President Munson His Successful Past Hints at RIT’S Future

The University Magazine Fall 2017

Introducing President Munson His successful past hints at RIT’s future

Record number of alumni heading to medical school • First in their families to graduate

government policy, designing a new piece of technology, initiating a social movement or launching a start-up company, every student can be involved in creating things that never before existed, and then putting the result into play, in an effort to improve the world. One can never underestimate the power of students and their ideas, supported by outstanding faculty and staff. By working together, we can turn big dreams into reality. That’s why I am excited and honored to become this great university’s 10th president. What a thrill and privilege this is for me and for Nancy. We are energized by the cutting- RIT: The University Magazine edge nature of RIT, including its talented and Executive Editors ambitious students, faculty, staff and alumni. Bob Finnerty ’07, Marketing and Communications RIT has been rapidly ascending for Deborah M. Stendardi, Government and Community Relations many years, under the leadership of President John Trierweiler, Marketing and Communications Bill Destler and his predecessors, and is now Editor one of the top few universities in the nation

Mindy Mozer, Marketing and Communications Lamark Photo by Elizabeth working at the intersection of technology, Contributing Editors RIT President David Munson began in July. the arts and design. We can continue to use Lisa Cauda, Development and Alumni Relations these strengths—the core of the university— Kim Slusser, Development and Alumni Relations Craig Smith, Development and Alumni Relations to help build important and unique programs Cindy Sobieraj, Development and Alumni Relations FROM THE PRESIDENT in all disciplines, including business, the Art Director health sciences and the liberal arts. We can Jeff Arbegast ’93, Marketing and Communications lead the nation, if not the world, in taking Photographer Honored this approach. One of my aims is to work A. Sue Weisler ’93, Marketing and Communications with the entire RIT community and our Writers: Marketing and Communications many partners to realize our fullest Luke Auburn ’09, ’15 to be RIT Scott Bureau ’11, ’16 potential in this regard. Michelle Cometa ’00 As we do that work, we will be placing Susan Gawlowicz ’95 president increased emphasis on research and Rich Kiley Greg Livadas discovery, scholarly work and artistic Vienna McGrain ’12 tudents thrive in a culture of intel- expression, which is the academic side of Marcia Morphy lectual curiosity, especially when creativity and innovation. As we become Ellen Rosen it is possible to turn that curiosity more research oriented, our students will Copy Editor intoS action. So when my wife, Nancy, be at the forefront. I wish for RIT to be the Marie Lang, Marketing and Communications and I attended our first Imagine RIT: most student-centered research university Print Production Brenda Monahan, Marketing and Communications Innovation and Creativity Festival in in the nation as we train the future leaders May, it left an inspiring impression as of society. Along with preparation for a Marketing and Communications University News Services we begin our first year at RIT. career, our students will be positioned to 132 Lomb Memorial Drive We observed a sea of students with lead lives of great consequence and purpose, Rochester, NY 14623-5608 a strong sense of passion and purpose. including outside their profession. Voice: 585-475-5064 Fax: 585-475-5097 RIT students are creators and they know In the coming years, our job will be to Email: [email protected] how to put their creativity to use. They strive for preeminence. This will be a lot of Office of Alumni Relations replicated amusement park rides. They work, but I promise that we will have fun Crossroads 41 Lomb Memorial Drive demonstrated the art and science of along the way. As I get started, I have plenty to Rochester, NY 14623-5603 Voice: 585-475-ALUM, Toll Free: 866-RIT-ALUM movie making. They simulated NASA learn my “freshman year” as your president. TTY: 585-475-2764, Fax: 585-475-5308 rockets and engineered hybrid formula To accelerate this learning, I look forward to Email: [email protected] race cars. And they solved problems in meeting members of the RIT family on and Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, the health care arena with the potential off campus this semester. I invite you to join New York, publishes The University Magazine. th th RIT does not discriminate. RIT promotes and to improve lives. me between Oct. 13 and 15 for Brick City values diversity within its workforce and provides As we observed at Imagine RIT, creating Homecoming & Family Weekend where we equal opportunity to all qualified individuals something fundamentally new ignites all can share ideas about RIT’s bright future. regardless of race, color, creed, age, marital status, sex, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender sorts of possibilities for learning. Creativity identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran and innovation (putting creativity to use) Your newest Tiger, status, or disability. can occur in every field and corner of our campus. Whether it be writing a poem or Vol. 19, No. 2, 115M-P1998-8/2017-LANE-JSA short story, choreographing a dance, com- Printer: The Lane Press; Burlington, Vermont © 2017 Rochester Institute of Technology posing a piece of music, advancing a new David C. Munson Jr. All rights reserved scientific hypothesis, developing a new President b | WINTER 2011-12 10

The University Magazine Fall 2016

Departments 2 Letters 4 On Campus 6 About Students 8 Research 32 Alumni Updates 38 Class Notes 40 Tiger Love 14 20

Features

10 A family first Meet three students who are the first in their families to graduate from college.

14 RIT The first wave of alumni from the College of Health Sciences and Technology are now physicians.

20 Introducing David Munson RIT’s new president has a track record of producing graduates who lead lives of consequence and purpose.

26 25 years of Formula Racing The team celebrates 25 years of providing hundreds of students with automotive engineering skills. 26

28 Honoring alumni Twelve alumni will receive awards during Brick City Homecoming & Family Weekend.

Cover David Munson was dean of the University of Michigan College of Engineering before accepting the position as RIT’s 10th president. In Michigan, he tranformed the college, which has 10,000 students. Photo by Elizabeth Lamark Letters

Thank you for Tiger Love story

am an alumna, social work 1989. marriages, I was completely blown away! Although this program no longer exists, I have several friends who are in same-sex I feel that the education I received at relationships and I have worked with youth IRIT was truly the very best. The social work over the past 20 years who feel shame, faculty and program were a very positive disapproval and hostility daily about experience for me, even though I did not live who they are. One of the ways in which on the RIT campus when I was a student. I have tried to support them is through The most recent spring 2017 University acknowledgement of their relationships Magazine found its way to my mailbox, and and the importance of the significant I am writing to share with you my delight, others and spouses in their lives. appreciation and high regard over the article Thank you again for very openly on page 40, “Ice-breaker was really love at showing this validation. RIT, you rock! first sight.” At a time when I see an increase Sara Eck ’89 (social work) in outspoken disapproval about same-sex School social worker, Rochester City School District Photo provided by RIT Archive Collections by RIT Archive Photo provided In 1968, RIT moved from downtown Rochester to its new campus in Henrietta. The campus, under construction here, was dedicated during homecoming weekend. Member of first junior class on Henrietta campus

started at RIT in 1966 at the downtown I was in the first class on the new campus in union in the bowling alley and billiard room. campus. I loved the experience of going to Henrietta as a junior. They were still building I’ll never forget my experiences at both the college in a downtown environment. I made and adding things as we went to class. I had downtown campus and Henrietta campus. Imany new friends and had a wonderful time. the opportunity to work at the new student Steve Livingston ’70 (graphic arts and photography)

2 | FALL 2017 Memories of downtown campus

came to RIT in 1955 as a freshman in students would upend a clothes iron the photo science department from my between two books and boil water for soup home in College Park, Md. Arriving or coffee on a Griffin beaker “borrowed” Iat the Spring Street dorm, I found many from chemistry class. willing hands to help me cart my belongings After receiving my Associate of Applied to a fourth-floor room. I remember that Science degree in photographic science the iron stair posts were embossed with in 1957, I ran out of funds and decided to the letters “MA,” which I learned stood return to my home in College Park, Md., for the original name of the university: to try to make up my junior year at the Mechanics Athenaeum. University of Maryland. It was a little hard The dorm rooms were spacious and as to find courses in a major university which I recall housed either two or three students could be transferred back to RIT for this with a large “trunk room” in the back of purpose. I eventually took a full-time job the room. We photo students immediately and went to night school at American saw the possibilities of the trunk room as University in Washington, D.C., to a darkroom, and many were so converted complete the credits to return to RIT. which allowed us to complete some of our I returned to RIT in 1960 with credits for photo assignments on weekends. I had a my junior year and graduated with my BS tall, redheaded roommate from Worcester, degree in photo science in June of 1961. In Mass., named Carl Grusell, a printing subsequent years, I worked as a senior photo student. Carl taught me how to ice skate graphic engineer at GAF (Ansco) Corp. in so I could use the splendid RIT ice rink. Binghamton and also for Memorex in Santa Use of any hot plate or cooking device Clara, Calif. I have been retired since 1997. was strictly prohibited in this old building, I have never been able to visit “Brick City,” and it seemed to us that the electrical but I do try to follow the developments in consumption was monitored for each room your excellent magazine. I know that neither because if you plugged in anything hotter I nor anyone I knew in 1960 could possibly than an iron, an upperclassman hall monitor have imagined the complexity and quality soon knocked on your door to threaten of today’s RIT. your eviction. However, many imaginative David C. Luehrman ’61 (graphic arts and photography)

Happy to move to Henrietta

was a member of the last freshman to Henrietta the following year. class to start on the old campus—in One somewhat humorous memory of September 1967. the overcrowding on the old campus was II enjoyed your article in the Spring 2017 the serious shortage of parking spaces. issue of The University Magazine explaining Freshmen were not allowed to have cars RIT’s rationale to move to Henrietta. However, (with good reason) and the RIT parking one obvious reason was omitted—student permits were affectionately known to safety. Three years before I came to RIT, commuters and upperclassmen as the 1964 riots went right down Plymouth “hunting licenses.” As you said, the move Avenue alongside the freshman men’s dorm, to Henrietta was the most significant single Nathaniel Rochester Hall. As a part of fresh- act in RIT’s history, and I am proud to say man orientation, we were given a lecture that my grandson is a freshman there now. on what had occurred and exactly what the Jim Booth ’71 (business administration) campus security procedures would be in the event of another riot. (Yes, this was a concern.) The lecture ended with the warning Contact us that, without a student ID, we would not be Write us with your memories as RIT admitted to the dorm under any circum- prepares to celebrate 50 years on the Alvis Upitis ’68 (photo science) sent these photos, from top, stances. In addition, students were advised Henrietta campus in 2018. Or send your of Nathaniel Rochester Hall, Eastman building and George H. to travel in groups after dark. And as I recall, thoughts on other topics covered in the Clark building on the downtown campus. He wanted to docu- during the 1967–1968 school year there magazine to [email protected]. We edit for ment college life for his parents. The sunrise photo, above, were three knifings on campus resulting space, clarity and style. was shot after an all-nighter studying for an exam. Upitis in minor injuries. I was very happy to move lives in Hawaii and continues to work as a photographer.

FALL 2017 | 3 On Campus

NOTEBOOK BS in exercise science RIT is offering a BS degree in exercise science, with its first freshman class beginning this fall. The four-year program is the first new degree offered through the Wegmans School of Health and Nutrition in RIT’s College of Health Sciences and Technol- ogy. Exercise science applies health, fitness, physiology, biomechan- ics and psychology toward enhancing ath-

letic performance and and Kate Melton Weisler Sue Photos by A. preventing or managing The 10th Imagine RIT: Innovation and Creativity Festival was a big success. Parking lots and exhibits were crowded as tens of thousands chronic illness, such as came to experience nearly 400 exhibits in science, technology, engineering, fine arts and mathematics. Next year’s festival will be on cardiac disease, type 2 April 28, 2018. Watch for details at rit.edu/imagine. diabetes, high choles- terol and other health problems. Best employer Electronic bells resume chiming on campus RIT has been recognized by Forbes on its 2017 list of “America’s he sound of the RIT caril- the bells were to the RIT com- than three decades. The Interfaith Best Midsize Employ- lon bells are again being munity,” Shaver said. “We were Center was initially made possible ers.” RIT earned 36th heard throughout campus then able to secure a donor. The through the generosity of Kilian place overall on the afterT nearly three years. new bell system was successfully and Caroline Schmitt, two Roch- list of 301 companies In the fall of 2014, the old installed in early March.” ester business owners who have and is the sixth-highest carillon bell system played for its The carillon system at RIT, un- since passed away. ranked university of the final time. The system, which was like traditional systems, is entirely Jim Ryan, a representative of the 33 universities listed. over a decade old and had a life electronic. The new system, which Schmitt Foundation, said that when Forbes and Statista, expectancy of approximately that, took about six hours to install, RIT reached out about necessary a research firm based broke. It wasn’t until the fall of the connects to speakers around renovations to the Interfaith Center, in Hamburg, Germany, following year that students began campus and can be programmed the board was ready to listen. worked together to asking for the chiming of the bells to play a variety of songs. There “Knowing how important the compile the list, which to resume. are no physical bells. interfaith chapel was to Kilian focused on companies In late 2015, Student Government The bell system chimes on every made our investment decision that with 1,000 to 5,000 began drafting a PawPrints peti- hour and tolls the number of the much easier to authorize,” Ryan employees. tion to Student Affairs, addressing hour, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. said. “We worked extensively with About 30,000 the absence of the bells and asking “The bells really help to raise Jeff Hering (director of the Center American workers were that the system be replaced. Then- the spirits of many members of for Religious Life) and others to surveyed by Statista Student Government President the community,” Shaver said. define the renovation specifica- about their opinions Andrea Shaver said that the move- The installation of the new tions so as to favorably impact of their employers. ment gained momentum in 2016. system was made possible through students of all denominations. RIT employs “We presented the petition to the generosity of the Schmitt We really wanted our investment approximately 3,900 the RIT Board of Trustees last fall, Foundation, which has been a to have a universal appeal.” faculty and staff. and we expressed how important valued partner of RIT for more Lauren Peace ’17

