The University Magazine Fall 2007
RIT in Croatia
Clinton speaks Baja blast New president More than Thrills, spills at Bill Destler shares 13,000 hear international his vision for former president competition RIT’s future A word from the new president Imagine what RIT can be I am so pleased (and complimented!) to be graduate and undergraduate students, writing this as RIT’s new president and to and facilities available to companies to begin a conversation about how we might, carry out short- and medium-term corpo- working together, take RIT to the next rate research and development projects at level. This wonderful institution, born of a low cost and without the usual intellectual RIT: The University Magazine merger between the Rochester Athenaeum, property fights that usually derail such where local businessmen gathered to efforts. Imagine a “Corporate R&D at RIT” Executive Editors improve themselves through educational program in which hundreds of companies Deborah M. Stendardi Government and Community Relations programming, and the Mechanics Insti- discover that they can once again afford to Bob Finnerty ’07, University News Services tute, again initiated by local businessmen do new product to train workers for local industries, has research and de- Editor Kathy Lindsley, University News Services evolved under the leadership of President velopment, while Simone and his predecessors into one of the identifying future Contributing Editors Lisa Cauda, Development and Alumni Relations nation’s best and most unique universities. employees at the Craig Smith, Development For it is not just the career-orienta- same time. Lydia Palmer, Development tion of RIT that makes the university so Imagine, Kelly Redder, Alumni Relations Alumni Relations Staff unusual. It is the extraordinary focus of if you will, a its academic programs around science “Category of Art Director and technology, business, and design and One” university Colleen McGuinness-Clarke ’87 University Publications the arts, combined with the outstanding in which complex programs of NTID, that lead me to believe problems such as Photographer that RIT can be moved to a position of global warming A. Sue Weisler ’93, University News Services even greater prominence in international are not attacked Writers: University News Services higher education. These focus areas, by individuals Kelly Downs working together, can be leveraged as few working in disci- Bill Destler, Susan M. Gawlowicz ’95 John Follaco others can, to the benefit of RIT and the plinary silos, but RIT’s ninth president Kathy Lindsley nation. rather by teams Marcia Morphy So, with your indulgence, let’s dream of students and faculty from all disciplines Michael Saffran Paul Stella ’03 a little about what we can accomplish who, from the outset, benefit from the together: ideas and contributions of those from very Print Production Imagine, if you will, a “Category of different perspectives. Imagine RIT being Brenda Monahan, University Publications One” university that not only educates its the home of the first “Team Ph. D.” pro- University News Services students for productive careers, but also gram. Imagine how exciting that would be 132 Lomb Memorial Drive reinforces America’s greatest competitive and how much fun it would be to shake up Rochester, NY 14623-5608 Voice: 585-475-5064, TTY: 585-475-5414 advantage by requiring creativity, inven- the world of higher education with these Fax: 585-475-5097, E-mail: [email protected] tion and innovation of every student ideas and others. before graduation. Imagine a university Imagine how much fun we can have Office of Alumni Relations Crossroads, 41 Lomb Memorial Drive that teaches scientists and engineers how working together to make RIT the univer- Rochester, NY 14623-5603 artists envision and create new works. sity that captures the new high ground in Voice: 585-475-ALUM, Toll Free: 866-RIT-ALUM Imagine a university that uses diversity as higher education. TTY: 585-475-2764, Fax: 585-475-5308 E-mail: [email protected] a creative engine in this process and where Rebecca and I are so grateful to all the barriers between the hearing and the of you for giving us the opportunity to Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, deaf dissolve in the face of this innovative think big about what we can accomplish New York, publishes The University Magazine. RIT will admit and hire men and women; veter- energy. Imagine an innovation festival together. We are honored to have been ans; people with disabilities; individuals of any each year at RIT at which these efforts, invited to join the RIT community. race, creed, religion, color, national or ethnic thousands of them, would be showcased. origin, sexual orientation, age or marital status in compliance with all appropriate legislation. Imagine a Rochester Institute of Tech- Cordially, nology in which RIT stands for Required InnovaTion. Vol.9, No.2, 120.5M-P0357-8/07-LAN-CMcGC Printer: The Lane Press; Burlington, Vermont Imagine, if you will, a “Category of © 2007 Rochester Institute of Technology One” university with close ties to the All rights reserved corporate sector (sound familiar?) that Bill Destler decides to make its faculty and staff, President The University Magazine Fall 2007
Features 6 ‘Green’ light Engineering students design wind-powered illumination 8 Unforgettable Readers remember favorite faculty and staff members 10 First impressions An interview with RIT’s new president, Bill Destler 12 Moving forward together RIT and Toyota are building an important partnership 15 RIT in Croatia A college launched in war-ravaged Dubrovnik has flourished 28 100,000 strong The size of RIT’s alumni body reaches a milestone 42 From RIT to Mt. Fuji College of Liberal Arts grads are teaching in Japan
26 Departments 2 On Campus 12 RIT Works! 44 Alumni Activities 44 Class Notes 56 From the Archives
“Murphy’s Law,” a photo by Ken Murphy ’86, from his book, My South Coast Home. 19 Cover In 1997, RIT opened a college in Croatia to help the nation rebuild its tourism industry. Today, Dubrovnik and other areas are popular destinations for world travelers. (Photo by Staffan Larrson)
Right: The entry from Centro Universitario Da FEI takes to the air at the 2007 Baja SAE Rochester World Challenge hosted by RIT. The Brazilian team went on to win. (Photo by A. Sue Weisler ’93) On Campus
2007 Commencement marked many milestones Huge crowd hears President Clinton, bids farewell to President Simone
RIT welcomed former U.S. President Bill tion to others will determine Clinton as Academic Convocation keynote how you use what you know speaker on May 25. The 42nd U.S. president and what you do as citizens. I told graduates, “What you do matters. . . . pray that you make everything How you think matters,” in urging mem- you can out of that one-tenth bers of the Class of 2007 to embrace their of 1 percent of your genetic similarities and use their uniqueness and makeup that makes you a privilege for the public good in an insecure, unique, God-given marvel. But unstable world. I pray also that you will walk “You are only a free person when you away from so much of today’s recognize that every moment of every day, madness by remembering the no matter what happens to you, no matter other 99.9 percent and never what is said to you, no matter what is done get to the point where you do RIT President Albert Simone, left, with former U.S. President to you or your crowd, you still are free to not see all the others.” Bill Clinton at RIT’s Academic Convocation on May 25. Clinton decide how to respond,” Clinton said to Audience members listened delivered the keynote address and received an honorary doctor of applause from the audience of more than to the former president on a humane letters degree during the ceremony. 13,000. The event took place outdoors to May morning that reached 88 accommodate the large crowd. degrees, a record high tempera- “I hope more than anything else for ture for the date. your freedom – for your freedom with your RIT marked two milestones during its family and friends, your freedom at work, 122nd Commencement: the population W Web extras: your freedom in your community, and your of living alumni surpassed 100,000 (see Watch video coverage of Academic Convocation at freedom as a citizen of the world – free to page 28), and RIT President Albert Simone www.rit.edu/convocation.html. recognize the fundamental truth of the presided over his final RIT commencement. For an audio podcast of Clinton’s speech see modern world that what we have in com- Clinton’s visit was due to his friendship “Latest Podcasts” at www.rit.edu/news. mon is more important than our interesting with Paychex Inc. founder and chairman B. View a photo gallery of convocation and com- differences. Thomas Golisano, an RIT trustee. mencement at www.rit.edu/news. “How you think about your life in rela- Mike Saffran Simone addresses Gallaudet Class of 2007 RIT President Albert Simone was keynote served from 1996 to 2004 as CEO of RIT’s speaker for the 138th Commencement National Technical Institute for the Deaf Exercises at Gallaudet University in Wash- and vice president of RIT. He is an alumnus ington, D.C., on May 11. Simone delivered of Gallaudet and worked there as a faculty his remarks to the Bison Class of 2007 in member and administrator from 1972 American Sign Language. to 1989. Simone also received an honorary doc- Gallaudet University, the world’s only torate degree. Robert Davila, Gallaudet’s university in which all programs and president, called the award “fitting recog- services are designed to accommodate deaf nition to Simone’s many contributions as and hard of hearing students, was founded an educator, business and civic leader and in 1864. RIT President Albert Simone receives an academic adviser, and humanitarian.” Kathy Lindsley hood from Gallaudet Trustees Benjamin Soukup Davila, who took office in January 2007, and Cheryl Heppner. (Photo courtesy Gallaudet Office of Outreach and Programs and Publications)
| FALL 2007 A night to remember
More than 900 people paid tribute to retir- ing President Albert Simone (left) and Carolie Simone at a gala at the Gordon Field House June 16. Among the many noted guests were RIT’s new president, Bill Destler (center) and his wife, Rebecca Johnson (right), who received a hug from Carolie Simone. RITchie the RIT tiger mascot escorted the Simones into the Field House. (Photo by Ken Huth ’88)
Students revive RIT’s yearbook RIT publishing initiative enters new era with new format, new name RIT’s new Alexander S. Lawson Carve out space on your bookshelves: For Publishing Center will serve as the first time since 1993, RIT once again home for RIT’s Cary Graphic Arts has a yearbook. Press as well as a new imprint, RIT Timeline is hoping to pick up where RIT Press. its predecessor Named in honor of RIT’s Techmilla left first Cary Professor, the Lawson off – but in an Publishing Center is a major step entirely different in establishing a university-wide way. There will be press at RIT. The Cary Graphic no portraits and Arts Press has been spearheading senior quotes. publishing projects with increas- Instead, editors ing regularity since its first com- intend it as a mercial release in 2001. It timeline recap- has published 40 books to date. ping the year in “We expect to use the new RIT Noted typeface designer Hermann Zapf, left, and calligrapher Julian Brick City. Press imprint in the future on all Waters examine original artwork for Zapf’s 1949 book, Feder und “When you titles that are non-graphic arts re- Stichel (Pen and Graver), recently donated to RIT by Zapf and his open it up, it’ll lated,” says David Pankow, curator wife, Gudrun Zapf von Hesse. start with day one of the Cary Library and director and it will end of the press. and Lawson’s successor at RIT, traveled with graduation,” “This additional imprint allows us to from Germany to attend the opening. Zapf RIT Timeline staffers says Kristina Leh, legitimately describe ourselves as RIT’s taught in RIT’s School of Printing from from top: Kristin Mc- founding editor, university press without appearing to favor 1977 to 1987. Zapf, along with award- George, Petr Nestratov, who began work any particular discipline. We are very ex- winning calligrapher and graphic designer Kristin Brown, Tom on the project cited we have reached the point where we Jerry Kelly, prepared the typography for the Pelillo, Abdul Matsah, last summer. The can broadly advertise our presence to the center’s glass wall, inscribed with famous Daniel Martin and book originated at academic community,” he says. quotations about reading, publishing and Kristina Leh. the urging of RIT “The press follows customary university typography. Valerie O’Hara ’76 (art and de- President Albert press standards and every manuscript is sign), owner of Pike Stained Glass Studios Simone and Student Government leaders. peer reviewed and then, after being ac- in Rochester, handled the glass fabrication. The book is printed on demand and two cepted for publication, each new title is The first publication with the RIT Press editions are available. The first edition is produced to the highest possible design and imprint will be a revised and enlarged edi- for returning students. The second edition production standards,” Pankow says. tion of the history of RIT written by Dane is for graduating students and features The renovated space on the second floor Gordon, professor emeritus of philosophy. commencement. of Wallace Library features an exhibi- Rochester Institute of Technology: Industrial RIT Timeline will cost $25 and can be tion gallery, a sales area, office space and Development and Educational Innovation in an purchased at www.rittimeline.com. expanded production offices. American City, 1829-2006 will be pub- John Follaco Hermann Zapf, a noted typeface designer lished this year. Kelly Downs
FALL 2007 | RIT students launch social networking Web Site for all ages
Move over MySpace and Facebook: There Both felt it was important that is a new player in the social networking the site not just be for those over game. This one, however, isn’t designed for 30. They decided to encourage teenyboppers and college students. RIT stu- young people to nominate people dents Josh Olin and Ian Paterson launched in their lives who serve as a “time mytimehero.com, a social networking Web hero,” someone who has gained a site designed for people over age 30. lot of experience, and has shared Its popularity has exceeded the expecta- those lessons with others. tions of both students. “We wanted to offer the ability “We have surpassed all of our bench- for young people to make a simple marks so far,” says Olin, a software engi- gesture that recognizes those he- neering major from Fairport, N.Y. “We’re ros,” says Olin. really excited to see where this can go.” Nominations can be sent via The concept emerged over a lunch Olin e-mail or in person. Each nomina- shared with his father, Greg. They were tion comes with a certificate and discussing a Wall Street Journal article quot- a referral to the Web site, where Josh Olin, left, and Ian Paterson created a Web site designed ing someone who felt uncomfortable, at his the nominee can create their own to enhance the social networking experience for users, age, creating a MySpace account. Greg Olin profile, post photos, share their including those over age 30. asked his son if any such sites existed for interests, blog about their experi- people over the age of 30. ences and search the profiles of Olin didn’t know of any and decided to others. something, we can always go and ask one do some research. While he did find a few The site was launched, literally, out of of the other members.” sites, Olin felt they were underdeveloped. the founders’ room in Computer Science After a year, the two hope to have more At his father’s urging, he began to pursue House in one of the RIT residence halls. than one million users registered. the concept. Last summer, he pitched the “Living in Computer Science House has “We just want to see how far this can concept to Paterson, his roommate. been huge,” Olin says. “We can be work- go,” Olin says. “I wanted to learn entre- “I was excited,” says Paterson, a com- ing on things late at night and if a problem preneurship, and I think we’re off to a real puter science major from Chardon, Ohio. arises, we can talk about it and draw on the good start.” “I had been waiting for a project that could white board. Plus, there are a lot of smart John Follaco really get my career going.” people around. If we’re not sure how to do Jeffrey Harris, national security expert, joins RIT Board of Trustees
Jeffrey Harris ’75 (photo science and retary of defense and the director of central Service, the U.S. Geo Spatial Foundation instrumentation) of Arnold, Md., vice intelligence. Lifetime Achievement Award and the James president and managing director of situ- Harris has received numerous awards, V. Hartinger Award for military space ational awareness most notably the National Intelligence achievement. In 2002, Harris was honored at Lockheed Martin Distinguished Service Medal, the CIA Dis- as a distinguished RIT alumnus, represent- Corp., was elected tinguished Service Medal, the National Re- ing the College of Science. to RIT’s Board of connaissance Office Medal for Distinguished Bob Finnerty ’07 Trustees in April. For more than RIT will establish statewide pollution prevention initiative 30 years, Harris has held positions of RIT’s Center for Integrated Manufactur- significant economic benefits through increasing respon- ing Studies has received a $550,000 grant increased efficiency and reduced disposal Jeffrey Harris ’75 sibility in which from Empire State Development to establish and clean up costs,” says Assistant Provost he has fostered a pilot program in pollution prevention. for Academic Affairs and CIMS Director new technologies and programs that have Programs to be offered to companies Nabil Nasr. “In fact, many companies we contributed to national security. Prior to through this initiative will include on-site have worked with have seen a 100 percent his current position, he served as president technical assistance, research and develop- return on investment in less than a year.” of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space ment and education. These capabilities will Empire State Development will use the and president of Lockheed Martin Special help reduce or eliminate air and solid waste results of the pilot program to strengthen Programs. and hazardous materials. its pollution prevention efforts and identify Harris also served in senior national “Pollution prevention efforts seek to help practices for use by a wider array of compa- leadership positions, including assistant companies learn how to be more environ- nies from throughout the state. secretary of the Air Force for Space and mentally responsible through training and Will Dube director of the National Reconnaissance technology transfer, while also educating For more information, contact the center at Office. He provided direct support to the sec- firms on how these efforts can provide [email protected].
| FALL 2007 Notebook
International linguistics event comes to RIT in September RIT will host a major linguistics conference Sept. 21-22 in collaboration with the Univer- sity of Tokyo and the University of Illinois at Jacqueline Hill, a second-year biochemistry major, Urbana-Champaign. left, and Ben Strohman, a fifth-year mechanical Hiroko Yamashita, associate professor of engineering technology major, maneuver the RIT Japanese and chair of the foreign language Human-Powered Vehicle. (Photo by D. Higginbo- department, won a National Science Founda- tham, NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center) tion grant for $17,915 to organize the Inter- national Conference on Processing Head-final Structures. Sky’s the limit for RIT’s College of Liberal Arts and the De- Associate Professor Hiroko RIT moonbuggy team partment of Foreign Languages, University Yamashita won a grant to orga- of Richmond and University of Rochester nize a linguistics conference. RIT’s Human-Powered Vehicle Team rolled are also supporting the conference. The talks to a first-place finish in the 14th annual are free and open to the public. However, registration is required for the Great Moonbuggy Race in April at the U.S. receptions. For information, visit www.rit.edu/~hfconf. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala. The six-member student team finished Lab founder receives prestigious imaging award in four minutes and 38 seconds to earn the James Reilly, founder and director of the Image Permanence top spot in the college division of the NASA- Institute, has received the HP Image Permanence Award from sponsored contest. The victory was RIT’s the Society for Imaging Science and Technology. first in eight trips to the competition. Reilly received a $10,000 award for raising awareness Twenty-two teams from the United about the effect of storage and usage conditions on perma- States, Puerto Rico and Canada built two- nence. Reilly serves as a consultant to many libraries, muse- passenger vehicles designed to withstand a ums and archives including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, half-mile simulated lunar-terrain course. the Library of Congress, the National Archives and Records For more about the contest, which was Administration, and the New York Public Library. He is also also sponsored by Northrop Grumman Corp., the co-director of the Advanced Residency Program in Photograph Con- visit http://moonbuggy.msfc.nasa.gov. servation at the George Eastman House.
In memoriam Dean named to oversee all graduate programs Andrew Moore, who served as the dean of the College of Louis Alexander Jr., RIT’s first full-time Liberal Arts for seven years, has been appointed to a new athletics director, died Nov. 28, 2006, at his deanship overseeing RIT’s graduate programs. home in Florida. He was 77. Mr. Alexander The business of running graduate programs will still remain served as director of athletics from 1959 to decentralized among RIT’s eight colleges, says Moore, who 1977 and retired from RIT in 1993, after a served as an associate dean in the Graduate School at Yale Uni- 38-year career that also included coaching versity from 1991 to 1999 before coming to RIT. “RIT is matur- basketball, baseball and working in alumni ing as a university at the graduate level and the new deanship relations for the athletics department. . . . will be an independent advocate for graduate students.” Don Bujnowski, professor emeritus, died RIT has about 2,400 graduate students in about 70 Jan. 8, 2007. Mr. Bujnowski was a profes- programs. sor in the textile program in the School for American Crafts from 1961 to 1995. . . . Vincent Ortolani, who taught in the Student wins national design award business studies department at NTID since Just a few weeks prior to graduation, Dan Bolinski ’07 (in- 1982, died April 13. . . . Ralph H. dustrial design, illustration), won the Industrial Designers Stearns, 83, of Pittsford, N.Y., died March Society of America National Student Merit Award, one of five 22, 2007, after a long illness. He served as awarded in the United States each year. associate professor of industrial engineer- Bolinski presented his portfolio of student work to more ing, vice president of the RIT Research Cor- than 350 professional designers and students at the society’s poration, and council member of the RIT annual Northeast District Conference in April at Rhode Island Athenaeum. He served in the U.S. Army School of Design. Bolinski’spresentation included work he’s during World War II, and went on to a long done for two big name brands, Xerox and Reebok. career in international business.
