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. Sue Weisler Pandemic changes academics but standards remain the same

noted by the faculty member as those developed a plan that effectively where students can achieve learning balanced the health concerns of the COVID-19 on campus outcomes by remote means. entire community with the educational To help mitigate the spread of the needs of our students.” From the first day of classes on virus, the university completed instruction Looking ahead to spring, RIT plans to Aug. 19 through the last day of just prior to the Thanksgiving holiday and resume classes on Jan. 25 and will elimi- in-person instruction on Nov. 24 administered finals online to all students. nate spring break to keep instruction on on the main campus: Sean Hansen, department chair of track and reduce potential spread of the management information systems, virus caused by off-campus travel. While • RIT had 90 positive student marketing and digital business in Saunders course modalities for spring will still COVID-19 cases out of a full-time College of Business, believes in RIT’s include a mix of in-person, blended, and student population of about 13,000. approach, especially when he compared online courses, the number of in-person • RIT administered 12,500 COVID-19 notes with colleagues at other universities. offerings from fall to spring is increasing tests and also implemented an early “Coming into fall semester, I thought by nearly 12 percent, or more than 200 surveillance program that included there was no way I would be able to teach courses. wastewater testing twice a week. the class in-person. But I have been very “Our classrooms have proven to be safe impressed by the university’s efforts to spaces, and this is a credit to the students • In-person classes were never safeguard our environment and create and faculty who have worn their masks canceled. policies and procedures that maximize and remained physically distant during • Quarantine and isolation availability personal safety while still maintaining in-person instruction,” Granberg said. on campus was above 90 percent an in-person teaching element,” he said. for most of the semester. “I think the university’s leadership Vienna McGrain

5 ACADEMICS

New institute helps RIT attack cyber threats

or too long, cybersecurity has been tremendous opportunity to improve our In January, students from across the an afterthought. In a preemptive lives, but it also significantly increases world took part in the annual Collegiate Fstrike on cyber­security threats the attack surface.” Penetration Testing Competition, which across the world, RIT has created the RIT is taking a holistic approach to was created by RIT. Global Cybersecurity Institute (GCI). cybersecurity. The GCI is a space where “Through competitions, students learn Late last fall, the GCI opened the doors people from different academic disciplines, how to balance the technical competence to its 52,000-square-foot state-of-the-art industry, and government are collaborating of knowing how to find vulnerabilities and facility on campus. With the institute, to expand cybersecurity knowledge and exploit them, with the soft skills of being RIT is on its way to becoming one of the make it useable in the real world. able to deliver a non-technical report to best places in the world for cybersecurity At the heart of the building is the Cyber executives,” said Justin Pelletier, a lecturer education, training, and research. Range, a virtual and physical lab that allows and director of the GCI Cyber Range and “Our ultimate mission is to make you people to simulate network cyberattacks Training Center. “This is what makes our and your digital self safer,” said Steve and problem-solving scenarios. Businesses students so attractive to employers.” Hoover, the Katherine Johnson Executive are coming to the range to prepare their With GCI, the university’s nationally Director of GCI. “In the 21st century, the employees for cyber incidents, and students recognized computing security degree physical world is becoming digital. It’s a are using the space to conduct ethical hacks programs are also expanding. There are double-edged sword, because there’s during cybersecurity competitions. more than 500 students studying computing

6 President’s Report RIT has opened its new 52,000-square-foot The first floor Global Cybersecurity is home to the Institute. The facility will state-of-the-art bolster RIT’s focus on Cyber Range, cybersecurity education, where people training, and research. can be challenged by cyberattack scenarios for organizations large and small.

Elizabeth Lamark

Students studying in RIT’s computing security degree programs will work with danger- ous malware in the AirGap Lab, which isolates the network from the outside world.

Elizabeth Lamark

Faculty and student researchers have millions in funding from government and private organiza- tions to create the next generation of cybersecurity solu- tions. Binary code decorates glass in the building. attack cyber threats Elizabeth Lamark Boris Sapozhnikov

security, and the undergraduate program industry funding to tackle some of the grown. With more businesses operating saw its largest incoming class ever. most pressing cybersecurity problems remotely, the FBI reported that complaints “With these modern updated labs in of today and tomorrow. about cyberattacks increased 400 percent. GCI, we are improving the educational RIT researchers are creating more secure GCI leaders saw this as a chance to serve experience for our students,” said Anne vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications a different set of learners, while still Haake, dean of RIT’s Golisano College of technology to help make self-driving cars helping the cyber industry. They created Computing and Information Sciences. safer. They are also developing methods RIT’s Cybersecurity Bootcamp—a 15-week Funding for the GCI was made possible and tools to help all software engineers training course to help professionals from in part with a $5 million Higher Education develop secure code at the design phase. any background transition into an entry- Capital Matching grant awarded by New One team is creating tools to help level role in the cybersecurity workforce. York state. The three-story facility also journalists better identify deepfake videos. “Even with the tremendous job losses includes student lounges, instructional Another team is using tools from machine we saw in other industries, the demand labs, faculty offices, a Cybersecurity learning and theories in criminology­ to for cyber talent is continuing to grow,” Learning Experience Center for the general develop algorithms and models that learn said Hoover. “We have a duty to help public, and five research labs. attack patterns and predict ways to defend. improve cybersecurity, any way we can.” Student and faculty researchers have Since the COVID-19 pandemic struck, received millions in government and concerns about cybersecurity have only Scott Bureau

7 ACADEMICS New economy majors connect with emerging careers

nalytical thinking, more than a traditional business ties. Let’s challenge the status complex problem degree. Students learn to quo of how we encourage Asolving, creativity, manage the flow of goods and young people to evaluate resiliency, and flexibility services around the world by academic programs.” are among the top skills understanding the logistics, New economy majors also needed for emerging careers planning, inventory demands, align with Generation Z by 2025, according to the transportation, and execution attitudes, where studies show World Economic Forum’s behind moving products from they are driven by purpose and New Economy Majors “The Future of Jobs Report,” farms and production facilities embrace interdisciplinary ways Here is a sample of new released in October. to their final destinations in of thinking and working, said economy majors, which are not Anticipating these rapid warehouses and stores. Mortimer. “They don’t want to easily discovered by students in changes in the workplace— “Graduates need to have be pigeonholed. They don’t their search for a major, yet are in further accelerated by lessons the skills to stay continuously want to be narrowly defined. demand by employers. learned from the COVID-19 relevant and have the flexibil- They play, they’re gadget-y, pandemic—RIT is seizing on ity, adaptability, and knowl- they explore. They think big the opportunity to guide edge that allows them to flex and they don’t see boundaries.” • Motion Picture Science students to “new economy in any direction their field The workforce is automating majors” that are multi­ requires,” said Mortimer. “All faster than expected, displacing • New Media Design disciplinary, transformative, of these majors also incorpo- 85 million jobs in the next five • Packaging Science and future-focused. From the rate essential tools of team years, according to the World • Robotics and Manufacturing RIT perspective, new economy building, effective communi- Economic Forum study. Yet Engineering Technology majors seek to fill a skills gap cation, and leadership.” with the right moves, the robot • Digital Humanities faced by employers who must Yet despite all the emerging revolution has the potential to and Social Sciences pivot quickly to the realities careers needed to transform create 97 million new jobs. • Imaging Science of the pandemic and the global economies, Mortimer “The World Economic disruption caused by the explained that most of Forum recommends—and • Human-Centered Computing future division of labor these opportunities remain RIT endorses—that we must • New Media Interactive between humans and unknown to young people continue to rethink our Development machines. as they search for a major. educational systems, so that • Microelectronic Engineering New economy majors New economy majors break we are building a broad, • Supply Chain Management occupy a unique area, down traditional boundaries multidisciplinary skill set somewhere between classic and open students up to where creativity is exercised at • Individualized Studies majors and those traditionally a whole new world of possi- every turn,” said RIT President described as specialized, bilities, he said. Here, students David Munson. “As a starting For more information, go to said Ian Mortimer, RIT’s vice can combine different point, each student should rit.edu/new-economy. president for Enrollment interests into concrete skills choose a discipline for which Management. and cooperative education they have a passion. And then, For example, packaging experiences, and establish no matter which discipline is science combines elements of successful career outcomes. selected, the student should engineering, business, design, “There is still a disconnect. learn about and gain experi- and sustainability. Imaging Why aren’t students thinking ence in critical thinking, science, where disciplines differently about what they problem solving, creativity, range from the macro (satellite study? I think the answer is innovation, collaboration, systems) to the micro (medical because we haven’t helped communication, and other imaging), combines physics, them do it,” said Mortimer. high-level skills highlighted math, computer science, “The college search system by organizations such as the engineering, and psychology. has not kept pace with the World Economic Forum.” In a home-delivery economy, academic evolution occurring Gabrielle Plucknette-DeVito supply chain management is at some colleges and universi- Bob Finnerty and Brian Wetherby

8 President’s Report Students design, fabricate, and test their own integrated circuits in laboratory classes, as well as perform independent research toward a capstone Microelectronic senior design project. engineering graduate students look at a highly magnified view of an integrated circuit fabricated on a silicon wafer.