4 | FALL 2017 NOTEBOOK RIT named among ‘Colleges That Create Futures’ Lyrics changed RIT made a small change to the lyrics of IT is featured in the 2017 The Princeton Review. “But what In the book, RIT is cited for: its alma mater to make edition of The Princeton makes them stand out are the • Excellence in its cooperative a big statement about Review’s Colleges That programs and services they offer education program; gender inclusion. CreateR Futures: 50 Schools That outside the classroom which offer • Special interest housing; Nearly 25 years Launch Careers by Going Beyond their students real-world experi- • The Construct, a makerspace after the song’s lyr- the Classroom. ence, collaborative opportunities that provides materials and ics were written, they Out of nearly 1,000 colleges that with faculty and networking machinery in a workshop were changed to be The Princeton Review considered opportunities with alumni, setting that students can use more inclusive of the for this book, the 50 schools that allowing them to graduate with at no cost; transgender, agender, made the cut comprise only about outstanding job opportunities • Simone Center for Student genderqueer and non- 2 percent of the nation’s approxi- or acceptance to post-graduate Innovation and Entrepreneur- binary members of the mately 3,000 four-year colleges. studies at first-rate institutions.” ship; RIT community. The Princeton Review said it chose “RIT’s reputation among em- • MAGIC Spell Studios, a The lyrics in the the 50 schools based on data from ployers has bloomed over the past multidisciplinary launchpad second verse of the its surveys of administrators and few decades, especially in Silicon for digital products, including alma mater have been students between 2015 and 2017. Valley,” RIT alumnus Tad Hunt games, apps, animation, film changed from “We are Specifically, The Princeton ’97 said in the book. “RIT gradu- and interactive art installations; the men, the women Review editors weighed informa- ates are known as something of a • Leadership Institute and Com- of the future here at tion about the colleges’ career center ‘secret weapon.’ I’ve been in Silicon munity Service Center; and RIT” to “We are the services; internship, externship, Valley since 2000, and the reputa- • RIT Alumni Network. ones, the people of the cooperative learning and collab- tion of RIT has grown immensely. “RIT sits atop a vast profes- future here at RIT.” orative research opportunities; and When I first moved here, hardly sional network of friends, alumni The song is tradition- student engagement in community (anybody) had heard of RIT. Now and corporate partners, together ally sung at RIT’s most service and study abroad programs. there is a huge number of alumni providing students with career important events such “RIT and the other colleges here working at all sizes of tech development support, counsel, as commencement and showcased in this book offer superb companies, and the RIT name is friendship, reinforcement and con- convocation. The lyrics academics,” said the book’s author, synonymous with folks that just structive examples,” editors wrote. change was approved in Robert Franek, editor-in-chief at ‘Get Stuff Done.’” Ellen Rosen January.

New degree program National Technical In- stitute for the Deaf has been granted approval by the New York State Education Depart- ment to establish a new degree program in 3D graphics technology. Beginning this fall, RIT/NTID will become the first college to offer this kind of associate degree program to deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The program intro- duces concepts related to three-dimensional graphics and teaches students the creative and technical skills required to produce 3D graphics and prints,

Photo by Kaitlyn Dolan Photo by Kaitlyn environmental render- The No. 2 RIT men’s lacrosse team placed second in the nation after falling 15-7 to No. 1 Salisbury University in the 2017 NCAA Division III ings and 3D models Championship in May. RIT advanced to the championship for the second time in program history. From Liberty League championships to used in multimedia NCAA berths, RIT’s 675 student-athletes had plenty to celebrate last academic year. For details, go to http://bit.ly/RITathletics. and animation.

FALL 2017 | 5 About Students

All-female race team takes first place

he all-female RIT Hot Wheelz For- Missy Miller, 2016-17 team project manager mula SAE Electric vehicle team took and a fifth-year industrial and systems engi- home first place in the electric-only neering student from Belvidere, N.J. “They categoryT at the 2017 SAE Formula Hybrid don’t provide formal awards at the competi- competition May 5 in New Hampshire Motor tion, so for them to approach us halfway Speedway, along with other trophies and through the competition with their version recognition. of an award was so rewarding for the girls.” The team also received the IEEE Excel- Hot Wheelz, only in its second year par- lence in Electric Vehicle Engineering trophy, ticipating in Formula Hybrid competitions,

a top award given in recognition of a team’s took top placements in the design, autocross, Photo by Marty Schooping overall engineering process—from its design acceleration and endurance categories and RIT Hot Wheelz Formula SAE Electric vehicle team and build procedure to assessment of team won first place in the project management placed first in the electric-only category at the 2017 SAE performance, dynamics, attention to detail presentation. Formula Hybrid competition. and the team’s ability to establish or continue “This year we wanted to make sure that a legacy. we were a strong competitor in all of the Ford Motor Co. also recognized the Hot events on the track,” said Kathleen Lamkin- run—one of the most challenging events for Wheelz team for its outstanding teamwork, Kennard, faculty adviser to the team and as- an all-electric vehicle.” spirit and success at the competition with an sociate professor of mechanical engineering. Last year, Hot Wheelz competed for the autographed bumper from NASCAR driver “The team was really well prepared and they first time at Formula Hybrid, hosted by Greg Biffle. were able to make it through all of their in- Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth. “It was so exciting to be recognized in the spections early, which gave them a significant They placed third overall. middle of the competition by Ford,” said advantage, particularly for the endurance Michelle Cometa ’00

6 | FALL 2017 Students celebrated RIT President Bill Destler and his spouse, Rebecca Johnson, with a Tiger Walk in April. Destler retired at the end of June. To read more about

RIT’s 10th president, David Munson, turn to pages 20-25. Weisler Sue Photo by A.

Nap map helps students find restful spots

tudents can now find the best spots on dents had complained they were awakened by such as book bags as a pillow to prevent theft. campus to catch a few Z’s between class- people who thought they shouldn’t be sleep- Anyone can view the website at es with help from “Naps,” a website that ing. Five places were deemed “official” nap naps.rit.edu, but only those with RIT showsS and rates places to get some shuteye. sites, designated by hanging posters which identification can submit a suggestion. “We took a survey, asking students to rate offer suggestions, such as limiting naps to no Greg Livadas locations based on comfort, loudness, acces- more than 30 minutes and using belongings sibility and foot traffic,” said Rachel Tassoni, head of Student Government’s Facilities, Parking and Transportation Committee. Kyle Suero, a computer security student She said the origin of the project began from Los Angeles, often catches a quick a couple of years ago after a petition was nap between classes in a designated received by Student Government to find nap area on campus. places where students could take Photo by A. Sue Weisler naps between classes. Some stu- Research

NOTEBOOK Research fellowships The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program has rewarded the exceptional efforts of two RIT students. The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Photo courtesy of NASA will provide three-year, An artist’s rendition of the Landsat 8 satellite. $34,000 annual stipends to Larwan Berke and Brendan John, graduate students in RIT’s B. Researchers win USGS grant Thomas Golisano Col- lege of Computing and to improve NASA’s Landsat 8 data Information Sciences. Berke, a doctoral computing and IT researchers have won errors in the image data were as the stray light correction algorithm information sciences funding from the U.S. high as 10 degrees Celsius in areas for the thermal infrared sensor student from Fremont, Geological Survey to ensure with extreme surface temperatures onboard Landsat 8,” in the March Calif., won support for accurateR temperature data from like Antarctic or desert regions. 15 issue of Remote Sensing of his project, “Display- NASA’s Landsat 8 satellite. Climate Mid-range surface temperatures Environment. ing Confidence from researchers depend on public data typical of the United States were NASA’s Landsat program Imperfect Automatic from the Earth-sensing satellite to less affected by wide margins of of Earth-orbiting satellites has Speech Recognition for measure surface changes over time. error, the researchers said. monitored global changes to the Captioning.” John, a The agency awarded Aaron The U.S. Geological Survey landscape since 1972. graduate student from Gerace ’10 (imaging science) Earth Resources Observation and Susan Gawlowicz ’95 Salamanca, N.Y., won and Matthew Montanaro ’05, ’09 Science Center in Sioux Falls, S.D., support for his project, (physics, imaging science), senior began using the software correc- Aaron Gerace ’10 (imaging science), left, “Visual Attention in scientists in RIT’s Chester F. Carlson tion in its operational processing and Matt Montanaro ’05, ’09 (physics, Virtual Collaborative Center for Imaging Science, a five- of Landsat 8 data in early 2017. imaging science) are exploring new Environments.” year, $500,000 grant to continue The corrected image data is techniques to improve Landsat 8’s monitoring improvements they part of the public domain. thermal instruments. History lesson made to Landsat 8’s Thermal “Support from USGS The National Endow- Infrared Sensor, or TIRS. means we’ll be able to ment for the Hu- The researchers developed a monitor the Thermal manities (NEH) has software correction to compensate Infrared Sensor and its announced a $91,000 for faulty optics discovered in the enhanced capabilities grant to RIT to help instrument following the Landsat now that the stray-light students focus on the 8 launch in 2013. Corrected image algorithm has been historical, economic data collected from the Thermal implemented,” and cultural meanings Infrared Sensor shows accura- Gerace said. of community in and cies similar to previous Landsat Gerace and Photo by A. Sue Weisler beyond Rochester. instruments, said Gerace and Montanaro RIT is among the Montanaro. published first schools to receive Their software solution fixed their an award under the a problem in which unwanted findings, new Humanities light entered the instrument and “Deriva- Connections grant resulted in inaccurate tempera- tion and program. ture measurements of the Earth’s valida- surface. Prior to the correction, tion of

8 | FALL 2017 NOTEBOOK Robots one piece of in-house system Filter of future A new class of carbon utomation, which includes nanotubes could be the the use of robots and other next-generation clean- high-tech means, has had up crew for toxic sludge aA significant impact on the nation’s and contaminated manufacturing industry. With water, say researchers its ability to improve quality and at RIT. speed and decrease costs indus- Enhanced single- trywide, automation is the present walled carbon nano- and future of manufacturing. tubes offer a more And while it has displaced effective and sustain- working class production jobs, able approach to water automation has simultaneously treatment and remedia- created a shortage of qualified tion than the standard manufacturing engineers. This industry materials—sil- shortage is creating a ripe opportu- icon gels and activated nity for students enrolled in RIT’s carbon—according mechanical and manufacturing to a paper published engineering technology programs. in the March issue of Two yellow, heavy-duty indus- Environmental Science trial robots, donated to RIT by Water: Research and General Motors in 2015, loom Technology. large in one of several manufac- RIT researchers turing labs filled with a variety of John-David Rocha robotic equipment. The two Fanuc and Reginald Rogers, R-2000iA/210F robots are among authors of the study, a collection of manufacturing demonstrate the po- assembly and production systems tential of this emerging that are used to instruct students technology to clean on an assortment of manufactur- polluted water. ing and automation processes. With the addition of the GM ro- Medical protection bots, the university has a complete, Mehran Mozaffari in-house manufacturing produc- Lamark Photo by Elizabeth Kermani received a tion and assembly system. SunWoo Ji ’17 works with a robot donated to RIT by General Motors. He accepted a full-time grant to design security “There’s nobody in the world position at Schneider Packaging Equipment as a controls engineer. measures for comput- that has the robotics system, the ing systems that will surface-mount assembly system, protect wearable and the metrology lab system, and the ing robots that is used to inform implementation of robots and con- implanted medi- CNC manufacturing system that productivity, quality improvements trols, and the research associated cal devices, such as our department does,” said Robert and more. with electronics and photonics pacemakers and insulin D. Garrick, professor and acting “Students see the production manufacturing and packaging. pumps, from cyberat- chair of the manufacturing and process of designing a product, The college is also wading into tacks. It is work that mechanical engineering technol- making it, producing it, controlling Industry 4.0, the current trend of could improve both ogy department. it and then measuring it,” said Gar- extracting data from robots and patient safety and data The value of this comprehen- rick. “Students get a feeling for how other manufacturing technologies. integrity of deeply- sive, hands-on system is twofold. complex manufacturing is, rather How companies handle this data embedded systems. First, it is preparing students to than talking in the abstract.” and how they utilize it to quickly Mozaffari Kermani, embark on in-demand careers as Because the department special- take action with these advanced an assistant professor manufacturing engineers, process izes in advanced manufacturing, systems is what will improve of electrical engineer- engineers or quality engineers automation and robotics, and manufacturing processes, said ing, received $343,406 in an industry that is rapidly electronics assembly and packag- Ramkumar. in funding from the changing. ing, research into these areas is “The future is going to become National Institute of Second, the all-encompassing expanding. the implementation of robotics to Standards and Technol- system is providing research op- According to S. Manian Ramku- make life easier. And to improve ogy—Measurement portunities, including those that mar, interim dean of the College of productivity and to provide quality Science & Engineer- explore intelligent systems, which Applied Science and Technology, and timeliness.” ing Research Grant extract data from manufactur- research focuses on the industrial Laura Cummings ’09 Program.