FALL 2007 | Engineering seniors install RIT’s first ‘green’ light
To most passersby, the wind-powered walkway light – the only one of its kind on campus – has gone largely unnoticed, guesses Jessie Gmeinder ’07 (mechanical engineering), chief engineer on the 10- person team of mechanical engineering and industrial-and-systems engineering majors that designed and installed the environmen- tally friendly illuminator this spring. The team’s multidisciplinary senior design project – one of seven in a new sus- tainable design and product development track – focused on exploring the capabilities and limitations of sustainable technologies on the RIT campus and determining their feasibility for widespread use. Gmeinder and Jeff Hoover ’07 (mechani- cal engineering), showed off the walkway light in April. As if on cue, a gusty wind kicked up, causing the carbon-fiber-com- posite-reinforced blades of an AIR-X wind turbine atop a lamppost to rotate into a blur. Jeff Hoover ’07, left, Jessie Gmeinder ’07 and Chris Chaput ’07 (all mechanical engineering) were part of a Pedestrians using a pathway adjacent 10-person team that designed a wind-turbine-powered walkway light as a multidisciplinary senior design to parking lot F probably notice the large project. The light, turbine and control box were permanently installed near F Lot and Cross Campus Drive. control box mounted near the bottom of The team also investigated the feasibility of a geothermal heating and cooling system. the post more than the whir of the 46-inch diameter rotors mounted 17 feet above their heads. Behind the padlocked door of the Corporate Engineering Technologies Lab of walkway light is a reality. Will more wind control box are an ammeter, analog and Procter & Gamble Co. in Cincinnati in June, turbines be sprouting on campus lamp- digital voltmeters and two 12-volt deep-cy- the senior project was the culmination posts? After completing a 30-year life- cle batteries that are connected in parallel, of a busy and productive time at RIT. The cycle analysis, the verdict is in: Due to the both accepting power generated by the wind St. Paul, Minn., native served as president high cost of fixtures and batteries, it’s still turbine and supplying power to the 20-watt of the student section of the Society of cheaper to buy electricity. light-emitting diode (LED) lamp. Women Engineers and chair of the RIT But the conclusion doesn’t necessar- “The turbine talks to the batteries and student section of American Society of Me- ily mean that wind-powered lights aren’t the batteries talk to the light,” Gmeinder chanical Engineers. As a tour guide for the in our future. Gmeinder says that a single explains. Department of Mechanical Engineering, turbine and proper battery setup could The 13-pound, 400-watt-output wind she also served as an enthusiastic ambas- possibly power multiple street or walkway turbine – made of aircraft-quality alumi- sador for RIT. lamps, and mass production would lower num alloy castings – can generate power “I love RIT – I think it’s a great school,” the cost per unit – making this a “green” from as little as a breeze of seven miles per she says, noting the opportunities to idea that’s ripe for future development. hour or from wind gusts of up to 30 mph. explore varied technologies, the personal Also on the team were: At speeds higher than 30, an electric brake attention she received from her professors, Scott Rishell ’07 (mechanical engi- stops the blades to prevent overcharging the and RIT’s co-op program, facilities and neering), Chris Chaput ’07 (mechanical battery and over-revving that could damage dedicated faculty members. engineering), Bob Snow ’07 (mechanical the blades and bearings, and to keep electri- Besides the wind-powered light, the team engineering), Lu Xu ’07 (industrial and sys- cal components safe from a current spike. explored the feasibility of another sustain- tems engineering), Eric Wong ’07 (industri- A photocell – a device that detects light able technology: a heating and cooling al and systems engineering), Sam Eng ’07 – turns on the light after dark. system for Riverknoll Apartments utilizing (mechanical engineering) and Wojiciech None of it would be possible without a geothermal heat pumps and Genesee River Mysliwiec ’07 (mechanical engineering). sturdy lamppost and concrete base – both water. Mike Saffran provided by RIT Facilities Management “This system will cost more initially but Services, which assumed guardianship of the yearly electricity costs will be signifi- the light after students graduated in May. cantly less compared with conventional air Additionally, James Watters, RIT senior vice conditioning,” predicts Kevin Costantini W Web extra: president for finance and administration, ’07 (industrial and systems engineering). To read an interview with Jessie Gmeinder ’07, go approved project funding of $3,500. While that part of the project is on the to the online version of the magazine at www.rit. For Gmeinder, who began a job in the drawing board, the wind turbine-powered edu/magazine.
| FALL 2007 Tiger Sports
New feature is not just for sports fans Welcome to the “Tiger Sports” page! We hope you enjoy this new feature that gives readers a chance to catch up on the latest RIT Athletics news as well as get to know one of the more than 500 student- athletes at RIT. Anna Kolnik is our first profile. Kolnik is a senior on the women’s soccer team and has been a starter since her freshman year. Last season she was named a co-captain and led RIT with three goals. She helped RIT to a second-place finish in the Empire 8 and a berth in the conference tournament. A market- ing major and the president of RIT’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee, Kolnik helped organize the Student Athlete Formal, which helped raise money for the Live Strong Foundation and Kids Night Out.
Anna Kolnik, women’s soccer
Favorite sports moment What do you hope to at RIT: When former team- accomplish in the up- mate Jen Rynda, the only coming season: Win the freshman starter, scored her Empire 8 to earn an NCAA Booster shots Hometown: Sharon, Wis. first collegiate goal bid. I want to score 10-plus High School: Big Foot Favorite event at RIT goals and start every game. More than 500 students participate High School (non-sporting): RIT Ath- In 10 years, I will be: in 24 sports through RIT’s intercol- Major: Marketing lete Formal and Brick City Hopefully working for the legiate athletics program. A member Minors: Communications Homecoming NCAA in their champion- of the National Collegiate Athletic and accounting Opponent I like to beat ship games sponsorship Association, Empire 8, Eastern Col- Favorite class: the most: Nazareth College and marketing ares and will lege Athletic Association, New York Professional Selling have started a family. State Women’s Collegiate Athletic and Buyer Behavior Person(s) I most admire: Association and Atlantic Hockey Favorite professor: My grandfather Ray Kolnik Association, RIT has consistently Phil Tyler ’65 (busi- Why: He has worked hard competed for conference, regional ness), associate pro- all his life. He raised five and national honors. fessor of marketing, kids, he has 22 grandchil- In addition, numerous teams have E. Philip Saunders dren and 13 great-grand- participated in national champi- College of Business children. He is an amazing, onships, including men’s hockey, Favorite hang- determined, funny, fun-lov- soccer, lacrosse, cross country, out on campus: ing man. basketball, swimming, tennis, track, Training room and On my iPod wrestling, and women’s volleyball, Student Alumni I have: Lots of country track and swimming. RIT boasts Union music, Disney and songs more than 250 All-Americans, in- Favorite place to my high school friends cluding seven national champions. go in Rochester: recorded. The RIT Athletic Association has Comix Café Four people living or played a key role in their success by dead you’d invite for helping support the special needs of dinner: My Grandfather the athletic programs. To learn more W Web extra: McMasters, Walter Payton, about participating in the RITAA, Mia Hamm, John F. Kennedy visit www.rit.edu/athletic_associa- RIT athletes enjoyed a tremendous spring season. Favorite Place at RIT to tion or call 585-475-2131. For highlights and to find out about the upcoming eat: I love the croissant fall season, visit the Web site at www.ritathletics.com. sandwiches at the Student Alumni Union.
FALL 2007 | Unforgettable Staff and faculty encountered at RIT have left indelible marks on former students.
In the past several issues of the magazine, we asked the question “Who do you love?” Following are some of the responses; we’ll share others in future issues. If you would like to tell us about a favorite RIT faculty or staff member, send e-mail to [email protected], or write to Kathy Lindsley, Rochester Institute of Technology, University News Services, 132 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, NY 14623. Did you remember someone at RIT who had an important impact on you? We’d love to hear your recollections for an article about people who make a difference. Please write to Kathy Lindsley, University News Services, 132 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, NY 14623, or send e-mail to [email protected].
Charles Koster Michael Peres I have been very fortunate to have had As a transfer student, I had a several people who have been a positive lot of classes and interaction influence in ym life. Charles Koster is one with Michael Peres, chair of who stands out at the top of that list. the biomedical photographic Koster, an adjunct professor, taught communications department. classes in the MBA, the Executive MBA, I well recall Mr. Peres opening and the advanced management program up his home for the students and several engineering master’s degree during the first weeks of class programs. and making me feel welcome. Chuck, as I know him, has a way of grab- Always sporting a smile and a bing your attention in the classroom as well kind word, Mr. Peres made my as outside of RIT. His unique style of pre- landing at RIT a very smooth Michael Peres Ralph L. Van Peursem senting the body of knowledge makes the one. student long for more. Chuck has a wealth Mr. Peres was very acces- of life learning that he shares, which brings sible, both as a professor and mentor. He a B-24 base in Harlingen, Texas. a sense of realism to what one reads in the struck a good balance between sharing his When I returned in June of 1946 from textbook. These nuggets of wisdom, mixed expertise and encouraging us to make our flying that bomber all over the Pacific and with Chuck’s humor, have had a direct, own serendipitous “mistakes” – of which I some other duties, it was just in time for our positive influence on decisions I have made made plenty. I’d like to thank Mr. Peres for second anniversary. I re-enrolled in RIT and in the workplace as well as life in general. being a part of my education at RIT and for went full-time to get my diploma with the Chuck, and his wife, Elizabeth, have being a visionary when it comes to crafting class of 1947. opened their home on Canandaigua Lake the curriculum to meet the technologies of Fran kids me with, “You kept dating me to my fellow classmates and me on several the future head on. since I was such a cheap date.” Sunday occasions. Chuck took the time to get to Kevin Porter ’98 (biomedical photography) afternoons, a movie was 25 cents each, a know us as people. Chuck would meet Raleigh, N.C. hot fudge sundae, 35 cents each, so you can with us outside of the classroom to help us see what she meant. be successful – even if it meant missing a Ralph L. Van Peursem, After graduation, I went back to the job Syracuse basketball game on TV. For that I Mary Gillard, Walter Swanton I had as a co-op, in the industrial lab at am ever grateful. Eastman Kodak Co. But I kept up a con- Mr. Koster: Thanks for being a great pro- I enrolled in RAMI (Rochester Athenaeum versation with Ralph L. Van Peursem, the fessor, and an even greater friend. and Mechanics Institute, which was head of the chemistry department at RIT. Brian A. Simpson ’03 renamed RIT in 1944) in September 1941 He made it possible for me to enroll at Iowa (manufacturing management and leadership) and got part way through my junior year State in chemical engineering beginning in Rochester before enlisting in the Army Air Corps September 1948. in December 1942. I was already “going Dr. Van Peursem was one of my favorite steady” with a girl from my high school instructors. Dr. Van was loved by everyone class, and we were married in July 1944 on in our department. I graduated from ISU
| FALL 2007 Charles and Joan Welch
Harry Droste RIT President Mark Ellingson and Professor Mary Gillard with a B.S. in chemical engineering in July Charles Welch as well) turned into a much longer relation- 1950 and returned to Rochester to start my I absolutely loved my four years at RIT. The ship. We will happily celebrate our 35th career at Mixing Equipment Co., which led class work was demanding and the profes- wedding anniversary in September, have to many wonderful changes in my career, sors (for the most part) equally demanding. had two wonderful, successful children, eventually taking us to Oregon in 1974, My memory has possibly clouded a bit over and are now grandparents, all because of where I am still doing active private con- these more than 35 years (Yikes! Is that Charlie Welch. sulting in my field since retiring in 1988. possible? I thought I was just at the Varsity We have kept in touch with Charlie (and Mary Gillard was a much-loved teacher Inn the other night!), but in addition to the his wife, Joan, who died of cancer in the in chemistry my first two years at RAMI, great general studies profs and my teachers mid ’70s). Mike and I babysat for their four no fooling around but she did have a nice in photo illustration, there were the very children many years ago. We attended his sense of humor and we enjoyed all of those special people involved in our extracurricu- wedding to Mary in 1979, and a special classes. Walter Swanton was another lar life on campus. surprise birthday party for Charlie a few instructor teaching math, a real down-to- I felt then and feel even more strongly years ago. We see Charlie and Mary about earth teacher and fun to be with. now that I learned just as much at RIT once a year and the conversation always Now we have celebrated our 62nd wed- outside of the classroom by being involved comes back to our very special days at RIT. ding anniversary and are certainly plan- with Student Government, being an RA in So, you see, I simply had to sit down and ning a big party for our 65th in 2009. Read- Kate Gleason Hall and all the committees write and share my story. In a nutshell: ing the magazine and our old yearbooks has I participated in. The second floor of the Charlie Welch had no idea the impact he sure dampened my eyes a few times. Thank College Union was so lively – full of student- made on me. He was just being Charlie you for the memories. staff interaction, be it with Father Jerry Ap- – good, kind, gentle, caring – a simply D. Carl Yackel ’47 (chemistry) pelby in Campus Ministry or VP of Student wonderful man and excellent administra- Oswego, Oregon Affairs Jim Campbell or Director of Student tor. And as it turns out, just as good as a Activities Steve Walls. matchmaker! Harry Droste I worked most closely with Dean of Kathleen McGarry Piehler ’71 (photo illustration) Harry Droste was most certainly a professor Students Charles Welch. As I look back on Fairport, N.Y. who inspired me. Math was never my strong those endless student committee meetings, suit, but because of Mr. Droste’s teaching that man was a saint, enduring hours of methods and guidance, I scored As. discussion over the procedures that could After graduation, Mr. Droste kept tabs on be implemented to avoid the scrambled us, always informing us of job opportuni- eggs turning green at breakfast. But the ties, which led me to a retail buying posi- most important reason I shall never forget tion at Hahne & Co. in Newark, N.J. Charlie Welch is that in the fall of 1970 he After I was married, moved to Cleveland introduced me to his new assistant – a tall, and was working for Bonwit Teller, much to handsome young man named Mike Piehler. my surprise Mr. Droste arrived at the store In those days, there were not the rules one day – still checking up on us as alumni. about students dating teachers or staff, What a guy! so what I thought was just a great way to Anne McElhaney Stanton ’50 (retailing) spend my senior year (attending not only Euless, Texas student parties and activities with a great guy, but also attending a few staff functions Mike and Kathleen McGarry Piehler ’71
FALL 2007 |
First RIT’s ninth president, Bill Destler RIT’s new president shares his thoughts and plans
Bill Destler officially began his new duties July 2. He talked about this new chapter in his life – and in the history of RIT – in an interview with The University Magazine.
What attracted you to RIT? RIT adopted a strategic plan in 2005 that them excited about what RIT has become I was initially attracted to RIT by the serves as a roadmap through 2015. What under Dr. Simone’s leadership and what extraordinary range of academic and do you find most interesting and excit- the future might hold for the university if research programs underway at the ing in the strategic plan? we are willing to set our sights high. Every university – programs that include the tra- The over-arching theme of the 2005 strate- great university is supported by a loyal and ditional engineering, science and technol- gic plan, that RIT aims to become a “Cate- involved alumni base, and getting more of ogy programs expected at any “institute of gory of One” university rather than seeking our alumni and friends involved with the technology,” but which at RIT are comple- to emulate other institutions, is particularly institution in a meaningful way will be one mented by strong programs in business, in exciting to me. It is an indication that RIT is of my highest priorities. the humanities and social sciences, and in “comfortable in its own clothes,” and maps the creative and design arts. This unique out, at least in my opinion, the most viable You have started conversations on combination of programs, together with road to national eminence. campus related to creativity and innova- the very special diversity brought to RIT tion. What do you hope to accomplish in by the National Technical Institute for the What do you see as your top three pri- these areas? Deaf, seem to me to make RIT a national orities in the 2007-2008 academic year? RIT’s unusual mix of programs in technol- treasure. Recently, I have also been enor- First, to do no harm. I will need to immerse ogy, business and the creative and design mously impressed by the faculty and staff myself in the RIT community, learn as arts makes it uniquely qualified to become a that I have met at RIT. Their dedication, much as I can about the university and its national center for creativity and innova- warmth, and concern for their students are students, faculty, staff, alumni and other tion. If we are able to mix RIT’s strong surely one of RIT’s greatest assets. stakeholders, find out who the key con- emphasis on career-oriented education tributors are, and find out what I can do to with the expectation that RIT graduates In your 34-year career at the University help them. Second, to engage the RIT com- would all have experienced the excitement of Maryland, you climbed the ranks from munity in a discussion about how we might associated with innovative or creative work research associate to senior vice presi- make experience with innovative or creative or original research and scholarship, then dent for academic affairs and provost. work or original research and scholarship a we will have created an institution uniquely What key lessons have you learned that defining characteristic of an RIT education capable of supporting the future economic you will bring to RIT? for all undergraduate and graduate stu- growth of the Rochester region, of New One of the most important lessons I have dents. And finally, to engage as many of our York state and the nation. learned is to avoid confusing the importance alumni and friends as I can in an effort to of the position I hold with my own impor- move this extraordinary institution into the You have also brought up the notion of tance. I have learned that if I make deci- ranks of the nation’s very best universities. RIT serving business and industry with sions based on what I believe is in the best research and development. What is your interests of the university and its students, How do you plan to engage alumni in vision here? faculty, staff, alumni and other stakehold- the coming year? Corporate America has given up on all but ers, rather than my own personal interests, I am going to invest considerable time the shortest-term research and develop- then I can make a contribution. Academic and effort in the next year in getting out ment efforts because of the need to compete administrators often get into trouble when across the country (and the world!) to with lower-cost producers overseas. The they don’t follow that simple rule. meet with alumni and friends to try to get enormous research capabilities in our
10 | FALL 2007 On his first day as RIT president, Bill Destler is greeted by Student Government President Ed Wolf during a welcome event organized by SG. colleges and universities might provide a How do you see your role in terms of low-cost alternative to in-house R&D efforts working with the Rochester community? President Destler on tour for American companies were it not for I am looking forward to helping to strength- conflicts over intellectual property rights as- en the greater Rochester community by Bill Destler will be traveling to meet alumni sociated with industry-funded research and working with its leaders, as did Dr. Simone. and friends around the country. For locations the longer-time scales typically associated In this manner I can continue to learn how and times, visit www.rit.edu/alumniactivities. with university research programs. If RIT RIT can be an even greater contributor to Check the Regional Alumni Activities section is willing to be more flexible on the intel- Rochester and the prosperity of its citizens. (page 44) in this magazine for additional lectual property issue, its strong industry information. Plans are subject to change. ties, coupled to a faculty with considerable Tell us a little about your family and 2007 industrial experience and many industry- your interests outside of work. Aug. 24 Albany, N.Y. focused undergraduate and master’s degree My wife, Rebecca Johnson, holds a Ph.D. Aug. 25 Saratoga, N.Y. programs, can make the university an un- in psychology and she is looking forward Sept. 14 Boston, Mass. usually agile partner in corporate research enthusiastically to joining the RIT com- Oct. 5 Rochester and development programs. munity and finding ways in which she can Oct. 11 Washington, D.C. contribute. We have two sons: Walter, who Oct. 25 Philadelphia, Pa. What are the unique contributions that is a senior at the University of Maryland Oct. 27 Rochester RIT can make to the region, the nation studying computer science and theater, Nov. 1 New York City and the world? and Nathan, who has just completed high Nov. 28 San Francisco, Calif. RIT can, and should, become the Rochester school and is planning to enter college Nov. 29 San Jose, Calif. area’s greatest economic asset both as a next year. I am an avid collector of antique source of highly trained workers for the American banjos and I have lately taken an 2008 local economy and as a source of new ideas interest in alternative personal transporta- Jan. 9 Austin, Texas that result in the formation of new compa- tion options including hybrid and all-elec- Jan. 11 Dallas, Texas nies offering a variety of new products and tric vehicles. Jan. 12 Phoenix, Ariz. services. On the national and international Jan 24 Northern New Jersey scenes, RIT can become a model of how a Feb. 22 Southern Florida modern university can grow the next gen- Feb. 23 Central Florida eration of entrepreneurs and artists whose Mar. 12 Raleigh-Durham, N.C. creative energies will feed economic growth Mar. 13 Atlanta, Ga. and address the complex problems facing Mar. 27 Detroit, Mich. an increasingly global society. April 29 Chicago, Ill. April 30 Los Angeles, Calif. Bill Destler and his wife, Rebecca Johnson. May 1 San Diego, Calif. (Photo by Dave Ottalini)
FALL 2007 | 11 RIT Works!