9 ACADEMICS

First-year students have Gabrielle Plucknette-DeVito high academic qualifications

IT welcomed 3,129 first- percent of new students coming year students last fall. from New York state. The other New Ph.D. programs This year’s entering most represented states were R Three new engineering class contained 607 African Pennsylvania, New Jersey, American, Latino American, Massachusetts, Connecticut, doctoral degree programs and Native American students, Maryland, and California. were approved by the New York This year’s a record number, and about 200 Undergraduates also came from State Department of Education more than last year’s class. Washington, D.C.; Puerto Rico; and will be accepting students entering class And similar to past years, the and the U.S. Virgin Islands. this fall. They are electrical contained a record freshman class has high academic International undergraduates and computer engineering, number of African qualifications. For students seeking represent 31 countries with the mechanical and industrial a bachelor’s degree, their average largest contingents coming engineering, and biomedical American, Latino SAT score was just under 1300, from China, Canada, and India. and chemical engineering. American, and and the average ACT score was 30. Graduate students came from 54 The programs are an evolution Native American Perfect SAT math scores were foreign countries, with the largest and replacement of the Ph.D. in achieved by 42 freshmen, and 13 number of international students students. engineering, a degree program had a perfect SAT or ACT score. coming from India, China, established in 2014. Sixty-three were at the top of Canada, Nigeria, and Taiwan. their high school graduating class. Finally, 368 members of the Other Ph.D. programs offered In addition, RIT welcomed 386 freshman class were recognized at RIT include mathematical students who transferred from as Performing Arts Scholars, modeling, color science, other colleges, 773 students who more than doubling the 126 sustainability, astrophysical are pursuing a master’s degree or program participants of last sciences and technology, an advanced certificate, and a record year’s first-year students. (Read microsystems engineering, 79 new Ph.D. students. more about that on page 19.) imaging science, and computing First-year students are from 49 and information sciences. states (all but Wyoming), with 46 Greg Livadas

10 President’s Report Areas of study

RIT students are enrolled in more than 200 programs of study across nine colleges and two degree-granting units.

Fall 2020 enrollment by college

Includes international campuses, online, and graduate students.

4,684 3,438 2,188 1,920 1,658 1,112 931 727

Golisano College of Computing College of School of and Information Kate Gleason College Saunders College of Engineering College of Individualized Sciences of Engineering College of Business Art and Design Technology Science Non-degree Study

611 600 599 89 62 49 18,668

National College of Health Technical Institute Sciences and College of University Golisano Institute Tot al for the Deaf Technology Liberal Arts Exploration = for Sustainability Other*

*Includes students enrolled in the College Restoration Program, English Language Center, and certain study abroad programs.

Fall 2020 degree programs with highest enrollment at RIT’s main campus

Computer Science (BS) 1,044

Mechanical Engineering (BS) 865

Game Design & Development (BS) 770 Software Engineering (BS) 549

Electrical Engineering (BS) 499

Login to online

Millions of people are able to learn through RIT’s online offerings—and all from the comfort of their own homes. RIT has 35 credit-bearing online programs and delivers RITx offerings on the massive open online course platform, edX. The offerings through RIT Online are specifically designed for fully online students.

1,577,202 7 1,185 196 RIT has more than RITx has seven program offerings Total RITx MicroMasters RIT has enrolled 1.5 million total enrollments on edX, including two new Profes- certificates awarded to learners from more and growing in RITx offerings sional Certificate programs in date, in the areas of project than 196 countries and on edX. (RITx offerings Unreal Engine Foundations and management, design think- regions in multiple runs launched in 2016.) Data Analysis for Decision-Making. ing, and cybersecurity. of 38 RITx offerings.

11 A team of researchers INNOVATIVE UPGRADES from Golisano Institute for Sustainability and the Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies conducted testing on door pull handles prior to the start of fall semester.

Strategic updates to campus will last beyond the pandemic

IT spent more than $8.2 million to “We were being strategic about what One project that will continue to provide make RIT’s campus as safe and clean we put in place, and many of these changes benefits in the long term capitalized on R as possible so that students, faculty, will continue to benefit the university RIT’s legacy and expertise in materials and staff could study and work confidently for years to come,” said John Moore, analysis, materials testing, cleaning and comfortably. The university’s Infra- associate vice president of Facilities systems, and manufacturing engineering. structure and Health Technologies Task Management Services and a co-chair of the When research demonstrated that copper Force implemented a variety of changes task force. “For example, the air ionization and the metal’s alloys act to kill bacteria and to RIT’s academic settings, housing, and systems will continue to provide fresher, viruses on surfaces—including SARS-CoV-2, dining designed to fight the spread of cleaner air for years, and things like which causes COVID-19—a team from the coronavirus. mobile food ordering are introducing Golisano Institute for Sustainability and While the immediate concern was new, convenient options for our customers. Facilities Management Services moved fending off COVID-19, the task force was We put a lot of thought and care into the quickly to find ways to leverage copper’s also thinking long term. changes we made.” germ-fighting properties on high-touch

12 President’s Report Safety by the numbers

RIT spent more than $8.2 million to create an environment that was as safe and clean as possible. Here is a look at a number of improvements added across campus last fall, as well as supplies RIT handed out to students, faculty, and staff. Numbers are approximate. 70K 20K 3K+ 900 Air purification units Masks: installed in residence 25,000 clear; halls, apartments, and Pedal-operated hand 45,000 cloth Thermometers academic buildings sanitizer dispensers 1.3K 1.9K 400 6K 4’ x 8’ sheets of Microwave/ polycarbonate used for Touch-free paper refrigerator units in transparent barriers in Disinfectant spray towel dispensers residence hall rooms classrooms bottles for classrooms A. Sue Weisler surfaces such as door handles and pulls. RIT made sound long-term decisions. dustrial hygienist whose background Working under tight deadlines, the Professor André Hudson, head of the is in disaster science and HAZMAT. team evaluated 360 mostly exterior door Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences, She advised the task force on putting the handles from more than 40 campus build- tested products ranging from air ionization right mix of controls in place—engineered ings to determine their metallic makeup. devices to titanium dioxide surface treat- systems, behavioral expectations, and When the copper content was verified, ments to evaluate their effectiveness personal protective equipment. the team cleaned the handles using a in killing and filtering microorganisms While many are hoping the pandemic specialized slurry blast machine from such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi. will soon be a distant memory, it caused Wet Technologies Inc., whose president Jennifer Schneider, the Eugene H. changes at RIT that will continue to make and founder is RIT alumnus Frederick Fram Chair of Applied Critical Thinking it a cleaner, safer place for years to come. Greis ’84 (manufacturing technology). and a professor in the Department of Civil RIT faculty from across the university Engineering Technology, Environmental Luke Auburn contributed in other ways to help ensure Management and Safety, is a certified in-

13 INNOVATIVE UPGRADES

Scientists from the Digital Imaging and Remote Sensing Laboratory were the first to use the Tait Preserve of RIT for research, collecting data using imaging technology flown on unmanned aerial systems, or drones.

Gabrielle Plucknette-DeVito Research takes flight at Tait Preserve

IT scientists began Dolomite sand quarry, was dedi- RIT expects to use the facility The site contains the Leen- conducting research at cated as the Tait Preserve of RIT. for a wide variety of education, houts Lodge, named in honor Rthe Tait Preserve of RIT The researchers were excited research, and conservation of Leenhouts family members, for the first time this summer. to take advantage of the site, activities including: which has geothermal heat- Researchers from the Chester F. which provided an expansive, ing and air conditioning, a Carlson Center for Imaging geographically diverse area in • Environmental education chef’s kitchen, a massive stone Science’s Digital Imaging and which to work. and research, incorporating fireplace, and an open concept Remote Sensing Laboratory “This is a perfect location for K-12 programming; interior with huge sections of were the first to use the site, us to collect UAS hyperspectral glass walls that mechanically • Agriculture and collecting data using imaging imagery over targets deployed open to the outdoor patios, aquaculture research technology flown on unmanned in and out of different types of firepit, and view of the lake. and education, including aerial systems (UAS), or drones. shadows, both man-made and The initial imaging science sustainable agriculture and In 2019, Amy Leenhouts Tait natural,” said Assistant Scientist project, conducted in support community engagement; and Robert C. Tait, Rochester Nina Raqueno, who was part of of the defense intelligence com- natives and highly successful a team collecting data at the Tait • Conservation, sustainability, munity, is expected to be the real-estate entrepreneurs, gifted Preserve of RIT. and urban ecology research first of many activities at the RIT their 177-acre property, The Tait Preserve of RIT is and training; Tait Preserve. Activity is expect- which includes a 60-acre lake located 25 minutes from RIT’s • Events and hospitality ed to increase after coronavirus and a private mile of Irond- Henrietta campus and 10 min- community functions; restrictions are lifted. equoit Creek adjacent to Ellison utes from downtown Rochester. Park. The site, home to a former Given its convenient location, • Youth recreation. Luke Auburn

14 President’s Report Who’s learning

While RIT’s overall enrollment has remained steady over the past five years, the university is growing its Ph.D. programs at a rapid pace. The university now has 387 Ph.D. students, up from 210 in 2015, and new programs are being developed.

Fall 2020 enrollment from all RIT campuses

Fall 2016 18,632

Fall 2017 18,963 Fall 2018 19,047

Fall 2019 18,897

Fall 2020 18,668

Ph.D. degrees awarded 2019-2020

Imaging Science 19 Microsystems Engineering 7

Sustainability 7

Computing and Information Sciences 6

Engineering 5 Astrophysical Sciences and Technology 3

Color Science 1

Fall 2020 graduate programs with the highest enrollment

RIT enrolled 2,929 graduate students across all locations last fall. Here are the top 10.