FALL 2017 | 9 More than 5,000 first-generation students have enrolled in RIT undergraduate programs over the past 10 years. A family first: Graduating from college

housands of RIT of one-on-one mentoring. Rebecca Johnson, in 2010. students took “We provide support on anything ranging According to the Rochester City School the stage in the from academics, to career guidance, to finan- District, financial challenges prevent more TGordon Field House cial assistance, to advice on navigating social than three-quarters of its students from in May to receive situations,” said Director Bernadette Lynch. attending college. The scholarship program recognition as their The program also has worked to tap into covers full tuition at RIT for graduates of status shifted from the many faculty and staff members on the Rochester City School District who college student to campus who were once first-generation meet eligibility requirements. college graduate. students themselves. David Benitez, assistant director for For Leah Bockhahn, A monthly series called “First Talks” Rochester City Scholars, said that the Bernadette Lynch Muhammad Ibraheem invites faculty and staff members who were program has allowed more than 120 and Shantel Forrest, also first-generation college students to students from the district to attend RIT crossing that stage had an even deeper mean- give an hour-long lecture on a topic of their on full scholarships. ing. They became the first in their families to choice and how it relates to their success. “Rochester City Scholars provides students graduate from college. “It’s a great opportunity for students to with the opportunity to attend a great institu- Over the past 10 years, more than 5,000 hear from people who were once in a similar tion even if they don’t necessarily have the first-generation students have enrolled in RIT position to the one that they are in right now,” cultural capital within their family to allow undergraduate programs. Many have found said Lynch, adding that they are looking to them to easily pursue higher education,” support in on-campus programs designed increase alumni involvement by encouraging said Benitez. “The program serves the to extend opportunity and encourage the graduates of the program to come back and ultimate goal of the university, to diversify pursuit of higher education. share their experiences with current students. the student population as well as the levels The I’m First program, founded in 2015, Another resource is the Destler-Johnson of socioeconomic status. It makes education provides an alternative resource for first- Rochester City Scholars Program, founded accessible to everyone.” generation students on campus, with a core by RIT President Bill Destler and his spouse, Stories by Lauren Peace ’17

10 | FALL 2017 Last summer, first-generation graduate Leah Bockhahn spent a month working in Ecuador where she developed her senior capstone project. Bockhahn credits this experience for shaping her desire to continue working abroad this fall.

Photo by A. Sue Weisler

Leah Bockhahn opportunities that she said RIT offered. She found what she was looking for in n environmental sustainability, health “I felt really strongly that the academic environmental sustainability, health and and safety major from East Concord, experience that I could have at RIT would safety, a major that she said allows her to N.Y., Leah Bockhahn grew up on an allow me to pay off the debt down the line work in the field. Aorganic dairy farm just south of Buffalo with and that it would be worth it in the long run. Bockhahn has held four co-op positions her parents and two siblings. It definitely has been,” Bockhahn said. working in jobs ranging from grounds She is one of 147 students last school Bockhahn enrolled as a mechanical keeping to construction inspection. She now year who was active in the I’m First program engineering student, but after spending the hopes to take a full-time position in Poland at RIT. majority of her time in the classroom rather working on a site doing technical documenta- “My parents always encouraged me to than in the shop, she said that she knew that tion and construction supervision. pursue higher education,” Bockhahn said. she needed to make a change. “I credit a lot of my success and involvement “My dad told my siblings and me that farming “I grew up doing very hands-on work to the I’m First program and the way that they is too difficult of a lifestyle. He told me to like milking cows, building fences and encouraged me to branch out and try new make something more of myself.” repairing machinery, so when I realized things,” said Bockhahn. “They’ve been a really Deciding to attend RIT wasn’t easy for that my major wasn’t giving me the physical integral part of my success here. They helped Bockhahn, who turned down a full ride experience that I wanted to have, I started me find my way.” to another university to pursue the greater looking for one that would,” Bockhahn said.

FALL 2017 | 11 When Muhammad Ibraheem was in the Photo by A. Sue Weisler fourth grade, his parents moved their family from Queens, N.Y., to Long Island in an effort to provide their children with better access to education. Ibraheem graduated from RIT this May with honors.

Muhammad Ibraheem jobs, and pushed us to do better.” way of knowing what they are getting into hen Muhammad Ibraheem’s Ibraheem graduated in May as an because nobody in their family did it before parents immigrated to the United Outstanding Undergraduate Scholar, one them,” he said. “Programs like I’m First are States from Pakistan, they did so of the top academic recognitions that RIT very helpful for that reason.” Win hopes that their children would have a undergraduate students can receive. Beyond financial aid, Ibraheem said that better future. More than two decades later, Recipients must have completed 83-128 the I’m First staff provided him with an that vision has become a reality. credit hours of work and have a cumulative alternate perspective when making college- Ibraheem, an electrical engineering major grade point average of 3.85 or higher. centered decisions. from Long Island, N.Y., became the first from Ibraheem credits much of his success “Sometimes they can see things that you his family to graduate college. to his parents, as well as the programs that might be missing,” Ibraheem said. “They “My dad is a taxi driver in New York City, have supported him. He said that without check up on you and are there to offer advice.” and my mom is a parking lot attendant,” said programs like I’m First, navigating things Following graduation, Ibraheem started a Ibraheem. “My parents have been embedding such as financial aid would have been full-time job as a transmission planning en- the importance of higher education in my extremely difficult. gineer with Public Service Enterprise Group sisters and me since elementary school. “A problem that most first-generation Long Island, the company he worked for as They’ve always told us that they have tough students have is that they have very little an RIT co-op student.

12 | FALL 2017 Photo by A. Sue Weisler

Shantel Forrest said that she is proud to have taken her education to the next level. While her father has his associate degree, she was the first in her family to receive a bachelor’s degree. She now has her sights set on graduate school.

Shantel Forrest when a high school counselor told her about Academic Success houses the RCS program, hantel Forrest came to RIT through the Rochester City Scholars program and and they provided great mentorship along the Destler-Johnson Rochester City suggested that she apply. the way.” Scholars Program. A Rochester native “Suddenly higher education became an Forrest said that as a student she worked Smajoring in marketing, Forrest said she option for me,” said Forrest. “If it wasn’t for for the program that helped her find her comes from a very close-knit family. She RIT and the RCS program, I honestly don’t place at school. “I want to give back to under- grew up in a home with two cousins, three know how I would have gotten the oppor- classmen. I want them to have access to the aunts and uncles, a grandmother, brother, tunity to go to a good university. My family same opportunities and resources that I was sister and her parents. She was the first in her didn’t have funds for my schooling, but fortunate to have,” Forrest said. family to graduate college with a four-year RCS made higher education possible.” Forrest said she plans to apply to graduate degree. When Forrest first got to RIT, she said programs to pursue an MBA. “My parents have always pushed me to strive that she felt pressure to succeed. “I’m really happy that I have achieved what to achieve more than they did,” said Forrest. “All that my parents had done for me I have, but I’m not going to stop here,” said “It’s a message that their parents iterated to finally amounted to this huge opportunity, Forrest. “This is a new experience for my them, and that they have reiterated to me.” and I knew that I had to make the most of it,” family and me, so I want to take in every- Forrest said that RIT came on to her radar Forrest said. “The Multicultural Center for thing that I can.”

FALL 2017 | 13 Dr. Ryan Buckley ’13 (biomedical sciences, international studies) is part of the first wave of alumni from the College of Health Sciences and Technology to become a physician. Here he is pictured at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, where he trained while in medical school.

14 | FALL 2017 RIT

r. Ryan Buckley found his passion for emergency medicine while working with RIT Ambulance. DHe got hooked on the patients’ stories and the science and became a certified emergency programs in the human medical sciences. medical technician. Buckley took on leader- “It is not uncommon for students who ship roles and realized that medicine was want to become medical doctors to ask more than a hobby. Dr. Daniel Ornt, vice president and dean how they can major in pre-med at RIT,” Initially he came to RIT to major in of the Institute/College of Health Sciences said Merrill, who is also the director of the international studies in the College of Liberal and Technology, expects the number of Pre-medical and Health Professions Advisory Arts. But toward the end of his sophomore pre-med applicants Program. “There is no such thing as a year, he enrolled in the biomedical sciences to continue to rise. pre-med major. Although the biomedical program in the College of Health Sciences Ornt joined RIT in sciences program comes the closest, I try to and Technology to prepare for medical late 2011 with 30 years make it clear to these students that medical school. in academic medicine schools accept applications from any student Now, Buckley ’13 (biomedical sciences, at University of Roch- who is enrolled in, or has completed, any international studies) is in his first year of ester Medical Center accredited undergraduate program as long the Yale Emergency Medicine Residency and at Case Western as they have the specific science prerequisites Program at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Reserve University required of all applicants.” He started the four-year program this fall School of Medicine in Merrill and his team work in partnership after graduating in May from the University Cleveland. He knows with nearly 200 students and their academic of Minnesota with his Doctor of Medicine Dr. Daniel Ornt the pressure students advisers to ensure the applicants satisfy their and Master of Public Health degrees. are under and why they need to be prepared. degree requirements and prerequisites for Buckley is in the first wave of alumni “Having experience as a faculty member their graduate or professional programs. from RIT’s College of Health Sciences and in leading medical schools, I understand the Merrill built a seven-member committee, Technology to become physicians. importance of having applicants with good new last year, to provide students one-on-one This fall, a record grades and research experience,” Ornt said. assistance while preparing their application. 40 to 45 seniors “The competition is stiff. We’re talking Students often begin in their freshman year from across RIT’s 53,029 applicants for medical school and to build a package of health-related experi- nine colleges will roughly 21,025 openings. We have to make ences and academic accomplishments to apply to medical and sure our students have outstanding records draw upon. other health profes- and breadth of experience in order to be Pre-med advisers guide their students sional programs, with competitive.” through this lengthy and detailed process, the majority from critique their personal statements and groom biomedical sciences, Pre-med advisory program them for admissions interviews. said Douglas Merrill, Students from different majors across campus Merrill has watched the demand for pre- professor of biomedi- wind up at the door of the Pre-Medical medical advising grow from the four students Douglas Merrill cal sciences. and Health Professions Advisory Program he helped apply to medical school in 1985. The number of medical school applicants seeking direction. When he became head of biology in the is up from an average of 10 to 12 students in The non-degree granting advisory College of Science in 1998, he passed the the early 2000s. Interest in pre-med increased program, currently housed in the College advisory role to Kay Turner and then to when RIT solidified its health brand in 2008 of Health Sciences and Technology, guides Kristen Waterstram-Rich. Coming full circle with the RIT & Rochester Regional Health students through the complicated application in 2016, Merrill resumed directorship of the Alliance and with the opening of the College process for medical school, nursing school, advising program and realized it had grown of Health Sciences and Technology in 2011. physician assistant and other graduate too big for one person to handle.

FALL 2017 | 15 William Marmor ’17 (biomedical sciences) worked with Douglas Merrill, who is director of the Pre-Medical and Health Professions Advisory Photo by A. Sue Weisler Program, to put together a competitive application for medical school. Marmor was accepted at Stony Brook University School of Medicine.

“In the early years, the pre-med advising to do well on my MCAT (Medical College the construction of bathrooms, concrete was me with part-time staff support,” Merrill Admission Test), to keep my grade point floors and eco-stoves. said. “When I took over again after an almost average up and to continue to be involved Marmor was inspired as a teen by a 20-year gap, I realized I couldn’t afford to let in meaningful service work,” he said. before-and-after surgery video of a girl anyone fall through the cracks because I had Marmor served for two years as president born with a cleft lip. too many students I was working with, so I of the Health Sciences and Technology The transformation struck him, and created this committee.” Student Association and was a member Marmor chose RIT as a stepping stone to William Marmor ’17 (biomedical sciences) of the Pre-Health Student Association. medical school. worked directly with Merrill during the year He also volunteered as a chapter leader “The courses I took affirmed that I want before the advisory team expanded. Their for Global Brigades, a humanitarian to be a doctor,” Marmor said. “I loved taking hard work to produce a competitive applica- organization not affiliated with RIT. anatomy and physiology. Classes like medical tion paid off, and Marmor was accepted at He organized two service trips to Hondu- pathophysiology, endocrinology, psychology— Stony Brook University School of Medicine. ras to help treat community members at everything was interesting and made me “Dr. Merrill pushed me to work really hard medical clinics and to prevent illness through excited about the medical field.”Continues page 19

16 | FALL 2017 Photo by A. Sue Weisler Tara Snyder ’17 (biomedical sciences), left, conducted research on sickle cell disease and malaria with Bolaji Thomas, associate professor of biomedical sciences. Thomas has established an independent immunology research program focused on the training of undergraduate students.

Biomedical sciences lays foundation for all medical careers

ara Snyder ’17 (biomedical sciences) future,” he said. at Rochester General Hospital through the planned to go to medical school until The program is designed to give students RIT & Rochester Regional Health Alliance. her sophomore year at RIT. a pathway for pursing clinical doctoral His focus on research represents the next TShe had started volunteering on the degrees in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy phase of the program—educating biomedical pediatric floors at the Golisano Children’s and physical therapy, as well as graduate research scientists who go on for their Ph.D. Hospital in Rochester, N.Y., and realized that degrees in nursing, physician assistant, degrees. she would rather pursue medical research occupational therapy and medical research. Snyder conducted research on sickle and then go to nursing school and specialize The biomedical sciences curriculum covers cell disease and malaria with Bolaji Thomas, in pediatrics. the prerequisite biology, chemistry, organic associate professor of biomedical sciences. “I saw more patient interaction from the chemistry and physics courses students need She presented a poster on her research last nurses than the doctors—and I’ve been there for their next step. Advanced undergraduate April at the Experimental Biology Conference at all times of the day—and I think it’s more classes in immunology, endocrinology and in Chicago. of what I wanted, to have the patient interac- human gross anatomy, where students learn Since 2008, Thomas has established tions and the science behind it,” Snyder said. on a cadaver, create a rigorous foundation an independent immunology research Now she hopes to enter a post-bacca- for all health careers. program, primarily focused on the training laureate research program at University of Merrill and Richard Doolittle, currently and mentoring of undergraduate researchers Pennsylvania as a precursor to nursing school the vice dean of the College of Health like Snyder. next fall. Sciences and Technology, were instrumental Many of his former students are currently Biomedical sciences is the biggest program in developing and launching the program enrolled in graduate programs. in the College of Health Sciences and Tech- in 2006 in the College of Science, before the “I bring data from my lab into class to nology with approximately 260 enrolled College of Health Sciences and Technology show students that what we’re teaching them students, and that number is expected to was created. is not just theory but has practical appli- grow, said Douglas Merrill, professor of Merrill recruited Robert Osgood, associ- cation, and they respond very seriously,” biomedical sciences. ate professor and the current director of the Thomas said. “And so they can appreciate the “The U.S. Department of Labor Statistics biomedical sciences program, nearly a decade application in clinical medicine, immunology predicts that health care will continue to be ago. Since then, Osgood has established a and in health care.” a driver of the U.S. economy well into the busy lab on campus and conducts research Susan Gawlowicz ’95

FALL 2017 | 17

Photo by A. Sue Weisler Kristen Swerzenski ’17 (biology) completed an internship at the Liliya Becktell ’11 (photography, communications) returned to RIT Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in in 2015 specifically for pre-vet preparation. She will begin at Cornell North Carolina. She plans to apply to veterinary school. University College of Veterinary Medicine this fall.