Moving forward together
Students check out a Scion tC, one of several autos displayed on the Academic Quad during RIT’s first “Toyota Day.” Toyota turns to RIT grads and co-ops to fill the company’s increasing needs for skilled, motivated personnel
Toyota, now the leader in sales and most has hired grads from business, packaging this spring in recognition of the company’s profitable auto manufacturer worldwide, science and the computer disciplines as well $100,000 gift to establish the Toyota Pro- has become a driving force at RIT as well. as engineers. duction Systems Laboratory in the Depart- • The company recruits on campus two • The number of RIT students in co-op ment of Industrial and Systems Engineering. or three times a year, and has hired more positions at Toyota has increased from one • Toyota donated $50,000 in sponsor- than 50 graduates in the past four years. in the 2003-2004 academic year to more ship for the 2007 Baja SAE Rochester Many have gone into the company’s Engi- than 18 this year. World Challenge, an international student neer in Training (EiT) program, but Toyota • RIT celebrated Toyota Day on campus engineering design competition that took
12 | FALL 2007 place June 7-8 at RIT (see page 27). Toyota also gave $5,000 each to RIT’s Baja and Formula SAE teams. There’s logical reason for the strong con- nection: Toyota – which surpassed General Motors in total sales for the first quarter of this year – is growing worldwide and currently has 10 manufacturing plants in the U.S., two in Canada and one in Mexico, in addition to R&D facilities and sales and service networks. The company needs top- notch personnel. That works out well for RIT co-ops and graduates who are looking for promising employment opportunities. “There’s clearly an alliance of our strengths and their needs,” says Emanuel Contomanolis, associate vice president and director of Co-op and Career Services. RIT grads are especially attractive because of the university’s emphasis on hands-on, “experiential” learning, says Kimberly Demko, college relations rep- resentative, Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America. “We’re looking for more than educa- Todd Obbie ’05, right, and Bill Lucas ’06 with a Toyota Solara body side wall draw die. tion,” says Demko. “We’re looking for a job fit. The co-op experience is a very big plus.” “Employees – we call them team mem- gram “one of the best opportunities I Challenges and rewards bers – are constantly pushed to find a better have had.” Todd Obbie ’05 (manufacturing engineer- way of doing things,” says Obbie. “If you Upon entering the two-year EiT program ing technology) is proud to work for Toyota. want the kind of job where you sit back and in July 2006, he spent three months learn- “It’s a great company,” he says. are told what to do, you don’t want to work ing Toyota business and team development Obbie went to school part-time for 14 here.” procedures followed by a nine-month years to earn his degree and joined Toyota in 2005 after 18 years as a toolmaker and engineer with Acro Industries, Rochester. “On the employee badge it says, ‘Continuous The new job meant relocating his family to Ohio, but the opportunity to use his skills Improvement’ and ‘Respect for People’. Those and advance his career was exactly what he are the two pillars we live by.” had been looking for. Todd Obbie ‘05 “This is what I saw myself doing,” says Obbie, now assistant manager, Supplier Commodity Engineering, Toyota Motor En- In addition to his normal responsibilities, assignment at Toyota’s facility in Fremont, gineering & Manufacturing North America, Obbie participates in regularly scheduled Calif., where his work centered on problem- Erlanger, Ky. (near Cincinnati). group sessions aimed at sharing skills and solving. For example, he was given the task “The job is very challenging,” he says. information. Members research specific of developing a system to monitor waste His current responsibilities involve working assignments, then report what they’ve build-up in oil used to wash metal panels with companies that provide stamped metal learned. “It’s fun because it’s something before stamping. components for the 2007 Tundra truck different,” Obbie says, adding “You’re ex- “Projects like this bring what we learned frame – “high risk commodities” that are pected to improve yourself. at school into the real world,” says Ci- critical to the vehicle. “On the employee badge, it says ‘Con- urlizza, who recently began a year-long His job goes beyond making sure that tinuous Improvement’ and ‘Respect for assignment at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Toyota’s manufacturing facilities get what People,’ ” says Obbie. “Those are the two Canda in Cambridge, Ont., Canada. they need from the suppliers. He also helps pillars we live by.” “I am very happy working for a great the suppliers develop their processes so they company,” says Ciurlizza. “I hope the part- can be more successful – which, in turn, Opportunity knocks nership between Toyota and RIT only grows benefits Toyota. When two RIT friends who had joined stronger.” That relates to kaizen – a Japanese word Toyota in 2005 came back to recruit at a that translates to “continuous improve- career fair, Jorge Ciurlizza ’06 (mechanical Passion for excellence ment.” The concept is deeply rooted in engineering technology) decided to apply. A recruiter for Honda inadvertently helped Toyota culture, Obbie explains. He calls the Engineer in Training (EiT) pro- Cory Hoffman ’06 (mechanical engineer-
FALL 2007 | 13 Southeast Toyota Dis- tributors, a privately owned distributor for 38 years, franchises 169 dealerships in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and South Elton Pride ’84 Carolina. Southeast Toyota is a division of JM Family Enterprises. “It’s been very rewarding,” says Pride, who says that his graphic design back- ground provided the strong computer technology foundation that helped launch his diverse career. “The way I look at it is it’s about always being better – continual, in- cremental progress. I’m continually looking at what I do to see how I can improve. Even if we’re doing a great job, we can always improve. The Japanese word for it is kaizen.” On the grow Cory Hoffman ’06 with a Corolla in the “audit lab,” where new vehicles are periodically evaluated. Nancy Fein ’76 (applied mathematics) joined Toyota Motor Sales in 1982, when the company had only 1,500 employees in ing) get a job at Toyota. and Analysis of Production Systems, in the U.S. Today the company employs more “The funny story is I went to Honda the Industrial and Systems Engineering than 32,000 in its U.S. plants, sales and first,” says Hoffman. “At the career fair in department. Related to the creation of the marketing operations and research and the fall of 2005, I talked to a Honda engi- lab, Jacqueline Mozrall ’87 (industrial en- design facilities. neer, showed him my resume. He told me gineering), department head, and Andres “Toyota was he didn’t see anything that showed I had a Carrano, assistant a much smaller passion for cars.” professor, became the company when I Hoffman left the fair, went to the Stu- first faculty members started,” says Fein, dent Government office (he was then vice from any university vice president of president), re-wrote his resume and went to to receive training at Lexus Service, Parts, the Toyota booth. He entered the Engineer Toyota’s engineering Customer Satisfaction in Training program (with Ciurlizza and and manufacturing and Training, Toyota several other RIT grads) in July 2006. facility in Erlanger, Ky. Motor Sales, U.S.A. “I “We’re given a lot of independence,” “Toyota is recog- Nancy Fein ’76 saw opportunities but Hoffman says. “Really, what it comes down Jacqueline Mozrall ’87 nized as having the I certainly did not see to is can you think logically, can you work ‘model’ production myself as a vice president of a Fortune 500 in teams, and can you solve problems. The system that companies across the world company and the largest car manufacturer project management work I did at RIT has have tried to emulate,” says Mozrall. “To in the world.” helped tremendously.” be associated with Toyota in this way is an Fein, an RIT trustee, says she sees simi- During the first year as an EiT, Hoffman exciting opportunity for the Industrial and larities between RIT and Toyota. Both are spent nine months working in the San Systems Engineering faculty and students.” committed to continuous improvement, Francisco area doing testing and research core values and a strong work ethic. That’s on the Toyota Corolla. He’s now working in Selling points why RIT grads are a good fit for Toyota assembly engineering on Lexus models in Although the recent focus of the burgeon- – and vice versa. Cambridge, Ont., Canada. ing relationship between RIT and Toyota “We’re looking for the best talent,” says Hoffman had other job offers, but “noth- has been technology, over the years a num- Fein. “The people we’re hiring now will ing as exciting, or as diverse as this. I fig- ber of grads have enjoyed successful careers be the leaders 10, 15, 20 years from now. ured, where else will I get to do engineering in the sales and service side of the business. We want people who are challenged and with cars, see the country, and get paid?” Elton Pride ’84 (graphic design) joined engaged because they will make everything Southeast Toyota Distributors in 1989 as happen in the future.” Toyota on campus a computer technology specialist. Since Kathy Lindsley Starting this fall, RIT engineering students then, he’s worked as manager of planning will have the opportunity to learn about and communications, parts and service RIT Works! focuses on the contributions of RIT Toyota techniques in the new Toyota marketing manager, manager of e-com- graduates in the workplace. Production Systems Laboratory. The lab merce, manager of Scion development and, will support a required course, Design most recently, as retail training manager.
14 | FALL 2007 RIT in Croatia Launched a decade ago following a devastating war, RIT’s American College of Management and Technology has had a tremendous impact on its students and its host nation.
Ivan Bavcevic had planned to attend college his parents called with exciting news – an build following the devastating 1991-1995 in the United States. A native of Split, Croa- American college was opening in Du- civil war resulting from the disintegration tia, he had already brovnik, Croatia. The American College of of the former Yugoslavia, approached RIT been exposed to the Management and Technology (ACMT), a American education- branch of RIT, opened its doors in Septem- Above: This past spring, 12 students from the al system, graduating ber 1997. School of Photographic Arts and Sciences took from high school in Bavcevic was among the first students. a six-credit photography course documenting Davenport, Iowa, “The experience was amazing from the the culture, food and people of Croatia. Their as part of a student beginning,” says Bavcevic. “It was some- study-abroad experience included elective courses exchange program. thing totally different than what I was used offered through ACMT. (Photo by Staffan Larrson, He decided to to in education here.” director of the Lennart Nilsson Image Center Karo- Ivan Bavcevic ’99 return home after The Croatian government, looking to re- linkska Institute in Sweden)
FALL 2007 | 15 service management and several certificate programs to serve the local business com- munity. Dubrovnik is again thriving as a tourist destination with hundreds of thousands of people visiting the picturesque walled city along the Adriatic Sea each year. Close connections A member of ACMT’s first graduating class who comes back to visit often is Petra Starcevic. She and her husband Vlado Resnik, a 2004 graduate of ACMT, live in Croatia’s capital, Zagreb. “I loved my class because we were so connected. Everyone was new and came from all different places,” says Starcevic. “The professors and the students grew close. I don’t think at any time in my whole life I enjoyed myself more than my time at Don Hudspeth, dean and president of ACMT, is interviewed by local television reporters about the Big ACMT.” Shot photo project, The event drew news coverage from major media in Croatia. (Photo by Kelly Downs) Starcevic earned associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in hotel and resort man- agement. She ultimately wanted to work in about opening a school with an American model of education. “When two members of the Croatian “I loved my class because we were so connected. Ministry of Science, Education and Technol- ogy visited RIT in the mid ’90s, we assumed Everyone was new and came from all different places.” they would be most interested in our pro- grams in information technology, telecom- Petra Starcevic ’99, ’01 munications or engineering technology,” says Stanley McKenzie, RIT provost. “At the Croatia, but immediately after graduation end of their visit, to our surprise, we were in- recalls the shock and horror. moved to the United States. Her work in formed the quickest jump start to the Croa- “War was everywhere. In Split, my America ranged from a job in Walt Disney tian economy would be in tourism manage- family had to go to a shelter one night. In World guest relations to serving as a corpo- ment, since the Dalmatian Coast had been Dubrovnik everything was burned. People rate trainer for Carnival Cruise Lines. the prime vacation spot for south-central didn’t have places to live. When we saw the Her experience led her back to Croatia Europe before the war in the Balkans.” army coming into the streets and planes to work at the country’s biggest privately flying overhead, we couldn’t believe it was owned hotel company, Adriatic Luxury Up from the ashes happening. It was 1990s Europe.” Hotels. Originally hired as the training Dubrovnik came under attack in October Bavcevic’s mother, an accountant, left manager for the Dubrovnik Palace Hotel, 1991. Bavcevic, in junior high at the time, her job to join the war effort. which was under construction at the time, “Women were not recruited, but they Starcevic had to quickly transition into the needed people. She worked as a secretary role of human resources manager after for a general who was in charge in South someone unexpectedly quit. Croatia. Every day she went with him out to “I felt like I was working 24 hours a day the battlefield and would come back home because the Dubrovnik Palace Hotel was in the evening.” getting ready to open,” says Starcevic. “I The war ended in November 1995 with hired all of the hotel’s 265 employees in ad- the negotiation of the Dayton-Paris Agree- dition to handling the hotel’s legal matters, ment between Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia including putting together the employee and Herzegovina. handbook and managing contracts. It was RIT came on the scene just two years a very hectic time and the construction was later. not going as planned. When the employees Through RIT’s School of Hospitality and were done with their regular jobs, we would Service Management, ACMT initially offered head to the hotel construction site. Every- a two-year degree in hospitality and tourism one had a job. Mine was to install all of the management. It was an immediate success. lamps, from the ones in the hotel rooms, Vlado Resnick ’04 and Petra Starcevic ’99, ’01, who Today the college offers associate’s and even those in the bar and kitchen. The com- are married to each other, worked together for bachelor’s degrees in hospitality and service pany recognized my hard work and I was Carnival Cruise Lines. management, a master of science degree in promoted to human resources manager for
16 | FALL 2007 the entire hotel company. I’m really proud of that part of my career.” Big Shot in Dubrovnik Within the past year, Starcevic began working at the British Council in Zagreb. She is helping to implement the country’s new civil service reform program, which must be complete for Croatia to join the European Union. “The timeline for Croatia to join the EU is around 2011, which is perfect timing for our graduates because they are getting an education that provides them with knowl- edge about European Union guidelines and ways to manage business within these standards,” says Bill Myers ’98 (service management), ACMT hospitality and ser- vice management program chair. Going global Globalization is a primary focus of the ACMT curriculum. European method- ologies are incorporated into many of the courses, with classes offered in Global Stan- dards and International Human Resources. Students from every corner of the world More than 500 volunteers manned their positions along the historic city wall of Du- attend ACMT, including China, Korea, Aus- brovnik at Pile Gate on April 12, 2007, for an international incident of photographic tralia, Russia, Sweden, South Africa and the proportions. United States as well as Croatia. RIT photographers from the School of Photographic Arts and Sciences led the charge “About 60 to 65 percent of our student in the making of RIT’s 23rd Big Shot. Students, faculty, staff and alumni from RIT’s body is from Croatia. It’s a great representa- American College of Management and Technology converged at the entrance with their tion of a global society,” adds Myers. flashlights and camera flash units for the “painting with light” project. Families from Students also come from RIT’s Rochester Dubrovnik and even some tourists came out with their flashlights. campus. Since the inception of ACMT, more RIT and ACMT worked for more than a year with the City of Dubrovnik to hammer than 40 RIT students from the College of out all the logistics. During the making of the photograph, the city shut off all lights Applied Science and Technology, College of along the wall near Pile Gate as well as streetlights in the area. ACMT hired security Liberal Arts, and College of Imaging Arts guards to halt pedestrian traffic in and out of the Old Town through Pile Gate. and Sciences have studied for a quarter in “A lot of planning went into this,” says Don Hudspeth, dean and president of ACMT. Dubrovnik. “It turned out to be a fantastic event. There was a lot of energy with all the students This past spring, a dozen photography and we had a great turnout from the Dubrovnik community. With it being ACMT’s majors from the School of Photographic 10th anniversary, this photograph is a nice way of saying thank you to the city of Arts and Sciences took a six-credit photog- Dubrovnik for hosting us for the past decade. The college looks forward to being here for raphy course documenting the culture, food many more years.” and people of Croatia. Their study-abroad There were eight lighting teams varying in size from 10 to 200 volunteers, depend- experience was rounded out with elective ing on the area they were assigned to light. courses offered through ACMT. “I led a group of about 60 people and a translator to communicate with the Croa- “It’s nice to be able to get RIT credit, tian-speaking people,” says Kim Loeper ’07 (visual media photography), one of 12 and be part of the RIT community, but photography majors who spent the spring quarter studying at ACMT. “We got to hide be halfway around the world, completely out in trees and fire our flashes and paint a fairly large section of the wall. We had some out of my element, in a country where my kids in the group and we were singing and chanting. It was a lot of fun.” language is not the native language, in a Costumed guards and three couples wearing Renaissance period clothing were posed culture completely different,” says Arion on the bridge. Doerr, a fourth-year advertising photog- The final image highlights the models, the entrance’s stone bridge, the fortress wall, raphy major. “The people were warm, turrets, bell tower and the Croatian flag. The exposure was 90 seconds at F11. RIT and opened up to us. I made a lot of great faculty members Michael Peres, Bill DuBois and Dawn Tower DuBois reprised their roles friendships.” as coordinators for the Big Shot. Among the students’ professors are RIT “It was complicated, but awesome,” says Peres, chair of the biomedical photography faculty members who teach at ACMT on a communications department at RIT. “Everything came together. The weather cooper- revolving basis. Approximately one-third of ated. The costumes. The crowds. The unfurled flag. We certainly did something special the ACMT professors are from RIT. in Dubrovnik. The final photograph is a home run.” “All of our faculty are tremendously Kelly Downs dedicated,” says Myers. “With two-thirds of Please turn to the next page For more information about Big Shot including all previous images, visit www.rit.edu/bigshot.
FALL 2007 | 17 tion technology. It will be very similar to the RIT degree program and offer courses in such areas as networking, e-commerce and security.” ACMT is also looking at offering a pro- gram in environmental science. “We are in some ways running two institutes because we are a fully accredited Croatian institute in addition to being part of RIT,” says Hudspeth. “The support from the Croatian government has been wonder- ful all along.” During commencement ceremonies in June, the Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia presented presidential medals to RIT President Albert Simone and Provost Stanley McKenzie recognizing them for their courage in establishing ACMT shortly after the end of the war. “This is the highest honor I’ve ever received and it was a total surprise to me,” Dubrovnik’s rich culture and spectacular scenery have made it a popular tourist destination. RIT photo says McKenzie. “It’s been tremendously students who spent spring quarter at ACMT enjoyed the opportunity to capture images of the country gratifying and thrilling to experience the and its people. (Photo by Arion Doerr, fourth-year advertising photography major) joy and appreciation of the ACMT stu- dents.” Ivan Bavcevic is just one of so many From the previous page of Dubrovnik). To accommodate rising students who experienced ACMT for all it our faculty members living locally, they are enrollment, ACMTe has moved into its own has to offer. a great foundation and provide consistency facility outside of Dubrovnik’s Old Town. “The professors at ACMT are like fam- and familiarity for the students. Our other The four-story building houses classrooms, ily. Completely,” says Bavcevic. “It’s really faculty travel from the U.S. and Canada to computer labs and offices. special. I wouldn’t have my own consulting teach year after year and bring with them “Being in a shared location for the first company if I didn’t know what I do now.” new experiences and fresh perspective eight years, we were pretty limited in what Kelly Downs from a different part of the world. With programs we could offer,” says Don Hud- each quarter at ACMT comes fresh energy speth ’99 (service management), dean and W Web extra: and an ever improving education for the president of ACMT. “In the fall of 2008, we For more photos, visit www.rit.edu/news and click on students.” hope to offer a degree program in informa- the Photo Gallery Archives. Dave Crumb, a professor in RIT’s School of Hospitality and Service Management, spends every other spring in Dubrovnik teaching the Financial Management for Hotels course. “It’s been an enriching experience for me to learn another culture and to take some of our American teaching and thinking over to the students,” says Crumb. “It’s an exchange of cultures and the Croatian students are very energetic and energize the professors. “I always encourage the students to get involved in the economy of their country. For example, one of my former students, Stipe Milecic – who is only 28 years old – owns a boutique hotel in the city of Gradac. It’s such a pleasure for me to see students like Stipe achieve their objectives at an early age.” Over the past decade, the number of ACMT students has grown from 175 to From left are Nathaniel Mumford, fourth-year advertising photography major; Willie Osterman, professor, more than 600. When ACMT first opened, School of Photographic Arts and Sciences; Sam Herrick, fourth-year hotel and resort management major; the college shared a facility with the Poly- Dave Crumb, professor, School of Hospitality and Service Management; and Marshall Meier, third-year technic of Dubrovnik (now the University graphic design major. (Photo by Kim Loeper ’07, photography)
18 | FALL 2007 Baja blast
Top teams get down and dirty for world-class competition Cars were flipped, metal was twisted and endurance was tested. And when it was all over, Centro Universitario Da FEI, a Brazilian university, won the 2007 Baja SAE Rochester World Challenge hosted by RIT June 7-10.