Computer Science (MS) 374

Business Administration (MBA) 144

Professional Studies (MS) 109

Visual Communication Design (MFA) 103

Computing and Information Sciences (Ph.D.) 100

Electrical Engineering (MS) 94

Mechanical Engineering (ME) 93

Human-Computer Interaction (MS) 81

Engineering (Ph.D.) 78

Imaging Science (Ph.D.) 73

15 EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING Making co-ops count: Work experiences continue during pandemic

tudents on co-op are several transportation tests,” picking up more than said Stoeckley, a fourth-year Soccupational and profes- student from Bethlehem, Pa. sional skills. As the pandemic PepsiCo was flexible and unfolded last spring and adaptive, said Stoeckley, who summer, they saw firsthand returned to RIT for fall classes how companies manage even and started work in the Packag- in the midst of a crisis. ing Dynamics Lab. Isabel Stoeckley and Emma “PepsiCo was very willing to Junga were only two of the let me explore different areas hundreds of RIT students who in the company further, and do adjusted to limits to co-op activ- training while I was there. I was ities because of the pandemic. able to get my Institute of Pack- Stoeckley worked at PepsiCo’s aging Professionals Certifica- facility outside New York City. tion. They are willing to support Junga began work this summer professional development and at New York State Pollution had the virus not hit, I don’t Prevention Institute (P2I). Both know if I would have had the work experiences were part of time to do that. I took advantage required co-ops for their respec- of the opportunity.” tive programs, packaging sci- The 2019-2020 academic ence and mechanical engineer- year opened with a strong ing. What they may have lost employment market, which in travel or direct interaction made for many opportunities with co-workers, they gained for RIT’s students. in alternatives that allowed When the pandemic hit, it them to apply classroom work raised challenges, but RIT’s By the numbers to real-world experiences. Office of Career Services and After completing a fall Cooperative Education was able 2019 co-op with Johnson and to complete its spring career Fall 2020 Johnson, Stoeckley started her fairs, allowing employers the • 1,130 students on co-op second co-op with PepsiCo opportunity to proceed with • 651 employers hired research and development many summer co-op and full- co-op students from January to June of 2020. time hires, said Maria Richart, She was assigned to the com- director of the office. Summer 2020 pany’s New York Beverage Richart and the Career • 2,000 students on co-op Packaging site in Valhalla, N.Y. Services team hosted for the first • 1,098 employers hired “Day to day, I was able to time Virtual Career Fairs during co-op students do package testing, with some September and October to con- of PepsiCo’s newer products, nect students with co-op and Spring 2020 materials testing, and also full-time positions. • 1,300 students on co-op • 675 employers hired co-op students 16 President’s Report Emma Junga, a mechanical engineering student, worked at the campus hydroponic farm and then with New York State Pollution Prevention Institute.

Isabel Stoeckley worked at PepsiCo on co-op. The packaging science major was involved in the production of this special edition can for the Super Bowl. Gabrielle Plucknette-DeVito

Five tracks featuring more than 150 on-campus/ new solar panel technology. prospective employers virtual opportunities for By doing greenhouse gas were available in the areas students who had lost sum- and energy impact assess- of business processes, mer co-ops, Richart said. ments, we figure out how computing, creative, engi- Academic departments be- environmentally friendly neering and manufacturing, came flexible in what they their product could be and science and research. would accept to fulfill co-op compared to products More than 2,600 students requirements. already on the market,” participated in 67 sessions In August, Junga began said Junga, a fourth-year during the first week’s work at P2I, a significant student from Madison, Wis. Virtual Career Fair and more contributor to environ- “Just having my foot in than 1,600 took part in 90 mental impact assessment, the door to something I can sessions the second week. resources, and practices. definitely see as a long-term RIT departments such “I’m working in P2I’s career, where I feel like I am as Simone Center for green technology accelera- really making a difference, Innovation and Entrepre- tor program. We are work- is beyond valuable for me.” neurship and MAGIC Spell ing with a start-up that is

Gabrielle Plucknette-DeVito Studios quickly created trying to commercialize a Michelle Cometa

17 RIT Robotics Club EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING member Linden Siegall, a mechanical engineering student Students find ways from Dix Hills, N.Y., to stay active in clubs works on a project.

espite restrictions meetings for future events. due to the COVID-19 “Communication is very Dpandemic, RIT students important for us to stay still found ways to participate connected,” said Yi, an interior in hundreds of clubs and design major from Fairfax, organizations last fall, like Va. “COVID-19 is not stopping dancing, designing games, us. We’re using Slack, Zoom, and even skydiving. Facebook, and email to stay Some clubs offered live connected and are staying meetings and activities if they positive to growing our club.” could be held safely. Others Online meetings were had members meet online, and just fine with Andrew Brook, others had combinations of in- a fourth-year game design and person and online interactions. development major from Dux- Members of the RIT Robotics bury, Mass. He attended weekly Club began talking over the meetings of the Game Dev Club summer on Zoom to see what via Zoom on Thursday nights, they’d be doing once the fall which featured lectures with semester started. speakers who teach game devel- They reopened their club opment skills. Members were room and limited capacity to allowed to chat and discuss three members at a time to their progress. work on physical components, While this may not have and showed members actual been the best time to start a robots instead of only sharing new club, that didn’t stop pictures, said Gillian Doolittle, Colton Brown, a fourth-year the club’s president and a third- computer science major from year applied arts and sciences Tunkhannock, Pa. He formed major from Napanoch, N.Y. the RIT Skydiving Club. Members of Delta Sigma Pi, “We do, of course, meet the co-ed professional business in person when we actually fraternity in Saunders College skydive. It would be a bit more of Business, met virtually to difficult to do that virtually,” make cards for healthcare Brown joked. heroes and held a professional Eight RIT students made event with alumni and faculty their first jumps with an in- about working through structor in September. Everyone COVID-19. wore masks along with their They did other community parachutes, and they took sepa- service projects where they rate flights, mainly due to the could spread out, such as size of the available airplane. cleaning Mt. Hope Cemetery, “Starting anew during this said Madeline Tremblay, club time has definitely been a president and a fourth-year new challenge, from getting new media marketing and manage- members in the club, to getting ment information systems dual events approved, there is a major from Park Ridge, N.J. lot we have to do to make sure Chat rooms connected mem- we are being safe in regards to bers of the Asian Deaf Club. Its COVID. But I wasn’t going to president, Youngjin Yi, said allow COVID to stop us.” members met virtually at first Greg Livadas

but hoped to have in-person A. Sue Weisler

18 President’s Report RIT Concert Band members took advantage of good weather in September and held practice outdoors.

A. Sue Weisler Performing Arts Scholars Program flourishes

ow in its second year, the Perform- on campus.” Jonathan Kruger, chair of RIT’s Depart- ing Arts Scholars Program at RIT Zeznick plays alto saxophone in the ment of Performing Arts, said RIT President Nhas more than doubled in partici- RIT Jazz Ensemble, takes private lessons David Munson and the administration pants, with 368 first-year students involved via Zoom, and has attended an outdoor proposed the idea for the scholarships in classical or jazz instrumental music, meeting of the RIT Jam Club. to help find more engaged and creative voice, musical theater, acting, technical Another scholarship recipient, Abby students. Only 10 percent of RIT students theater, dance, or video game composition. Wojehowski, a first-year biomedical engi- were involved in performing arts, compared That’s up from 126 first-year students neering student from Marlboro, N.Y., is a to many more in some other technological last year who received partial scholarships, member of RIT’s Vis Viva Dance Company universities. renewable for up to five years as long as and performing team, which she says has Hult calls the scholarship recipients the student is involved in performing arts. given her the opportunity to branch out “talented, bright, highly motivated, self- RIT is striving to develop the leading and meet people from outside her major. starters, high achievers, disciplined, and performing arts program in the nation “I have been dancing for 15 years and academically gifted. They are truly an im- for non-majors. this scholarship allows me to do that with pressive group of students and want to leave David Hult, director of the Performing the addition of a coach to help guide me, space in their lives for the performing arts.” Arts Scholars Program, said that number and so many chances to further my dance Today, well over 1,000 students, from all grew so much, in part, because “word education,” Wojehowski said. “It allows nine colleges, participate in RIT-recognized of the program is quickly spreading. me to continue doing something I love, performance groups and activities. Our performing arts program has quickly while simultaneously helping me pursue More venues are in the works for stu- captured the attention of students around my goals academically.” dents to practice and perform, including a the world who are looking at colleges.” And Jordan Reeves, a new media inter­ black box theater, music rehearsal space, One recipient, Daniel Zeznick, a first- active development major from Saline, and a dance studio in the Innovative Maker year engineering exploration student from Mich., is taking vocal lessons and plans and Learning Complex. the Rochester suburb of Pittsford, said the to audition for a cappella groups. Plans are in the design phase for a new scholarship was one reason he chose RIT. “I didn’t actually know about the scholar- performing arts center on campus that will “Of all the schools I applied to, none ship before deciding on RIT, but when I feature two theaters. Read more about both of them offered a performing arts scholar- found out about it, I was delighted,” she projects beginning on page 32. ship,” he said. “It definitely enticed me said. “I did know RIT had a good music pro- that I could experience performing arts gram and that is part of why I chose RIT.” Greg Livadas

19 DIVERSITY

A Black Lives Matter rally, complete with speakers, music, poetry, and dancing groups, was held on Oct. 3 on the Greek Lawn near the Gordon Field House.