Pre-vet program targets small, dedicated group

IT students interested in veterinary Gosnell School of Life Sciences, has seen his veterinary school. Pre-vet students face simi- school face a rigorous application students go to veterinary programs at Cornell lar hurdles as their pre-med counterparts. process akin to the requirements University, Michigan State, Tufts University, Buckley coaches his students to focus on ofR medical school. These students rely upon University of Pennsylvania, Ohio University, three main components of their application: the Pre-Veterinary Advisory Program to Ohio State, North Carolina, Purdue University, maintaining a high grade point average, help them pursue graduate education in University of Illinois, University of Florida preparing for the GRE exam, and accruing animal medicine. and the University of Guelph in Canada. at least 1,000 hours of animal care under The pre-vet program is housed in the There are 30 vet schools in the United the supervision of a veterinarian. That num- College of Science and is open to students States that offer four-year doctoral programs ber equates to about three summers worth from any major. Program director Larry in veterinary medicine and accept between of experience, Buckley said. The pre-vet Buckley works mostly with students major- 100 to 120 incoming students every year. program can help students find internships ing in biology, which offers a curriculum “It’s an urban myth that it’s harder to get around the country or locally at the Seneca that fulfills veterinary school requirements. into vet school than med school,” Buckley Park Zoo and Rochester Animal Services. The pre-vet group at RIT typically fluctuates said. “That has never been true and it will “I tell students if they want to know whether between 10 to15 students, and each year one never be true because there are 10 to 20 or not they are going to be happy being a vet- to three seniors apply to veterinary school. times more students who want to be medical erinarian, they need to go to work there for For the past 15 years, Buckley, associ- doctors than veterinarians.” about six months and they will find out real ate professor and head of RIT’s Thomas H. That is not to say it’s easy to get into quick,” he said. “They are assisting veterinar-

18 | FALL 2017

ians there in a very integral fashion.” Opportunities The Pre-Vet Club also helps students Like Marmor, Victoria MacPherson ’14 and treatment skills and provided learn more about their chosen profession. (biomedical sciences) is a former president networking opportunities within the Kristen Swerzenski ’17 (biology) is the of the Health Sciences and Technology medical field.” former vice president of the club. Being Student Association and member of the Buckley paired his medical degree active with the group confirmed her Pre-Health Student Association. She is with a Master of Public Health to treat decision to pursue her interest in marine in her second year at the Philadelphia veterinarian care. Swerzenski completed an College of Osteopathic Medicine and internship at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle expects to graduate in 2020. Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in North MacPherson is the second deaf student Carolina. She is currently taking the year to attend the Philadelphia College of off to strengthen her vet school application Osteopathic Medicine. She was preceded with additional animal care experience. by RIT/NTID alumnus Dr. Benjamin Former Pre-Vet Club President Liliya Lessig ’92 (chemistry), who earned his Becktell ’11 (photography, communica- D.O. degree in 1996. tions) returned to RIT in 2015 specifically MacPherson chose osteopathic for the pre-vet preparation under Buckley’s medicine after looking deeper into guidance. the D.O. philosophy. “My first experience at RIT was so “I strongly believe in treating the amazing that there was no way I’d rather person as a whole and that lifestyle go anywhere else than back to RIT,” factors can dramatically affect a person’s Becktell said. health,” she said. She used her connections as an internal MacPherson looks forward to building medicine animal care assistant at Veteri- a strong deaf-patient base and to breaking nary Specialists and Emergency Services to down barriers to health education. add value to the vet club. Becktell arranged “The health literacy among deaf people for students to tour the specialty hospital is extremely low on average,” she said. and invited veterinarian Dr. Kim Dodge “Having someone that a deaf person can to conduct a suture lab at RIT. communicate with in their own languages “We practiced on bananas and pork will help them understand their health hocks,” Swerzenski said. needs better.” Research Becktell conducted with Buck- Similar to Buckley, MacPherson’s ley on canine spleen cancer has inspired volunteer experience with an emergency her to pursue a D.V.M. and a Ph.D. medical service drove her to enter medicine.

Cornell University College of Veterinary Coming to RIT gave her the education Benjamin Photo by Mark Medicine accepted Becktell for this fall and guidance to pick the best classes to Victoria MacPherson ’14 (biomedical sciences) is semester, and she was awarded a 10-week take, extracurricular activities to pursue, in her second year at the Philadelphia College of funded summer research fellowship with and how to find the right study abroad Osteopathic Medicine. her graduate school mentor. and research experiences. “Veterinary school is very visceral,” “I was presented with so many Buckley said. “I tell students veterinarians opportunities at RIT that really helped individual patients and population groups. put their hands where most people with prepare me for medical school and the His long-term career goal is to focus on good sense know not to.” real world,” MacPherson said. “Not to the needs of Native American and rural The personal essay is a critical part of mention, the access services for deaf communities. the application. Veterinary schools want students at RIT is one of the best in “I want to foster relationships between to know that students have thought deeply the country.” rural hospitals and academic centers to not just about working with animals but Buckley, who graduated the year increase patient access to health care also the interactions with the clients, before MacPherson, said his success and increase medical student/resident Buckley said. reflects the guidance and mentorship he exposure to rural medicine during their Veterinarians are confronted with a received from RIT faculty and pre-med education.” myriad of issues, he added, such as when adviser Waterstram-Rich. Susan Gawlowicz ’95 people walk in without money and want Buckley’s volunteer service as deputy their dog back after surgery or never return chief and chief of the RIT Ambulance for them. for three years gave him leadership Becktell’s experience working in animal experience and lifelong friends. RIT Ambulance reunion emergency medicine has introduced her “In my graduating year, three of us Interested in being a part of the to the emotional side of animal care. from the RIT Ambulance entered medical 50th reunion for RIT Ambulance “I saw a lot of trauma, a lot of euthanasia,” school, and since then there’s been several and Emergency Medical Services Becktell said. “Every day I left exhausted former members accepted to both medical during the fall of 2018? Complete and tired to the bone, but I’d wake up the school and physician assistant school,” a survey at alumni.rit.edu/EMS50. next morning ready to go back.” Buckley said. “It served as an excellent Susan Gawlowicz ’95 opportunity to learn patient evaluation

FALL 2017 | 19 RIT’s 10th president, David Munson, led a college of 10,000 students as dean of the University of Michigan College of Engineering. Here he speaks at the 2015 Michigan College of Engineering spring commencement. Photo by Joseph Xu I past hintsatRIT’s future New president’s successful Munson saidhewants RITto produce graduates wholeadlives ofconsequence andpurpose. He beganaspresident onJuly1. encounter such an individual. But RIT’s 10 Munson said. a venture, Icould have of time the my life,’” aphilanthropisttalk into supporting such time, and Ithought, ‘Man, ifIcould just New England going out of business at the a university of engineering and arts. the an unconventional He idea: wanted to create anyone thought was possible, said James Hol- way inadeeper vision realized than had been allowed two terms as dean in2016,this arts. inthe experiences for international education and increased projects, design tidisciplinary opportunities encouraged entrepreneurship, hands-on mul- neers through acomprehensive program that Munson envisioned graduating citizen engi- Engineering at University the of Michigan, world. the well-rounded citizens prepared to change education that transforms students into president didn’t give up on an approach to The problemthat was Munson didn’t “There wereschoolssome in arts liberal When he completed maximum- the Years later as dean of of College the sity of Illinois, David C.Munson Jr. had and computer engineering at Univer the 1990sasn the aprofessor of electrical th

- and enough small that it may possible to be and arts the design. blending with technology university at is best the and how the schools it is differentfrom other tell about what it is, how togive story RITacrisper In process, the he hopes to consequence and purpose. graduates lives lead who of on his vision of producing of RIT, Munson build will appropriate.” himself it when act was other people and to act to inspire people, to influence empower people, how to a leader. He knows how to understanding of how to be he because has agood was able to achieve this culture,” Holloway said. “He of Engineering under Munson. graduate education for College the loway, was who an associate dean for under “RIT is big enough to have ahuge impact Now president as new the “There were the shifts in

“I don’t think Ihave ever Deb Mexicotte Alliance for Arts in ResearchAlliance Universities for Arts Associate director, ArtsEngine / at the world.” It’s away of looking an anecdote with Dave. students here?’ It not is focusing enough on the students? Are we really goingis to benefit the tell me again how this where he has said, ‘So hasn’t been apoint part of where there tion that Dave has been had agroup conversa- changing economy global and proposed ideas ness competitive to and be set skill in the students wouldfrom benefit a broader aware- some of our programs, and at some point, aboutdream evenfurther how to strengthen get alot of folks on same the page to really

recognized thatrecognized engineering most the ed to improve. He about what college the - need job,the Munson thought ing position open. became J. Vlasic of Dean Engineer partment Robert the when and computer de- science engineering electrical the for afew years as chair of Universitythe of Michigan Munson had only at been Changing aculture enjoy doing.” to kind of dothe thing I RIT even more opportunity president on July 1.“I at see Munson, as started who in that intersection,” said eminent university working as pre- recognized the be Before for he interviewed FALL 2017|21 -

Photo by Joseph Xu on how to create this new kind of engineer. The ideas came from his own background. As an undergraduate in electrical engineering at the University of Delaware, Munson spent a third of his senior year working on a design project with his best friend. The experience was powerful, and Munson concluded that through that activity he had learned almost as much as he had in all of his courses combined. Increasing the number of hands-on multidisciplinary design activities became one of his initiatives. As a junior faculty member at the Univer- sity of Illinois, Munson had the opportunity to travel to international technical conferences all over the world. He always took extra time to learn about the culture and visit historical sites and museums. “Every trip was just fabulous,” he said. “It really enlarges your view of the world, and I really thought our students should be having those kinds of experiences as part of their education.” That’s why expanding inter “I have heard from the national opportunities became folks that worked for an objective. Dave in the College of Finally, Munson was a Engineering that he was co-founder of InstaRecon Inc., a startup company to commercial- a great boss. He had ize fast algorithms for image for- high standards but once mation in computer tomography. he put someone in a po- He thought if he and faculty sition, he gave them the colleagues could create compa- space they needed to be nies without a business degree, many engineering students could successful and the sup- launch their own companies as port in the background well, so he made entrepreneur- to be successful.” ship one of his goals. After Munson started as Mark Schlissel dean in 2006, he set up task President, University of Michigan forces in each of these areas, found talented people to serve on them and set them loose. For multidisciplinary design, they created a co-curricular minor that was not part of any one department. The minor, which was made available to students outside of engineering as well, requires an intensive hands-on, multi-term design project. In addition, Munson greatly expanded the number of multidisciplinary design projects students in engineering as well as those in At the Imagine RIT: other colleges could work on together. Innovation and Creativity “What happened with that is over time, Festival in May, Munson through the work of Dave and others, that used virtual reality became more and more part of the culture,” goggles to take a “tour” said Holloway, now vice provost for Global of the new MAGIC Spell Engagement and Interdisciplinary Academic Studios, slated to open on Affairs at Michigan. “Various departments the RIT campus in 2018. started to bring in those ideas, creating Photo by Brittainy Newman opportunities for hands-on experiences. They started to bring them into the

22 | FALL 2017 began sharing entrepreneurial their ideas collaboration.” and strongly supported interdisciplinary for possible best the experience students the she said. “He was committed to providing university.the schools and colleges across each year were from other students center the used who it,knew of half 2,500 the preneurial Before skills. they opportunity to gain entre- wantedengineering also the that students outside of center realized opened, they ing at Michigan in2007. of College in the Engineer Center for Entrepreneurship and students created who the of team the of faculty, staff neering education, was part entrepreneurship and engi- biomedical engineering, an assistant professor of neurship. ofpart fabric.” the became they so regular curriculum, circulating cells. cancer dean,Munsonregularly As metwithalumni. Sciences. Handiqueandhisteam are developing theJETTA100, amicrofluidic device thatcaptures (pictured) Michigan Engineering Handiqueexplains alumnusKalyan hislatest venture to Munsonat hisstartup, DeNovo Students across Ann the Arbor campus “(Munson) finewiththat,” was perfectly Huang-Saad said afterthe Huang-Saad,Aileen sameThe thing happenedwith entrepre - -

“I have to tell you when James Holloway University ofMichigan Interdisciplinary Academic Affairs at the Vice provost forEngagement Global and You guys are darn lucky.” a university president. that this guy should be obvious to most of us president.’ It was pretty goingis to get him as and said, ‘Now who bunch of sat us around of engineering, awhole he was done being dean so weso won’t tuition,” collect Holloway said. go abroad and treat it as transfer all credits like we are going to encourage students to of-the-box concepts, Holloway said. he because was receptivesucceeded to out- Munson’s push for international programs International programs a more innovative campus, Huang-Saad outside of classroom, the fostered which and participating inside inactivities and “We could go to Dave with crazyideas has always way.” this been 10 years later, it as if it seems Pretty activities. those soon, one to to start engage in of- place the and get every toideas change culture the “It’s really about using those web page,” Holloway said. or two and putting it on a about creating aprogram what is key—it is not just students. that would benefit many approach—broad programs encouraged abig tent of initiatives, the Munson overallthe culture. said. Thattransformed “At auniversity, that is Holloway said with all

