July 2014

A Meliora Message 

Normally, it would be hyperbolic to claim that a year was “the best ever.” Not this year. 

Last month we announced that Fiscal Year ’14 was the strongest in University Advancement’s history. Now that the books are closed, we’re excited to share the numbers behind a record-breaking year on multiple fronts.

New Commitments (all new funds that were raised this year) finished at a remarkable $155.79 million. Equally impressive was Total Cash (pledge payments and outright gifts), finishing at $125.86 million. Each of these figures represents growth of more than 30% from where we finished last year.

The Annual Fund also outperformed expectations, finishing at $14.158 million or 102% of its goal for the year. This is the Annual Fund’s eighth consecutive year of growth.

You have also helped us record our best year for student support through the creation of scholarships and fellowships. We were able to add 51 new funds, including 16 George Eastman Circle (annual) Scholarships. And, as previously reported, you helped us eclipse our goal of establishing 80 new endowed professorships during the Campaign. To date, that number stands at 82, toward a new target of 100.

These are significant achievements. And we implore you to take pride in them, as they represent the devoted community of supporters to which you belong. Your impassioned support enables us to continually exceed our expectations, and we’re looking forward to all that you will help us accomplish in the new fiscal year.

Binstock Named Clark Director of Memorial Art Gallery 

Jonathan Binstock at the announcement of his appointment

On July 7, President Joel Seligman announced that Jonathan Binstock would be the new Mary W. and Donald R. Clark Director of the Memorial Art Gallery.

“I am thrilled that Jonathan has accepted this role that is so important to our Gallery, the University, and the Rochester community,” said Seligman. “He brings a wealth of experience in major art museums, exceptional expertise, and a vision and enthusiasm for engaging art lovers and learners of all ages.”

An expert in post-World War II art, Binstock comes to Rochester from New York City, where he was a senior vice president and senior advisor in modern and contemporary art for Citi Private Bank’s Art Advisory & Finance group. He joined Citi in 2007, working with clients and their families in the U.S. and abroad to build personal art collections. From 2000 to 2007, he was curator of contemporary art at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and before that was assistant curator at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia. 

“Dr. Binstock has the full support of our Board of Managers,” said Jim Durfee, Board of Managers chair. “Jonathan comes to us with a unique set of experiences in the art world. He has an enthusiasm for everything the Memorial Art Gallery has accomplished over the years and is looking forward to leading us into our next chapter.”

Binstock, the seventh director of the Gallery, succeeds Grant Holcomb, who retired on July 1 after nearly 29 years in the position.

“The Memorial Art Gallery is a gem of a museum and one of the University of Rochester’s and the region’s greatest treasures,” said Binstock. “I am absolutely thrilled to be leading this institution into its next exciting chapter. There is so much to build on, from MAG’s extraordinary collection to the goodwill it receives from its devoted staff, volunteers, and Board leadership. My family and I are looking forward to becoming part of the Rochester community and enjoying its high quality of life.”

You can read more about Binstock in the official press release or in news coverage from WXXI News and the Democrat and Chronicle.

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