The Brazilians emerged as the top team over South America participated. from a field of 141 based on an SAE “The entire event was an enormous suc- International formula that weighs each cess,” says RIT’s Marty Gordon, a mechani- team’s performance in the engineering and cal engineering technology professor and design portion of the competition with their the organizer of the competition. “A dedi- results in the competition’s dynamic events cated team of volunteers, which included – hill climb, acceleration, maneuverability, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the RIT traction and suspension and endurance. Baja team, spent countless hours making it Sponsored by the Society of Automotive all happen.” Engineers, Baja SAE challenges students to RIT, which entered two cars in the com- Above: The entry of the University of Texas-Pan build off-road vehicles for competition in petition, finished in 21st and 44th places. American catches some air. design and endurance categories. Events John Follaco Top photo: Spectators line the course at Hogback take place all over the world. Hill Motocross Track in Palmyra, N.Y., site of the It was the second time RIT hosted the dynamic events. competition, but this year’s field was twice W Web extras: the size of the 2005 event. Schools from the For more information about the competition, visit United States, Canada, Mexico, India, South www.rit.edu/news/baja. For more photos, visit www. Photos by A. Sue Weisler ’93 Korea, South Africa and from countries all rit.edu/news and click on the Photo Gallery Archives.
FALL 2007 | 19 Back in the shop, a member of the RIT Baja team works on parts for one of the two vehicles the team built.
Members of the team from Instituto Technologico de Queretero, Mexico, roll their vehicle into the Gordon Field House for the design tests.
Another team prepares for their turn at the design portion of the competition.
One by one, vehicles were put to the test in hill climb, acceleration, maneuverability, traction and suspension, and endurance events.
A group of Venezuelan fans cheers for their team.
20 | FALL 2007 Members of the Centro Universitario Da FEI team from Brazil await their turn in the design events. After A driver gets the signal on the course. all of the events were done, the team went home with first-place honors.
In the first two days, vehicles were evaluated for design and engineering components. Here, judges check out the entry of Universite Du Quebec a Trois Rivieres.
FALL 2007 | 21 Medicinal purpose RIT grads are using technology to help build careers in the medical field
Physician takes the paperwork out of his practice
With the vast volume of patient records, in- (www.apractissolu- and communications surance forms and regulatory documenta- tions.com). coming from patients’ tion, the medical establishment is seemingly In his “paperless” online instead of via the awash in paperwork. system, incoming voice telephone has enabled Dr. Robert L. Smith ’96 (M.S., clinical mails, e-mails, and my staff to actually focus chemistry) has found a way of staying faxes are received in more of their time on afloat. He’s pioneering the concept of the a software program our patients who are in “paperless” medical office at the family called UpDox, (www. the office requiring care, medicine practice he launched in 2006 in updox.com). This rather than answering Canandaigua, N.Y. desktop application the phones all day,” states “It’s a very logical, very practical sys- routes incoming and Smith. tem,” Smith says. “Staff and patients love outgoing communica- Recently, F.F. Thomp- this because it’s so much more efficient tions to other medical son Hospital has begun than paper charts.” offices or directly into securely e-mailing lab Smith grew up in Rochester and received the patient’s electronic reports instead of faxing a bachelor’s degree in health and sports sci- record after it is given Robert Smith ’96 them to Smith’s office. “It ence/biology from Wake Forest University an electronic signature. is completely backwards in 1991. He worked as a PGA golf profes- Messages are routed to continue relying on sional from 1991-1993 before attending from the doctor’s online, automated an- faxing confidential medical information RIT. Smith received his M.D. degree at swering service directly to Smith and his in this day and age,” says Smith. “Faxes SUNY Upstate Medical University in 2000, clinical staff. Smith can check for mes- are not a secure form of communica- completed a residency in family medicine sages online while at home, in the office, tion, yet it sadly remains the method of at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse in or at the hospital during rounds, instead choice between offices and hospitals. My 2003, then joined the medical staff at F.F. of relying on a traditional answering mission is to stop faxing altogether. “The field of medicine has been slow to incorporate technology into “Having more and more transactions and communi- the patient-physician relationship,” he says. “As a new physician, it just cations coming from patients online instead of made so much sense to start out with a system that takes advantage of the via the telephone has enabled my staff to actually latest e-health innovations. My goal is to change the perception of patients by focus more of their time on our patients who are encouraging them to e-mail our office in the office requiring care, rather than answering for all of their medical concerns, includ- ing urgent medical requests requiring a the phones all day.” same-day visit.” In his work with Apractis Solutions, Robert Smith ‘96 Smith assists with the development and implementation of applications such as Thompson Hospital in Canandaigua before service. Paper charts are replaced by UpDox to assist physician-physician and opening Finger Lakes Family Care. electronic files that are easily accessible patient-physician communications. He began consulting in the field by multiple office staff simultaneously as “My office is the laboratory for the of healthcare informatics during his well as when Smith is out of the office. communication systems we’re build- residency, founding Medsmith Solutions. Patients can make appointments, fill out ing,” he says. “It’s exciting to be a part He now serves as chief medical officer required forms, request refills of medi- of this new era in medical practice for Apractis Solutions LLC, a company cations, check for the results of tests or redesign, for the benefit of physicians as founded by physicians dedicated to make inquiries through a secure Web well as patients.” online collaboration and secure commu- site. For more information, go to nication using a variety of digital media “Having more and more transactions www.fingerlakesfamilycare.com.
22 | FALL 2007 Orthodontist builds on engineering background
After graduating from high school, Brandon Comella ’97 (B.S., M.S. mechanical engineer- ing) joined the Air Force, “because I wanted to fly airplanes.” He ultimately did receive a pilot’s license, but he discovered another passion while working as a dental technician for the USAF. By 1993, he knew he wanted to become an orthodontist. Perhaps surprisingly, his next step was engineering school. “Mechanical engineering is a great segue to orthodontics,” he explains. While at RIT, Comella worked as a technician for Roy Epstein Dental Lab in Webster. He went on to study dentistry and work on his Ph.D. in engineering at the State University of New York in Buffalo. In 2001, he graduated from the dental program and started his career in orthodontics. After several years working at a dental practice in Buffalo, Comella opened his own office in Penfield, N.Y., in 2005. He’s putting his RIT education to good use. Brandon Comella ’97 uses 3-D computer modeling to help determine a course of treatment for patients. “One of the things that separates this practice is the high-tech engineering process he opted for digital radiography and an improve breathing. I use to diagnose and determine treatment,” expanded Web site where patients can track “I did the setup on the computer and he says. their treatment. had friends assist in the work,” he says. “It The first step, making an impression of the At least part of his enthusiasm for the took about 1½ years, but I’m very pleased patient’s teeth, is nothing new. Comella then system comes from personal experience. with how it turned out.” sends the cast to a company in New Jersey While in dental school, he diagnosed his Kathy Lindsley that makes a digital, 3-D computer model of own treatment. Besides improving the the teeth. Using the computer model, Come- appearance of his teeth, he was able to cor- For more information about Comella’s practice, lla can virtually place the brackets, wires and rect a problem with his nasal passages to visit www.comellaortho.com. rubber bands and project how the teeth will respond over the course of treatment. “The computer program gives a dem- onstration of how the process starts and finishes,” he says. “If I’m not satisfied with Entrepreneurs find niche in healthcare the projected result, I can make adjustments before putting any hardware in the patient’s RIT incubator helps grads develop business plan mouth.” In cases requiring surgery to correct Managing the elements of home health- to talk to would tell us, ‘Right now, we use severe problems affecting the jaw or bones care can be overwhelming, particularly for nothing. When you find something, I’d of the face, he can determine precisely what smaller companies with limited resources. really appreciate it if you’d let me know,’ ” needs to be done to achieve the desired result. Tom Hogan ’03 (MBA) saw that firsthand recalls Golub. “After hearing that about five The computer technology improves the while working for his family’s company, times, we realized there might be market overall outcome and it also reduces the total Venture Forthe Inc., a service provider in potential here.” amount of time the patient spends in the his hometown of Niagara Falls, N.Y. That led the pair to create MediSked, a dentist’s chair, he says, adding that most “When you’re trying to manage 100 em- software company providing integrated people appreciate that. ployees’ schedules on a sheet of paper, it’s solutions to help service-based businesses Comella says this system has been in exis- very difficult,” he says. Tracking payroll and manage issues like scheduling, billing and tence for several years, and is becoming more billing complicates matters even further. payroll. The company is based in RIT’s widely used. Besides the computer technol- In hopes of finding solutions, Hogan high-tech incubator, Venture Creations. ogy, advances in adhesives and in materials agreed to serve as a consultant for the Tapping into Hogan’s business savvy and used in constructing the brackets and wires company. He and Doug Golub ’03 (M.S., Golub’s programming expertise, the pair have revolutionized orthodontics. In addi- information technology) teamed up. created a Web-based software prototype. tion, in setting up his office from scratch, “Every person we had the opportunity Implementation of the system in Niagara
FALL 2007 | 23 Falls proved so successful that Hogan and thusiasm of these young guys Golub chose to pitch it at a home health- – and I think they’re going care conference. Their target customers to be immensely successful were administrators of smaller service – than reliving when I started providers looking for efficient and afford- my company 34 years ago. able management tools. Seeing that enthusiasm in “The very large agencies can probably two young men is absolutely afford a multi-million dollar solution,” incredible fun.” says Golub, a Long Island native, “but the “It is very rare to hear a smaller ones don’t know where to look business plan projection and because there really is nowhere to look, and then go back a year and a they don’t really have a lot of resources.” half later and see that you’ve As a result of that conference, MediSked exceeded it by a wide mar- attracted two additional clients. One of gin,” adds Gavagan. “It was them, Belvedere of Albany, found itself gratifying and also kind of struggling to manage a significant volume reinforcing to the notion that of paperwork. Signing up with MediSked I’m glad to be involved with helped to change that. what appears to be a develop- “We have almost 80 clients that we’re ing, winning story.” keeping different books for, and now ev- According to Golub, “We erything is in one spot,” says Sue Nestler, have the vision, and these Belvedere office manager. “You pull up a folks are the ones who can client’s name, and everything is there— help us with the steps to get from their service plan to who worked with there.” them last night.” Don Boyd, RIT vice presi- Similar sales opportunities and word- dent for research, says that of-mouth referrals helped the company MediSked is a model example expand to 14 agencies by the end of 2005. of the type of enterprise that Today, the company serves about 40 cus- the incubator is looking to tomers in New York state and one in Maine. foster. He says operating in MediSked owes a portion of its early Doug Golub ’03, left, and Tom Hogan ’03 are building a successful the information technology success to its affiliation with Venture Cre- business with the support of RIT’s high-tech incubator. field requires the company ations. RIT’s business incubator creates an to focus on staying one step environment for students, faculty, staff and founder and CEO of JML Optical Industries ahead of the competition. alumni to develop ideas of economic and Inc. and an RIT trustee, agreed to serve as “These young entrepreneurs know their commercial importance. advisers to the MediSked team. business and their customers, they know “We had to go through the process of “I was very interested in their business,” what needs to be done,” states Boyd. “We have high hopes for their success.” Hogan and Golub continue to focus on “I was very interested in their business. It expanding the company’s client base, but that will require even more time apart from seemed like one of these incredibly simple, family and friends who sometimes question the merits of their commitment. right-in-front-of-you opportunities that nobody “They definitely think we’re nuts for spending this much time on it, but we keep had bothered to figure out except them.” telling them it will pay off,” says Golub. Kevin Gavagan ‘79 “And it will.” Adds Hogan, “From where we’re stand- validating our business plan and really Gavagan remembers. “It seemed like one ing right now, it seems almost limitless as to solidifying it to get in,” explains Hogan. of these incredibly simple, right-in-front- where it could go.” “That, and its association to RIT, has been of-you opportunities that nobody had Paul Stella ’03 very helpful. When we tell people we’re at bothered to figure out except them.” the RIT incubator, it just adds a little bit Over the past few years, Gavagan and For more information about MediSked, more credibility.” Lobozzo have worked with MediSked to go to www.medisked.com. One of the resources available to compa- address issues related to the company’s For more information about RIT’s Venture nies based within the incubator is the op- evolution such as pitching venture capital Creations business incubator, go to portunity to interface with veteran business firms and determining service pricing. www.venturecreations.org. leaders who are willing to assist in an advi- Considering the company’s early success, sory capacity. As members of the Venture Lobozzo says having the opportunity to Creations board, Kevin Gavagan ’79 (MBA), serve a mentorship role has proven quite principal at QCI Asset Management Inc., rewarding. and Joseph Lobozzo ’95 (Executive MBA), “Frankly, it’s more fun watching the en-
24 | FALL 2007 Colleges name Distinguished Alumni for 2007 RIT’s Distinguished Alumni for 2007 were honored in April. The awards are presented to a grad- uate of each of RIT’s eight colleges who has brought distinction to the college and to the university through professional and/or community achievement. Recipients are selected by a committee of faculty and administrators from each college. Stephen L. Schultz ’89, B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Infor- mation Sciences, is chief technical officer of Pictometry International Corp., a Rochester Top 100 company specializing in aerial mapping technology. Schultz spent 12 years working for RIT’s Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science before becoming Pictometry’s first employee in 1996. Michael P. Krummhoefener ’92, College of Applied Science and Technology, joined Pixar Animation Studios in Califor- nia in 1996. He has developed characters for A Bug’s Life, Toy Story 2, Monsters Inc., From left are Bart Guerreri ’67, Janet P. Ofano ’04, Michael Krummhoefener ’92, Andrew Brenneman ’88, The Incredibles and other films. In February Stephen Schultz ’89, Charles Brown Jr. ’79 and Andrew Davidhazy ’68. (Photo by Ken Huth ’88) 2007 the Visual Effects Society honored him for “Outstanding Animated Character in a Motion Picture” for his work on CARS. National Security Agency and the Com- energy conversion equipment manufactur- Charles S. Brown Jr. ’79, E. Philip mittee on National Security Systems. He er in Olean, N.Y. At D-R, Ofano coordinates Saunders College of Business, in February is a member of the Armed Forces Commu- the advertising program and is editor of the 2007 became the first executive director nications and Electronics Association, the company magazine. She also coordinates of the Center of Excellence in Math and Board of Directors of The Kennedy School the development of collateral materials. Science for the Rochester Area Colleges of Government – Harvard University, and Before joining the company in 1999, she organization. He is responsible for develop- other organizations. worked for a workforce development pro- ment of programs to increase the number Andrew N. Brenneman ’88, National gram in Olean. of students pursuing academic programs Technical Institute for the Deaf, is a senior leading to careers in math, science and national account executive with Sprint engineering. Brown previously worked Business Solutions in Reston, Va. He has for Eastman Kodak Co. for 33years, most worked for the company for 11 years and is recently serving as chief administrative currently responsible for nationwide sales officer and senior vice president. He is a efforts and customer relations for Sprint And the winner is . . . member of the RIT Board of Trustees. Relay. He is a past member of the Advisory RIT’s Outstanding Alumnus/a Andrew Davidhazy ’68, College of Board for Visual Language Interpreting Award will be honored during the Imaging Arts and Sciences, has worked at Inc., and serves on the RIT Board of Trust- annual President’s Alumni Ball on RIT since 1963, as a research photogra- ees and the NTID National Advisory Group. Friday, Oct. 5, during Brick City pher, administrator and faculty member in Kim E. VanGelder ’86, College of Sci- Homecoming weekend. the College of Continuing Education and ence, has served as chief information officer Established by the Office of faculty member in the School of Photo- and vice president for Eastman Kodak Co. the President in 1952, this is the graphic Arts and Sciences. He has served as since 2004. Since joining the company in highest honor the institute can a NASA/ASEE research fellow as well as a 1984, she has held a variety of positions in bestow upon an alumnus/a. The Kodak Visiting Professor, and has published information technol- award recognizes graduates who and lectured extensively on topics related to ogy. She is a member have served RIT through their scientific photography. of the Dean’s Council dedication, loyalty and leadership Bart G. Guerreri ’67, Kate Gleason for RIT’s Golisano and have thereby advanced the College of Engineering, is chairman of College. Alumni Network and the institute. DSD Laboratories, a company he founded Janet P. Ofano For more information, visit in 1978 to develop interface systems for ’04, College of Liberal www.rit.edu/brickcity or call sensors, radars and satellites. Guerreri Arts, is communica- the Office of Alumni Relations at has been a pioneer in information security tions coordinator for 585-475-2586. training, earning certification from the Kim VanGelder ’86 Dresser-Rand Co., an
FALL 2007 | 25 Memories of ‘Home’ Mississippi photographer Ken Murphy’s books preserve pre-Katrina views of the South Coast
Ken Murphy’s photos ond photo book, Mississippi, came out and but the rest of his equipment was lost. reveal a hauntingly My South Coast Home was reissued. Within a few days, Murphy got a view beautiful landscape. The photos for the two books were of the devastation from a friend’s airplane. The images of among the few possessions Murphy was Shortly after, the family loaded up supplies his beloved home- able to save from the storm. Less than 72 and returned to what remained of their land, published in hours before Katrina struck, Murphy was homes. Murphy, his wife, three children and two books, are all in Navarre, Fla., for a family party at his several other family members set up camp the more poignant sister’s house. When he learned that the near a brother-in-law’s destroyed house. Ken Murphy ’86 because many of the monster storm was taking dead aim on his “It felt like a combat zone,” Murphy says. (Photo by Rick Dobbs) places were erased on part of the Gulf Coast, he sped home to Bay “Debris, stench, helicopters overhead. At Aug. 29, 2005. St. Louis, Miss., loaded what he could into one point, we had a problem with a looter “They may be the only record of a lot his van, and drove back to Florida, where trying to steal gas. It was total survival of these places,” says Murphy ’86 (photo most of his large family took shelter. mode, just trying to get by day by day and illustration). “No one had ever published a He was able to save the materials for save whatever we could.” book about the coast, or about the state, on the two books because everything was The family felt lucky to move into two this scale.” crated up and ready to ship to the printer. FEMA trailers in October 2005 – never The first printing of Murphy’s 2001 But all of his other photos – more than imagining that’s where they’d be living two book, My South Coast Home, sold out before two decades of professional work – were years after the storm. Hurricane Katrina. Last year, Murphy’s sec- destroyed. He grabbed a few of his cameras, “It’s the nightmare that won’t end,”
26 | FALL 2007 At left, a view from South Beach Boulevard, Bay St. Louis, Miss. Right, west end, Cat Island. Both im- ages from My South Coast Home by Ken Murphy ’86. Below, a neon sign on Main Street, Tupelo. Bottom, Earnest “Guitar” Roy performs at Morgan Freeman’s Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale. Both photos from Murphy’s second book, Mississippi.
could. When he left the Army after a total of eight years, he started thinking about go- ing to school for photography. That brought him to RIT. After graduating in 1986, Murphy worked as a commercial photographer for a time in New Orleans, then back home in Bay St. Louis. Assignments have included work for Coast Magazine, Sierra Magazine, several books, numerous business publica- tions and assorted advertising projects. By 1998, he had accumulated a sizeable and eclectic collection of photos – large and medium format as well as 35 mm. The idea of a book took hold. “I half-heartedly contacted some publish- ers,” he says. But ultimately he borrowed money from family members and had 8,600 copies of My South Coast Home print- ed in 2001. They sold out in three years. Meanwhile, he began work on Mississip- pi. Since Katrina, both books have become highly prized, and Murphy continues to travel around the state for book-signing Murphy says. But bad as things have been, Fate, in fact, launched his career in appearances. There have been numerous he remains philosophical. photography. newspaper articles and TV appearances. “It will never get back to normal,” he Murphy joined the Army at age 17 Mississippi recently won an award from the says. “The old normal is gone, but at some and became a tank commander. He was Independent Book Publishers. He’s also point there will be a new normal.” stationed in Mannheim, Germany, when working on Mississippi II, which he hopes to He points out that the region recovered an accident resulted in the loss of his right publish in three or four years. from Hurricane Camille, a category five index finger and damage to his right thumb After losing so much, Murphy feels lucky. hurricane that struck in 1969. His photos and middle finger. Following his convales- “I always felt, as corny as it may sound, – all taken years after that storm – are cence, he received a new assignment to the that I was on a mission,” he says. “As it evidence of the healing power of time and Special Services Arts and Crafts Facility in turns out, that was true.” perseverance. Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., where he ulti- Kathy Lindsley Meanwhile, the two books have been a mately operated the photography section positive note in a pretty bleak period, and for three years. For more information about the books, call Murphy Murphy credits their existence to fate – a There he developed a passion for photog- at 228-216-0465 or e-mail him at force that has played a major role in his life. raphy and taught himself as much as he [email protected].