RIT creates action plan for race and ethnicity

ollowing the slayings of Ahmaud we deliver education in the midst of a racism and for social equity for all.” Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George global pandemic as well as reexamine our In the fall, university leadership shifted FFloyd, the nation was challenged to own history and commitment deficiencies focus to prioritizing the recommendations change its ways in response to systemic regarding Black, Indigenous, and people and working to take more immediate action racism and social inequity. of color—whether regarding access and to move forward. This work resulted in the University leaders spent the summer success of students, staff, and faculty or RIT Action Plan for Race and Ethnicity. engaging with students, faculty, staff, and effectively creating the climate of inclusion The action plan focuses on three key alumni groups—including Student Govern- we endeavor to establish,” said Keith areas: student recruitment and success; ment, the ALANA Collegiate Assoc­iation, Jenkins, vice president and associate faculty and staff recruitment, retention, Black Awareness Coordinating Committee, provost for Diversity and Inclusion. and advancement; and culture, communi- Global Union, Academic Senate, Staff “RIT’s response as a university against cation, and leadership. Council, and National Technical Institute this backdrop? Stay the course regarding RIT has already acted upon several of for the Deaf Advisory Group—to generate actions already implemented through the recommendations submitted by the a list of roughly 100 ideas of ways RIT can decades to move us forward in creating a committee. During a “Calls for Justice at do more on these fronts. more diverse and inclusive university and RIT” interfaith vigil in June in response to “RIT was challenged to reexamine how take immediate action against systemic the killings of Floyd, Taylor, and Arbery,

20 President’s Report Photos by Elizabeth Lamark INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine recognized RIT as a 2020 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award recipient and a 2020 Diversity Champion. This is the seventh year RIT has been named a HEED Award recipient and sixth year as a Diversity Champion.

President David Munson announced that created by Olivia Kim, an adjunct profes- four flags representing cultural and historical sor in the College of Art and Design who significance to RIT would be permanently teaches figure sculpture. mounted in the Student Alumni Union: the In addition, there have been Black Lives Haudenosaunee flag, the Black Lives Matter Matter rallies on campus, complete with flag, the Rainbow or Pride flag, and the Sign speakers, music, poetry, and dancing. Union Flag. Those flags were unveiled dur- “People need to be educated about the RIT dedicated this sculpture of ing a special ceremony in October. actual purpose of the Black Lives Matter Frederick Doug- During the same ceremony, RIT dedicated movement and why we’re behind the lass in October in a sculpture of Frederick Douglass that was movement,” said Olivia Morgan, a third- honor of the 50th commissioned in 2019 by Munson and year biomedical sciences major who helped anniversary of the Jenkins in celebration of the 50th anniver- coordinate a rally in October. “It’s not about Black Awareness sary of the Black Awareness Coordinating saying ‘all lives matter’ and moving on.” A. Sue Weisler Coordinating Committee—RIT’s first cultural club—and Learn more at rit.edu/diversity. Committee. in honor of the 200th birthday of the great orator and abolitionist. The statue was Luke Auburn

21 DIVERSITY DIVERSITY

Diamond Guy, a fourth- year biomedical sciences student from Rochester, and Associate Professor Robert Osgood spent the fall creating PCR primers for identifying three types of bacteria that are linked to cardiac disease, oral infections, and other issues. Guy was one of a record 15 students participating in fall research projects thanks to support from the LSAMP and McNair programs. Every LSAMP and McNair scholar who graduated in 2020 participated in undergraduate research.

Elizabeth Lamark LSAMP and McNair Scholars programs provide important research opportunities

iamond Guy, a fourth-year biomedi- Guy was one of a record 15 students par- to second- or third-year students who are cal sciences student from Rochester, ticipating in fall research projects thanks to first-generation college students and low Dand Associate Professor Robert support from the Louis Stokes Alliance for income or a member of an underrepresented Osgood spent the fall creating PCR primers Minority Participation (LSAMP) and Ronald group. for identifying three types of bacteria that E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Osgood has served as a mentor to LSAMP are linked to cardiac disease, oral infections, programs. Both programs provide opportu- and McNair students since he joined RIT and other issues. nities for research, funding to travel to and 13 years ago. He said the programs provide The researchers aim to create a multiplex present at professional conferences, infor- opportunities for students who would not test that dental offices can use to detect the mation about graduate school, and help otherwise have access to research. presence and concentration of Streptococcus connecting students with faculty mentors. “A lot of the students who come in through mutans serotypes c, e, and f in patients’ saliva. Together, the programs currently serve the program don’t really have much prior For Guy, performing research at this level 49 students—31 are in the McNair Scholars experience, so we have to meet them where has been a long-term goal that is part of a Program and 38 are in LSAMP, with several they’re at,” said Osgood. “If they don’t know larger plan to become an M.D. students enrolled in both. The programs how to do something, it is on us to become “Since I was a high school senior, I knew also continue to help alumni who may have that teacher who can show them how to do I wanted to do research as an undergrad,” gone off to work in industry and decided it, what’s important about it, so that when said Guy. “I heard that Dr. Osgood has a they want to go back to graduate school they’re doing it, they’re confident. But if good rapport with students and is very and need help with the application process. they come in with enthusiasm, I can take helpful and takes new students under his LSAMP is funded by the National Sci- it and add to that some skills and abilities, wing, teaching them to become strong and ence Foundation and available to STEM throw in some confidence, and what comes independent researchers. I really like this students from underrepresented groups out on the other side is someone who can project because it seems like it has a lot of with a strong interest in attending graduate do research.” great clinical applications. I’ve been learn- school. McNair Scholars program is funded ing a lot from it.” by the Department of Education and offered Luke Auburn

22 President’s Report Growing diversity

Last fall, enrollment of underrepresented students of color hit an all-time high. The Destler/Johnson Rochester City Scholars program has provided nearly 250 graduates of the Rochester City School District and Rochester charter schools with the opportunity to attend RIT tuition-free since it was founded in 2010. The National Technical Institute for the Deaf is the world’s first and largest technological college for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

Fall enrollment of underrepresented students of color (AALANA)* *Excludes RIT global campuses

AALANA = African American, Latino American, and Native Amercan

2016 15.1%

2017 15.2%

2018 15.3%

2019 15.4% 2020 16.8%

Destler/Johnson Rochester City Scholars 249 147 96 90 Rochester City Rochester City Scholars Rochester City Rochester City Scholars have enrolled participated in the Summer Scholars were Scholars at RIT since the program Bridge/DDI Summer enrolled in the have began in 2010. Experience Pre-College fall of 2020. graduated. Immersion Program.

Fall 2020 deaf/hard-of-hearing student enrollment by college

More than 400 deaf and hard-of-hearing students are enrolled in National Technical Institute for the Deaf degree programs and even more are enrolled across RIT’s other colleges and degree-granting units.

1 2 3 3 19 32 39 47

College of School of College Restoration Golisano Institute University Health Sciences and College of Kate Gleason College Individualized Program for Sustainability Non-Degree Exploration Technology Science of Engineering Study

51 52 68 74 98 418 907

Golisano College College of of Computing National Saunders Engineering College of College of and Information Technical Institute Tot al College of Business Technology Liberal Arts Art and Design = Sciences for the Deaf

