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President’s Report 2021 Progress in a Pandemic New Global Cybersecurity Institute, more performing arts, record research funding highlight unconventional year RIT President David Munson speaks at New Student Con- vocation in front of an empty Ingle Auditorium. Incoming students watched the convocation with their small orientation groups online. PRESIDENT’S A. Sue Weisler REPORT 2021 FROM THE PRESIDENT Rochester Institute of Technology Always moving forward— rit.edu/presidentsreport2021 even during a pandemic threw the book at us—a and human understanding needed to Executive Editors John Trierweiler 2020 global pandemic, racial address the global cybersecurity crisis. Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer unrest, economic uncertainty, a fierce Design work continues and site prepa- political battle for leadership of our na- ration has begun on what’s been tempo- Bob Finnerty ’07 Associate Vice President, Communications tion. I’m proud to say RIT faced it all head rarily dubbed the Innovative Maker and on, pulling together our students, faculty, Learning Complex, which will connect Editor Design Director staff, alumni, and trustees who guided Wallace Library and the Student Alumni Mindy Mozer Jeff Arbegast ’93 us through—and eventually will guide us Union. It will include huge makerspaces, Photo Editor Lead Researcher out of—these turbulent times. a black-box theater, dance studio, and Gabrielle Plucknette- Luke Auburn ’09, ’15 What kept us going was a commit- music rehearsal rooms. With its wide- DeVito ’07 ted community and a sharp focus on open spaces and glass walls, this complex Photographers Writers two major goals. First was to protect will become the epicenter of campus, a Elizabeth Lamark ’00 Luke Auburn ’09, ’15 the health and safety of our community showcase for the intersection of technol- Boris Sapozhnikov Scott Bureau ’11, ’16 A. Sue Weisler ’93 Michelle Cometa ’00 with a rigorous effort to stem the spread ogy, the arts, and design. Susan Gawlowicz ’95 of the coronavirus. We finished the fall Complementing that project, we’re in Copy Editor Rich Kiley semester in person with an infection rate the process of designing a performing Marie Lang Greg Livadas Vienna McGrain ’12 below 1 percent. The second was to keep arts center consisting of two theaters. The Ellen Rosen RIT on track with its 2025 strategic plan first will seat 750 and will be designed Print Production and build on our hard-earned reputation specifically for musical theater but will Brenda Monahan as one of the nation’s top universities. accommodate many uses. The new facili- Office of the President Moving into 2021, RIT is forging ahead ties are an essential part of RIT’s plan One Lomb Memorial Drive as a beacon of hope in higher education, to develop the leading performing arts Rochester, NY 14623-5608 a place where innovation and ingenu- program in the nation for non-majors, 585-475-2396 [email protected] ity come together to give our students a attracting talented and creative students unique experience that prepares them who can continue their passions for music, Marketing and Communications for success in their chosen careers and as dance, theater, and other performing arts. 22 Lomb Memorial Drive Rochester, NY 14623-5608 citizens of the world. Overseas, construction of the first 585-475-5064 In this President’s Report 2021, you’ll phase of RIT Dubai’s new $136 million [email protected] read about some of our successes, a campus is nearly complete. The new record year for research funding, the campus will be able to accommodate 141.5M-P2695-1/21-LAN-JSA growing popularity of our Performing up to 4,000 students. While we work on ©2021 Rochester Institute of Technology Arts Scholars Program, and the program- the present, our eyes are on the future. All rights reserved ming and education that earned us a Top Because at RIT, we’re always on to Rochester Institute of Technology publishes President’s Report. RIT does not discriminate. RIT promotes and values diversity within its College for Diversity award from INSIGHT something—even during a pandemic. workforce and provides equal opportunity to all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, creed, age, marital status, sex, gender, Into Diversity. religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran status, or disability. You’ll also hear about many exciting Sincerely, plans for the campus. Our Global Cy- No. 17, November 2020 RIT (USPS-676-870) is published 17 times annually by Rochester bersecurity Institute has just opened its Institute of Technology, One Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, N.Y. doors. The 52,000-square-foot, state-of- 14623-5603, twice in March, three times in April, once in May, four times in June, six times in August, and once in November. Periodicals the-art center aims to meet the demand David C. Munson, Jr., President postage paid at Rochester, N.Y. 