒� says Steve.

The Piakers have also supported students through the Brady Scholars Program, established by Elizabeth Pungello Bruno 糖心传媒�89, another Rochester trustee and alumnus as well as a parent of a Rochester graduate. This is one of the University糖心传媒檚 premier scholarship programs, providing ongoing financial support and individual academic advising, peer mentoring, and special academic and social opportunities.

糖心传媒淩ochester students share an ethos,糖心传媒� adds Steve. 糖心传媒淚t糖心传媒檚 a real community here, full of young adults with a passion for learning糖心传媒攕tudents who are intellectually curious, socially engaged, and rooting each other on. It糖心传媒檚 a privilege to make a gift that adds to this momentum.糖心传媒�

Another inspiration for the couple糖心传媒檚 support is Steve糖心传媒檚 father. 糖心传媒淎s a World War II veteran and son of immigrants, he was only able to go to City College in New York because it was free,糖心传媒� says Steve. 糖心传媒淗e was always grateful for that opportunity and worked so hard to provide for his family and give back to the community supporting innumerable causes. My parents sacrificed a lot to ensure that my brother and I could attend a university of our choice. Attending the University of Rochester and graduating without a mountain of debt was a privilege. Underwriting this challenge糖心传媒攁nd providing financial assistance to students over the years糖心传媒攈as been a meaningful way for Randi and me to honor my parents while helping students realize their full potential.糖心传媒�

Committed to excellence and education

Steven Piaker is co-founder and managing partner of Ten Coves Capital, a financial technology- focused growth equity firm based in Darien, Connecticut. He has more than 30 years of experience investing at the intersection of technology and financial services. Before forming Ten Coves, he served as co-head of Napier Park Financial Partners, was among the founding partners of Napier Park Global Capital, and served as managing partner at CCP Equity Partners. He also held various investment positions with Conseco Inc., GE Capital糖心传媒檚 leveraged buyout division, and Chase Manhattan Bank. Steve received a bachelor糖心传媒檚 degree in economics from Rochester and an MBA from Duke University糖心传媒檚 Fuqua School of Business, and he holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

Steve has served on the University糖心传媒檚 board of trustees since May 2024 and is a member of its investment committee. A former trustee of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford, he serves on the boards of Cassini Systems Limited, Inbox Health Corp., PointPredictive, Inc., and Steeleye Limited. The Piakers are longtime members of the George Eastman Circle, the University糖心传媒檚 leadership annual giving society.

Gift supports faculty excellence and innovation and completes the distinguished professorship part of the Wyant Challenge.

Joanne Y. Law at the University’s 1998 Commencement ceremony

Joanne Y. Law 糖心传媒�98 (PhD), an inventor and optical engineer, has established a new endowed fund糖心传媒攖he Joanne Y. Law Distinguished Professorship in Optics糖心传媒攁t the University of Rochester糖心传媒檚 . Her generous $800,000 gift will be amplified by an additional $1.2 million from the Wyant Challenge, a historic initiative launched in 2022 by the late optics pioneer James C. Wyant 糖心传媒�69 (PhD), trustee emeritus, and his wife, Tammy.

糖心传媒淚 believe in science, research, and education, and I am deeply committed to supporting them all糖心传媒攅specially now when the need is so great,糖心传媒� says Law. 糖心传媒淓arning my PhD at the Institute of Optics shaped my career and life, and I am profoundly grateful for the education and opportunities I received because of that. This is my way to pay it forward.糖心传媒�

糖心传媒淲e are thrilled that Joanne has established this gift,糖心传媒� says Wendi Heinzelman, dean of the Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences. 糖心传媒淪he joins a distinguished group of benefactors and dedicated leaders committed to making a lasting investment in the institute糖心传媒攁dvancing education, pushing the boundaries of research, and creating a meaningful impact on society. We are grateful to Joanne for her generosity.糖心传媒�

Heinzelman emphasizes that the Wyant Challenge and the matching gifts made through it will empower top-tier faculty to address the leading challenges in the field and the increasing need for skilled optics graduates. These professionals will contribute to advancements in precision manufacturing, national security and aerospace, biomedical imaging and diagnostics, renewable energy, and other industries.