23 GLOBAL

China students to connect with other students and faculty RIT around the world through virtual and in-person activities focused on prepara- tion for graduate school and strengthening the RIT spirit. Approximately 70 percent of RIT China graduates continue on for graduate education at top-ranked universities around the world— including RIT. The Beijing location also enrolled its sixth and largest cohort of new students (31) and is approaching 100 graduates from RIT’s Saunders College of Business. Students benefit from a newly developed experien- tial entrepreneurship program including monthly virtual workshops, professional men- tors, organized industry visits, and individual support. of RIT Dubai’s new $136 million campus is nearly complete. Most of Construction of the first phase RIT Kosovo the buildings are up and work is in its final stages. The hope is to start the spring semester there. This year, RIT Kosovo received a $1.16 million gift from the RIT Dubai million campus is nearly com- est amount of Erasmus funding, Biberaj Foundation Inc. This is RIT Dubai began the year by plete. The hope is to start the 99,470 EUR (~$120,000 USD). the largest gift received from being named the Best American spring semester there. These funds will be used to a private foundation to the University for Engineering in further develop transnational Kosovo campus. The donation the UAE, 2019 by Global Brands RIT Croatia partnerships as well as stu- established the Biberaj Fam- Magazine. This achievement RIT Croatia enrolls almost 900 dent and faculty opportunities ily Scholarship, a full scholar- strengthens the aspiration of students between two loca- throughout Europe. ship for 40 students to earn a the RIT Dubai campus to be the tions. The Dubrovnik location Martin Žagar, a web and mo- bachelor’s degree from RIT and region’s university of choice for was opened in 1997 and Zagreb bile computing faculty mem- complete one semester of study engineering, computing, and in 2011. RIT Croatia has focused ber, received the EIT Health at the main campus in Roches- business students. efforts on developing new and InnoStars RIS Innovation ter. The scholarship program Established in 2009 and innovative opportunities for 2020 grant for his work on 3D will primarily support students growing enrollment to more students to engage in academic virtual navigation, integrating from rural locations in Kosovo than 900 students, this vision programming and cooperative high-resolution stereo-depth with a strong focus on women has not wavered through the education. This resulted in cameras for medical imaging interested in STEM disciplines. pandemic. The university record summer course enroll- systems with over-the-air, real RIT Kosovo, founded in offered a first-of-its-kind in- ment and a 95 percent employ- control of a surgeon’s hands. 2003, currently enrolls nearly ternational virtual consulting ment rate for RIT Croatia co-op 500 students and its largest bootcamp this past summer. students. RIT China freshman class in five years. The program engaged students It has been a year of firsts Established in 2015, RIT China RIT Kosovo expanded its degree from RIT Dubai, RIT Croatia, for the RIT Croatia campus. is the most recent global cam- program offerings in 2020 to RIT China, RIT Kosovo, and RIT Croatia introduced the MS pus with nearly 500 students include the BS in computing students from the main campus in information sciences and enrolled between the Weihai and information technolo- in Rochester. Students par- technologies as the newest and Beijing locations. Students gies and an MS in professional ticipated in intensive training graduate degree offered at the earn a dual degree from RIT and studies, with a concentration in workshops followed by place- Zagreb campus last fall. Addi- its international partner Beijing strategic foresight and innova- ments in international consult- tionally, RIT Croatia welcomed Jiaotong University (BJTU), one tion. The offerings enhance the ing teams working with local the largest number of incom- of the top public universities in RIT Kosovo goal to be a leader in and global organizations. ing exchange students from China. At the Weihai location, academic excellence, research, Construction of the first Austria, Czech Republic, France, students recently established and innovation within Kosovo phase of RIT Dubai’s new $136 and Spain, and secured its larg- Tiger House, a club for RIT and the region.

24 President’s Report Going global

The most popular study-abroad destinations in the 2019-2020 academic year were Estonia and Finland, where Executive MBA students traveled in October 2019 for International Seminar, a credit-bearing course that takes students on an international trip to apply their classroom education in a global setting. Study-abroad experiences were suspended in March due to COVID-19, but the university adjusted by introducing virtual intercultural experiences.

Students who participated in education abroad in-person or virtually in 2019-2020

Despite the pandemic, last year 299 students participated in education abroad, either in-person or through virtual intercultural experiences.

Other (i.e., independent study abroad) 3

RIT research 10

Global campus (direct enroll only) 30

Affiliate programs 74

Faculty-led (non-global campus) 91

Virtual intercultural experiences 91

Total 299

Students studying at RIT’s global campuses

Enrollment at RIT’s global campuses in China, Croatia, Dubai, and Kosovo continues to grow steadily.

Fall 2016 2,054

Fall 2017 2,237

Fall 2018 2,419

Fall 2019 2,563

Fall 2020 2,740

Top study abroad destinations in 2019-2020

1 Estonia 2 Finland 3 Cuba 4 Croatia 5 Italy

25 RESEARCH André Hudson, head of the Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences, conducts experiments at the beginning of the pandemic to see if the air ionization systems RIT purchased would be effective at killing microorganisms.

26 President’s Report Sponsored research garners $82 million

IT had its best year Among the funding sources, RIT received: ever for sponsored R research funding. • $44 million from federal from the National Institutes For fiscal year 2020, agencies, including $15 mil- of Health) and $4 million which ended June 30, RIT lion from the National Science from the National Aeronautics received 382 new awards Foundation, $12.7 million and Space Administration; totaling $82 million. The from the Department of record funding follows Defense, $6.6 million from • $16 million from New York almost $58 million in the Department of Health and state. research expenditures Human Services (most of that in fiscal year 2019, also a record. During this most recent The university also submitted 723 research proposals, fiscal year, RIT had 339 totaling $200 million this past fiscal year. Some of the principal investigators associated with 669 active research highlights include: research awards. “In these challenging • Donna Burnette, director of • Matt Dye, assistant professor times, RIT is quite fortu- RIT’s K-12 program, received in the Department of Lib- nate to have obtained a a $3.5 million Army Educa- eral Studies at RIT/NTID and record amount of support tion Outreach Program (AEOP) Department of Psychology, for its research programs,” award to support high school received a $1 million award said Ryne Raffaelle, apprentices displaced by the from NIH to examine the RIT’s vice president for COVID-19 pandemic. effects of auditory develop- research and associate ment, cognitive function, and provost. “One thing that • Bo Yuan, professor and chair language outcomes in a large we have definitely learned of the Department of Com- group of young deaf adults. through this pandemic, puting Security, received and the other challenges $2.4 million from NSF for • Jeanne Christman, associate facing our society, is the the Scholarships for Service professor in the College of importance of academic Program, which takes excep- Engineering Technology, re- research. It is gratifying tional BS students majoring ceived a $1 million NSF award to note that we are doing in computer science, software to use self-determination our part.” engineering, or computing theory to inform practice on security and places them in a proposed project, Critical accelerated BS/MS programs Mass of Engineering Technol- in computing security. ogy Scholars. Its purpose is to recruit and retain a more diverse pool of students to engineering technology by addressing factors that con- tribute to the underrepresen- tation of women, students of color, and those who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Gabrielle Plucknette-DeVito 27 RESEARCH

College of Scienceexperiences boom in sponsored research ssociate Professor Moumita Das is using Adata-driven mathemati- cal modeling informed by state- of-the-art experiments Moumita Das, to better understand an associate the fundamental rules professor in RIT’s that allow bacteria School of Physics to compartmentalize and Astronomy, the functions within received an NSF their cells. grant to better Cells use compart- understand the mentalization to create fundamental spatial organization, rules that allow allowing them to bacteria to carry out biochemical compartmentalize processes and control the functions biomolecular structures. within their cells. While compartmen- talization within cells is often facilitated by membranes, bacteria do not typically contain membrane- A. Sue Weisler

Researcheropens behavioral health clinic

IT’s behavioral health terns experience conducting in- depression,” she said. “Right and underserved communi- program is expanding person and telehealth sessions now, people are dealing with ties in New York and in New R in new directions with and assessment services under grief and loss, social isolation, Hampshire, addressing opioid a clinic on campus and federal the supervision of licensed clin- and health anxiety. We will take addiction and other forms of funding to deliver addiction ical psychologists. The training clients who just need somebody substance abuse. treatment in rural communities clinic is open to anyone at RIT to talk to.” Residents of New York’s Gen- in upstate New York and New and in the wider community, RIT behavioral health esee County, Wyoming County, Hampshire. and services are free of charge. researchers in the biomedical and Cayuga County and New These partnerships and The clinicians practice cogni- sciences program—Easton; Hampshire’s Grafton County services create momentum for tive behavioral therapy, moti- Cory Crane, associate professor; may be eligible for the program. the Priority Behavioral Health vational enhancement therapy, and Cassandra Berbary, visiting The participating clinical sites & Clinical Psychology Intern- and mindfulness skills, as well assistant professor—won addi- were selected through RIT’s ship led by Caroline Easton ’90 as behavioral health screenings tional funding from the Health strategic alliance with Roches- (biotechnology), professor of and consultations, psycho- Resources and Services Ad- ter Regional Health and a new biomedical sciences. logical testing, digital therapies, ministration to deliver mental partnership with Ammonoosuc The program was funded in and tele-behavioral health. health and addiction treatment Community Health Services 2018 by the U.S. Department of Easton sees the clinic as a to underserved populations. in New Hampshire, facilitated Health and Human Services’ resource for the community, The federal agency is sup- by the CEO and RIT alumnus Health Resources and Services especially for people who have porting a $1.4 million telehealth Ed Shanshala II ’00 MS (health Administration to fill a shortage lost their jobs during the CO- program for homeless residents systems management). of mental health professionals, VID-19 pandemic and who may at the House of Mercy shelter, “Our telehealth training pro- especially with addiction exper- not have health insurance or which was deployed during gram is especially relevant dur- tise, in the Rochester area. money for co-pays. “The clinic the New York state shutdown, ing the pandemic and the new The RIT Priority Behavioral is not only for people struggling and more recently, a $1 million risk factors it has created for Health clinic gives therapy in- with addiction, anxiety, and telehealth outreach for rural rural residents with addiction