Photo by Joseph Xu Thewife of RIT’s 10 Munson Nancy Meet working with people.” she said. “I enjoy people and Ienjoy with RITstudents. looking forward to spending time working with families. She is also volunteer care health inthe field, community. She said she hopes to giving back tobe Rochester the awareness for brain pediatric tumors. The foundationfunds research and money for Tough Chad the Foundation. onin October ateam that is raising participating Chicago inthe Marathon helping others. The runner is avid important to me,” she said. underinsuredthe and uninsured. igan, she was working at aclinic for center and clinic. Before leaving Mich- with ahomeless shelter inits service as its fundraising chair and president. she gave back to auxiliary, the serving Ryan, Mark and Jamie. In addition, unteers watched her four sons: David, hospital vol auxiliary - in alocal while She heractivities. nursing used skills more creative about her volunteer withtime residents. the with her 5-month-old son to spend she would nursing visit alocal home from University the of Delaware. Mawr,Bryn Pa. She received aBS/RN as acandy at hospital striper alocal in shewhen was ateenager and worked passionate about helping others. Nancy Munson Nancy “I much am very apeople person,” That’swhy definitelyMunsonwill Munson her hobbies eventies to “Volunteering has always been In Michigan, she beganworking As her family grew, Munson became Then as a young mother inIllinois, Nancy Munson began volunteering th president is FALL 2017|23 Mindy Mozer

Photo by Mike Bradley 24 |FALL 2017 appointment with Munson, always who made financial help to make it work. abroad to Nicaragua, but members needed group was planning its first independenttrip neering work. In 2010,the that engi health - didglobal organization M-HEAL called ate, she of was part astudent firsthand. As an undergradu - thatengineering, experienced uate inmaterials and science University of Michigan- grad programs country. inthe international engineering neering had one of top the class, and Michigan Engi- 30 percent of graduating the more than doubled to almost ing students traveling abroad ship, number the of engineer By end the of Munson’s dean- benefits. the began to see departments, and faculty cate that excitement to their abroad.activities for engineers and participated innon-credit enrolledThey international ina new minor excited about international opportunities. to go? right, let’s All doit.’” “He would ask, ‘Will we get more students were recruiting, duringavisitto RIT. Munson dropped by thespring career fair, where 230companies She and others group inthe made an Tamarelli,Carrie a2013 began They to communi- time, moreOver students got involved and -

“He was always happy to Martha Sweigert Martha to Munson at U-Mandformer executive assistant Assistant director for Academic Affairs able around him.” ner.comfort felt They openness and fun man- lot and appreciated his really cared for him a school. Iknow the staff in school and outside of what they were doing them asindividuals and them but to learn about not just to meet with meet with the students, working closely with deans, arts the who of Architecture and Urban Planning. andof &Design Taubman the Art College Music, TheatreDance, & the StampsSchool weeks traveling to remote villages, rural did They and were rewardedwith support. to himwith more about specifics the project. about tothem think goals and their to return himself available to students. He encouraged When Munson dean, he became began The trip,The where the students spenttwo

Photo by A. Sue Weisler - Photo by Catherine Rafferty Michigan colleagues say they appreciated Munson’s funmannerduringhis10years asdean. Munson visited the Theme Park Enthusiasts at theImagineRIT: Innovation andCreativity Festival. Campus of with School the gan is located on North the at University the of Michi- College The of Engineering ArtsEngine learning experience.” my family. It was abig Ihadtime traveled without she said. “It was first the of Michigan. school at University the work.clinical engineering affects actual abouther thinking how undergraduate. It got also dedicated her to time as an single largestthe thing she ence. M-HEALbecame Tamarelli’s- college experi changed of trajectory the “That trip was“That a big deal,” She is now inmedical research role the of education. inhigher arts an Andrew W. Mellon Foundation grant to Baefsky said. The symposium resulted in integration of education, inhigher arts educationhigher to asymposium on the invited2011 they 150thought leaders across with each of units.” these holistic education, retaining while rigor comprehensively within a cross-cutting looking at and design arts, engineering ArtsEngine. “What unique was so was really said Baefsky, Laurie executive director of initsized own community and culture,” and creativity across multiple areas. students wanted who to explore innovation learning community for Living Arts called students. created ArtsEnginealso aliving- workshops and conferences for and faculty to ArtsEngine, developed joint coursework, to work collaboratively with his colleagues. a singer inmusical with experience theater. Munsonarts. is from amusical family and is ofbecause his appreciation personal of the thought of Munson as an honorary dean arts ofSchool Music, TheatreDance, & saidthey connections.disciplinary to was which designed createEarth, inter had an started organization on Arts called And that grant initiative helped launch ArtsEngine was going well that so in “Oftenthe arts, or any discipline,ghetto is The organization,which changed its name Munson said he welcomed opportunity the Christopher Kendall, former dean of the and March 2.Here hetalkswithStudent Government leaders. duringaseriesofforums community onFeb.Munson metthecampus 28 been through abroaderbeen of set experiences broader perspective,” Najafi “They said. have improved overall the education. membersfaculty rejuvenated college the and New programs, campuswide partnerships and Michigan, said growth the had ahuge impact. Computer Engineering at University the of 10,000 students. and retention programs. Enrollment reached tion grew by 30 percent with aggressive hiring million topopula $250million. The faculty - research expenditures increased from $130 as dean, Michigan Engineering grew. Annual Slowly and quietly during Munson’s tenure Future ofRIT informed wasactivities so by of his sense fun.” ofwonderful The sense fun. character of our whole activity,” Kendall said. “Dave has this and his understanding of value the of arts. the form the taken that it didwithout Munson a2ru/ArtsEngine. said Mexicotte, Deb associate director of inconjunction arts the with other disciplines, nationallydialogue around importance the of RIT has recently joined. currently which a2ru, has 39members. Alliance for inResearch Arts Universities, a national organization the in2012called “Students today graduate with amuch Najafi,Khalil andchair Electrical of “Dave brought also another quality to the Kendall said ArtsEngine would not have The organization works to changethe possible, member faculty to for be every includes scholarship and expression. artistic of RITBoard the Trustees. Research, he said, graduate programs, adirective put inplace by impact world.” inthe and bigger the picture and having apositive explicitly about thinking bigger the world to have acareer. more we to Ibelieve need be oughtour purpose just to be to train someone community broadly. to think “I don’t believe goals, specific Munsonsaid, he wantsthe RIT into University the of Michigan. son right at the leader right the for time RIT. mittee and of Board the Trustees, make Mun 24-memberthe RITpresidential search com- go to they realwhen the world.” and as aresult are they alot better prepared “The bottom “The line is we theneed, extentto He wants to build RIT’s research and Although it isearly too to announce Munson said his is goal not to turn RIT Munson’s at experience Michigan, noted For details, go to rit.edu/president. PresidentCollege Philip Hanlon. Dartmouthkeynote be will speaker and Activities Center on 28.The Sept. ceremony Gordon inthe Field House RIT’s 10 David Munson as installed be will Inauguration th president at an inauguration

Photo by A. Sue Weisler Photo by A. Sue Weisler experience at Michiganmakes himtheright leaderat theright timefor RIT. The presidential search committee andBoard of Trustees noted that Munson’s - hardly wait to get started.” we can future,” dointhe Munson said. “I can of what already exists at RITand what Ithink and staff theRochesterand community. ward to getting to know RITstudents, faculty unique own intheir domains.” onfocus and arts to technology dosomething other of parts university the can leverage the in business and Ithink sciences. health the to that central focus,” he said. “Same thing are arts liberal the and connected can be ogy. “I of can think countless ways inwhich more on intersection the of and arts technol- tive student to RIT. with what programs would attract aprospec- doesn’t with start what it RITneeds; starts ment to conduct work.” best the students best the and creating an environ- profilethe the universityof and attracting university.the That helps alot in building doing great work that is outside recognized Follow @RITpresident on Twitter. country. at Details rit.edu/tigertour. David Munson at events around the Notable hosting be RITalumni will Tiger Tourand Twitter “It’s an absolute dream come interms true In short the term,though, he for looks And Munson said he wants to even focus In terms of initiatives, new his thinking FALL 2017|25 Mindy Mozer - NTY-FIFT TWE H A • NN IV ER • S Y A R R A Y S • R E V I • N T

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Mechanical Engineering Professor Alan Nye, left, celebrates with Lynn Bishop ’93 (mechanical engineering) after unveiling the original car from the Photo by A. Sue Weisler 1991-92 season. The car was driven by Bishop, project manager of the first team, at the Imagine RIT: Innovation and Creativity Festival. Celebrating 25 years of Formula Racing

hen Lynn Bishop and William engineering skills, championship seasons, to start a new team and build a racecar that Robinson proposed building RIT’s a pathway to careers and alumni network would resemble professional Indy and Grand first Formula racecar in 1992, they connections as intricate as a racecar engine. Prix vehicles. hadW practical goals—design a sleek, uncom- There was a core group of 10-15 students plicated car that could compete against the Building a car and reputation on that first team, and they did not want to top collegiate race teams in the country. Bishop ’93 (mechanical engineering), vice just compete, they wanted to make an impact. RIT Formula Racing would exceed president of engineering services at Pratt & “Our No. 1 consideration was simplicity and expectations and be in the top 10 in each of Miller Engineering and Fabrication, grew up focusing on the basics, not going out there with its first five seasons—a feat only a handful around racing, watching his father race at a super new, untested innovation,” said Bishop. of established teams would match. Watkins Glen, N.Y. During his first year at Keeping to the fundamentals, making the The team this year is celebrating its 25th RIT, Bishop joined the RIT Baja off-road race car lightweight with a low center of gravity, anniversary of racing and providing hundreds team, and by 1991, started persuading friends focusing on the overall car—not just the of students over those years with automotive like Robinson ’94 (mechanical engineering) engine—proved to be a winning combination.

26 | FALL 2017 competitions in 1998, RIT was one of the first U.S. teams to compete, entering contests in Germany, Austria, Australia and England, winning events in the latter two countries. By 2010, it was ranked fourth among 450 international teams in a new world ranking system. It wasn’t until 2009 that it would take the elusive top award overall at a competition in the U.S., and even its closest competitors were proud of the win after five straight years of second-place overall finishes. “The event was very close until the very end,” said Alan Nye, professor of mechanical engineering in RIT’s Kate Gleason College of Engineering, shortly after the team won. “It Lynn Bishop drives the first Formula car, F1, at the team’s first major competition in 1993. The car was refurbished was reasonably possible that we would come NTY-FIFT TWE H A • NN this year by Salvatore Fava ’16 (mechanical engineering) to celebrate 25 years of Formula Racing. in second again.” IV ER Nye has been the team’s academic adviser • S Y A R R since it began, and he has been recognized as A Y

S • RIT held its own against teams from It was kind of a Formula SAE graduate one of the best seven times by SAE. He also R E V the University of Michigan, Texas A&M and program,” Bishop said, laughing. received its Excellence in Engineering I • N T Cornell in its first competition at Chrysler The dream came true as members of that Education Award in 2004. N W

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N awards, so it was very satisfying to see the bers would come to the company as co-ops. competition for the first time, one an electric

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T N F I T F Y - team do so well and be up there with the top Others, like Ryan Baldi ’09 (mechanical engi- vehicle. Both cars were unveiled at the 2017 schools,” Bishop added. neering) and Aleksey Kovtun ’12 (mechanical Imagine RIT: Innovation and Creativity Festival Bishop and his teammates would also engineering), would be hired as design and and raced in competitions during the summer. be recruited by the many companies that simulation engineers and work on Indy and A third car unveiled at Imagine was F1, come to Society of Automotive Engineers Corvette Racing championship teams. the first racecar built in 1992 and refurbished (SAE) events seeking talented engineers on Kristian Houghton said that the relation- over the past year by RIT Formula alumnus college design teams. He started working ships he developed at RIT had a huge influ- and team leader Salvatore Fava ’16 (mechani- at Ford Motor Co. in its Advanced Vehicle ence on his life. Bishop has been his boss for cal engineering). Bishop once again drove the Technology Division after graduation. eight years at Pratt & Miller and he met his car, but this time it was in front of current In 1998, he’d start his own firm, Aletheon wife of 18 years, Deana (Mallo) Houghton ’96 and past team members at the festival. Technologies, with Doug Louth, a Formula (mechanical engineering technology), in the Formula alumni over 25 years retained SAE alumnus who competed on the machine shop at RIT. the work ethic established by Bishop and his University of Michigan team. “Working with the incredible team at RIT teammates. Four years later, their highly successful set a benchmark for me for hard work, dedi- “I don’t think the competition at that time automotive engineering consulting firm would cation and excellence for my entire career,” saw us as a serious threat. They knew we’d merge with Pratt & Miller, and he’d serve said Houghton, now director of engineering be competitive, but we were a new formula as race engineer on the Corvette America services, leading teams in the company’s team,” he said, recalling the success at that LeMans Series team and chief engineer of the defense, automotive, robotics and product first event. “And the teams were like wow— Cadillac and Grand American Road Racing innovation markets. “Not only do you learn who is this?” programs, all winning major championships. the details of designing a complex system, Teams rarely ask that anymore. “I remember when I graduated, it was a you learn how to overcome organizational, Michelle Cometa ’00 pretty emotional time to leave the team. I told schedule and funding challenges.” the guys that my dream would be to figure out how we could all work together in the Staying power on the track Tell us your story future. It was an amazing group of people Since designing its first racecar in 1992, Did you participate in RIT Formula that had a common focus—competing, engi- RIT Racing has been competing in Racing? Contact us at [email protected] to neering excellence. That is what Doug and I national SAE design challenge events. share your memories. wanted to create in our consulting company. When SAE began international

FALL 2017 | 27 RIT Awards

The RIT Alumni Association will bestow university-wide awards at the Presidents’ Alumni Ball, Oct. 13, during Brick City Homecoming & Family Weekend. For more information, go to rit.edu/PresidentsAlumniBall.