Established in 2022 through a $12 million gift from the late optics pioneer James C. Wyant 糖心传媒�69 (PhD), trustee emeritus, and his wife, Tammy, the Wyant Challenge is transforming the Institute of Optics. As the largest gift in its history, funds from the challenge and matching gifts, including Law糖心传媒檚 contribution, will increase the number of full-time faculty at the institute from 20 to 30 over the next decade. The challenge will ultimately support 10 endowed professorships糖心传媒攆ive for distinguished faculty and five for early-career scholars糖心传媒攁long with a visiting professorship and a staff position. This growth will support the institute as it plans for its 100th anniversary in 2029.

Law糖心传媒檚 generosity marks the fifth and final distinguished professorship to be funded through the Wyant Challenge. Additionally, two early career professorships have already been established through it. To date, the challenge has generated an additional $5.2 million in new donor funds. When completed, matching gifts will account for $8 million, bringing the total impact of the challenge to $20 million.

“Through this challenge, I can help future scientists and engineers have the same opportunities I had to learn, grow, and contribute to this important field,” says Law. “I am excited that this professorship will attract top talent and bring a positive spirit to scientific research.”

Noting that the Wyant Challenge presented a compelling opportunity to make a difference in alignment with her values, Law adds, “Because the challenge offered matching funds, I was able to establish this professorship at this point in my life. It helped me meet the financial requirements to create an endowed professorship.”

糖心传媒淚t is especially meaningful to me to see a former student invest in the institute like this,糖心传媒� says Tom Brown, the director of the Institute of Optics and a Mercer Brugler Distinguished Teaching Professor. 糖心传媒淛oanne糖心传媒檚 generosity, along with the collective support of the Wyant Challenge, allows us to invest in faculty excellence in a way that will positively impact many generations of graduate and undergraduate students.糖心传媒�

About Joanne Y. Law

Law attended the University of Rochester in 1994 as a Sproull Fellow, conducting research on vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers under the guidance of Professor Govind P. Agrawal. After receiving a PhD in optics from the Institute of Optics, she moved to California, where she spent 16 years in industrial research and product engineering at Therma-Wave, Agilent Technologies, and Nanometrics. Her work focused on optical design and system analysis for semiconductor metrology.

In addition to the newly established distinguished professorship, Law has supported the University糖心传媒檚 Student Emergency Fund, which began during COVID-19. In 2021, she created the Law Optics Scholarship to further her commitment to helping others reach their full potential. She plans to continue with charitable giving to science advancement and education as a long-term goal.

Beyond science, Law spends time crafting art with a 5W diode laser at home and sharing her creations with the community. She enjoys giving back through her artwork.

The gift is part of the Wyant Challenge, a fund designed to boost optics faculty by 50 percent within a decade.

Richard Zuegel and Barbara Blake (Zuegel) model the “bachelor’s gown” as featured in the May 1957 issue of Rochester Review.

Barbara Zuegel 糖心传媒�57 has established the Zuegel Family Professorship in Optics in honor of her late husband, Richard Zuegel 糖心传媒�57, and in recognition of her family糖心传媒檚 ties to the University of Rochester. Her generous gift will be matched by the Wyant Challenge, a $12 million fund established in 2022 by the late trustee emeritus James C. Wyant 糖心传媒�69 (PhD) and his wife, Tammy, to create 10 new endowed professorships at the聽 within 10 years.

Barbara糖心传媒檚 gift marks the first fully funded early-career professorship and the fifth professorship inspired by the Wyant糖心传媒檚 matching challenge fund. The Zuegel Family Professorship is designed to support a promising new faculty member engaged in research and development related to laser science, technology, or engineering. It will help fill a vital pipeline of innovative and dedicated scholar-researchers, ensuring a lasting impact on both the institute糖心传媒檚 future and the broader optics industry.