28 President’s Report enclosed organelles and instead of Rochester. Assistant Professor Jeyhan Kar- search, up more than $5 million rely on alternate mechanisms She said that many of the taltepe received $444,000 from from the year before. such as phase separation. The outstanding questions in NSF to perform an in-depth The Chester F. Carlson Center cytoplasm within bacteria biology require input from quan- analysis of galaxies over the full for Imaging Science brought in cells consists of mixtures of titative disciplines like physics COSMOS 2 square degree field the largest portion of last year’s complex, structured fluids. and that the next generation of using archival spectroscopic funding—$7.3 million, up from “The main goal is to gain researchers needs to be comfort­ data; Assistant Professor Mi- $4.6 million in 2018-2019. an understanding of how the able working in multiple fields. chael Lam secured a $347,000 “The growth we’ve experi- phenomena of phase separation Das was one of several School award to construct a pulsar enced in research funding is a helps bacteria with compart- of Physics and Astronomy interstellar medium array testament to the quality of work mentalization, organization, faculty who secured large grants detector; and Andrew Robinson, of our faculty, students, and and bacterial function, but also as principal investigators dur- director of the astrophysical staff,” said Sophia Maggelakis, connecting genotype to pheno- ing a banner summer. Five of sciences and technology Ph.D. dean of the College of Science. type,” said Das. “We want to see her colleagues from the school program, received $371,000 “We are seeing success not only how chromosomes in bacteria received grants of $200,000 or from NSF to model light echoes in our well-established strong organize, and what are the con- more during that time. from hot dust in the broad line areas like imaging science, sequences in terms of bacterial Professor Scott Franklin region in active galactic nuclei. color science, and astrophysical functions and properties. Doing received a three-year, $587,000 The College of Science as a sciences, but also in emerging a map of that is important.” NSF Building Capacity in STEM whole is coming off a record areas including mathematical Das received a $559,000 NSF Education Research grant; Pro- year in sponsored research. In modeling, optics, STEM educa- grant to work on the project, fessor Seth Hubbard received the 2019-2020 fiscal year, the tion, and biotechnology.” collaborating with biology nearly $200,000 to develop low college received more than researchers from the University cost, high-efficiency solar cells; $15.6 million in grants for re- Luke Auburn

issues and for their families,” she said. “The pandemic has led to unemployment, loss of health insurance, opioid/substance relapse, anxiety and depression, grief, and personal loss.” Easton’s research connects the dots between intimate part- ner/domestic violence, mental health, and substance abuse. Her Substance Abuse-Domestic Violence Behavioral Model reduces clients’ drug and alcohol use while teaching coping skills for handling negative emotions. Grounded in cognitive behav- Caroline Easton, ioral therapy, the client-centered professor of approach has measurable biomedical outcomes proven in random- sciences, opened ized control trials funded by the a behavioral Donaghue Foundation and the health clinic on National Institute of Drug Abuse. campus last fall. She sees the clinic Susan Gawlowicz as a community

Gabrielle Plucknette-DeVito resource.

29 RESEARCH

Shaun Foster is leveraging $160,000 from an Epic Games MegaGrant to explore and develop dynamic virtual content that is opening the eyes of RIT faculty and students— and many others— to Unreal Engine’s myriad, multi­ disciplinary possibilities.

Elizabeth Lamark Professor driving multidisciplinary research with real-time technology ife has been a bit of a convergence,” said Foster, ation filmmaking, and training state-of-the-art techniques whirlwind for Shaun an associate professor in in many fields—including at MAGIC. LFoster ’02 (MFA) since the School of Design. medical, interior and industrial That grant along with his securing a MegaGrant from “There’s a huge amount of design, virtual production, participation in an Epic Educa- Epic Games, the creators behind buzz and desire to learn Unreal, urban planning, geographic tors Twitch Livestream in mid- Unreal Engine and popular which has only been accelerated information systems, and August resulted in an invitation video games such as Fortnite. by Unreal Engine 5’s huge leaps human- computer interaction. to a panel on virtual production The undergraduate program in technology when it comes Foster also is furthering the at the international SIGGRAPH director of 3D digital design in out early next year,” said Foster, synergy between the 3D digital conference only weeks later. RIT’s College of Art and Design noting more than 14 million design program and the MAGIC Last fall, Foster also began is leveraging the $160,000 from views of the North Carolina Center to integrate his research offering classes to professionals Epic Games to explore and company’s announcement inside and beyond RIT’s College interested in learning how to use develop dynamic virtual con- plans on YouTube. of Art and Design. Unreal Engine to create interac- tent that is opening the eyes of Foster’s multidisciplinary Last summer, a grant he co- tive 3D. The online classes were many to the software’s myriad approach and early adoption wrote with David Long, MAGIC part of RIT’s Unreal Engine Foun- possibilities. of Epic Games’ Unreal Engine Center’s director, for the devel- dations Professional Certificate As part of the grant funding, is expanding the software’s opment of a multi-departmen- program on edX. Foster launched a new course possibilities in numerous tal Virtual Production Curricu- “It’s not only higher educa- called Cinematography and areas across RIT. lum (using Unreal) was funded tion looking at the course; an Pre-visualization during the Working with multidisci- by Epic Games for $275,000. industry trainer from a large spring 2020 semester. plinary teams of students, he Virtual production blends film studio contacted me to let The 3D digital design stu- is developing a greater under- filmmaking, computational me know they were taking it dents learned to combine new standing of Unreal Engine and photography, and real-time as well,” Foster said. “I’m also virtual production elements its advanced workflows and game engine rendering to meeting with other contacts who with existing film and game- ability to provide real-time produce in-camera visual ef- have received Epic MegaGrants, language conventions. feedback. fects similar to those seen in which has made for wonderful In all, the game engine’s His work is allowing the ver- the groundbreaking work on opportunities, not only for me advanced technologies, real- satile software to be leveraged Disney’s The Mandalorian. but for our students as well.” time graphics, and interactive as an integral tool for interac- Soon, students at RIT will be tools are fueling a “multi-field tive visualization, next-gener- learning and researching these Rich Kiley

30 President’s Report Research portfolio

RIT is listed as a “high research activity institution” or “R2” under the updated Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Learning. RIT had its best year ever in sponsored research funding in fiscal year 2020.

FY20 awards by sponsor type Sponsored research awards

In millions of dollars In millions of dollars

$43.9 FY16 $73

FY17 $61

FY18 $78

FY19 $74

$15.8 FY20 $82 $12.0 $4.2 $2.2 $2.7

Research proposals Nonprofit Other For-profit Research State Federal gifts

FY16 702

FY20 federal awards by agency FY17 722

In millions of dollars FY18 740

$15.1 FY19 731

FY20 723 $12.7

Research expenditures

In millions of dollars

$6.6 FY16 $46

FY17 $51 $4.0 FY18 $49 $2.9 $2.6 FY19 $58

FY20 estimated: $58 Other Energy NASA Health Defense NSF

31 WHAT’S NEXT

Creative complex coming to campus in 2023

lans for the Innovative Maker and presentations to RIT leadership via Zoom and Innovation Festival. The complex will Learning Complex remain on and moved the project forward, noted embody RIT’s focus on technology, the arts, Pschedule, with a design that will James Yarrington, RIT university architect and design and give visitors a way to “un- centralize RIT’s makerspace and performing and director of Planning and Design Ser- derstand RIT in 15 minutes,” Munson said. arts and provide much needed classroom vices. When the New York state restrictions The complex will include a large maker- and study spaces. eased in June, Welliver, the construction space component and project team spaces Design work on the multipurpose facility manager, began to relocate the under- with glass garage doors that will enable the continued after the COVID-19 pandemic ground utilities, an essential first step student work to flow into the public space, closed the campus in March. before the official groundbreaking. Yarrington said. Pieces of the makerspace Architects from the Boston-based firm The next phase of the project will finalize and performing arts components are con- William Rawn Associates Architects Inc. the detailed designs and complete the bid- nected to Monroe Hall and Wallace Library had already visited campus several times ding packages. The current plan is for work with glass bridges. to meet with administrators, faculty, staff, on the foundation to start in spring 2021, “They are not little links—they are cur- and students. and the building to open in fall 2023. vilinear, and one is two stories—and they Architects from Rawn and RIT, working RIT President David Munson envisions create together an oval public space that is with Rochester-based HBT Architects, then the building as a creative hub that will cap- open air in between,” Yarrington said. “That presented design reviews and milestone ture the spirit of the Imagine RIT: Creativity space will be regraded so it’s an ADA-acces-

32 President’s Report Plans for the Innovative Maker and Learning Complex continued to move The courtyard will forward during the pandemic. serve as a hub in The complex will embody the new Innovative RIT’s focus on technology, Maker and Learn- the arts, and design. ing Complex. The complex will include a large makerspace component.

A black-box/glass- box theater will seat 180 people. It can be reconfigured to allow for, or block, light into the space.

Here’s a view of the black-box/glass-box theater in blackout mode. Along with the theater, the perform- ing arts components will include individual rehearsal spaces, a dance instruction studio, and a music coming to campus in 2023 rehearsal studio. William Rawn Associates

sible pathway and landscaped courtyard which opened in 1968. The facility will be accommodate access between the library on the hillside. The transition from the funded, in part, by $17.5 million from RIT and the IMLC, Yarrington noted. Brows- Gleason Circle transportation plaza up to trustee and alumnus Austin McChord, part ing collections will remain on the first and the Quarter Mile will be exciting.” of his record $50 million gift to RIT in 2017, second floors. The performing arts component will as well as financing through the Dormitory Renovations will open up the first floor include individual rehearsal spaces, a large Authority of the State of New York. of the library and add classrooms and a dance instruction studio, and a music Constructing the building implies a lot large makerspace to the A level. The ground rehearsal studio. A black-box/glass-box of changes and renovations to the RIT floor will connect to the IMLC and still lead theater seating 180 can be reconfigured to Libraries. to the transportation plaza. The corridors allow for, or block, light into the space. Current plans, Yarrington said, shift most will be widened to accommodate the in- The facility will also add 1,500 classroom of the space on the third and fourth floors creased traffic. seats to the campus, with 22 standard-size of the library to classroom and study space. “The design has continued to evolve very flexible classrooms and five extra-large At this time, the RIT Archive Collections nicely,” Yarrington said. “I can’t think of an classrooms that can seat 150 students each. will be renovated and remain on the third academic institution that has a building Construction costs will exceed $100 floor. anything like this. We’re excited about it.” million, making it the largest undertak- Changes to the Cary Graphic Arts Collec- ing since building the Henrietta campus, tion on the second floor are necessary to Susan Gawlowicz

33 WHAT’S NEXT

An $18 million renovation and expansion to Max Lowenthal Hall, home of Saunders College of Business, features significant upgrades, including lab and event spaces.