14623-5603 and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to RIT, Rochester for computing security professionals, [email protected] Institute of Technology, One Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, N.Y. 14623-5603. while developing future technologies Twitter: @RITPresident TABLE OF CONTENTS Academics Innovative Experiential 4 The pandemic may have 12 Upgrades 16 Learning changed academics at RIT, More than $8.2 million RIT’s cooperative education but our high standards in strategic updates program continues to benefit remain the same. to campus will last students. Plus, students are beyond the pandemic. staying active in clubs and performing arts. Diversity Global Research 20 RIT has created an 24 RIT’s global campuses 26 The university had its best action plan to grow continue to grow. year ever for sponsored diversity and create research funding. social equity for all. What’s Next Alumni About the Cover 32 A new Innovative Maker 38 RIT alumni captured RIT has opened its new 52,000-square- and Learning Complex compelling moments foot Global Cybersecurity Institute. and a performing arts in 2020. They also Photo by Boris Sapozhnikov. center are coming to continue to give back campus in 2023. during the pandemic. 2 President’s Report Resilient Tigers COVID-19 may have changed the way the RIT community interacts with each other, but students are still finding ways to showcase their personalities. 3 ACADEMICS A From left to right, Apsara Som, Kaitlin Harding, and Max Morales work on their project, Haiti Arborloo, in coordination with the Engineering for a Sustainable World club. The students used equipment in RIT’s Construct to reinforce the structure of a roof and frame for a prototype of a sustainable and removable latrine that was in development throughout the fall semester. Elizabeth Lamark Elizabeth Pandemic changes academics but standards remain the same irst, RIT was forced to close campus In all, more than 3,000 classes, including online—and create sane and optimal operations in March and transition to labs and studios, transitioned from in-person paths to reaching their learning objectives. Falternative learning methods. Then, to alternative learning modes in the spring “What we learned is that RIT’s faculty were faculty and staff were tasked with develop- of 2020. How that monu- happy to be ‘in the game’ for our students ing a creative academic portfolio of online, mental task would be and really rolled with the punches.” blended, and in-person classes for the fall. accomplished kept staff After the successful completion of the Now, RIT is preparing for the spring, members like Jeremiah spring 2020 semester, culminating with which will be a mix of best practices from Parry-Hill up at night. a virtual commencement celebration for the last year aimed at maintaining the high “The best practice for graduating students, summer academic standards for which the univer- transitioning an in-person The best practice planning allowed several sity is known. course to fully online for transitioning an university departments to “The health and safety of our students, instruction is generally in-person course to collaborate on a new look faculty, and staff are our most important six months. Faculty had fully online instruction and feel in classroom spaces. considerations as we navigate through roughly two weeks. This Last fall, new instruction this very complicated academic year, was an emergency situa- is generally six months. modes, including in-person, and all have displayed enormous flexibility, tion,” said Parry-Hill, Faculty had roughly blended, split classes, and creativity, and patience,” said Ellen Granberg, manager of instructional two weeks. online, enabled students and RIT provost and senior vice president for design for RIT Online. faculty to meet the six-foot Academic Affairs. “We will make it through Staff in the Innovative Learning Institute physical distancing and reduced this and emerge stronger. I could not and RIT Online worked with faculty to occupancy requirements for be prouder of who we are and what we bridge the gaps—meeting them where they instructional spaces. Students also added have done.” were in the process of moving coursework flex options, blended or in-person courses 4 President’s Report B C D E A Bevier Gallery spaces B Professor Thomas C Professor Beth Carle D John Ward, principal E Professor Alan Singer were transformed into Warfield’s modern dance works with a student in lecturer, introduces him- meets with students in his classrooms to allow for class was held outside on the Materials Lab, which self to the students in his Zoological and Botanical physical distancing a sunny day to allow for features various equip- Management 101 class on Art class using Zoom due to COVID-19. physical distancing. ment for testing metals. the first day of classes. technology. A. Sue Weisler Gabrielle Plucknette-DeVito Elizabeth Lamark Gabrielle Plucknette-DeVito A.