糖心传媒淲e are deeply grateful to Barbara for her tremendous generosity,糖心传媒� says Wendi Heinzelman, dean of the Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences. 糖心传媒淎n early-career professorship like this, focused on laser science within the Institute of Optics, will inspire the kind of teaching and research that can transform industries, improve lives, and address some of society糖心传媒檚 most pressing challenges, from creating new energy solutions to driving technological breakthroughs that improve our quality of life.糖心传媒�

糖心传媒淲hen the opportunity arose to join the Wyant Challenge, I saw it as a chance to further important research and support the institution that has meant so much to our family,糖心传媒� says Barbara. 糖心传媒淭hree generations of Zuegels糖心传媒攕tarting with Rick and me糖心传媒攁ttended the University, so I have a deep appreciation for it and for education, having spent my career in it. Naming this professorship on behalf of our family underscores its importance in our lives.糖心传媒�

Says Tom Brown, the director of the Institute of Optics and the Mercer Brugler Distinguished Teaching Professor, 糖心传媒淭hanks to Barbara and the Zuegel family, the Institute of Optics is in an excellent position to build a faculty that will inspire the next generation of optics students, especially future leaders in laser science and engineering. As we celebrate our centennial in 2029 and look to the next 100 years of optics at Rochester, I especially appreciate investments in early career faculty. Barbara糖心传媒檚 gift is significant糖心传媒攊t helps bring in faculty who will work to continue the institute糖心传媒檚 rich legacy, and to build a community that improves our University, our country and our world.糖心传媒�

糖心传媒淢y mother has dedicated her life to education and our family has always recognized the importance of helping people reach their potential,糖心传媒� says Jon Zuegel, 糖心传媒�96 (PhD), the Laser and Materials Technology division director, a distinguished scientist at the University糖心传媒檚 , and a professor of optics. 糖心传媒淭his professorship is an extension of what both my mother and father have always done糖心传媒攕upporting excellence and providing opportunities to advance the public good. I am proud of and inspired by her generosity, confident that it will make a real difference in the future of laser science and optics. I know that this gift would make my father very happy.糖心传媒�

Barbara糖心传媒檚 gift aligns with the University糖心传媒檚 leadership in these areas. In 2023, the National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded the University a $1 million Regional Innovation Engines Development Award grant to begin developing the next generation of lasers and laser applications. Lasers are found in medical devices, telecommunications, manufacturing, and fusion energy research. They drive advances in precision medicine, enable the backbone of global communications, revolutionize industrial processes, and hold the potential to unlock clean energy solutions.

The NSF grant brings together a variety of institutional, industrial, and business partners that will lay the groundwork for an innovation and economic hub built around the Science, Technology and Engineering of Lasers and Laser Applications Research (). The effort promises to position Rochester as a national leader in the field, addressing significant gaps in the US education system. 糖心传媒淔ew universities can play the kind of crucial role that we can in these areas,糖心传媒� adds Jon, who works closely on the project with Tom Brown.

The Zuegels have a deep connection to Rochester糖心传媒攖he community and the institution糖心传媒攁nd a strong commitment to science, photography, and education. Barbara and Rick met at the University as undergraduate students. After graduating with his general science degree, Rick worked at Kodak for 32 years. He was an avid nature photographer and a dedicated leader in the Kodak Camera Club, serving in various roles, including president. He also held leadership positions in regional photography associations and was a founding member of the North American Nature Photography Association, where he chaired its first two internationally attended conferences. A sought-after teacher, lecturer, and photo judge, Rick also shared his passion through travelogues inspired by his and Barbara糖心传媒檚 extensive travels.

Barbara, a history major, was a librarian for the Greece Central School District for more than 20 years. Together, they had three children: Stephen, a mechanical engineering major from the Class of 1983; and twins Jim and Jon. Jon earned his PhD from the Institute of Optics and his daughter, Hannah, continued the family tradition, graduating from Rochester in 2017 with a bachelor糖心传媒檚 degree in studio arts and minors in chemistry and business.

Adds Barbara, 糖心传媒淭he Wyants had great vision establishing this funding challenge. They made it possible for others like me to participate and make a bigger difference, together.糖心传媒�

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 糖心传媒�83糖心传媒攁 respected leader in energy transition, corporate and non-profit board member, thought leader, speaker, and community builder糖心传媒攈as made a $2,000,000 commitment to support research, innovation, and the student experience at the University of Rochester. Burger糖心传媒檚 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糖心传媒攃ornerstones of the University糖心传媒檚 2030 strategic plan. This gift is a continuation of Burger糖心传媒檚 years of support, furthering the impact of her overall philanthropy while exploring new areas of discovery.