FALL 2007 | 27 Strong The total number of RIT alumni reaches a new peak
Commencement 2007 was a milestone oc- global reputation. All of our alumni con- casion at RIT – for many reasons. tinue to benefit from RIT’s growing influence President Bill Clinton was keynote speak- and stature, and as such we have a collective er. Retiring RIT President Albert J. Simone obligation to support our alma mater, its presided over his final commencement. educational mission, and its commitment to And 4,023 men and women made the excellence.” transition from RIT student to RIT graduate, RIT’s 103,083 alumni live in every state pushing the total of living RIT alumni over in the U.S. More than 3,000 live outside the the 100,000 mark for the first time. U.S. in 110 countries and on every conti- “This is a remarkable event in the life nent except Antarctica. Nearly half have David Blonski ’07 of RIT, and shows that the institute has graduated since 1990, which makes sense arrived as a major university on the na- considering RIT’s tremendous growth in the tional and international stage,” says Brian past 15 years. More than 15 percent hold Meet Mr. 100,000 O’Shaughnessy ’81, ’84 (chemistry), chair multiple degrees from RIT. About 31 percent David Blonski ’07 (B.S./ M.E., industrial and of RIT’s Alumni Network Board of Directors. are women. systems engineering) was selected by the “As alumni, we should all take great pride The statistics paint an interesting picture. Office of Alumni Relations to put a face to not only in the size of our alumni body, but Below and on the next page are some of the the significant number. in its accomplishments, its diversity, and its highlights. “We felt it was important to find one person to symbolize this milestone,” says Kelly Redder, executive director of Alumni Relations. “David is a fabulous example of an RIT graduate.” Alumni by years: Alumni by colleges: Blonski, a native of Grand Island, N.Y., 1900-1925: 72 College of Applied Science and Technology: 31,400 was vice president of Student Government 1926-1950: 2,429 College of Imaging Arts and Sciences: 23,147 and a member of the lacrosse and weight- 1951-1960: 3,433 E. Philip Saunders College of Business: 17,887 lifting clubs. He interviewed with five com- 1961-1970: 6,999 Kate Gleason College of Engineering: 12,604 panies and received five offers, accepting 1971-1980: 17,382 College of Science: 6,361 a position as a financial analyst for global 1981-1990: 24,988 National Technical School for the Deaf: 4,203 investment banking and securities firm 1991-2000: 24,243 B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Goldman Sachs in New York City. 2001-2007: 23,014 Information Sciences (created 2001): 3,609 The large and growing number of alum- College of Liberal Arts: 3,290 ni raises RIT’s reputation, which is good for students and graduates, he notes. “There’s strength in numbers.”
28 | FALL 2007 Alumni in the United States Alabama: 176 Alaska: 68 Arizona: 976 Arkansas: 111 California: 3,818 Colorado: 985 Connecticut: 1,966 Delaware: 240 Oklahoma: 76 Washington, Oregon: 431 D.C.: 195 Pennsylvania: Florida: 3,894 3,744 Georgia: 1,306 Rhode Island: 322 Hawaii: 133 South Carolina: Idaho: 113 599 Illinois: 1,295 South Dakota: 44 Indiana: 451 Michigan: 1,009 Tennessee: 452 Iowa: 133 Minnesota: 497 Texas: 1,853 Kansas: 167 Mississippi: 47 New Jersey: 2,985 Utah: 152 Kentucky: 259 Missouri: 385 New Mexico: 229 Vermont: 495 Louisiana: 118 Montana: 44 New York: 47,467 Virginia: 2,447 Maine: 490 Nebraska: 70 North Carolina: Washington: 765 Maryland: 1,923 Nevada: 265 2,242 West Virginia: 87 Massachusetts: New Hampshire: North Dakota: 29 Wisconsin: 368 3,213 814 Ohio: 1,613 Wyoming: 23
Countries and Continents where at least 10 RIT alumni reside:
Australia: 18 North Korea: 14 Bosnia- South Korea: 27 Herzegovina: Malaysia: 33 83 Mexico: 28 Brazil: 20 Netherlands: 12 Canada: 292 Saudi Arabia: China: 13 10 Colombia: 13 Serbia and Croatia: 972 Montenegro: North Czech Republic: 33 Asia 231 Singapore: 24 America Europe 715 Dominican Spain: 47 (outside U.S.) Republic: 44 Sweden: 14 1,721 France: 18 Switzerland: 11 397 Germany: 43 Taiwan: 113 Africa Greece: 24 Thailand: 98 Hong Kong: 26 Turkey: 30 South 45 India: 158 United Kingdom: Israel: 10 45 America Australia Japan: 99 Yugoslavia: 104 58 18 To find other alumni in your area, or to locate an individual RIT graduate, check the Online Com- munity at www.rit.edu/alumni.
FALL 2007 | 29 A great education is just the beginning
Every RIT graduate is a life-long member of a very impressive databases, and receive RIT news. (www.rit.edu/alumninetwork) group: the RIT Alumni Network. • Electronic newsletter, The Tiger’s Tale: This free, award- Members include engineers, CEOs, entrepreneurs, doctors, winning electronic publication is delivered monthly. (www.alumni- lawyers, artists, TV personalities, Pulitzer prize winners, teach- connections.com/rit) ers, photographers, movie makers, educators, politicians, authors, • Career services: Alumni have access to the facilities of RIT’s scientists, soldiers, pilots, builders, bakers and candlestick mak- Office of Co-op and Career Services, including alumni contacts, job ers. Every issue of this magazine tells their stories; there’s never a search resources, job postings, on-campus interviews and job fairs, shortage of interesting alumni pursuing their dreams and making resume forwarding to employers, career counseling and salary important contributions. data. (www.rit.edu/alumninetwork) Alumni can choose to be as involved with the network – and with • Online giving: Financial support of RIT strengthens the uni- RIT – as they wish. Every year, the Office of Alumni Relations offers versity, which, in turn, increases the value of an RIT degree. (www. more reason to stay connected. rit.edu/giving) The programs and benefits available to alumni are numerous; • Travel program: Numerous group travel experiences are of- more information is available at www.rit.edu/alumni. For starters, fered every year. (www.rit.edu/alumni, click on “Activities”) here’s a partial list: • Travel booking: Alumni Network members can book • Regional, NTID and International alumni chapters: Lo- personal or business travel through a new online service. (www. cated in metropolitan areas, these groups organize activities open rittravelclub.com) to alumni in the area. For more about scheduled events, see page • Admissions voucher: Alumni can give a fee-waived under- 44 or go to www.rit.edu/alumniactivities. grad admissions application to a prospective student. (www.rit. • Online Community: To date, more than 17,000 alumni have edu/alumninetwork) joined this secure, password-protected community. Membership is • Athletic facilities: Alumni, spouses and dependents can free of charge. The Online Community allow members to update use the Gordon Field House and Activities Center, Hale-Andrews their addresses, submit and read online Class Notes, search for Student Life Center, Judson and Hale pools, Ritter Arena, tennis other RIT grads, obtain a special e-mail address (yourname@alum. courts, nature trails and other facilities. (For fees and information, rit.edu), search the Tiger Business Pages, access library research call 585-475-2620)
30 | FALL 2007 FALL 2007 | 31 32 | FALL 2007 FALL 2007 | 33 34 | FALL 2007 FALL 2007 | 35 36 | FALL 2007 FALL 2007 | 37 38 | FALL 2007 FALL 2007 |9 3 40 | FALL 2007 Portal to Success Real-World Experiences Problem-Solving Partnerships Research and Scholarship
RIT alumni, numbering over RIT’s cooperative education pro- RIT partners with thousands of RIT faculty use their research and 100,000 strong, are leaders and gram is one of the oldest and larg- corporations and government scholarship to connect and engage innovators in organizations est in the world. As an undergradu- entities. The Center for Integrated their students. Intel professor Bruce throughout the U.S. and around ate, alumna Burcak Guclu helped Manufacturing Studies utilizes Smith’s explorations in nanolithog- the world. Currently a partner Infineon Technologies, a Virginia more than 500 faculty, students, raphy have produced images one- in an independent production semiconductor firm, realize a sav- and researchers annually in initia- twentieth the wave length of company, alumnus Ken Bielen- ings of nearly $10 million annually tives such as improving the sustain- visible light—a world record in berg provided both creative and by developing an algorithm to ability of U.S. military equipment. resolution and a major discovery technical leadership as the Visual improve a manufacturing process. for the computer chip industry. Effects Supervisor for Antz, Shrek Burcak also completed co-op as- and Shrek 2. signments in France and Venezuela.
A Category-of-One University
RIT is among the world’s leading career-focused, technological universities. Home to eight colleges offering over 200 undergraduate, master’s, and Ph.D. programs, RIT is distinguished as:
Engaging Experiental Responsive Innovative
Stimulating intellectual pursuits, Uniquely integrating classroom Meeting the emerging competi- Teaching, scholarship, and technological proficiency, and education with real-world, hands- tive needs of business, industry, collaboration fostering creativity global awareness. on experiences. and government. and entrepreneurship.
The result is a Category-of-One University. Consider the possibilities. www.rit.edu From RIT to Mt. Fuji RIT alumni learn from their teaching experience in Japan
A fascination for all things Japanese led ing. When it came time to decide whether the alumni has wrestled with the silent treat- three alumni to pack their bags last sum- to re-contract or to go home in July, I didn’t ment from their students and has had to find mer and head to the other side of the world have to think about it for a second.” ways to encourage them to speak English. as English teachers and cultural ambas- JET, the prestigious 20-year-old interna- “The biggest problem I run into is that a sadors in the Japan Exchange and Teaching tional exchange program sponsored by the lot of Japanese students are pretty shy, and so (JET) program. Japanese government, hired 5,057 assistant getting them to talk is sometimes difficult,” After a three-day orientation in Tokyo, Zac language teachers from around the world says Chris Main, who splits his time between Levine ’06 (mechanical engineering) went last year to teach English to Japanese children four elementary and three middle schools in to Gunma, the mountainous central region; and adult learners. Of that number, 2,759 rural Nanae, Hokkaido. “Once you get them Chris Main ’06 (multidisciplinary studies) came from the United States. The first RIT to talk, they are very open and try hard.” headed to Hokkaido, the northernmost student was accepted into the program in Levine, who teaches in the central moun- island; and Brody Nixon ’06 (international 2002. Since then, the number of applicants tainous region of Gunma, tries to encourage studies) left for Hiroshima City in the south to from RIT has steadily grown. his students by example. One afternoon, for assume their yearlong teaching positions. The three alumni currently living in Japan instance, he attended baseball practice and hit During the course of the year they experi- have all experienced the challenges of being only three of the 20 pitches thrown to him. enced a tiny tsunami, mild earthquakes and different in a mostly homogenous society. “The baseball coach told me that ‘You have local reactions to an unpredictable North Each has had to find the acceptable balance a good swing, and if you would have hit the Korean neighbor with nuclear ambitions. On between sharing their differences and fitting ball, it would have gone really far.’ I guess it’s a more personal level, they found themselves into their designated communities. good for the kids to see that I try at something as minorities and sources of constant curios- Blending in is something Nixon knew I’m not necessarily apt at,” he adds. “Maybe ity and scrutiny, yet also the recipients of would be difficult. it will encourage them to speak English to me genuine good will and lasting friendship. “In Japan, people can see me coming a even though their English isn’t perfect.” The excitement they felt upon arriving in mile away,” he says. “Not only does my face Nixon has found his stature a useful Japan has matured during their transition look completely different from everyone icebreaker among his male students. “The from new arrivals to residents and commu- else’s, but at 6-foot, 4-inches I’m almost an boys are quite jealous of my height; they nity members. All three accepted invitations entire foot taller than the average Japanese ask me how I got so tall, and my answer has to stay in their positions for a second year, person. No matter how much Japanese I probably made a noticeable increase in the with a third year possible. learn and no matter how many customs and milk consumption in Hiroshima City.” “My students are, without a doubt, the mannerisms I pick up, I can never blend into Nixon’s female students outnumber their best part of this job, and of my life here,” their society like they can blend into ours.” male counterparts by 70 percent at his base Nixon says. “They are fantastically entertain- Nixon, originally from Manhattan, high school. “As a relatively young foreign ing, insatiably curious and endlessly endear- requested and received a rare urban place- male, I’m very much the center of their at- ment, and has spent tention, something they do a terrible job of the year teaching at hiding. It encourages them to come talk to three different high me though, and anything that makes them schools in Hiroshima want to do that is fine with me.” City. Hiroshima was The alumni have also had to adjust to proclaimed in 1949 differences between the public education as a “City of Peace” systems in Japan and the United States. following the atomic Main, who stayed with his parents in bombings of World Chelmsford, Mass., before leaving for Japan, War II and has recast points to the lunchtime routine at his rural itself as advocate for elementary school as an example. disarmament. Nixon “The students are given a lot more feels fortunate to be in responsibility than in American schools. Hiroshima – “a fantas- For instance, in Japanese elementary and tic city, with a culture middle schools, students eat in the class- that is rich, powerful, room with their classmates, and everyone and very different from eats the same thing. At lunchtime, the any other city in Japan students go get their classes’ food, and are A group of girls joins Chris Main ’06 for a photo in Matsumae, famous for its or anywhere else in in charge of serving each person and clean- cherry trees. “There were a lot of foreigners having a party in the park that the world.” ing up afterwards. The students also clean day, and lots of people would stop to take pictures of us!” Main said. As teachers, each of the school at the end of the day, including
42 | FALL 2007 places like the hallways, gym and library. The teachers work with the students and eat with the students.” The stress level and the em- phasis on exams at the Japanese schools is something the RIT alumni have noted with mixed feelings. In Japan, junior high students must pass entrance exams to get into high school, and their curriculum is regimented and difficult, requiring extremely long hours of studying. Levine has worked with his fellow junior high teachers to add cultural lessons to his class- es. In between the required The Japanese holiday known as “White Day,” created in direct In Japan, the passage from elementary school subject matter, he has taught response to St. Valentine’s Day, falls on March 14 . The custom is for to junior high, and also from junior high to his students about American women to give gifts to men on Feb. 14 and for men to reciprocate high school, is marked with lengthy graduation and Japanese cultural differ- the following month. Brody Nixon’s students Chihiro, at left, and ceremonies following days of practice and prepara- ences, Hanukkah and, during Yuko gave him chocolates on St. Valentine’s Day; he surprised them tion. Here, Zac Levine ’06 poses with sixth-grade recess, the Frisbee. on White Day with Rice Krispies treats – an American concoction graduate Shiho Wakatsuki outside the Takayama Levine, originally from they’d never experienced. Elementary School . Cleveland, Ohio, enjoys living in the tiny village of Takayama-Mura in Gunma, a mild earthquakes and culture, either through international mountainous region close to and a small tsunami business or teaching English as a second Nagano, the host of the 1998 that hit Hokkaido last language, the focus of the JET program. winter Olympics. He teaches November. Hiroko Yamashita, chair of the foreign four classes a day, spending “I was at my Japa- language department and coordinator of two days at the Takayama- nese teacher’s house the Japanese program at RIT, attributes Mura elementary and three at the time,” Main Levine, Main and Nixon’s success in Japan at the junior high school. says. “We finished to the strength of RIT’s Japanese language An adult conversation lessons and went minors and concentration, and a six-week class Levine holds in the eve- downstairs since I intensive language immersion program nings offers him a different was getting ready to each attended separately at Kanazawa In- perspective on Takayama- leave when we saw it. stitute of Technology in Japan through the Mura. “It’s interesting to find My town is up in the RIT-KIT study abroad exchange program. out about the townspeople’s hills, so the chance of “They had a solid language training lives. Most have jobs related a tsunami hitting us of Japanese here at RIT, and success- to agriculture, so there’s a lot of discussion is pretty low. Mostly the reaction was, ‘Oh, fully learned to adapt to a totally different about rice and soba (buckwheat) fields, that will be a problem for the people who culture in Kanazawa, which made their wild boar (we have them), and bears (those, own boats or work on the water.’ In the end application strong,” Yamashita says. too).” the wave was about 10 centimeters high, According to Yamashita, the JET Other aspects of residing in rural Japan shorter than some of the normal waves. It program has selected another three RIT have given Levine a new perspective. “Liv- was an interesting reaction, though.” graduates to teach in the 2007-08 school ing here makes you more aware of how While in Japan, Levine, Main and year. They are Eric Koziol ’07 (computer sci- much you consume: food, water and other- Nixon have taken the opportunity to travel ence), Rachel Sreebny ’06 (film/animation) wise,” he says. outside of their prefectures, or counties. and Benjamin Stabley ’07 (environmental Levine’s house does not have central Levine took the three-hour train ride from science). heating. He uses an electric or kerosene Takayama-Mura to Tokyo a few times, Since September, Levine, Main and Nix- heater for each room he wants to warm. staying in a “capsule hotel” – “a cubby with on have found their niche in their commu- “I have to turn on the boiler before I take a T.V. and a pillow” – and visited Thailand nity, and are not ready to leave Japan; they a shower or bath and turn on and off the during winter break. Main visited Tokyo, have too much more to learn. Nixon speaks cooking gas. Though it’s become routine, Osaka and Kyoto. Nixon climbed Mt. Fuji at for the group when he says: “Of course, I having to turn these appliances on and night “to be able to watch the sunrise from miss my family and friends from home, but hearing them operate really makes me con- the highest point in the country.” if I went home now I’d just want to come scious of how much energy I’m using.” The alumni’s year in Japan has confirmed right back within a couple of weeks.” Living in a country familiar with natural their determination to pursue careers tap- Susan Gawlowicz ’95 disaster has acquainted the alumni with ping their passion for the Japanese language
FALL 2007 | 43 Regional Alumni Activities
Kim Kelsey ’97, ’05, Jon Rodibaugh and Tara Rosa ’01 are your contacts in the office for regional alumni activities. Don’t hesitate to contact them toll free at 1-866-RIT-ALUM. To learn more about the events listed below go to www.rit.edu/alumniactivities! You can register for events through our secure Web site.