Bower named Outstanding Alumnus of 2017

rooks Bower grown into the company it is today,” Bower printing presses. “I love printing and the ’74 (print- said. “RIT is so instrumental in my career historical aspect of printing,” he said. ing) attributes and my success.” He also was a member of the presidential Bmuch of his success Bower will be honored for his ongoing search committee for RIT’s 10th president, to RIT. support of the university with the Outstand- Dave Munson. The chairman and ing Alumnus of 2017 award at the Presidents’ Bower joined Papercone, which was CEO of Papercone Alumni Ball on Oct. 13 during Brick City started by his father in 1964, two years after Corp. said that the Homecoming & Family Weekend. The award he graduated. The company began making education he received is the highest honor RIT can bestow upon paper collars that went over soft drink bottles at RIT helped him an alumnus. and then evolved into a specialty envelope learn how to be a Bower said he makes it a priority to give business. Bower said the business, based in Brooks Bower ’74 hands-on manager. back to his alma mater because of every- Louisville, Ky., is continuing to change with Living nearly 3,000 thing RIT has done for him. The RIT Trustee the times, now moving into lightweight miles away from his home in San Francisco helped the Big Shot team secure Churchill packaging. taught him responsibility and how to live Downs in 2015 and has continually supported “I rely so much on the basic education I and interact with people. the Cary Graphic Arts Collection, including received at RIT,” he said. “It was an incredible “I feel strongly that it is because of my the purchase of the historic Kelmscott/Goudy education.” experience at RIT that Papercone has Hand Press in 2013. Bower collects antique Mindy Mozer

Saunders honored for impact on student success

ontributions He will be awarded the tribute at the in New York, Saunders is known for trans- to RIT from Presidents’ Alumni Ball during Brick forming the truck stop industry, the genesis E. Philip City Homecoming & Family Weekend to diversified interests in energy, auto SaundersC are well on Oct. 13. and truck rental, recreation and tourism, known. The serial “My relationship to this university packaged foods, property management, entrepreneur and goes way back, when I first owned banking and business ventures. philanthropist has a TravelCenters of America and I had RIT He is an RIT trustee emeritus and business college in students working for me at night and on was awarded the university’s prestigious his name—where he weekends,” said Saunders. “I was impressed Herbert W. Vanden Brul Entrepreneurial notably established with their knowledge, skills and work ethic— Award in 2005 and the Nathaniel Rochester two annual four-year and continue to believe that RIT continues Society award in 2011. Phil Saunders academic scholar- to attract only the best and the brightest.” The community-minded patron is also ships for a high Saunders has remained actively engaged the sponsor of the Young Entrepreneurs school student in Livingston County, N.Y., in Saunders College of Business and is Academy (YEA!) Saunders Scholars who wants to major in business and “pursue an advocate for increasing its worldwide Competition, held at RIT the past two years. an education they can only dream about.” recognition. He believes integrating busi- “I am very pleased to accept this award,” Saunders has been named the recipient ness education with RIT’s internationally said Saunders. “Philanthropy is part of a of RIT’s 2017 Volunteer of the Year in recognized technical and creative programs social investment and one of my passions is recognition for his outstanding leadership has been immeasurably successful. to see young people succeed.” skills and impact on student success. A lifelong resident of Livingston County Marcia Morphy

28 | FALL 2017 Saturday, September 16, 2017

Bring Tiger pride and power to your community’s needs! Team up with your fellow alumni on our annual day of service to help a non-profit in your area. A few hours of your time can have a big impact.

Albany, NY Ronald McDonald House Long Island City, NY Hunters Point Park Aldie, VA Friends of Homeless Animals Los Angeles, CA Ronald McDonald House Edgewood Community Atlanta, GA Los Angeles, CA World Harvest Food Bank Learning Garden Miami, FL Ronald McDonald House Austin, TX Ronald McDonald House Mumbai, India Volunteer Site TBD Baltimore, MD Moveable Feast Second Harvest of Nashville, TN Boston, MA The Greater Boston Food Bank Middle Tennessee Boulder, CO Boulder County Parks New Delhi, India Volunteer Site TBD Buffalo, NY Habitat for Humanity New Haven, CT Ronald McDonald House Buffalo, NY Ronald McDonald House New York, NY Ronald McDonald House Cambridge, MA Fresh Pond Reservation New York, NY The Bowery Mission Canandaigua, NY Sonnenberg Gardens Philadelphia, PA Habitat for Humanity ReStore Charlotte, NC Second Harvest Pittsburgh, PA Global Links Chicago, IL The Olive Branch Mission Raleigh, NC Food Bank of Raleigh Cincinnati, OH Freestore Foodbank Rochester, NY Eastman Museum Cincinnati, OH Ronald McDonald House Rochester, NY Ronald McDonald House Sale Cleveland, OH Ronald McDonald House San Antonio, TX San Antonio Food Bank Colorado Springs, CO Ronald McDonald House San Diego, CA Ronald McDonald House Dallas, TX Kiest Park Conservation Area San Francisco, CA Food Bank Denver, CO Food Bank of the Rockies Seattle, WA ROOTS Young Adult Shelter Dubrovnik, Croatia Volunteer Site TBD Syracuse, NY Ronald McDonald House Durham, NC Food Bank of Durham Tampa, FL Ronald McDonald House Fort Lauderdale, FL Ronald McDonald House Washington, D.C. Capitol Area Food Bank Fort Worth, TX Community Food Bank Washington, D.C. DC Central Kitchen

More locations available online!

#RITGDS rit.edu/alumni/GDS

© 2017 Rochester Institute of Technology. All rights reserved. Rochester Institute of Technology | One Lomb Memorial Drive | Rochester, New York 14623 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI BY THE NUMB3RS The Distinguished Alumni Awards are presented annually by each of RIT’s nine colleges and the School of Individualized Study to an alumnus/a who has performed at the highest levels of his or her chosen profession or who has contributed significantly to the advancement and leadership of noteworthy civic, philanthropic or service organizations. It is the highest award an RIT college can bestow upon its alumni.

Michael Cimi- nelli ’78, Col- lege of Liberal As founding president and CEO of Arts, oversees NexPress Solutions, a joint venture 725 officers as between Eastman Kodak Co. and chief of police Heidelberg Druckmaschinen, Venkat of the Rochester Since founding the McCue Memorial “Puru” Purushotham ’81, ’82, College Police Depart- Foundation in 1998, Gerald McCue of Science, developed the digital ment. Named ’80, Saunders College of Business, color printing systems business from chief in 2014, has awarded 14 college scholarships the ground up and grew its revenue Ciminelli started and supported various youth orga- from zero to more than $300 million his career with nizations. A senior vice president for within six years. He then led the the depart- Merrill Lynch, McCue named the foun- effort to integrate NexPress business ment in 1977. dation after his grandfather’s monu- back into Kodak in 2006, leading the Throughout his ment business, McCue Memorial. commercial business unit to rev- 35-year career Philanthropy is a priority for McCue. enues exceeding $2.5 billion. in law enforcement, he has served as chief of the Elmira Police Department, assistant district attorney for Monroe County and deputy chief counsel within the Drug Enforcement Administration.

After purchasing the Gooding Co. in 1990, Gerald Hace ’74, College of Imag- ing Arts and Sciences, has grown the more-than-140-year-old printing company in Lockport, N.Y., to three times its size. As its president, Hace ensures all Gooding Through their long careers with RIT and NTID, Barbara Ray ’74, employees—including ’84 and Samuel ’77 Holcomb, National Technical Institute for production workers, the Deaf, have been strong advocates for the college. They have receptionists, truck drivers, sales people a combined 75 years of service to the college as instructors. and others—participate in forming the Upon their retirement, they became active in efforts to preserve company’s business plan. NTID’s historical materials.

30 | FALL 2017 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI

Ralph Derrickson Each year, more ’78, ’81, B. Thomas than 31,500 chil- Golisano College dren are cared for of Computing in licensed child care programs with and Information assistance of Child Care Council Inc., Sciences, is the of which Barbara-Ann Mattle ’76, president and ’80, School of Individualized Study, CEO of Carena Inc., which enables 24- is CEO. Under Mattle’s leadership, hour access to health care via virtual the Child Care Council has expanded clinics. After his experience as a parent from two employees to a multimillion of two daughters born prematurely, dollar organization with 56 employ- Derrickson was determined to apply ees covering three counties his background in technology and in western New York. start-up innovation to improve patient and provider experiences.

As president and CEO of Pretium Pack- aging, Paul Kayser ’93, Kate Gleason College of Engineering, oversees a leading plastic container and closure manufacturer that offers more than 600 different types of A renowned professor and expert plastic bottles for industries on nutritional sciences, Penny Engineered by Thomas Trytek ’91, Col- varying from food to per- Kris-Etherton ’71, College of Health lege of Applied Science and Technology, sonal care to agriculture Sciences and Technology, has written the beacon and spire at the top of and requires technical more than 330 scientific papers, 30 One World Trade Center is 408 feet tall, expertise and pro- book chapters and co-authored four bringing the building to a symbolic prietary tooling to books. Currently a distinguished height of 1,776 feet. Trytek is also the manufacture. The professor of nutrition at Penn State, engineer-of-record for other high-profile company has 16 Kris-Etherton also serves on a projects including large-scale changes production plants number of influential committees and improvement for the Adrienne across North and boards including the President’s Arsht Center in Miami, Fla., JAZZ at America where Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutri- Lincoln Center in New York and Overture these bottles tion and the Nutritional Committee Center for the Arts in Madison, Wis. are made. for the American Heart Association.

FALL 2017 | 31 Alumni Updates

Alexandra Dunek ’14 (professional and technical communication) inspires others through bodybuilding. Photo by Ryan Scott Graduate finds strength through bodybuilding

lexandra Dunek ’14 (professional and “My mother had trouble getting preg- one college of her choice,” said Dunek. “We technical communication) has been nant and miscarried before I was born, so visited RIT in spring of 2010 and I immedi- through a lot mentally, emotionally she took fertility drugs and ended up with ately fell in love with the way the school took andA physically. triplets,” said Dunek. “She was supposed to the deaf and hearing worlds and combined Now, the 27-year-old deaf bodybuilder have quadruplets, but the fourth baby didn’t them into one.” and fitness writer from Mount Laurel, N.J., develop properly and instead became a tumor It was during her time at RIT that Dunek is sharing her story of struggle and triumph attached to me.” became focused on her fitness and began to help inspire others who may be going By the age of 2, Dunek had undergone bodybuilding. “I needed something to help through trying times of their own. six rounds of intensive chemotherapy and me get out of my depression, and I chose the Through her Instagram account won her battle with cancer. As a result of the gym,” Dunek said. (@TipsFromAFitChick), as well as other chemo, however, she lost most of her hearing Athleticism runs in Dunek’s family. Her media outlets, she is using her voice and her and suffered damage to her vision. father, Ken Dunek, was a Philadelphia Eagle story to advocate for the deaf community Attending RIT wasn’t always a part of during the 1981 Super Bowl. and to encourage anybody facing challenges Dunek’s plan. Following graduation, Dunek began in their own lives to persevere. “My mom was in a really bad car accident prepping for a competition of her own. She Stronger, a short documentary released my senior year of high school, and I picked competed in her first bodybuilding national in December 2016, is one of many recent up some bad habits while trying to cope with qualifier in June 2015 and placed second. media projects to chronicle Dunek’s journey her recovery,” Dunek said. “I was depressed “It is important for me to tell my story,” overcoming cancer, depression and an eating and I started drinking and smoking regularly, said Dunek. “Now I have the opportunity disorder, as well as her rise in competitive and my eating habits were really unhealthy.” to come forward and share my journey. I bodybuilding. The film, directed by Eliu Dunek was attending a local community just became a National Academy of Sports Cornielle, with the help of director of photog- college at the time but dropped out during Medicine certified personal trainer so that raphy Drew Saracco, is available on Vimeo. her first year. Once her mother made a full I can open my own gym and inspire others Dunek was born in 1989 with germ cell recovery, she encouraged Dunek to continue to develop healthy lifestyles of their own, no sarcoma, a rare cancer that is most common her education, this time at RIT. matter their circumstance.” in multiple births. “I made a deal with her and agreed to visit Lauren Peace ’17

32 | FALL 2017 Darshan Hiranandani ’02, ’03 built 23 Marina, one of the world’s tallest residential buildings, far left, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Alumnus works to bring meaningful change to people’s lives in India and Dubai

arshan Hiranandani was on the way residential building in 2012 by the Council is something at the end that you are deliver- to Egypt from India to vacation with on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. ing that is human in some way or another.” his family when they stopped in “It’s not like I set out to say we are going to Hiranandani cites the company’s work DDubai, United Arab Emirates. build the world’s tallest residential building. It creating residential townships in India as an Hiranandani ’02, ’03 (management infor- just turned out that that is what eventually hap- example. In the early 1990s, Hiranandani’s mation systems, MBA) had earlier returned pened,” Hiranandani said from his office in- father transformed barren land into neigh- to Mumbai after graduation to work at Hi- side 23 Marina. “But we got beat nine months borhoods with roads, schools, hospitals, ranandani Group, his family’s real estate busi- later only about 500 meters (one-third of a homes, businesses and the infrastructure ness and India’s largest residential developer. mile) from my site. And they got beat a year and greenery to support it all. In Dubai, they had dinner with friends, and half later. That’s the story of Dubai.” Now Hiranandani has led an effort to take who encouraged the family to think about The story of Hiranandani, managing the concept one step further by becoming doing real estate there. director of the Hiranandani Group as well the utility provider for these townships. The “My father said, ‘No, no, no. I’m very hap- as an RIT Trustee and RIT Dubai founding company provides the power, water, internet, py in Mumbai,’” Hiranandani said. “When we board member, is much richer than a phone and cable in one utility bill. got back to Mumbai, my father was like, ‘You towering building. His passion, he said, is “It is very simple but very hard to do in know, Dubai is sounding great. Why don’t energy. Through its subsidiary, H-Energy, the background,” he said. “It is these sorts of you go.’ I said, ‘Yup. Sounds great. I’m off.’” the company is focused on distributing clean, enhancements that are truly innovative.” And that’s how Hiranandani began build- affordable and safe natural gas. This includes That innovative spirit is a hallmark of the ing the world’s tallest residential building. creating infrastructure for gas distribution to company and of Hiranandani, who credits The 90-story tower, which is more than four replace kerosene. RIT for helping him learn how to go deep football fields tall, is called 23 Marina and is “It has always been about identifying what when problem solving and wide when located at the entrance of Dubai Marina. The it is that brings end value and really changes analyzing the goal of a project. building, which includes 62 elevators and 52 people’s lives in a meaningful way,” he said. “I “RIT had the courses to offer both.” swimming pools, was certified as the tallest think that it is extremely important that there Mindy Mozer