Burger糖心传媒檚 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糖心传媒檚 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糖心传媒檚 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糖心传媒檚 priorities and Burger糖心传媒檚 philanthropic goals.

糖心传媒淏arbara糖心传媒檚 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,糖心传媒� says Sarah C. Mangelsdorf, 糖心传媒 president and G. Robert Witmer, Jr. University Professor. 糖心传媒淲e are tremendously grateful for her ongoing partnership and her tireless pursuit of excellence.糖心传媒�

Says Burger, 糖心传媒淲hen 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糖心传媒檚 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糖心传媒檚 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糖心传媒檚 cross country and track and field programs. As an undergraduate, Burger participated in both sports as well as on the field hockey team.

糖心传媒淏arbara糖心传媒檚 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,糖心传媒� adds Nicole Sampson, University provost. 糖心传媒淪he 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.糖心传媒�

A distinguished career

Barbara J. Burger is a Chevron 糖心传媒済raduate糖心传媒� 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糖心传媒檚 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 University of Rochester, 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 University of Rochester, 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糖心传媒檚 in chemistry from the University of Rochester, 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 糖心传媒 New Center story.

Gift recognizes the couple糖心传媒檚 commitment to research excellence and honors her late husband, University Trustee Emeritus Hugo Sonnenschein 糖心传媒�61, 糖心传媒�17 (Honorary)

Rachel Mossi, Leah Schraudenbach, Hugo Sonnenschein, Beth Sonnenschein, and Amy Venetianer

Elizabeth 糖心传媒淏eth糖心传媒� Sonnenschein 糖心传媒�61, 糖心传媒�62N has established the Hugo Freund Sonnenschein and Elizabeth Gunn Sonnenschein Research Endowment in Mathematics within the University of Rochester糖心传媒檚 School of Arts & Sciences. Her generous $1 million gift honors her late husband, University Trustee Emeritus Hugo Sonnenschein 糖心传媒�61, 糖心传媒�17 (Honorary), an acclaimed economic theorist and academic leader, and recognizes the couple糖心传媒檚 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糖心传媒攊ncluding physics, economics, engineering, and DNA biology糖心传媒搕o drive solutions to challenges best addressed through mathematics collaboration.

糖心传媒淲e are tremendously grateful to Beth for this gift and to Hugo for his scholarly impact and dedication to Rochester,糖心传媒� says Duje Tadin, interim dean of the School of Arts & Sciences. 糖心传媒淏ecause of Beth糖心传媒檚 vision and support, future generations can carry on Hugo糖心传媒檚 legacy and apply mathematical concepts to advance transdisciplinary innovation.糖心传媒�

糖心传媒淭his gift is a way to honor my appreciation for the role Rochester played in our formative years, and Hugo糖心传媒檚 years as a board member and volunteer,糖心传媒� says Sonnenschein. 糖心传媒淗e loved math, Rochester, and the institution of higher education糖心传媒攈e dedicated his life to all of this and more.糖心传媒�

Hugo Sonnenschein

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. 糖心传媒淏ecause 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.糖心传媒�

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.

Gifts from Ron Fielding 糖心传媒�73 (MA), 糖心传媒�76S (MBA), 糖心传媒�18 (Honorary) and University Trustee Juan Jones 糖心传媒�88S (MBA) will support education and career success.

Ron Fielding 糖心传媒�73 (MA), 糖心传媒�76S (MBA), 糖心传媒�18 (Honorary) and 糖心传媒 Trustee Juan Jones聽糖心传媒�88S (MBA) have each made new $1 million gifts to support students at Simon Business School, advancing their ongoing commitment to education and student success.

“We are grateful for these exciting investments in Simon糖心传媒檚 future and offer our sincere gratitude to Ron and Juan for their unwavering support over the years,糖心传媒� says Simon Dean Sevin Yeltekin. 糖心传媒淏oth have consistently expressed how impressed they are with our students and recognize the importance of nurturing the impact they will have on our future. Their generous contributions reflect their belief in our students糖心传媒� potential and their dedication to fostering the next generation of business leaders and innovators.”