LaBella Associates Saunders College renovation, expansion to begin soon

transformational gift from service innovation programs, A behavioral research lab, serial entrepreneur and as well as event spaces that will integrated business technology Aphilanthropist E. Philip accommodate distinguished lab, graduate student space, con- Saunders will help fund a major speakers, conferences, recep- ference rooms, and additional renovation and expansion to Max tions, and lectures. offices will be added. The $18 million Lowenthal Hall, home of RIT’s Construction plans for the Informal gathering spaces and Saunders College of Business. four-story expansion will in- student meeting rooms will be project will add The $18 million project will add crease the existing building by placed throughout the building. more than more than 35,000 square feet of about 80 percent and include “All of us at Saunders College space to the building. outdoor patios with expansive are excited to transform the 35,000 square This expansion will transform views of campus, an auditorium learning experiences and applied feet of space to the learning environment for and adjacent reception areas, a research environment for our the building. students, with the addition of food venue, and a large, multi- students, faculty, and staff,” said collaborative student spaces, functional event space with a Dean Jacqueline Mozrall. “The ex- flexible case analysis rooms, catering kitchen. pansion and renovations will fur- and applied research labs—all New administrative offices, ther enhance student and faculty in support of experiential-based, including the dean’s office, will collaborations and expand our interdisciplinary learning and be centralized, allowing for the ability to engage with the Rochester research. creation of an Executive MBA and community and beyond.” The project will also include Executive Education suite in the space for the hospitality and existing facility. Vienna McGrain

34 President’s Report The first theater in the Performing Arts Center will feature 750 seats, pictured in this rendering. Construction is expected to begin this fall.

Michael Maltzan Architecture Inc., Los Angeles Performing Arts Center to add creative stages at RIT

lans are being developed performing arts scholarships three stories tall and have truck and install the pipe organ. to build a performing arts were awarded to 368 first-year access. It is expected to have The second phase, which is Pcenter that will feature a students, more than doubling two balconies and feature a funding dependent, will feature 750-seat theater and, in a sec- the number of students given historic, restored theater pipe an expanded lobby and more ond phase, a 1,500-seat orches- performing arts scholarships in organ. It will also have costume than double the size of the tra hall for larger audiences. the previous, inaugural year of and scene shops, as well as building with a 1,500-seat The project is intended to the scholarship. offices. theater and a stage big enough provide more practice and James Yarrington, RIT’s uni- Yarrington said the Rochester to accommodate a large phil- performing venues for the RIT versity architect and director of area has numerous theaters that harmonic orchestra, major community as well as options Planning and Design Services, can seat a couple hundred audi- events, and lectures. for community groups to hold said the complex will be erected ence members, but there are The Los Angeles-based firm concerts, talks, and other events. adjacent to Institute Hall and few options for venues that seat of Michael Maltzan Architec- RIT intends to develop Engineering Hall. between 700 and 1,500 people. ture, which has designed per- the leading performing arts Construction on the 750-seat By comparison, the Robert F. forming arts buildings for other program in the nation for theater, designed for musical Panara Theatre in Lyndon Ba- clients, is the design architect. non-majors, attracting talented theater but useful for a range ines Johnson Hall has 440 seats. The architect of record is and creative students who can of programming, is expected to The first phase comes with SWBR, a local company that also continue their passions for begin in the fall of 2021, with a an estimated $40 million was involved in construction of music, dance, theater, and other completion date of fall 2023. price tag—part of the approved the MAGIC Center. performing arts. Yarrington said it will be capital bond project. Additional This past year, partial more than 40,000 square feet, funds will be sought to restore Greg Livadas

35 WHAT’S NEXT A multi-phase plan to upgrade athletic facilities is set to begin this year. A grand concourse and stadium complex, complete with a synthetic turf field, is pictured here in an early rendering. It is part of the second phase.

Populous Athletic facilities on deck for improvements

lans to upgrade RIT’s outdoor men’s hockey and women’s hockey— athletic facilities continue to and 22 Division III teams that compete P unfold. in the Liberty League. In addition, The first phase of the department’s thousands of students participate in multimillion dollar stadium project is club and intramural sports. scheduled to begin this year with the RIT’s student-athletes continue to relocation of the outdoor track across lead in the classroom. They had an the street from its current location in overall GPA of 3.45 last academic year; front of Gordon Field House with an 135 athletes had a perfect 4.0 in the upgraded synthetic running surface. spring 2020 semester. The baseball and softball fields are “These plans are an extension of RIT’s also slated to be upgraded to all- continuous and sustained efforts over weather artificial turf fields. the years, which included the Gordon Future phases include the instal­ Field House, the Gene Polisseni Center, lation of a state-of-the-art artificial and the Ritter Arena Extension project, turf field as well as the construction and much more,” said Lou Spiotti Jr., of a full stadium complex featuring executive director of Intercollegiate locker rooms, training facilities, and Athletics. “RIT and RIT Athletics have concessions, as well as a press box a very exciting and bright future.” and premium suite accommodations. RIT has two Division I teams— Tim Volkmann

36 President’s Report Financially sound and growing

RIT’s future success depends upon strong financial results and a growing endowment.

Operating revenues Fiscal year 2020

Private contributions $3,600,000

Other sources $20,365,000

Net assets released from restrictions $25,973,000

Investment return $27,672,000 Sales and services of auxiliaries $66,541,000

Grants and contracts $66,856,000

National Technical Institute for the Deaf $73,037,000

Tuition and fees* $325,319,000

Total operating revenues $609,363,000

*$558,382,000 less $233,063,000 in financial aid and scholarships.

Operating expenses Fiscal year 2020

Public service $20,033,000

Institutional support $42,745,000

Research $54,286,000

Student services $56,694,000

Academic support $62,648,000

Auxiliary enterprises $81,523,000 Instruction $270,668,000

Total operating expenses $588,597,000

Total endowment by fiscal year(as of June 30 each year)

2014 $753,950,862

2015 $761,936,337

2016 $750,894,725

2017 $847,211,461

2018 $938,162,179

2019 $957,232,491

2020 $954,031,657

37 ALUMNI

Dr. Christopher Tanski ’00 oversaw the coronavirus field hospital set Callie Donahue ’18 was part of a team testing drugs on up in the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City in April. human cells infected with COVID-19 to find a treatment. Alumni use talents during pandemic

IT alumni continue to He started serving as the of the university. of researchers testing drugs give back during the chief medical officer for field Former Student Government on human cells infected with R pandemic, helping hospitals on April 9 and com- president Nick Giordano ’16 COVID-19 to find medicine that people, companies, and health pleted the job on May 9. (management information can be used as a treatment. care facilities in need. The Javits Center was trans- systems) created a website Ron Ricotta ’79 (accounting) Here are a few examples: formed into a field hospital template that helps commu- retooled his injection molding Christopher Tanski ’00 with the capacity to treat up nities track and manage the company, Century Mold, to pro- (information technology) over- to 3,000 patients in early April. spread of the virus. duce thousands of face shields saw every medical professional It alleviated stress on the New Maria Romero-Creel ’17 for medical workers. treating coronavirus patients at York City hospital system when (biomedical engineering) and Jeff Benck ’88 (mechanical the Jacob K. Javits Convention the state had more coronavirus Wendy Salamone ’10 (bio- engineering) is the president Center field hospital in New cases than any country in the technology) contributed to the and CEO of Benchmark, a global York City. world. antibody test that was launched provider of engineering, design, Tanski works at SUNY Corey Mack ’11 (mechanical by Ortho Clinical Diagnostics. and manufacturing services. Upstate Medical University, engineering technology) built Callie Donahue ’18 (biotech- The company worked with mul- where he is an attending emergency ventilators with nology and molecular biosci- tiple clients making products physician and assistant profes- help from other alumni, former ence), a Ph.D. student at Boston that will help treat patients sor of emergency medicine. faculty members, and friends University, was part of a team infected with COVID-19.

38 President’s Report Tigers capture historic moments across the country These photos were taken by RIT alumni and faculty members.