FALL 2017 | 33 Siddhartha Bhattacharya ’02 (MBA) is vice president of global marketing for the information management division of Kodak Alaris. Photo by A. Sue Weisler

Saunders graduate heads global marketing team

ust less than two decades ago, Siddhartha I carry the impact of those words with me to Kodak Alaris information management Bhattacharya ’02 (MBA) was sitting with this day,” Bhattacharya said. works with organizations from small offices his dad in his home in Calcutta, India, Bhattacharya has certainly become some- to global enterprises, bringing together Jresearching U.S. graduate programs and thing. As vice president of global marketing science, technology and partnerships so deciding about where he might like to apply. for the information management division of its clients can stay ahead of the curve. The “At that time in India, the internet wasn’t Kodak Alaris, a company that has grossed firm currently has a presence in 27 markets very popular, so I had mailed 80 or 90 hand- more than $1 billion in revenue, Bhattacharya around the world. Bhattacharya’s office is written letters to schools abroad to request oversees a global team of 45 people, as well as based in Rochester. program brochures,” said Bhattacharya. teams in regions including the U.S., Canada, “My contributions are really centered “There was a huge sense of pride every time Latin America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Africa around managing people and our marketing a nice, shiny brochure would arrive from and the Middle East. team,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s all America.” Prior to his job at Kodak Alaris, Bhattacha- about building a spirit of collaboration, re- Among the many to show up on Bhat- rya worked for Xerox Corp., where he spent moving complexity from our daily work and tacharya’s doorstep was one from RIT, and over a decade serving in various positions. instilling a very high level of pride and pas- he made the decision to apply to the MBA He became a global head of marketing for sion when it comes to serving our customers.” program in 1999. With bags packed full of the office printing business in 2013. Bhattacharya said that the opportunity to clothes and Indian spices, Bhattacharya got By the end of 2015, he had decided that be a part of a leadership team that is working on a plane that took him across an ocean he was ready for a change. “I have no regrets to bring about cultural change in a new com- to a place he had never been. from my 14 years spent with Xerox, but my pany is exciting. “It’s OK to take risks; it’s not “I remember very clearly the last moment time had come, and I was looking for my OK to do nothing. The worst thing that you in the airport with my family before I board- next challenge,” Bhattacharya said. can do is to sit and wait for things to happen ed the plane. My dad, who was a man of few He found that challenge in Kodak Alaris, for you,” he said. “My personality is one that words, hugged me and left me with one piece an independent, global technology startup thrives on challenging the status quo.” of advice. He said, ‘become something,’ and founded in 2013. Lauren Peace ’17

34 | FALL 2017

Jeff Smith ’93 (industrial design) is education program manager for Autodesk, an international software company based in San Rafael, Calif. Photo by A. Sue Weisler

Alumnus bestrides the worlds of art and industry

eff Smith ’93 (industrial design) has made major in the School of Design at the College continues to bestride. a successful career straddling the realms of Imaging Arts and Sciences, Smith was “People don’t automatically think that a of art and industry, which makes perfect introduced to the industrial design program program in the design school ties into manu- Jsense upon learning he spent his formative through a friend. “Toby Thompson was the facturing or business, but when you combine years in Buffalo, N.Y., and Paris—followed department chair at the time and he gave a industrial design and engineering—and do it by two Rust Belt cities in Ohio. 20-minute presentation on industrial design,” right—that’s the sweet spot,” said Smith, who Growing up in Buffalo until age 10, his said Smith, referring to the late founding works out of his Boca Raton, Fla., home. father received a transfer to France’s capital chair of the program. “He had such passion RIT students have provided valuable city for what was supposed to be one year for what he did and that rang so true to me.” feedback on the company’s software tools, but turned out to be two. That passion and zeal for how art and and the university and Autodesk have signed “Living in Paris taught me a lot and it design impact the business and manufactur- a memorandum of understanding agreement changed my life,” Smith recalled. “My parents ing worlds has stayed with Smith to this to collaborate even further. signed me up for art classes at The Louvre— very day. After more than two decades with Smith said RIT’s “real world, pragmatist” a weekly exploration and drawing session in a Taiwanese product design firm, Smith approach to art and engineering has inspired the museum. Learning about art and then now serves as education program manager him while carving out a design career for sketching it resounds with me to this day.” for Autodesk, the California-based software nearly 25 years. Upon moving back to the United States, giant behind many of today’s most ubiquitous “It’s awesome to be creative, but some Smith and his family lived in Dayton and design platforms. schools tend to be too ‘blue sky,’” Smith said. Sandusky, Ohio, before it was time for him As Autodesk’s primary liaison with higher- “You have to blend innovation with real- to look at colleges. “After my parents took education institutions across the United ity. RIT does a really good job of preparing me around to several art schools, I visited States, Smith has traveled to scores of college students—like it did me. Your designs have the RIT campus once and said, ‘This is campuses, including RIT’s several times every to be real, and ultimately that last step is the where I want to go.’” semester. He does so in support of design hardest part.” Originally enrolled as a graphic design and engineering education—that fine line he Rich Kiley

FALL 2017 | 35 TIGERS GET READY TO ROAR! REGISTER NOW!! This year, celebrate with Dr. David Munson in his first Brick City Weekend as President of RIT. From hockey to reunions and family fun—find something for everyone! Weekend events include: Women’s Hockey vs. RPI, Men’s Hockey vs. Northeastern, Pumpkin Chunkin’, Dueling Pianos, the Golden Circle and 50th Reunion, Presidents’ Alumni Ball, Student Government Horton Speaker, Brick City 5k, Family Fun Zone, Build-a-Tiger, Paint Night, Classes Without Quizzes, athletic and Greek reunions, and more. Visit rit.edu/brickcity.

RIT Brick City Homecoming #RITBrickCity Sign up at rit.edu/brickcity Class Notes 1964

Key to abbreviations CAST College of Applied Science and Technology CCE College of Continuing Education (now SOIS) CHST College of Health Sciences and Technology CIAS College of Imaging Arts and Sciences CLA College of Liberal Arts COS College of Science FAA Fine and Applied Arts (now CIAS) GAP Graphic Arts and Photography (now CIAS) GCCIS B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences KGCOE Kate Gleason College of Engineering NTID National Technical Institute for the Deaf SOIS School of Individualized Study SCB Saunders College of Business Bill Barley ’64 (GAP) has become a SVP NTID “Summer Vestibule Program” giclée printer, doing fine art reproduc- tion for regional artists in the Southeast. This is after a career including photo- About Class Notes journalism, advertising and corporate Class Notes are edited for space, clarity photography. He still instructs aviation and style. Share details and photos students, mentors younger photographers and actively shoots new material of special occasions and professional for himself and clients. achievements in your life by going to 1966 www.rit.edu/alumni/news. Harry W. Drake ’66 (GAP) has taken on the role of local coordinator for Alumna named to ‘Forbes’ list of top women wealth advisors SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) in St. Johns County, 1962 Fla. In this new role, he will be assist- Merrill Lynch financial advisor Fern (Grossman) Schwartz ’77 ing in the training of newly certified (business administration) has been named to the Forbes list of Medicare volunteer counselors for “America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors” for 2017. St. Johns County. The list compiled by the business magazine features the 1971 leading 200 female financial advisors from around the country based on their success in working with clients to achieve their financial goals. Schwartz, of Pittsburgh, has been working at Merrill Lynch for 34 years. She is honored to receive the Forbes designation, she said, in part because researchers took into account the process she uses to get to know her clients and their financial goals. She is mentoring others at Merrill Lynch on how to connect with clients. “I love working with my clients and their families,” Schwartz said. “That’s my fuel, helping them achieve their dreams and goals, as well as sometimes helping them through difficult issues.” To see the list, go to http://bit.ly/ForbesRIT.

1972 Thomas Winter ’72 (GAP) and his wife, Irene Winter, have been married Gene DePrez ’61 (FAA), ’62 (FAA), ’68 Deborah (Segall) Laitenberger ’71 43 years. They are now retired and (FAA), board chair and president of the (SCB) and William Laitenberger ’74 living in New York and wintering in Lake Mohawk Preservation Foundation, (CCE) were married Aug. 5, 2016, Fort Myers, Fla. recently presided over the foundation’s in Rochester after more than 25 years annual recognition celebration, together. Unfortunately, and unexpect- 1977 presenting its lifetime achievement award edly, William passed away on Oct. 18, John Brandte ’77 (SCB) received his for sustainable environment improvement 2016. Deborah has remained in Arizona Thomas Klinkowstein ’71 (GAP) Juris Doctor degree from the University to a past president of this historical where the couple lived since 2005. exhibited his design fiction installation of New Hampshire School of Law in 8,000-person lake community. DePrez about the ideations of a fictional May 2014. He is now an associate at also organized and moderated a panel of John Viehe ’71 (GAP) was awarded a persona in 2055. The Universe Emerges The Stein Law Firm in Concord, N.H. 12 fellow global business location strategy certificate in documentary arts from From Information: 10-43 Seconds and site selection experts at the October the Center for Documentary Studies in the State of Awareness of an D. Samuel Loquasto ’77 (KGCOE) annual conference of the Washington, at Duke University, based upon a video Exo-Designer, 2055 was shown at retired after 39 years in the electric D.C.-based International Economic documentary featuring activities of Studio-X (Columbia University in generation workplace. “It is time for this Development Council, where he serves Campbell University Divinity students Istanbul) and the Fashion Institute engineer to hang up his work tools and as visiting senior fellow. in Israel and Palestine. of Technology in New York City. start chasing dreams and grandkids.”

38 | FALL 2017

1979 Alice Walker, the film and the compan- 1984 1986 Wayne Shipman ’79 (GAP) is a first- ion photo exhibit, “Goddesses of Nature,” Stephen Delucia ’84 (COS/KGCOE) Ronald Klimley ’86 (SCB) accepted year student at the Lutheran Theological were on display as part of the 15th retired from Xerox Corp. in November a new role as the senior manager of Seminary at Philadelphia working Oakland International Film Festival at 2016 where he was involved in nickel organizational design and training on a Master of Divinity degree. This Holy Names University, Oakland, Calif. electroforming of fuel directors and with the Hillsborough County Aviation follows a varied career in the graphic on April 5 and then within the Holy stencils, production engineer in Teflon Authority in Tampa, Fla. arts and technical photography fields Names University Kennedy Arts Center Coatings and then the last eight years and a 30-year career at Eastman Kodak during the month of April. analyzing toners. 1988 Co. and its subsidiaries. Cavit Habib 1985 ’88 (KGCOE) 1980 is the CEO and Tim Kilby ’80 (GAP) is enjoying his shareholder of third year of retirement with family and ISS Facilities friends and remembering all his MFA Services in photography classmates. Turkey. He employs 30,000 Kenneth Kuzia ’78 (CCE), ’80 (CCE) people and has been chosen to illustrate a new runs four companies providing cleaning, book by former Rochester resident Richard Schneider ’83 (GAP) has an maintenance, security, catering, land- Rand Gee. The book is a series of exhibit called “Hidden Treasure: scaping and pest control services around short stories about a fictitious summer Panoramas of the Alaskan Frontier” the country. resort town of Opine, Wis. He designed on display at the National Archives at Tobi Sznajderman ’85 (FAA) is the the cover art and other illustrations College Park, Md. The exhibit captures custom jewelry designer for the Don Mary Hilburger Ryan ’88 (COS) in the book. the beauty of Alaska, as captured on film Muller Gallery in Northampton, Mass., is now a senior regulatory medical by U.S. Geological Survey topographers and continues to produce her own writing scientist at Janssen Research 1982 from 1910-1932. work as a studio goldsmith. and Development.

Owen Kassimir ’81 (GAP), ’82 (GAP) started coaching the men’s and women’s tennis teams at the New York Institute of Technology last spring. This is in addition to owning and operating Owen Photography in Woodbury, N.Y. He is also involved in the Professional Photographers Society of New York State, the Professional Photographers of Greater New York and he is the current president of the Huntington Bicycle Club.

David Clarke ’82 (CAST) celebrated his 35th wedding anniversary with his wife, Kathy, on Aug. 21, 2016. They have two grandchildren: Carter Shaughnessy, 2; and Cooper Shaughnessy, 5 months.

Jeanette (Romeo) Tydings ’82 (CLA) retired from RIT on June 30, 2017, after 38 ½ years of service. She held various positions across the RIT community and ends her career at NTID, where it all began. She looks forward to traveling with her husband, Leo Tydings ’83 (CLA), and enjoying more time with her children, Melissa ’10 (CAST) and Saunders College graduates strike a deal on ‘Shark Tank’ Chris, and granddaughter, Madison.