Ron Fielding 糖心传媒�73 (MA), 糖心传媒�76S (MBA), 糖心传媒�18 (Honorary) has committed $1 million to the Ronald H. Fielding Scholarship, which complements the he established in 1996糖心传媒攁 program that provides full tuition to qualified MBA candidates. Fielding糖心传媒檚 new gift builds upon the growing list of Simon students who become successful alumni in the Rochester community and around the world.

糖心传媒淪imon taught me to connect economic concepts with business realities,糖心传媒� says Fielding. 糖心传媒淭hat knowledge proved crucial throughout my career, so I糖心传媒檓 happy to give back to the institution that laid such an important foundation.糖心传媒�

Yeltekin adds, 糖心传媒淪imon alumni have long been recognized for their outstanding academic and professional credentials and, like Ron, are interested in making a significant impact in the world. We are grateful to him for providing such important additional support.糖心传媒�

Juan Jones聽糖心传媒�88S (MBA)聽has committed $1 million to Simon in support of various initiatives that will contribute to the school糖心传媒檚 success. His gift will establish the Juan C. Jones Scholarship Challenge, a matching gift fund that Simon will use to create new scholarships for qualified students, with a preference for those with financial need. The Jones Challenge is designed to encourage others to establish up to 10 new George Eastman Circle (GEC) scholarships and up to 13 new endowed scholarships. Regarding the Jones Challenge, Yeltekin says that it is a 糖心传媒済reat example of how philanthropy can be directed to address and support some of Simon糖心传媒檚 biggest priorities糖心传媒攁ccessibility and education innovation糖心传媒攚hile inspiring others to get involved.糖心传媒�

Jones糖心传媒� gift will also establish the Juan C. Jones Innovation Fund to provide unrestricted, immediate support of innovative programs that Simon leadership deem crucial to the school糖心传媒檚 success. Additionally, Jones has designated part of his gift to his existing Juan C. Jones Endowed Scholarship. Established in 2020, this was Simon糖心传媒檚 first endowed scholarship supporting students recruited to the school through the . Amending his original gift makes it possible for Simon to provide additional scholarships each year.

“As the first in my family to attend college and graduate school, and coming from a modest military background, I understand the transformative power of education,糖心传媒� says Jones. 糖心传媒淭he accessibility and affordability of my education at Simon and through the Consortium were life-changing and put me in a position to be successful. The rest was hard work, dedication, the support of my family, and some luck. I created this challenge to inspire others to give, ensuring students with limited means have the same opportunities I did.糖心传媒�

Serving as the administrative body representing all alumni of the School of Medicine and Dentistry, the Alumni Council is an important advisory group to the dean in support of the faculty, administration, students, and alumni. Led by Jill Weimer 糖心传媒�97, 糖心传媒�04M (MS), 糖心传媒�06M (PhD), the Council, made up of more than 20 graduates, welcomed three new members earlier this year:

David Bernstein 糖心传媒�16S (MBA), 糖心传媒�20M (MD)

David N. Bernstein, MD, PhD, MBA, MEI is an orthopaedic surgery resident physician in the Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Residency Program (HCORP) at Massachusetts General Hospital, and a senior researcher at Harvard Business School, where he works on health care transformation initiatives. He also holds an appointment as a visiting professor at Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary.

Bernstein is a prolific health services scientist and sought after key opinion leader, advising several think tanks and governments. To date, he has published more than 130 manuscripts in top scientific journals and has co-authored a variety of opinion and commentary articles in mainstream media outlets. Bernstein received his doctor of medicine degree颅糖心传媒攚ith distinction糖心传媒攆rom the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, a doctor of philosophy degree in value-based health care from the University of Leiden in The Netherlands, and a master of business administration degree from Simon Business School at the University of Rochester, where he was elected to the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society. Bernstein also holds his master糖心传媒檚 in entrepreneurship and innovation糖心传媒攚ith distinction糖心传媒攆rom the University of Luxembourg as a Fulbright Scholar and a bachelor of arts degree in economics from Bowdoin College.