Meet RIT’s new president, Bill Destler Check the special listings below or visit www.rit.edu/alumniactivities and click on your region. Class Notes Albany Central Florida Meet the new president: Friday, Aug. 24, A sold-out group of alumni and friends at- Key to abbreviations visit with President Bill Destler at the Parker tended the Orlando Magic game on March 8. CAST College of Applied Science and Technology Inn in Schenectady. Check the Web site for time The event included a VIP reception as well as a CCE College of Continuing Education (now CAST) and registration. post-game group photo on the court. President Destler will also attend the 5th On April 2, alumni and friends gathered at CIAS College of Imaging Arts and Sciences Annual RIT Alumni “Day at the Races” at Sara- the Ale House in Lake Buena Vista for a recep- COLA College of Liberal Arts toga Springs Racetrack Saturday, Aug. 25. tion with Mary-Beth Cooper, vice president EPSCOB E. Philip Saunders College of Business Join fellow alums, family and friends for a for Student Affairs; Howard Ward, assistant day at Indian Ladder Farms on Saturday, Sept. vice president – Housing Operations; and KGCOE Kate Gleason College of Engineering 22. We will take a walking tour of the farm and Heath Boice-Pardee, associate vice president, COS College of Science a hay wagon ride followed by lunch in the barn. Student Affairs. FAA Fine and Applied Arts (now CIAS) After lunch, it’s on to the petting zoo and we Plans are underway for events this fall and finish up the day with apple picking. winter. Keep checking the Web site for details. GAP Graphic Arts and Photography (now CIAS) Thank you to chapter leaders John ’94 and GCCIS B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing Laura ’92 Comstock for their service. and Information Sciences NTID National Technical Institute for the Deaf Atlanta SVP NTID “Summer Vestibule Program” On July 22, alums, family and friends got together for an exciting day of major league 1949 baseball as the Atlanta Braves took on the St. Francis “Frank” Sweeney ’49 (FAA) recently Louis Cardinals. retired. He spent 2½ years in the U.S. Air Force and ROCS Day, Sept 15, “Reaching out for Com- owned and operated F. G. Sweeney Art Studio Inc. munity Service Day:” Atlanta-area alumni, for 43 years. His studio employed 10 artists, all family and friends will join together for a day of with different interests. For 20 years, Frank was an community service. More details to come. Central Florida alumni at an Orlando Magic game. adjunct teacher at Syracuse University. He writes, “I Thank you to chapter leader Joe Del Conte married Loraine, my true love, we discovered each other at RIT. We have three boys and a girl, which ’85 for his work. made for a very, very, exciting life and almost made Charlotte me grow up.” Alumni and friends attended a reception at Rock Boston Bottom Brewery in downtown Charlotte on June A sold-out group of 80 alumni and friends 28. Special thanks to host Andrea Setta ’06. 1951 attended the Boston Red Sox game on July 31. Ruth Brown Davis ’51 (EPSCOB) worked as a Special thanks to hosts Stephanie Murphy buyer in retail following graduation. She and her ’98, Mary Jo Savino ’90 and Patrick Ward husband, Norman, raised two children (one is a vet- Chicago erinarian, the other a social worker). She went on ’00. Alumni and friends attended a Chicago Cubs Meet the new president: Visit with Presi- to fulfill her life-long dream of racing and showing game on July 15 against the Houston Astros horses. Ruth and Norman live on their horse farm dent Bill Destler at a reception at the Boston as well as a pre-game reception at Merkle’s Bar in Vestal Center, N.Y. Museum of Science on Thursday, Sept. 14. & Grill in Wrigleyville. Special thanks to hosts Check the Web site for details and registration. Stacey Wronkowski ’03 and Leah Save the date: RIT Men’s hockey game at Anderson ’02. 1956 Bentley College on Saturday, Dec. 1. Plans are underway for events this fall and Richard Zakia ’56 (GAP) co-authored a new winter. Keep checking the Web site for details. book with Glenn Rand of Brooks Institute, Teaching Photography. He is also completing a third edition Buffalo of his book, Perception and Imaging, which will be A sold-out group of 80 alumni and friends Cleveland-Akron published in 2007. attended the Buffalo Sabres game on March 10 Plans are underway for a Lake Erie cruise this vs. the New Jersey Devils as well as a pre-game fall. Keep checking the Web site for details. 1964 reception at the Pearl Street Grill. Special Robert Keough ’64 (GAP) was recently honored thanks to host Tom Stumpf ’89. by the Town of Long Lake, N.Y., with the naming Save the dates for our next chapter events: of Keough Road. Bob retired from RIT’s College a Niagara Wine Trail tour on Saturday, Sept. of Imaging Arts and Sciences in June 2005 after 22, and the RIT Women’s Hockey game on teaching graduate courses in computer graphics Saturday, Nov. 10. design for 22 years.
44 | FALL 2007 | www.rit.edu/alumniactivities joyed a day of major league baseball as the Phil- 1965 Colorado lies battled the St. Louis Cardinals. The event Plans are underway for an event this fall. Keep included a pre-game reception at McFadden’s Leslie Howard ’65 checking the Web site for more information. Restaurant at the ballpark. (GAP) was awarded a Save the date for the RIT Men’s Hockey game Meet the president:Visit with Bill Destler blue ribbon for his digi- against Air Force on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008. on Nov. 1. Check the Web site for details and tal image titled “SYBIL” registration. at the 102nd anniver- sary of the Professional Photographer’s Society Croatia of New York State. Les Alumni and friends participated in the School Phoenix and his wife, Linda, of Photographic Arts and Sciences 23rd annual Check the Web site for upcoming events! have been residents of Big Shot project on April 12. The subject area Thank you to Kathy Goll ’02, Jen Wicus Orange County for 23 for this year’s photo was the original entrance ’04 and Dave Belden ’04 for your leadership. years and own a spe- to Dubrovnik’s Old Town. (See page 17.) cial-event photography and video company, Les Howard Productions, in Monroe, N.Y. Detroit Alumni and friends attended a reception at Rochester Mills Beer Company in Rochester, 1968 40th reunion Mich., on March 5. Special thanks to host Yolanda Lewczuk ’00. Alumni and friends attended the Detroit Ti- Joseph Geller ’67 gers game on Aug. 12 against the Oakland As. (GAP) writes, “Hello fellow 1967 photo sci- ence graduates. How about joining Jan Ithaca Phoenix alumni and families enjoyed a barbecue Meades ’67 (GAP) Plans are underway for an alumni event this and a spring training game on March 24. and me at the 40th fall. Keep checking the Web site for details. reunion in Rochester If you are interested in becoming a chapter in October?” volunteer, contact Kim Kelsey ’97, ’05 at Pittsburgh [email protected] or 585-475-7638. Alumni and friends set sail on the Gateway Clipper riverboat for a picnic cruise of the Three Rivers on July 21. Eugene Rosa ’67 (EPSCOB) was selected Los Angeles Save the date for our next chapter event to deliver the 2007 Distinguished Faculty On Thursday, Sept. 13, RIT alums, family when the RIT Women’s Hockey team takes Address during the March 23 Showcase event and friends will enjoy an exciting evening on Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh on at Washington State University. Rosa was also elected a fellow of the American Association for the of major league baseball. Watch as the Los Saturday, Dec. 8. Advancement of Science and to the Sociological Angeles Dodgers take on the San Diego Padres. Research Association. He serves on the editorial Gametime: 7:05 p.m. Eric Senna ’91 will be boards of five journals and one encyclopedia, and the host. Raleigh Durham received the 1999 Distinguished Contribution Thank you to chapter leader Eric Senna A sold-out group of 90 alumni and friends Award of the Section on Environment and ’91 and our volunteer leaders Paul Grimes attended the Durham Bulls game on July 29 Technology of the ASA. ’03, Laurali Kinsella ’05, and Scott Sylves- against the Rochester Red Wings. The evening ter ’04. included a ballpark buffet and a Durham Bulls 1968 baseball cap for each attendee. Special thanks to hosts Mike ’98 and Sue ’98 Pail. Edward Lester ’68 (FAA) had an exhibit, “And Ain’t I a Woman,” displayed at Wayne Arts, New York City Plans are underway for an alumni event this Newark, N.J., and Pikeville, Tenn. “The sculptures A sold-out group of alumni and friends cheered fall. Stay posted to the Web site for details. include a subtle irony, combining perfect shapes on the New York Rangers on St. Patrick’s Day and smooth surfaces with wrinkles and imperfec- as they defeated the Boston Bruins. Special tions left intact, reminding us, with their quirks, thanks to host Michael Larson ’93. Rochester that they are modeled after real life conditions with A sold-out group of 125 alumni and friends A sold-out group attended a networking recep- all their fallibilities,” Lester writes. attended the New York Yankees game on July tion at Black & Blue Steak and Crab on May 10. David Rosenthal ’68 (GAP), CEO of Shepard 20. Special thanks to hosts Michael Larson Thanks to hosts Kristy Mooney-Graves ’00, Communications Group Inc., is an adjunct instruc- Terry Palis ’77 and Alina Palis ’79. tor in the master of arts program at the New York ’93 and Wayne Stern ’93. University College of Graphic Communications A sold-out group of alumni and friends will Alumni enjoyed an afternoon trip to the Management and Technology. David also serves on be attending the 2007 U.S. Tennis Open Men’s Corning Museum of Glass June 9. Special the program’s Advisory Board. finals Sunday, Sept. 9. thanks to host Frank Lucas ’75. Bary Siegel ’66, ’68 (GAP), ’90 (CAST), will be Meet the president: Attend a reception Alumni cheered on the Rochester Red Wings retiring from his faculty position at RIT the end of with President Bill Destler on Thursday, Nov. at Frontier Field on July 14. Thanks to hosts April, 2007. 1. Check the Web site for details and registra- Donna Bell ’83 and Bary Siegel ’50. Alvis Upitis ’68 (GAP) received recognition as a tion. We have secured tickets to a Rochester Portfolio Review winner in the February 2007 issue Rhinos soccer game at PAETEC Park on Friday, of B&W Magazine. Aug. 24. Register online today! Philadelphia A Finger Lakes wine tour will take place on Alumni and friends attended the 76ers game on Saturday, Sept. 8. Stay tuned to the Web site for March 9 against the Los Angeles Lakers. Special registration details. thanks to host Aviva Dubrow ’90, ’91. Save the Date: RIT Men’s Hockey vs. Cornell On July 14, alums, family and friends en- at Blue Cross Arena on Saturday, Oct. 27.
www.rit.edu/alumniactivities | FALL 2007 | 45 San Diego Southern Florida 1969 On July 21, RIT alums, family and friends ROCS Day, Sept 15, “Reaching out for Commu- George Belle-Isle ’69, ’78 (EPSCOB) was pro- enjoyed an evening of major league baseball as nity Service Day:” South Florida area alumni, moted from the director of Monroe Community the San Diego Padres took on the Philadelphia family and friends will join together for a day of College’s Career Center to distinguished service Phillies. A pre-game reception was held at Buca community service by preparing meals for the professor by the SUNY Board of Trustees. George is di Beppo. week, doing yard work, and other activities for a charter member of the New York State Transfer On Wednesday, Sept. 12, RIT alums, family the Caring Kitchen in Delray Beach. and Articulation Association Executive Board and served as its first president. He is also a charter and friends will enjoy a cooking demonstration Thank you to Paul Finkelstein ’91 for be- member of the National Association of Community at “Great News” cooking school. ing chapter leader. College Teacher Education Programs. Thank you to chapter leaders Micki Hafner Robert Lauterbach ’69 (EPSCOB) writes, “I ’92, Phil Ohme ’99 and Pamela Wick ’94. retired four years ago after 36 years with Rochester Special thanks to Rick Prenoveau ’78, who Syracuse Gas & Electric. Currently, I am the volunteer will be leaving the San Diego chapter. On Saturday Sep. 29, alumni and guests will director of Calvary St. Andrew’s Emergency Food enjoy a wine tour on Cayuga Lake with lunch at Cupboard in Rochester’s South Wedge. We acquire Sheldrake Point’s Simply Red Lakeside Bistro. food from the Food Link of New York, the Boy On Thursday, Nov. 1, alumni will enjoy a Scouts of America, and the postal workers food drives. The food is then distributed to people within networking reception at Coleman’s Authentic the 14620 zip code. Life goes by very fast. Check Irish Pub. Come and catch up with old friends out my Web site when you can: www.robert-lauter- and make some new ones. bach.com.” If you are interested in becoming a chapter volunteer, contact Kim Kelsey ’97, ’05 at [email protected] or 585-475-7638. 1970 Frank Argento ’64 (GAP), ’70 (CIAS), an award-winning designer and illustrator, has Texas designed a series of typographic characters inspired by his cat, Buster. Each of the 12 “Catype” designs forms a word comprised of a combination of its Austin/San Antonio letters. Argento is associate professor of arts and San Diego alumni at a reception April 18 at Karl Check the Web site for upcoming events. imaging studies at NTID and president and creative Strauss Brewery Gardens. Thank you to Virgil McCullough Jr. ’78 for director of Archer Communications. For more infor- being a chapter volunteer. mation, visit www.catype.com. Douglas Robinson ’70 (GAP) writes, “After San Francisco Dallas/Fort Worth retiring from information technology, I opened my On July 15, RIT alums, family and friends On Saturday, Aug. 25, alums, family and friends stained glass studio in a 1911 Federal-style bank enjoyed a day of major league baseball as they will enjoy an evening of major league baseball building in Bucksport, Maine. I suppose glass work watched the San Francisco Giants take on the as the Texas Rangers take on the Seattle Mari- could be a related art to Graphic Arts, but I never thought back in 1970 that I would have a studio.” Los Angeles Dodgers. ners. Game time is 7:35 p.m. On Saturday, Sept. 15, RIT alums, family ROCS Day, Sept 15, “Reaching out for Com- and friends will enjoy a day of wine tasting in munity Service Day:” Dallas/Fort Worth area 1971 the beautiful Paso Robles Wine Region. They alumni, family and friends will join together for Robert Kiss ’71 (GAP) exhibited his work at the will tour four wineries and have a picnic lunch. a day of community service. More details will be prestigious Alan Klotz Gallery in New York City. Kim Conti ’90 is host for this fun event. coming soon. Meet the president: Visit with President Thank you to volunteers for the Dallas/Fort George McGee ’71 Bill Destler at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel on Worth chapter Scott Saldinger ’91, Jennifer (EPSCOB) writes, “I have Nov. 28. Check the Web site for details and Lindstrom ’99 and Jackie Gonsalves ’01. taken up writing since registration. retiring from the corporate world and just got my first Thank you to chapter leader Mark Leon- Houston book published. It’s called ardi ’94 for all of your work! On July 8, RIT alums, family and friends Norman - A Dogs life.” enjoyed a day of major league baseball as they watched the Houston Astros take on the New Norman Wironen ’71 (GAP) recently achieved York Mets. San Jose CFP(R) certification. He is employed as a financial On Monday, Sept. 17, RIT alumni will enjoy a If you are interested in becoming a chapter adviser for Edward Jones in Gardner, Ma. casual networking reception at Village Califor- volunteer, contact Kim Kelsey ’97, ’05 at nia Bistro and Wine Bar. [email protected] or 585-475-7638. Meet the president: Visit with President 1974 Bill Destler on Nov. 29. Check the Web site for Joyce Greenberg-Goode ’74 (FAA) is a fiber artist details and registration. Washington, D.C. and quilt maker. She has been working for many On May 19, 50 RIT alums, family and friends years around art and for the last five years has been spent the day at the National Aquarium in Balti- creating new and original art pieces. Seattle more. A special thank you to Carol Pimental James Riche ’74 (GAP) recently opened Cause + Alumni and friends attended a reception at the for organizing special tours for us. Effects in Santa Monica, Calif. as president. He writes, “Moved back to Santa Monica from New York City Art Wofe Gallery on July 18. Special thanks to Meet the president: On Oct. 11, visit with President Bill Destler at Elizabeth’s on L. Check to open a visual effects and design firm serving the hosts Mike ’92 and Lisa ’93 Woods. TV commercial marketplace. Prior to that I served the Web site for details and registration. Plans are underway for an event this fall or as head of production/executive producer at Guava, winter. Keep checking the Web site for details. Thank you to chapter leader Kevin Sheldon Freestyle Collective and Nice Shoes in New ’02 for his hard work. York City.”
46 | FALL 2007 | www.rit.edu/alumniactivities John Tillotson ’74 Daniel (KGCOE) recently Drewnowski ’78 accepted a position at (KGCOE) com- Trevitt Realtors in Vestal, pleted the Boston N.Y., as a licensed real Marathon in 4 estate salesperson. John hours, 52 minutes, was employed at IBM and 31 seconds, a per- Cadence Design Systems sonal best. He ran for 32 years, most in memory of Larry recently as engineering director at Cadence. Antinassi ’64 (EPSCOB), who lost his battle with liver cancer in January 2005. Drewnowski was part of the American Liver 1975 Foundation’s 2007 Run for Research Boston John Green ’75 (FAA) writes, “In addition to Marathon Team and collected $2,600 for the base graphic design business of 22 years, Creative effort. To find out more, contact Drewnowski Colleagues, (www.creativecolleagues.com) has at [email protected] or visit www.active.com/ added a consumer division at www.myfambly. donate/liverteam07/DDrewno. The photo by com that specializes in custom personal and small Robert Getz ’78 (KGCOE) shows Dan at mile organization Web sites, retouching and custom art 17 of the April 16 race, which took place despite composites.” a major New England storm. Leonard Smith ’75 (EPSCOB) is the CEO and president at BSP Pharma Inc. in Egg Harbor Township, N.J. Pierluigi Cipollone ’78 (CAST) writes, “I have been an information technology professional for 29 Michael Stinebaugh SVP ’72, ’75 (NTID) years; 16 of those years with Xerox as a software recently accepted a position as nautical cartogra- developer and project manager. I was outsourced to pher within the Maritime Division at the National EDS in 1994 and joined a private software consult- Geospatial Agency in Bethesda, Md. ing firm in 1996. I formed my own firm in 2001, Pierluigi Cipollone Associates. In 2004, I took on a partner and formed Paramount Computing 1976 Associates LLC and I am currently the president Eugene Bradley ’76 (KGCOE) is the technical and CEO.” services manager at Benteler Automotive in Grand Michael McManus ’78 (CCE) is the man- Rapids, Mich. ager of product development at Garlock Sealing Karen Hamburg ’76 (GAP) earned tenure at Technologies in Palmyra, N.Y. Camden County College in Blackwood, N.J., where she is a professor of visual, performing and com- munication arts. 1979 Stephen McClary ’76 (COLA) was recently pro- Sheila Stevenson ’77, ’79 (GAP) is the sports moted to deputy fire chief for the City of Rochester. information director at Rowan University in New Jersey. Stevenson was honored with the Scoop Hudgins Outstanding SID Award on March 5, 2007, 1977 30th reunion at the All-American Football Foundation’s 60th Banquet of Champions at the Hyatt Regency in Gary Dermody ’77 (COS) is a chemistry teacher Princeton. in the Rochester City School District. His oldest son (age 24) will receive his MBA in fall ’07; his sec- ond son (age 23) graduated from the University of Rochester and will enter grad school in fall ’07 for 1980 educational administration; and his daughter is a Susan Eagle ’78, ’80 (FAA) is the director of School of Design student at RIT. marketing and public relations at Salisbury (Md.) University. Peter Franz ’80 (EPSCOB) recently accepted a 1978 position at Merrill Lynch in Utica, N.Y., as financial Jonathan Atkin ’78 (GAP) writes, “I am pleased adviser. Peter previously was employed at Legal Aid to report that the U.S. Coast Guard presented to me Society as administrator. on Jan. 30, 2007, the U.S. Merchant Marine Officer’s Master’s License to operate motor, sail, or steam vessels of up to 100 tons. Simply said, this photog- 1981 rapher brings to professional maritime image-mak- Paul Alfano ’81 (EPSCOB) is a director of sales ing a knowledgeable ‘view from the bridge.’ ” www. and business development at Hewlett-Packard Co. shipshooter.com in San Jose, Calif. James Cali ’78 (EPSCOB) is the manager of RGL Bethany Marten ’79, ’81 (GAP) was recently Forensic Accountants & Consultants in St. Louis, interviewed and appeared in The New York Times Mo. He is additionally knowledgeable in the area of and Newsday. She is an expert source in the field of terrorist financing and is a member of the American real estate and mortgages. She is also the founder of Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Home Buyers’ Resource Center and has been helping National Association of Certified Fraud Examiners home buyers on Long Island and Queens for the past and the Institute of Internal Auditors. 16 years. J. Paul Villforth ’81 (KGCOE) is a doctoral can- didate at UT School of Public Health in Houston, Texas. He moved to Hong Kong in May 2007 where he works in air pollution control, waste water treat- ment, drinking water and food safety inspection with the Hong Kong government. He plans to pur- sue his Ph.D. at the University of Hong Kong. You’re invited to a yearlong CAST party
RIT’s College of Applied Science and College,” encompassing two schools and throughout all 50 states and abroad have Technology (CAST) is celebrating its 35th two departments, has become “CAST,” one been a part of this progression and now anniversary throughout the 2007-2008 of RIT’s largest colleges. CAST now com- represent nearly one-third of RIT’s entire academic year. This milestone will be com- prises three departments, two centers, one alumni population. memorated with monthly social, educa- school, and approximately 50 academic All CAST students, faculty, staff, alumni, tional, athletic, historical, and other types programs. The college also features over- and retirees are invited to participate in the of events. seas programs in Croatia and Kosovo, and activities. Please join CAST in celebrating Most significant will be the dedication has become RIT’s largest source for online its remarkable history! in April 2008 of the college’s first building course delivery. – the culmination of considerable generos- Over the years, CAST has evolved to Visit www.rit.edu/cast for more historical informa- ity, vision and planning. meet the growing and changing needs of tion, event details, or to get involved as a volun- What began in 1972 as the “Institute its students. More than 30,000 alumni teer through the dean’s office.