A C D Traci Westcott Traci Joshua Rashaad McFadden Joshua Rashaad B E C, E—Brittainy Newman E—Brittainy C, Traci Westcott Traci

A Protesters chant for B Kaliah Harden, 11, C Protester James D A June 14, 2020, E Protesters David justice in front of police speaks during a Power Luckey poses for a protest at the Wendy’s in and Daniella Dacosta presence in Minneapolis to the People rally portrait in Bushwick, Atlanta where Rayshard pose for a portrait in in response to the death on June 13, 2020, in Brooklyn, on June 11, Brooks was shot and Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, of George Floyd. Rochester, Minn. 2020. killed by police. on June 10, 2020.

hen demonstrations calling was unjustly killed in Rochester, New York, of George Floyd’s funeral. “Well, I refuse to for police reform and racial again by police. I felt compelled to be on the believe that being passionate about human Wequality occurred in cities across scene to document the demonstrations in rights is considered biased. I’m sad. I’m sad the country in 2020, alumni and faculty each of these cities.” that in 2020, our country is still fighting of RIT’s nationally recognized School of McFadden called it a “necessity to cap- for basic human rights. I’m sad that we as Photographic Arts and Sciences (SPAS) ture and document the fight for justice and photojournalists haven’t fully embraced were there to capture the gripping moments bear witness to the pain that a community diversity. We haven’t always listened.” through their camera lenses. has experienced for many years.” Brittainy Newman ’18 (photojournalism), While the protests in Minneapolis; New “I traveled to Minneapolis out of my own a photojournalist at The New York Times, York City; Rochester, Minn.; and elsewhere will and finances to be there to document,” took pictures of youth protesters in her originally were in response to the killing of he said. “After a week of documentation, native New York City. George Floyd in May, the Black Lives Matter I was contacted by The New York Times to “They call this their personal turning movement continued its push for change cover George Floyd’s funeral.” point,” she said. “For many, it’s their first and justice as other disturbing police-in- Traci Westcott ’18 (photojournalism), movement. It’s their chance to be a part of volved deaths came to light. who captured demonstration scenes as a history, they say, and for some, a moment “It is essential to say why people are digital content producer at the Post-Bulletin to examine who they are.” protesting,” said Joshua Rashaad McFadden, in Rochester, Minn., said, “it’s unfortunate Even as time passes since the protests, assistant professor and photographic artist that so many people have waited for this McFadden said “the trauma and the pain in SPAS in the College of Art and Design. national uprising to really assess racism stick with me … the emotions themselves.” “George Floyd was unjustly killed in Min- in every aspect of American culture, but “Regardless of where I go to capture neapolis, Minnesota, by police officers; I’m happy this conversation seems to have these images, I can’t help but hear the same Rayshard Brooks was wrongly killed in a fire underneath it.” phrases ringing … ‘Black Lives Matter’ and Atlanta, Georgia, by police; Breonna Taylor “As journalists, we are taught to be objec- ‘I can’t breathe.’” was unjustly killed in her home in Louis- tive, to ‘check our biases at the door,’” ob- ville, Kentucky, by police; and Daniel Prude served Westcott, who also captured images Rich Kiley

39 Alumni

RIT has more than 136,000 living alumni, and they are active in chapters across the U.S. and around the globe.

Alumni by decade Alumni population by chapter

Degree years Location Alumni Total 1926-1930 443 Rochester 39,675

1931-1940 1,897 New York City 8,933 Washington, D.C. 5,865 1941-1950 3,389 Boston 5,658 1951-1960 4,968 Buffalo 3,771 1961-1970 8,367 Syracuse 3,411 1971-1980 18,834 Central Florida 3,386 1981-1990 25,852 Philadelphia 3,053 1991-2000 24,506 Bay Area Chapter 2,754 2001-2010 30,187 Albany 2,609 South Florida 1,675 2011-2020 32,978 Chicago 1,660 Los Angeles 1,641 Colorado 1,545 Where alumni live globally Seattle 1,530 Top 20 locations Raleigh/Durham 1,418 Atlanta Country Alumni Total 1,388 San Diego 1,377 Croatia 1,724 Phoenix 1,208 Kosovo 1,115 Austin/San Antonio 1,101 India 674 Charlotte 1,101 Canada 394 Dallas/Ft. Worth 985 Dominican Republic 367 Pittsburgh 945 United Arab Emirates 256 Cleveland/Akron 905 China 242 Detroit 857 Czechia 178 Utica/Rome 847 Taiwan, Province of China 145 Houston 640 Malaysia 132 Cincinnati/Dayton 620 Bosnia and Herzegovina 126 Japan 112 Thailand 108 Saudi Arabia 98 % 1.4 % Faculty/Staff 1.6 Turkey 89 Trustees Korea, Republic of 89 % 7.8 Kazakhstan 74 Private Foundations Montenegro 67

United Kingdom 60 Giving by source % % 20.6 Spain 59 Total philanthropic giving in 47.6 Alumni Other* Germany 59 fiscal year 2020: $32,544,309 Brazil 44 % Hong Kong 36 *Includes students, 21.0 Corporate friends, former faculty/ Mexico 35 staff, and parents.

40 President’s Report THE CAMPAIGN FOR GREATNESS rit.edu/transformingRIT University Advancement focuses on future

Just a few months after you How has Transforming RIT: tive impact our donors will have started at RIT, the pandemic hit. The Campaign for Greatness on RIT by joining Sentinel, as well How has philanthropy and en- been affected by the pandemic? as the chance to provide them with gagement changed at RIT? What Transforming RIT continues to a global network of RIT philanthro- about the national landscape? make good progress toward our pists for networking. Philanthropy and engagement $1 billion goal. For the fiscal year have both been impacted by the that ended June 30, 2020, we added What are your goals for 2021? pandemic. Most noticeably, on $92.8 million to the Campaign total, I am looking forward to the reorga- the engagement front, is our an increase of nearly 5 percent over nization and key hiring being com- inability to conduct in-person the prior year. Our colleagues in pleted and having the full University events and meetings in the Sponsored Research Services, working Advancement team assembled. Phil Castleberry, manner we are accustomed. with our outstanding faculty, had Then, it is full speed ahead so that a 20-year veteran While the team has been very a record year for funding, and the we stay on track to exceed the $1 of higher education creative in creating virtual oppor­ Government and Community Rela- billion Transforming RIT campaign advancement, tunities, nothing quite compares tions team also had a strong year. goal. This year we will actively began at RIT last February as the to being face-to-face with our As of today, we’ve raised $740 million. secure gifts for the Innovative Maker vice president for alumni and friends. We have slowly and Learning Complex (IMLC) and Development and begun to re-engage, mask-to-mask, What initiatives are in our performing arts initiatives, as Alumni Relations, in very small groups, but we are the works for 2021? well as the Saunders College expan- now called the eager for when we can return to Development and Alumni Relations sion, just to name a few of the many Division of University RIT gatherings of all sizes on at RIT has a rich history and many transformative projects happening, Advancement. campus and around the world. years of strong performance, but I none of which is possible without In 2018, RIT publicly launched a Philanthropy, thankfully, think we can take this to an even philanthropic support. $1 billion campaign. has been less impacted. Alumni higher level. For the last several The campaign is and friends stepped up in the months, I have been developing How has your background unique in that it’s early days of COVID-19 to provide a comprehensive reorganization helped you lead RIT? blended, meaning support for our students, address- plan that will position RIT to reach I was fortunate to have spent my RIT is seeking ing technology and other unan- significantly more alumni and most formative professional years support from a ticipated needs. The response was friends, tell our story more broadly, at two top private research uni- variety of investors, including alumni, overwhelming and our students and secure far more resources for versities, Washington University government and are very appreciative. Fundraising the university. The first step in this in St. Louis and the University of corporate partners, for some other initiatives did plan was our divisional rebranding Rochester. I learned much about and research foun- slow down, but conversations to University Advancement, which higher education, advancement, dations and agen- continued. It takes a lot to stop better reflects the breadth of our and the power of philanthropy. That cies. The campaign, philanthropy; sometimes timelines work to advance the mission of prepared me well for my first vice titled Transforming are disrupted, which is what we’re RIT. We’ll be executing the rest of presidency at a liberal arts college, RIT: The Campaign for Greatness, has seeing today, but the intent and the plan in 2021, including making St. John Fisher College. It was there raised $740 million desire to give remains. several key, strategic hires. that I learned the complexities that to date. Nationally, we’re seeing some We’re also launching a new come with being a chief advance- Here are Castle- shift in where people are giving. leadership annual giving program, ment officer, but perhaps more im- berry’s thoughts on As you might expect, health care Sentinel Society. Members will portantly, I discovered how much I philanthropy and and community agencies like be able to support one of 18 different missed the research university set- engagement at RIT. food banks are seeing increases areas on campus with a five-year ting. As I reflect on the last 15 years in giving. The long-term effect of pledge of $1,000 or more annually. of my career, those three experiences the pandemic on giving nationally Together, these donors will play a prepared me for this role in a way remains to be seen, but data shows pivotal role in providing unrestrict- that I never would have imagined that charitable giving has histori- ed gifts to financial aid scholar- when my career began over 20 years cally rebounded quickly following ships and RIT’s other most pressing ago. This is an exciting new chapter economic downturns. needs. I’m excited about the collec- for me at RIT.

39 Periodicals www.rit.edu

Experience the Future At RIT, we’re always on to something—even during a pandemic. Imagine RIT: Creativity and Innovation Festival is the university’s signature event that showcases the spirit and ingenuity of RIT students, faculty, and staff. A Free Festival For Everyone

Day of Discovery Explore Updates and more Saturday, May 1. Upwards of Visit www.rit.edu/imagine An in-person 400 interactive for the latest news and festival is being exhibits, research information related to planned, but will projects, hands-on the festival during the pivot to an online demonstrations, coronavirus pandemic. virtual experience, and performing if necessary. arts.

What will we think of next?