Patrick Milord 糖心传媒�12S (MBA), 糖心传媒�12M (MD)

Patrick Milord, MD, MBA currently serves as the vice-chief of anesthesiology at NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull and is a clinical assistant professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. From 2022-2023, Milord was a NYC Health + Hospitals clinical leadership fellow in the Office of Managed Care and Patient Growth. Prior to this, Milord completed his anesthesiology residency and fellowship at NYU Langone Health, and subsequently worked in private practice as an anesthesiologist and interventional pain management physician for the Brooklyn and Queens communities. In 2012, Milord earned his doctor of medicine degree颅糖心传媒攚ith distinction糖心传媒攊n research and community service from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry.聽He concurrently received a master of business administration degree in healthcare sciences management and competitive and organizational strategy from the Simon Business School at the University of Rochester.

Patricia Sheridan 糖心传媒�01M (MS), 糖心传媒�03M (PhD)

Patricia Sheridan, PhD is a research and development professional in the biotech industry.聽In her most recent position at Metabolon, she led a team of multidisciplinary researchers utilizing metabolomics and multi-omic integration to improve human health.聽Prior to joining Metabolon, Sheridan was a faculty member in the Gillings School of Global Public Health at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, researching the impact of nutritional status on the immune response to infectious disease.聽Sheridan remains actively involved in mentoring students in public health and engages in scientific communication for the public to help foster understanding of important topics in health research.聽She lives with her husband and two daughters in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Meet Boston Network member Mike Kim 糖心传媒�96, 糖心传媒�00 (MA), 糖心传媒�02 (PhD)

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

Professionally, I am a co-founder and the chief operating officer of a start-up biotechnology company called Nexo Therapeutics. We are a preclinical stage company working on new treatments for cancer. It糖心传媒檚 amazing to see how much we have learned about what drives the growth of certain cancer cells and the technologies that can be applied to create potential treatments. I get to be on the leading edge of science and business in the mission to improve human health 糖心传媒� not a bad place to be.

Outside of work, I糖心传媒檓 working on my golf game (one of these days, I糖心传媒檓 actually going to get better糖心传媒�) and I糖心传媒檝e picked up curling! I was skeptical about curling at first but give it a try if you get the chance! It糖心传媒檚 more fun than I could have imagined糖心传媒揝WEEEEEEEP!!!!

What are your most cherished memories from your time at the University of Rochester?

It was a long time ago, so I have feelings about day-to-day life more than specific recollections. They relate to places I糖心传媒檝e lived and the communities I was part of, starting with the basement of Gilbert Hall to the house on East Henrietta Rd. with barely any heat. I remain close with my college housemates, and we still laugh about how cold that house was! Being a part of the Track team with the hours of practices, lingering meals in Douglass, long bus rides to meets, and the parties糖心传媒� we had some good ones. And of course, late nights in the computer lab working on problem sets! It糖心传媒檚 amazing to see that the connections made through these experiences have lasted 30 years!

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

Every element of college life has contributed to what I am today. Classes and activities provided an environment conducive to making life-long connections (I糖心传媒檝e already mentioned this, but can糖心传媒檛 emphasize its importance enough), exploring intellectual and professional curiosities, and convincing yourself of how much you are capable of. All of this allowed me to figure out that chemical engineering (my undergraduate major) wasn糖心传媒檛 for me after 4 challenging years to get that degree but pushed me to continue to the BME graduate program on track for an academic research career, then change course again into an industry career focused on strategy and operations. I had the luxury of applying what I learned in different fields and gained the confidence to make those leaps 糖心传媒� I糖心传媒檓 fortunate to have found a place that provided so many options and supportive friends and faculty to guide me through.

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

Resources for networking and career development were more limited when I graduated. It would have been great to have the alumni network that exists today to learn about what others have done with their degrees and different jobs and career paths that you wouldn糖心传媒檛 hear about just through coursework. I strongly recommend current (and former) students take advantage of this network!

How did your experience at the University of Rochester influence your life?

糖心传媒ig question without a simple answer, but I糖心传媒檒l emphasize the importance of an environment where you get to discover yourself and what you like (and don糖心传媒檛 like) doing. Learning early that you don糖心传媒檛 have to keep doing what you have been doing has been critical in my career.