Mark Winans ’82, ’83 (GAP) was recently pro- Mark Kulzer ’87 (CAST) is a civil engineer at the 1982 moted to president/Springfield and V.P./Gannett New York State Department of Transportation in David Almy ’82 (GAP) has five photographs Offset from general manager/Springfield and V.P./ Troy, N.Y. on display in the National Air & Space Museum, Gannett Offset at Gannett Offset in Springfield, Va. Ralph Salerno ’87 (GAP) is the owner of Keller Washington, D.C. One is 4-by-6-feet in size! Bros. & Miller Inc. in Buffalo. Ralph was recently Zay Bailey ’82 (EPSCOB) has been nominated 1984 received Buffalo’s Community Commitment as Outstanding Professor of the Year at SUNY Leadership Award. Brockport by Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed service Robert Shepherd ’84 (CCE) recently accepted a fraternity. Nominees are chosen for their excellent position at Big Lots in Henrietta, N.Y., as area mer- teaching practices and for going above and beyond chandising manager. Robert recently was employed 1988 for students. at Unity Health Systems as medical/surgical buyer. “I retired from Unity Health Systems after 15 years. Marc Raco Decided I still wanted to be active and took the posi- ’86, ’88 (GAP) Emmanuel tion at Big Lots. I was associate manager until I went recently com- “Manny” Marcano on Social Security. I had to relinquish that position pleted post Jr. ’82 (CAST) as I had to go to part time status and accepted the production as was named to the position as area merchandising manager.” director/edi- Independent Sector tor/co-writer of Alumni Hall of a TV infomercial Distinction Class Rebecca Shick for Reading of 2007 by the ’84 (GAP) was Genius. This Commission on recently promoted to follows several Independent Colleges productions/opera- other theatri- and Universities tion manager at cal features and short films for which he played (cIcu). Each of this year’s 17 honorees is the Howell, Liberatore roles on screen and behind the scenes, including first in their family to earn a college degree. & Wickham Inc. in the recent features Getting Personal and Smoking Marcano is founder and president of EMA Elmira, N.Y. Laws and the soon-to-premiere A Night at the Design Automation, a Rochester Top 100 com- Cat and Chipper’s in Charge. Marc also released pany. cIcu represents more than 100 private, his first full-length album of original music, not-for-profit colleges and universities in New Basically Nowhere. More details at www.mar- York state. craco.com. 1986 1983 Susan Connor Freeman ’86 (EPSCOB) is an 1989 author and publisher for Footprint Press Recreation David Cassidy ’90 (EPSCOB) is a member of Norris Guidebooks. Susan moved to Florida and launched McLaughlin & Marcus P.A. serving the New Jersey James Nortz ’83 her final guidebooks to outdoor fun in Central and New York metropolitan area. David has exten- (KGCOE) is direc- and Western New York. The new books are Take A sive experience representing multinational com- tor of compliance Hike—Family Walks in New York’’s Finger Lakes Region panies in all types of labor and employment claims for Bausch & Lomb, and Take Your Bike—Family Rides in New York’s Finger before state and federal courts and administrative Rochester. Nortz Lakes Region. Both can be viewed at www.footprint- agencies. He regularly counsels companies regarding is responsible for press.com. all facets of employment law and drafts employment advancing Bausch & policies and procedures to ensure employer compli- Lomb’s global com- ance with federal and state laws. pliance and ethics 1987 program. 20th reunion Martin Daly ’87 (GAP), ’89 (CAST) was recently David Dunham ’87 (CAST) is the packaging promoted to director of operations and planning project manager at Equity Packaging in New Jersey. from senior product manager at Avaya in Basking Currently, David is located in Seattle, Wash., over- Ridge, N.J. seeing a long-term contract with Microsoft Corp. After a three-year hiatus to further pursue his acting career, he has chosen to go back into the packaging industry.
48 | FALL 2007 | www.rit.edu/alumniactivities Michael Miklos ’89 (EPSCOB) is a configuration Jennifer Gogos ’92 (FAA) and husband, George, management/documentation analyst at Lockheed- announce the birth of their son, Adam Sterios, on Martin in Owego, N.Y. Feb. 2, 2007, in Amherst, N.Y. Jennifer and George Judith Pinkham ’89 (CAST) and William recently formed The Gogos Group, a consulting firm J. Charland were married Jan. 27, 2007, in for graphic design and computer programming jobs Portsmouth, N.H., where they currently reside. in Amherst. Jennifer was previously employed at Fellow alumni Michele Arikian Ferreira ’90 Delaware North Companies as graphic designer. (CAST) and Christopher Ferreira ’89 (CAST) Robert Kreppel ’92 (KGCOE) and wife, Stacy, attended from New Jersey, along with guests from announce the birth of their son, Eli Zachary, on New York, California, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Aug. 19, 2006. Florida and Rhode Island. The couple honeymooned Michael Naud ’92 (EPSCOB) was recently in Marco Island, Fla. promoted to director of information systems Elaine Marcucci Reeder ’87, ’89 (FAA) earned from manager of information systems at Spyglass tenure from Camden County College where she is a Entertainment Holdings LLC in Los Angeles. professor of computer graphics. “Spyglass produces and distributes such films as The Craig Varjabedian ’89 (GAP) is a fine-art pho- Sixth Sense, Bruce Almighty and Seabiscuit.” tographer who has just completed his sixth book, Gideon Sober ’92 (GAP) is manager of production Four and Twenty Photographs: Stories from Behind the and quality assurance for the New York Post, New Lens, to be released in June by the University of New York City. Mexico Press.
Brian Wilson ’92 1990 (GAP) was recently William Bowers ’90 (COS) and wife, Theresa, promoted to banquet announce the birth their daughter, Olivia manager at Sheraton Katherine, on April 3, 2007, in Rochester. They Raleigh, N.C. report that they and baby are doing well, while pets Clancy, Starbuck, Steinway and Clarissa are adjust- ing to the new addition (and potential treat source). Glenn Ferguson ’90 (CAST) is the senior pack- aging engineer at Arrow International Inc. in Reading, Pa. Glenn G. Jackling ’85 (KCOE), ’90 (CAST) became president and CEO of Allen-Bailey Tag & 1993 Label Inc., Caledonia, N.Y., in May. Cathleen Buff ’93 (FAA) and husband, Bernard, Wendy Pitcher Wilson ’90 (COLA) writes, “I am announce the birth of their daughter, Anika Louise, an attorney with with Batts, Batts, & Bell LLP in on Aug. 16, 2006, in Albany. Their daughter Maeve Rocky Mount, N.C. I specialize in the field of trusts Emily will be 3 in July and enjoys entertaining her and estates.” sister. Ignacio Espinosa de los Monteros ’93 (KGCOE) 1991 and Amber Scott announce their marriage on March 17, 2007, in Anderson, Ind. They reside in David Gianna ’91 (GAP), ’91 (CAST) and Hartford, Conn., where Ignacio is a strategic initia- wife, Denise Zottola, announce the adoption of tives manager for United Technologies Corp. their daughter, Ava Maria, born Dec. 8, 2006, in Guatemala. Ava was adopted at the age of 7 months Sanford Fitelson ’93 (CAST) and Kristin Ricotta and is expected to come home this summer. Dave announce the birth of their daughter, Lily Amara, was certified in January 2007 as a payment card on Sept. 27, 2006, in Torrance, Calif. industry qualified security assessor (PCI-QSA) Dana Hollie ’93 (EPSCOB) is an assistant pro- by VISA in San Francisco. Working through his fessor of accounting at the University of Colorado employer, Cybertrust Inc., he provides auditing, –Boulder. Hollie was employed at the University of gap analysis and guidance for top retail chains and Houston as an assistant professor of accounting. payment processors to meet and comply with the “Returning to four seasons partly prompted the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard for change,” he says. protecting cardholder data. Bridget Novak Hooser ’93 (KGCOE) and hus- Raoul Lotos SVP ’87, ’90, ’91 (NTID) and band, Brian, announce the birth of a son, Zachary Carina Nilsson were married on July 19, 2005 Wilson, on Nov. 25, 2005, in Munich, Germany, in Stockholm, Sweden. They welcomed a newly where they have been residing for the past six years. adopted daughter, Julia, 3 years old, from China on Sister Alexandra Helen (age 4) is excited to have a Sept. 18, 2006, and brought her home to Sweden little brother to play with. on Sept. 27, 2006. Kenneth John ’93 (COLA) is the third shift super- Scott Wilson ’91 (CIAS) was featured in Time visor, promoted from assistant supervisor at Will magazine’s special issue on Style and Design (April Poultry Inc., Buffalo. 10, 2007). Wilson, who is now based in Chicago, Michael Lahetta ’93 (EPSCOB) and wife, recently joined Motorola. His first product for the Michelle, announce the birth of their son, Ryan company is the Bluetooth Motorola H680 head- Andrew, on Dec. 14, 2006, in Livingston, N.J. set. (An article about Wilson appeared in The Sisters Alexandra Helen, 5, and Megan Grace, 3, are University Magazine, winter 2005.) very excited. Beth Toly-Hughes ’93 (GAP) is a registered nurse at Unity Hospital, Park Ridge, Rochester. Beth was 1992 previously employed at American Images as project Thomas Frengillo ’86, ’92 (GAP) is the director manager/account executive. “I am enjoying a new of operations at Red Book Solutions in Englewood, career in healthcare after several years in the photo Colo. Thomas was previously employed at industry. I will continue to advance my career and Oppenheimer Funds as assistant vice president. become a nurse-midwife.” Alumni Updates Giuliano Callegaro ’95 (CAST) is the assistant director of food and beverage at Four Seasons Hotel Shanghai. Giuliano was employed at Four Seasons Resort Great Exuma as assistant director of food and beverage. “Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts is expanding in Asia and especially in China in the PSK brothers from the 1960s reunite next two years, and being part of the Asian eco- nomic boom is exciting and challenging,” he writes. What started out as an idea between Colin Wood ’69 (printing) and John Whitely ’68 (business administration) became a reality March 23-25, 2007, in Naples, Fla. Thirty- eight brothers of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity followed through on their motto – “We do Judd A. Schorr ’94 what others dream about!” – and had a 40-year reunion. (COS), ’96 Friday night was an informal get-to- (EPSCOB) gether so everyone could get reacquainted. reports that the birth of Saturday started with a golf outing fol- his first child, lowed by a party at Colin Wood’s house. Maximillian The Saturday evening dinner-dance was Porter Schorr, was “terrifying, wonderful and exciting.” held at the beautiful Naples Beach Hotel When his wife, Allison, began experiencing and Golf Club. To everyone’s delight there labor pains, they headed for the hospital. Af- was a plethora of memorabilia, such as ter three hours, the hospital sent the couple yearbooks, composites, pictures and old home to await further developments, with a doctor’s appointment scheduled for the fol- sweatshirts. The official weekend ended lowing day. Rather than make the 45-minute with a cruise/lunch along Naples Bay on drive from Atlanta home to Smyrna, they the Naples Princess. Celebrating at the reunion are, from left, John decided to stay in a nearby hotel. Shortly thereafter, their wait was suddenly Not only were there 38 alumni, there Allen ’66, Bill Blaufuss ’67, Ed Dawson ’66 and over. Before they could get to their car, Max but there were seven alumnae – women John Whitely ’69. made his debut on March 1, 2007. Schorr who had met and married PSK brothers delivered his son with pointers from 911 during college or after graduation. dispatchers, before the arrival of an ambu- lance crew. “Needless to say everyone had a ball and we have started planning the next reunion Besides being a new dad, Schorr is vice – and certainly not in 40 years!” says Whitely. president, project quality, Enterprise Informa- The following PSK alumni were in attendance: John Allen ’66 (business ad- tion Services, SunTrust Bank, Atlanta. ministration), Ron Antos ’68 (imaging science), Al Austin ’69 (mechanical engineer- ing, Pete Bird ’66 (printing), Craig Bisbing ’69 (business administration), Bill Blaufuss ’67 (printing), Jim Brady ’68 (business administration), Walt Bruehs ’67 (chemistry 1995 and printing), Bob Cembrola ’72 (chemistry), Gene Church ’69 (mechanical engineer- Richard Lapinski ’95 (CAST) has been named director - packaging engineering in the Global ing), Bob Coppola ’70 (photography), Dennis Coyle ’66 (printing), Ed Dawson ’66 Engineering Division of the Kellogg Company, (printing), Wayne Donle ’67 (mechanical engineering), Dave Doyle ’68 (printing), Har- Battle Creek, Mich. ry Drake ’66 (photography), John Dunn ’68 (printing), Ray Finney ’69 (chemistry), Joe Joanmarie Orlowski ’95 (CIAS) writes, “After Ford ’68 (printing), Frank Friis ’68 (printing), John Gardella ’68 (printing), David Jones graduating from RIT in May 1995, I worked as an interior designer at Bergmann Associates in ’67 (business administration), Steve Jones ’70 (printing), Walt Klein ’67 (mechanical Rochester from June 1995 to August 1997. In engineering and printing), Jim Leida ’67 (printing), Robert MacGregor ’69 (business May 1999, I received an MFA degree in historic administration), Andre Maynard ’69 (mechanical engineering), Bob McIntyre ’71 preservation at the Savannah (Ga.) College of Art (electrical), Chip Neuscheler ’68 (printing), Karl Rachfal ’66 (printing), Dick Rainone and Design. In November 1999, my husband and I moved to Kailua, Hawaii. I took a job as a his- ’68 (electrical), Rob Roperti ’66 (printing), Craig Sager ’72 (imaging science), John toric preservationist at Mason Architects Inc. in Vanderveen ’67 (electrical), Bob Wensley ’69 (mechanical engineering), John Whitely Honolulu. I worked mostly on government contract ’67 (business administration), Bob Witmeyer ’71 (business administration) and Colin work at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, focusing on the WWII-era historic housing areas of the base and Wood ’69 (printing). the WWII facilities at the Navy Shipyard. Many Alumnae attending: Pat Lorden Blaufuss ’68 (business administration), Pat of the Historic American Building Survey (HABS) Vasisko Dunn ’67 (art and design), Susan Thorpe Gardella ’66 (retail management), Jo reports I wrote are in the process of being archived Jackson Jones ’67 (retail management), Patricia Carson MacGregor ’69 (retail man- at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. I currently reside in Milton, Fla., and am a stay-at- agement), Mary Dianne Older Roperti ’65 (retail management) and Jette Davidsson home mom for my two boys, Mitchell and Andrew.” Whitely ’67 (art and design). 1996 Courtney Aquilina ’96 (CIAS) recently accepted Renee Stetson Zborowski ’94 (CIAS) is co- a position at Nokia in Boston as senior user inter- 1994 founder and vice president of Square One Branding, face designer. a full-service branding and advertising firm in Andrea Depolo-Saibanti ’94 (CIAS) is the man- Aisha Holmes ’96 (COLA) has been accepted Miami. ager for research and development at Alinari Photo for graduate study in technical communication at Archive in Florence, Italy, a family-owned business James Barlow ’95 (KGCOE) is the plant engineer North Carolina State University. Aisha begins her and oldest photo archive in the world. at Griffin Pipe Products in Florence, N.J. He writes, graduate work in fall 2007. “I recently received my Pennsylvania Professional Patricia Synakowski Lanter ’94 (EPSCOB) and Earl Ipsaro ’85, ’96 (CAST) was recently pro- Engineers License and will be entering the graduate Jared Lanter ’94 (EPSCOB) announce the birth moted to vice president at Fibertech Networks in program at Drexel University for mechanical engi- of their son, Nathaniel James, on Sept. 28, 2006, in Rochester. neering in fall 2007.” Kansas City, Mo. Nathaniel already tries to keep up with his 4-year-old brother, Alex.
50 | FALL 2007 | www.rit.edu/alumniactivities Gregory Urtz ’97 (KGCOE) and wife, Sherrye, Daniel Pipitone ’96 announce the birth of a son, Jackson LaRocque (CIAS): After one Urtz, on Sept. 22, 2006, in Leonardtown, Md. year as a senior infor- mation and graphic designer at the 1998 Software Engineering Institute at Carnegie Jennifer Everett ’98 (CAST) and husband, Brett, Mellon University, announce the birth of their daughter, Margaret Daniel was promoted Kendall, on March 2, 2007. to take on the team Margery Gandolfi ’98 (CIAS) was promoted to leader/creative direc- vice president at Citigroup in Long Island City, N.Y. tor role within the Dommunications Division. Brian Wilson ’98 (CAST) recently accepted a Daniel’s new role will involve the coordination position at Global Knowledge in Cary, N.C., as e- and guidance of design efforts in support of the learning development team leader. Brian was previ- technical research staff, as well as corporate col- ously employed at MountainTop Technologies as lateral and outreach materials, both for print and senior instructional systems designer. Web-based. 1999 John Pironti ’96 (CIAS) is the chief information Robert Camp ’99 (KGCOE) is a Ph.D. student risk strategist for Getronics. He has designed and at Northeastern University in Boston. Robert was implemented electronic business solutions, infor- employed at AOA Inc. as senior mechanical engi- mation security programs and threat and vulner- neer. “I left my job to pursue a Ph.D. in mechani- ability management for key customers in a range of cal engineering/nanomedicine at Northeastern industries on a global scale. Pironti has a number University in Boston.” of industry certifications and is also a published author and writer and a frequent speaker on elec- tronic business and security topics at domestic and international industry conferences. Peter Vergis ’96, ’96 (CIAS) was one of the featured artists in the grand opening of Art at Eighteen, a fine arts gallery in Milford, N.J., and also exhibits at his Blue Heron Studio. For more info, go to his site at www.petervergis.com. David Combs ’99 (CAST) has worked for Dell Computers in Austin, Texas, since June of 2000. In 2005, he moved into Dell’s Worldwide 1997 Procurement Organization as the global com- 10th reunion modity quality manager, specializing in the Timothy Cozzens ’97 (CIAS) won first place in development of the Dell notebook in China and the Creative Scholarship: Visual Arts Category for a other countries in Asia. Early February 2007, presentation entitled “Entry Table Series” given at Dell began advertising its “Tough Traveler” the IDEC International Conference in Austin, Texas. notebook – and featured David in the online ad Nicole Crawford ’97 (EPSCOB) and husband, campaign. Andrew, announce the birth of their son, Lucas Andrew, on Aug. 5, 2006, in Children’s Hospital Emmanuel Garcia ’99 (KGCOE) and Delmy in Buffalo. Nicole was recently promoted to head Baquedano were married on Oct. 1, 2006, in of organizational development for Windsong Springfield, Va. They reside in Ashburn, Va. They Radiology Group, P.C. in Williamsville, N.Y. have been living in the D.C. metro area since 1999. Megan Cuda ’97 (COS) and husband, Robert, announce the birth of their son, Tobias Edward, on Jan. 12, 2007, in Pittsburgh, Pa. Scott Rankin ’99 (CAST) Todd Gates ’97 (EPSCOB) is a captain in the was recently United States Marine Corp. He has nine years of ser- promoted to vice, which include two combat tours in Iraq as a jet helpdesk coordi- pilot. He married Sarah on Sept. 2, 2006, on board nator at Alaska the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas. Sarah Court System is a kindergarten teacher. in Anchorage. Christopher Mc Cormick ’97 (CIAS) recently “I have worked accepted a position at Betonas Inc. in Beacon, N.Y., with the Alaska Court System (ACS) starting as vice president. “Betonas is in the process of clos- in August 2002, when my wife became the law ing our Florida facility. clerk for the Superior Court Judge in Bethel. I Dominick Perritano ’97 (KGCOE) is a principal took a year leave of absence from my field-engi- software engineer at BAE Systems in San Diego, neer position at Xerox in Rochester. After the Calif. year was up, Christina got a job as an attorney in Anchorage. Again I moved along and took a Karen Voorhees Simonds ’84 (CAST), ’97 position with ACS, this time as the legal tech- (EPSCOB) is the quality manager at Corning nician for Children’s Court. After almost two Tropel Corp., where she has worked for 10 years. years, a good position opened up in the technol- Matthew Staub ’97 (COLA) is a technical support ogy department. As of July 2006, I have been engineer for Session Border Controller products at the helpdesk coordinator for all the courts in Acme Packet. Matt, his wife and son recently moved Alaska. Some of the challenges with supporting to a new house in Waltham, Mass. multiple sites have to do with their remote loca- Amy Strzegowski ’97 (COS) and Mark tions. I love my job and the challenges we get Strzegowski ’96 (KGCOE) announce the birth to overcome. I also doubt many people have the of their son, Matthew Joseph, on July 20, 2006, in beauty just outside their door like we have here Concord, Mass. Matthew has three proud sisters; with mountains all around us.” Emily (age 4), and Sarah and Megan (age 2). Alumni Updates
Commitment to volunteering started at RIT While at RIT, Andrew Levy’ 93 (computer science) was active in Volunteer Service RIT Ambulance. Award, gold level, “It is hard to believe it was a few weeks before graduation that I for more than 500 needed to use the services of RIT Ambulance and was paralyzed for hours of volunteer several months,” says Levy. service in 2006. Levy was hospitalized as the result of Guillain-Barré, an illness Through a that impacts the peripheral nervous system. Today, fully recovered, corporate volunteer Levy continues his commitment to volunteer work in a major way. program, Levy coor- In addition to his career as a certified senior managing consultant dinated efforts to get with IBM’s U.S. federal practice, he gives his time to numerous multiple grant dona- Andrew Levy ’93 takes a break at the Fairfax (Va.) community organizations and through an IBM program called On tions to Volunteer County Fire and Rescue Training Academy. Demand Community. Fairfax for laptops The passion for emergency work he discovered at RIT was reig- donated by IBM. He nited while taking Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) also incorporates his experience into IBM’s crisis management solu- training through Fairfax (Va.) County Fire and Rescue Department. tions. He shares his technical and consulting background and IBM He also became a charter member of the Fairfax County Volunteer experience through a variety of other activities including Engineer- Mobilization Leadership Team. Both of these teams are called to ing Week, TryScience and mentoring at the mid-school and college service in the event of a major incident or natural disaster. levels (including RIT, where he continues to be active). In June 2006 he was called to action during the flooding in Levy’s entire family is active in volunteer activities. Gabrielle, the Alexandria/Huntington area. Levy staffed the Fairfax County his preschool daughter, was the youngest to be recently recognized Office of Emergency Management County Alternate Emergency with a 2007 Fairfax County Volunteer Service Award. Operations Center. “It was a long night of speaking with concerned “People from the community need to step up and help others,” citizens, several of whom had lost their homes.” says Levy. “It is always a good feeling to be able to give back to your Related to this work, he received the 2007 Fairfax County Volun- community by helping others when they really need it. You never teer Service Benchmark Award. He has also received the President’s know when you might need it yourself.”