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

I started out doing admissions interviews, wanting to provide an environment where there was less stress and pressure so prospective students could show their best selves糖心传媒� a little Pollyanna, I know, but totally worth the effort. Lately, I糖心传媒檝e been more involved with the Regional Alumni Network. There糖心传媒檚 a great group of people out there who already have a strong Rochester connection and would be awesome to know both professionally and socially. Let糖心传媒檚 get together!

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糖心传媒� community?

Just do it! Come to a networking event. Have some snacks and great conversations. Who knows糖心传媒� if you糖心传媒檙e brave, you might just end up out singing karaoke at the end of the evening. It糖心传媒檚 been known to happen.

What糖心传媒檚 the most rewarding part of staying connected with your alma mater?

The opportunity to provide different (maybe broader) perspectives to the students and young alumni who are still making their way. When I was in their shoes, I would have valued being able to talk openly to someone about my misinformed ideas on career building and how to be 糖心传媒榮uccessful糖心传媒�. It seems like these discussions always turn into an interview and honest conversations about this stuff never happen. Everyone needs to craft the perfect story and pretend that success is a straight line of consecutive wins糖心传媒� Well, that hasn糖心传媒檛 been my experience. Having access to people who have been through it, are willing to share their experiences (including the things that didn糖心传媒檛 go perfectly) and provide some guidance and moral support for those of us who aren糖心传媒檛 perfect all the time, is pretty cool.

The couple糖心传媒檚 gift will name the new adult waiting room in the emergency department.

Kathy and Peter Landers

Rochester business leaders Peter J. Landers 糖心传媒�83 (MS) and Kathleen 糖心传媒淜athy糖心传媒� E. Landers 糖心传媒�82 have committed $1 million to support the Strong Memorial Hospital糖心传媒檚 Expansion Project, the largest capital project in the University of Rochester糖心传媒檚 history. The couple糖心传媒檚 gift will name the Landers Adult Waiting Room in the soon-to-be-expanded emergency department (ED) that will serve generations of future families.

糖心传媒淲e are immensely grateful to the Landers for this forward-thinking gift,糖心传媒� says Kathy Parrinello 始75N, 始83N (MS), 始90W (PHD), president and CEO, Strong Memorial Hospital. 糖心传媒淭heir generosity will help us create an exceptional, nurturing space where families can find solace during life糖心传媒檚 unexpected challenges.糖心传媒�

Planned for completion in 2027, the five-year-long Strong Expansion Project will increase the size of its ED more than three times and include space for psychiatric emergency care. The project will also add a cardiovascular pavilion, with floors for diagnostic and treatment services, cardiac care, and the Medical Center糖心传媒檚 inpatient hospital. Additionally, it will feature individual rooms that allow for personal support and meet the latest requirements in patient safety and infection control. The project will ultimately that the community has faced for years.

糖心传媒淭here is a great need for providing better access and facilities for emergency care in our community,糖心传媒� says . 糖心传媒淲e have witnessed first-hand the capacity constraints and backlog of patients in hallways. Making this gift now in support the new emergency tower will help alleviate this ongoing crisis and better serve the health care needs of the community.糖心传媒�

Adds Kathy, 糖心传媒淥ur family members have experienced the remarkable compassionate care provided by the nurses, staff, and emergency care doctors. The new expansion will provide a state-of-the art environment and resources for hospital teams to deliver that kind of exemplary care to more people, to help them recover, heal, and have better outcomes. We are pleased to be part of this expansion project and know it will transform the way emergency care is delivered.糖心传媒�

The Landers are long-time champions of the Rochester community. More than 30 years ago, they founded Landers Communities, a full service local real estate company that develops, owns, and manages high quality apartment communities, senior housing, and commercial space in the greater Rochester area.

Both Peter and Kathy earned degrees at the University and have generously supported the University糖心传媒檚 James P. Wilmot Cancer Institute, Golisano Children糖心传媒檚 Hospital, the Eastman School of Music, the Memorial Art Gallery, and 糖心传媒 Athletics. Peter is a board member at the University of Rochester Medical Center and the Memorial Art Gallery, while Kathy serves on the board of the Wilmot Cancer Institute and on the gallery糖心传媒檚 council. They are also members of the University糖心传媒檚 Rochester Philanthropy Council. In 2020, the University honored the Landers with the in recognition of their exemplary service.