Mark Schmidt ’99 (EPSCOB) is the manager Marion Higby Gray ’00 (COS) is part of a select of tax services at Beard Miller Co. in the TFG group of individuals chosen to receive training 2001 Syracuse Office. Mark received his Certified Public regarding issues surrounding global warming. The Accountant (CPA) designation from the N.Y. State Climate Project is led by former vice president Al Amie Banis Division of Professional Licensing Services. Gore and includes a team of renowned scientists ’01 (CIAS) and and environmental educators. Marion will be Eric Olson ’03 scheduling free presentations in the coming months (KGCOE) were 2000 and can be reached at globalwarmingmessenger@ married August Brandy Donough ’00 (CIAS) and wife, Cameron, mail.com. 20, 2006 in announce the birth of their son, Braden Shea Katherine Hoheusle Jones ’00 (COS) and Kevin Harrisburg, Pa. Donough, on April 18, 2007, in RAF Lakenheath, Jones ’94 (NTID), ’97 (CIAS) announce the birth The bride’s twin England. Braden is doing well. Brandy reports that of their son, Liam Aquilla Hoheusle Jone, on Sept. sister Heather grandparents in Washington State are proud as 26, 2006 in Wheat Ridge, Colo. Katherine recently Banis ’01 can be! accepted a position at IBM in Boulder, Colo. as (CIAS) served as maid of honor. The couple resides in Ballston Spa, N.Y., and are wait- Alan Feldstein ’00 (KGCOE) is a Sun certified LEAN associate. “After graduating with my MBA in December 2006 from the University of Colorado ing for new orders as Eric finishes up Navy programmer for the Java 2 Platform, Standard Nuclear Power School. Edition 5.0 (SCJP). at Denver, I was given the opportunity to become a LEAN associate, which is in line with my MBA career goals.” Amanda Claypoole ’01 (CIAS) and Ed Masiello Natalie Brian Krenzer ’98, ’00 (CIAS) recently accepted II were married Sept. 9, 2006, at Penn Shore Hawryschuk ’95, a position at Avenue A | Razorfish in Chicago as Winery in North East, Pa. They currently reside in ’97 (CIAS), ’00 senior art director working on interactive adver- Pawtucket, R.I., and are both employed at Hasbro (CAST) and Paul tising campaigns for AT&T. Brian was previously Inc., where Amanda recently became a graphic Stopko ’97 (CIAS) employed at Noble Worldwide as senior art director. designer. were married June Marianne Sims SVP ’97, ’00 (CAST), ’00 Erin Esposito ’96 (COLA), ’01 (NTID) was 3, 2006, in Pittsford, (COLA) is an educational specialist at Graphisoft recently promoted to assistant director for student N.Y. They currently U.S., among the largest architecture/ life and leadership at National Technical Institute reside in Charlotte, engineering/construction CAD software compa- for the Deaf (NTID) at RIT. N.C. Natalie was nies in the world. Marianne describes the job as Micah Falkner ’01 (CIAS) writes, “For several recently promoted to “the position of a lifetime.” She creates educational director of Web ser- years I’ve been mostly freelancing for print and relationships with architectural schools to promote the Web. I’ve done print work for the Albany Times vices at LendingTree ArchiCAD software. LLC in Charlotte, N.C. Union, Web design for Virtual Flow Media and She is responsible for managing a team of Web Epractis in Rochester. I am currently a full-time designers, developers and usability specialists. Web design/developer for Kathoderay Media in Greenville, N.Y.”
52 | FALL 2007 | www.rit.edu/alumniactivities Derek Mozer ’01 (CIAS) is the creative develop- ment producer at Post Newsweek WKMG-TV6 Local Christopher Panichella 6 News in Orlando, Fla. ’03 (CIAS) and Alyssa Eve Miller ’03 (CIAS) were Carrie Nicholsen SVP ’98 (NTID) was recently married on July 3, 2006, promoted to imaging specialist at the Federal on the Egyptian Patio at the Aviation Administration in Glenn Dale, Md. Darlington House in La Jolla, Renee Sitnik ’01 (COS) was recently promoted to Calif. Following a honeymoon the team lead of product disposition at Bristol-Myers in Maui, the couple resides in Squibb in Syracuse, N.Y. Oceanside, Calif. Alyssa is a Richard Stone ’99 (EPSCOB), ’01,’02 (CAST) graphic designer for Arbonne International and participated as team leader for an Applied Christopher is the owner/operator of Achella Ergonomics Graduate Student Design Competition Design Studio. while pursuing his Ph.D. studies at SUNY Buffalo. His team won the top prize, known as the ePrize. Andrew Quagliata ’01 (COLA), ’03 (EPSCOB) recently accepted a position at New Horizon 2002 Advisors in Pittsford, N.Y., as financial adviser/ operations manager. Melissa Gerber ’02 (CIAS) recently accepted a position as an art director at Sterling Publishing Co. Michael Sadovnick ’03 (CAST) is currently Inc. in New York City. She is handling book interi- employed as a project engineer for Balfour Beatty ors, covers, kits, catalog, special sales, co-editions Rail Inc. Michael is assigned to a multi-million dol- and sales materials, managing approximately 20 lar commuter line project on Boston’s South Shore. outside freelance designers and illustrators. Keith Tabakman ’03 (KGCOE) and Alexandra Marina Harner ’02 (CIAS) and Justin Balan were married on June 16th, 2007. Steinhard ’04 (CIAS) were married June 30, 2007, in New Paltz, N.Y. 2004 David Kidder ’02 (CIAS) recently co-authored The Intellectual Devotional (Rodale Books/October 2006), Kimberly Boyd ’03, ’04 (EPSCOB) is a market- a collection of 365 short inspirational lessons. ing research analyst at the University of California, Wisdom is drawn from history, literature, visual Berkeley. arts, science, music, philosophy and religion. Erin Moran Demers ’04 (CAST) accepted a Jillian Knight ’02 (KGCOE) and Ryan Chase ’01 position at City of Burlington, Vt., as public works (KGCOE) announce the birth of their son, Elijah engineer. Henry Chase,on Nov. 16, 2006. Theresa Hossenlopp ’04 (CIAS) writes, “After Danielle Mettler ’02 (CAST) is an associate attor- two years of creating puppets and props for the ney at Hiscock & Barclay Law Firm. Prior to this, stop-motion animation world, I recently married Danielle was a law clerk with the Vermont Office of and moved with my husband to midcoast Maine. I the Defender General, Appellate Division. am now pursuing my dream of writing and illus- trating children’s books.” Rashida Morgan ’02 (CIAS) is a graphic designer at People Magazine in New York City. She also James Hulka ’04 (COS) received a master of sci- launched a beauty line in January 2007 called ence degree in atmospheric sciences from South “Marie Deneen” and can be seen on the Web at Dakota School of Mines and Technology on May 12, www.mariedeneen.com. 2007. James will pursue a Ph.D. in earth and plan- etary sciences at the University of New Mexico. Christopher Samulski ’02 (EPSCOB) recently accepted a position at Dominion Enterprises in Bridget Lasecki ’04 (COS) and Daniel Lasecki Norfolk, Va., as SQL server database administrator. Jr. ’03 (CIAS) announce the birth of a their son, Dominion Enterprises is a leading media and infor- Thomas Daniel, on Feb. 13, 2007, in Kingston, N.Y. mation services company serving the needs of the real estate, apartment, automotive, specialty vehi- cle, employment and travel industries. Dominion Kristin Reiland ’04 Enterprises, wholly owned by media pioneer (COS) has entered Landmark Communications Inc., was established in first-year studies at September 2006. The company’s brands include For West Virginia School Rent, The Employment Guide, Harmon Homes and of Osteopathic a full complement of specialty vehicle titles includ- Medicine in ing Traderonline.com. Chris is one of two database Lewisburg. administrators for the ForRent.com business. Bonnie Santaguida ’02 (EPSCOB) and Vincent Santaguida ’99 (COS) announce the birth of their son, Braden Michael, Oct. 5, 2006, in Syracuse, N.Y. Daniel Shvimer ’04 (GCCIS) was recently pro- moted to assistant vice president at JPMorganChase 2003 in New York City. Aaron Baskin ’03 (COLA) is working as a depart- Jill Spaeth ’04 (CIAS) was recently promoted mental trainer for PAETEC Communications. to graphics studio manager at FOX Architects Melissa Farrell ’03 (EPSCOB) is a financial pro- in Washington, D.C. “My new responsibilities fessional at MassMutual Financial in San Francisco, include bringing in new business, scheduling Calif. “I decided to pursue an industry where I can internal and external projects, as well as manag- grow my own business, my network and myself,” ing three design professionals within the studio. I she writes. have also been promoted to membership director for the Washington, D.C., chapter of AIGA (the Jonathan Measel SVP ’97, ’02, ’03 (NTID) and Professional Association for Design). I have been a Lindsay Hogan Measel ’03 (NTID) announce member of the Washington chapter’s board for one the birth of their daughter, Caitlin Ann, on July 17, year.” 2005. He completed a corporate trainee program in July Alumni Updates 2007. He works in the Alexandria, Va., imaging office. National Geographic prints their monthly titles with Quad/Graphics. Mahine Rattonsey ’05 (CIAS) was among Family business offers sparkling future several alumni whose work was exhibited at the Upstate Invitational Art Show in Rochester. Sangeeta Bhola ’02 (MBA) credits Erin Vlahos SVP ’00, ’05 (CAST), ’07 (NTID) and Aaron Bosley ’05 (GCCIS) were married marketing professor Philip Tyler with Aug. 13, 2005, in Pittsburgh, Pa., where they now advice that changed her life. reside. Aaron is a Web developer at Highmark in “Dr. Tyler listened to me speak Pittsburgh, and Erin returned to RIT to complete about my future career plans and our her M.S. in secondary education. RIT interpreter Dave “Santa Claus” McCloskey served as interpreter family business in India,” she says. for the wedding. “He suggested, ‘Why don’t you join Thomas Warsaw ’05 (KGCOE) and wife, Bethany, the family business and help it grow’?” announce the birth of their daughter, Jordyn Emily, She joined Bholasons Jewellers, on March 27, 2007, in Rochester. New Delhi, in January 2003. “I’m Gus Weber ’05 (GCCIS) recently accepted a position the fifth generation of my family in at Microsoft Corp. in Rochester as director, university relations. Gus was previously employed at Rochester the jewelry business,” she says. She Institute of Technology as director of development. completed a diamond grading and identification course to build her Brett Wolff ’05 (CAST) technical skills, then began to focus and Meridith Fargnoli on the marketing side of the business. ’07 (CAST) were mar- Gradually, she became more involved ried July 27, 2007, in Rochester. The couple in buying, selling, manufacturing, and met while they attended procurement until she had learned all RIT. Brett was recently aspects of the business. promoted to front office Both of her parents are involved in manager from front office supervisor at Residence the business, and although the jewelry Inn by Marriott West in industry has been male-dominated, Rochester. her mother and father were pleased with her decision to work with them. Sangeeta Bhola ’02 Her efforts have paid off. The 2006 company has been recognized for little ceremonies that make shopping a Jennifer Bertelsen ’06 (CIAS) recently accepted advertising and packaging, and also won leisurely pleasure.” a position at the Washington, D.C., Office of the the 2005 Retail Jeweller Award for “Best She offers exclusive designs and consid- Chief Medical Examiner as a forensic photographer. Retail Transformation.” ers her competition to be the interna- Julia Dickinson ’04, ’06 (COLA) was recently promoted to research director at Rochester Business While she remains active in the family tional jewelry market. It’s a challenging Journal. Julia is responsible for “Top 25” lists, business, Bhola decided that she wanted business, but Bhola believes she will be “Marketplace” and “Portfolio” sections. to make her own mark on the jewelry successful because of her determination Jessica Drake ’06 (COLA) accepted a position as industry. In July 2007, she opened her and ambition – and something more. marketing associate with CGI Communications Inc. in Rochester. She will foster and maintain relation- own retail business, Signature Salon. “RIT gave me the confidence to believe ships with municipalities across the nation. She has two stores in New Delhi, and I could succeed, that I could manage a David Fulle ’03, ’06 (CAST) is the engagement another in Gurgaon. The shops have been business,” she says. “It connected me with manager at Element K in the Custom Media Group favorably reviewed for their ambience and people all over the world.” with responsibilities including project budgets, accoutrements. schedule, revenue, margin, content, client engage- ment, and the project team. “The Salon is aimed at people who can For more information, visit www.Bholasons.com. Herman Lee ’03, ’06 (EPSCOB) recently afford the best that money can buy,” she accepted a technology consulting position at says, “and such people deserve various Accenture (based out of their San Francisco, Calif., office) in the Information Management Services - Business Intelligence Practice Division. Herman previously was employed at Rochester Institute of 2005 second reunion Council, High Tech Club, and Sound Investments Technology as development services coordinator. vocal group. She is now in Manhattan establishing James Miller ’06 (GCCIS) accepted a position at Jonathan Bove ’05 (COLA) has accepted an offer her freelance internet marketing consultancy. from Campus Advantage to become their National XLHealth Inc. in Baltimore as a systems engineer. Assistant Director for Residence Life. Though based Kory Gunnarsen ’05 (CIAS) writes, “I was the at the firm’s home office in Denver, Colo., he will recipient of the Directors Award for RIT’s 2005 travel the country to 42 different campus locations SPAS Student Honors Show. I am currently an 2007 to train new or existing staff. assistant wedding photographer and fine art digital Corinne Griffiths ’07 (COLA) recently lab manager.” Amy Cham ’05 (CAST) received a MBA in market- accepted a position as a publicist with Matter ing from The Johnson School, Cornell University, on Michael Maeder ’05 (KGCOE) works at Battelle Communications. The PR firm works mostly with May 26, 2007. Her accomplishments include first - National Security Division in Washington, D.C., as high technology companies and is located in place wins at the SCJ Guerilla Marketing and Simon training and operations officer. Newburyport, Mass. School Marketing case competitions, making finals Michael Murawski ’05 (CIAS) is an imaging Benjamin Harris ’07 (EPSCOB) recently at the Thunderbird Innovation Challenge, and service representative for Quad/Graphics, the larg- accepted a position at The Nielsen Company as leadership roles with the Women’s Management est private commercial printer in North America. a management development associate.
54 | FALL 2007 | www.rit.edu/alumniactivities Stay Connected! with Online Class Notes
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Jennifer Palumbo ’07 (COLA) is author of two 1951 articles in the March 14, 2007 issue of Medicine & Cynthia Hovey Anklin ’51 (EPSCOB). Health’s Managed Care Report. One article focuses on Dec. 23, 1006 “Patient Centered Management” and the other on Stay connected: dental hygiene. The publication is published by 1957 Jennifer’s employer, Eli Research. Harold N. Gunther ’57 (GAP). April 2005 Volunteer! Michelle Wescott ’07 (COLA) a communica- Norman J. Kuczmanski ’57 (KGCOE). “I wanted to continue my relation- tion and media technologies graduate (May 2007) Dec. 22, 2006 has been hired by Element K as an instructional ship with RIT after graduation,” designer. Michelle began working at Element K 1960 says Andrew M. Zach ’03 (industrial shortly after Nikki A. Tompsett ’60 (GAP). Feb. 18, 2003 May 1. engineering). “Volunteering allows 1963 me to build upon the connections I In Memoriam Marvin R. Bauer ’63 (GAP). Dec. 29, 2006 made as a student. Through volun- 1965 teering, I feel I am able to contribute 1937 Donald A. Dickinson ’65 (GAP). April 2007 to the future growth and prosperity Dorcas Fitch Darling ’37 (CCE). Feb. 20, 2007 of RIT and its students. I have had the 1967 1940 Earl H. Reynolds ’67 (CCE). June 9, 2005 opportunity to connect with current Frank H. Ross ’40 (GAP). Jan. 31, 2007 students and many alumni. It also 1969 1941 Alfred Zielinski ’69 (CCE). April 17, 2006 helps keep me up to date on all of the Wallace Seawell ’41 (photography). exciting changes happening at RIT.” May 28, 2007 1972 For information regarding alumni Richard W. Broadbelt ’72 (GAP). Feb. 8, 2007 1942 volunteer opportunities, contact Evelyn Eagan Swan ’42 (EPSCOB). July 4, 2006 1976 Terry Bohling, assistant director, John R. Woods ’76 (CCE). March 6, 2006 1947 Alumni Relations, at terry.bohling@ Ronald E. Johnson ’47 (GAP). April 29, 20066 1984 rit.edu or 585-475-7624. You may Stephen J. Carter ’84 (CAST). Feb. 17, 2007 also visit the volunteer page at www. 1950 John Leo Johnson ’50 (GAP). Feb. 11, 2007 1999 rit.edu/alumni. Thomas J. Curley ’99 (CAST). Jan. 16, 2007 Dell H. Warnick ’50 (GAP). May 2006
FALL 2007 | 55 from the Archives
1950s
What’s going on here?
A group of women students poses for a photo in Kate Gleason Hall on RIT’s former campus in downtown Rochester, but very little is known about who they are or the story behind the photo. If you have additional information about this photo, now stored in RIT’s Archives and Special Collections, we’d love to share it with other readers. Send comments to The University Magazine, University News Services, Rochester Institute of Technology, 132 Lomb Memorial Drive – Bldg. 86, Rochester, NY 14623. E-mail can be sent to [email protected].
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56 | FALL 2007 ME E T OURNEW E S T AN N UA L DO N O R
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