1983 It was a wild mission to save elephants that launched in 2014, donates 10 percent of net helped two RIT Saunders College of Business profits to the International Elephant Founda- alumni strike a deal on ABC’s Shark Tank earlier tion. The product line targets ages 18-34 and this year. includes harem pants, yoga pants, loungers, Nathan Coleman ’09 (marketing) from kimonos and jewelry. Ossining, N.Y., and James Brooks ’09 (inter The Elephant Pants helped push the venture national business) from Schenectady, N.Y., gave capitalist show past $100 million in total deals in up 17.5 percent of The Elephant Pants to fashion its time on air. Familiar to RIT entrepreneurship Gerald Hoffman ’81 (GAP), ’83 (GAP) mogul shark Daymond John for $500,000. is “Shark” John, who was the keynote speaker at is the principal photographer for the The e-commerce retail company, which was Saunders College Gasser Lecture Series in 2013. documentary film Yemanja Wisdom from the African Heart of Brazil. Narrated by

FALL 2017 | 39 Tiger Love Yin-yang partners in love and business

ichael Murphy had to he could become the future propose twice before president of the leadership club. Sau Cheng said yes. Everyone liked him and I ended MThe first time was in 2007, up becoming the Olivia Pope when he got down on one knee from Scandal who later ran his Michael Murphy and in Rochester’s Highland Park. campaign.” Sau Cheng exchanged Cheng took one look at the box Murphy obviously was elected wedding vows in the in his hand and said, “You got to the post—and the twosome Cayman Islands on me a promise ring, how nice.” soon became inseparable. The Dec. 8, 2011. She finally agreed three years couple exchanged wedding vows later when he proposed during in front of “close RIT friends” Christmas time in Washington, and family in the Cayman D.C. “I did it early in the morn- Islands on Dec. 8, 2011. ing, before she could think about After RIT, they worked in it and change her mind,” said industry positions (human Murphy with a laugh. resources, research and market- “You could call our relation- ing) before becoming globe ship tumultuous; Sau is my trotters, business partners and cougar, one year older and co-founders of Wonka Lab, always one step ahead of me,” which they refer to as “adventure said Murphy, who hails from networking.” Marcellus, N.Y. He spent three Based in Irving, Calif., the years studying international company works with startups, business from 2004-2007. corporate investors and oppor- Cheng, a native of Hong tunity seekers from around the Kong whose family owns several globe to explore the latest restaurants in Syracuse, N.Y., was opportunities in technology the first member of her family and business. to go to college and graduated “Last March, Wonka Lab with a marketing degree in 2007. hosted an inaugural Totem Perhaps it was serendipity that Summit conference in Whistler, Murphy often ordered take-out British Columbia, and it was food from Cheng Tu Restaurant a sell-out,” said Cheng. “We before ever meeting his future encourage people to have fun wife on the RIT campus, but a while developing meaningful shared destiny was not evident connections to improve their at their first encounter. lives and their businesses. “I was coming to interview Our goal is to make the world for the Saunders College Future a better place.” Business Leaders club—and was Murphy said working and living an hour late due to a snowstorm,” together 24/7 has made their said Murphy. “Sau was obviously marriage union grow stronger. irritated by the delay, gave me the “We are yin and yang, polar cold shoulder and there was an opposites, but we make it work. instant clash of personalities.” We laugh a lot; we also share As Cheng remembers: “He a passion and belief that great was just this annoying up-and- success, adventure and lifestyle coming freshman who was go hand-in-hand.” overconfident enough to think Marcia Morphy 1995 1999 2005 Verna Hazen ’99 (SCB) retired in Christine Marino ’05 (CIAS) has September 2016 after 25 years as direc- accepted a position with the city of tor of Financial Aid and Scholarships at Niagara Falls Community Development RIT and “many more” as a financial aid Department as the program coordinator professional. for the Zombie Housing Project. She will work to provide assistance to own- 2000 ers of properties in danger of falling into Erin Thaete ’00 (SCB) is now business foreclosure and assist in resolving issues director at Beach Medical Services in related to vacant and already foreclosed Geneva and Plattsburgh, N.Y. properties.

Melodie Kolmetz ’95 (COS) has accepted a position as an assistant professor in the RIT physician assistant program. She comes to RIT from clinical PA practice, most recently in gastro- enterology. Daniel Beca ’05 (GCCIS), ’17 (SCB) works as the director of marketing tech- Daniel Williams ’88 (SCB) has been nology for local marketing firm Catalyst promoted to chief financial officer at (www.catalystinc.com) and was married E.W. Howell Construction Group, a in 2014 to his wife, Erin. New York-based general construction and construction management firm with offices in Manhattan and Long Island. Nicholas Spittal ’00 (COS), ’01 (SCB) 1992 Daisei Konno ’95 (CIAS), ’99 (COS) has joined INC Research as vice presi- Jake Hendrix ’92 (CIAS) recently writes that the RIT Kendo Club hosted dent, clinical development. In this role, released the movie 4. For more, the fourth annual alumni day seminar he guides clients on clinical develop- go to www.Jixavision.com. on Feb. 18, 2017, at RIT. The seminar ment strategies and leads global teams was given by Shuji Matsushita, Kyoshi with delivery tactics to bring new thera- 1993 7-Dan. Attendees included many alumni. pies to market for eye diseases. Gerald Hurley ’93 (KGCOE) is now a technical program manager— 1997 2002 manufacturing engineering at RIT’s Charles Wilson ’97 (CIAS) was hired Golisano Institute for Sustainability. in January to teach a J-Term class at Huntington University about the history 1994 of women animators. Bethany Kaplan ’03 (CIAS), ’05 (SCB) and Eric Demanche announced their 1998 engagement this past September. A July wedding was planned in New Hampshire.

Kara (Doughman) Austin ’05 (CIAS) has accepted the position of design manager in the public relations and communications office of the University of Rochester Medical Center. Richard Parrinello ’02 (CIAS), a current and native Rochesterian, became 2006 the first Machida Karate certified affili- ate instructor in the northeastern United States. 2004

Phyllis Adams ’94 (SCB) is excited to John Gifford ’06 (KGCOE) and Amy announce the release of her new novel, Countryman celebrated their wedding The Sangrita Club, using her pen name, with a ceremony and reception at Club Amanda Adams. She set out to write a Rukiya (Floyd) Isoke ’95 (CCE), ’98 Mark Welser ’04 (CAST) opened an ice 86 in Geneva, N.Y., on Nov. 26, 2016. nonfiction work about diversity but (CAST), ’01 (NTID) completed her cream parlor and eatery at T.I. Park on The couple lives in the Bristol hills with ended up writing a novel about diverse Ph.D. on March 10, 2017, from Capella Wellesley Island, N.Y., for the 2017 sum- four of their children. women in corporate America who look University’s College of Education, spe- mer season. The business is at the rebuilt beyond their differences, celebrate their cializing in instructional design for Guzzle that tragically burned down a similarities and develop a sisterhood. online learning. few years ago.

FALL 2017 | 41 Tiger Cubs

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12

1 Jennifer Hafner ’94 (CIAS) 4 Jeremy Sebest ’99 (NTID), ’97 7 Alex Voznesenskiy ’05 (CIAS) 10 Sean O’Connor ’07 (CAST) and welcomed a daughter, Addison (NTID), ’02 (CIAS) and Caya and his wife, Charlotte his wife, Meghan, welcomed the Mackenzie, in February 2017. (Consunji) Sebest ’02 (GCCIS) Mouquin, welcomed Zara Anastacia birth of their first daughter, Shannon welcomed Gianna Maria Consunji Voznesenskaya on June 8, 2016. Carter O’Connor, on Feb. 8, 2017. 2 Karen (Donnelly) Schroeder Sebest on March 18, 2017. Voznesenskiy was recently promoted ’98 (CAST) and Scott Schroeder to prepress manager at Time Inc. 11 Kimberly (Rosenthal) Oliver welcomed their first child, Easton 5 Valerie (Ryan) Ward ’04 Books, the book publishing division ’07 (CIAS) and Craig P. Oliver Scott, on Dec. 23, 2016. Karen is an (CIAS) and Christopher Ward of Time Inc. ’06 (CAST) are proud to announce estimator on the Retail Marketing ’04, ’05 (GCCIS) welcomed a the birth of their baby boy, Theodore Team for Flower City Printers in daughter, Cora, on Jan. 26, 2017. 8 Ashlee McLoughlin ’07 (CIAS) Augustus. He was born on Dec. 25, Rochester. and Doug McLoughlin ’07 2016, in Rochester. Tiffany Karlik ’05 (KGCOE) (CAST) are pleased to announce the 3 Erik Dolatowski ’02 (KGCOE) weclomed a baby girl, Emily Grace, birth of their son, Anthony Frederick, 12 Nathan Polselli ’11 (CLA), ’11 and Toccarra Murphy ’04 in December 2016. on Nov. 20, 2016, in Rochester. (GCCIS) welcomes Dmitri (CIAS) welcomed Xander Ben Nathan Polselli, who was born on Feb. Dolatowski on July 11, 2016. 6 Binh Do ’05 (KGCOE) is 9 Hemant Puri ’07 (SCB) and 22, 2016. He enjoys climbing stairs, pleased to announce the birth of Sheetal Puri welcomed their sec- pulling the tail of the family cat and his daugher, Cora, born in July 2016. ond child, Daksh Puri, on Aug. 20, digging in the dirt. 2016, in Mumbai. Mithran Puri, who was born in June 2007, is proud to have Daksh as a little brother. 42 | FALL 2017 Joseph Lowry ’06 (KGCOE) was presented with the 2017 Young Engineer of the Year award by the Erie/Niagara Chapter of the New York State Society Debra Ruzinsky ’08 (CIAS) has been of Professional Engineers. appointed director of the Appalachian Center for Craft in Smithville, Tenn. 2007 The craft center is a campus of Tennessee Tech University and supports BFA students in the School of Art, Craft and Design.

om.

Renee Klenert ’07 (CIAS) and Stephen Klenert celebrated their wedding in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., on Oct. 8, 2016, at Skidmore College’s Wilson Chapel. Close friends and family, including bridesmaid Jillian Seaton ’08 (CIAS), sisters of RIT’s Alpha Xi Delta and fellow RIT alumni, were in attendance. The couple lives in Weehawken, N.J. Alumnus wins award for undergraduate physics research Fred (Ben) Woelk Margot Sandy ’08 (CAST), ’12 ’07 (CAST) has (KGCOE) writes that after more than been named an eight years working as a product devel- A graduate of the College of Science was recognized in July Associate Fellow opment engineer for Fisher-Price and by the Society for Brookstone developing all types of by the American Association of Physics Teachers and the Technical consumer products, she has started Advanced Laboratory Physics Association for his contribu- Communication. her own business called In The Now. tions as an undergraduate student researcher to RIT’s School Woelk is the information security of Physics and Astronomy. program manager Ryan Scott ’16 (physics) has won the AAPT-ALPhA Award at RIT. for developing a new experiment for the upper-level undergraduate physics lab at RIT. The award also recognizes Scott’s Jorge Gonzales ’07 (SCB) went back to his home country, Peru, and worked faculty advisers Edwin Hach III, assistant professor of physics, several years for the Canadian mining and Stefan Preble, associate professor of microsystems engi- company Barrick Gold after graduating. neering and electrical and microelectronic engineering. Hach In 2016, he was promoted to financial controls manager for the North and Preble are both members of the university’s Future Photon American region and is now living in Initiative, an RIT signature research area. Las Vegas since July 2016. Scott’s experiment can be used as an undergraduate teach- 2008 ing tool to explain concepts that form the basis of quantum Filip David computing research. It demonstrates fundamental quantum Ambrosio ’08 mechanics by replicating the Hong-Ou Mandel effect to study (COS) graduated the behavior of photons, or particles of light. The experiment in May from the University of illustrates superposition and entanglement, fundamental Detroit Mercy quantum mechanical effects that capture two photons, as School of Dentistry. a wave and a particle, with one influencing the other at a Ambrosio completed his postdoc- Alison VonDollen ’08 (CIAS) and distance. toral residency in Joseph Nachef were married on Aug. 27, Scott develops and implements software at Epic Systems the field of peri- 2016. They celebrated with friends and Corp. in Madison, Wis. odontal surgery and began practicing family, including alumni and current this summer in Rochester. co-worker Brittany Peters ’07 (CIAS).

FALL 2017 | 43 2011

Simon Pontin ’08 (SCB) started Finger Lakes Vintage & Sports Car LLC. The Jamie Oakes ’09 (CIAS), a distiller at new company specializes in restoration Tamworth Distilling and Mercantile, of vintage autos. Learn more at www. writes that the business was featured FLKVSC.com. in several articles, including a New York Times piece on gins that conjure spring delights.

Scott Bureau ’11 (CLA) ’16 (SCB) and Lindsay Power ’10 (KGCOE) celebrated their wedding at Westminster Chapel in Mendon, N.Y., on Feb. 25, 2017. Aimee (Curre) Doud ’09 (CIAS) In attendance were dozens of family, is currently working as a corporate friends and RIT alumni from across the trainer for American Savings Bank country. The wedding party included in Honolulu. She was the branch Donald Leclerc ’12 (KGCOE), Tracey manager for American Savings Bank’s (O’Dowd) Leclerc ’12 (CAST), Jeremy Waikiki location. Frey ’10 (CAST), Stephany Wedgwood ’14 (COS), Craig Sweet ’12 (CAST), David Moufarrege John Kreuder ’11 (KGCOE), Ashley ’09 (SCB) accepted (DeVierno) Kreuder ’11 (KGCOE), a position as vice Leonardo Gala Jr. ’11 (KGCOE) and president, technol- Nicole Bureau ’18 (KGCOE). They ogy, with Imprimis currently live in Rochester, where Scott Pharmaceuticals works with RIT University News Services Rebecca Lane Oesterle ’09 (CAST) Inc. in San Diego. and Lindsay is an engineer II with achieved lifetime CPP (certified packag- He was formerly Harris Corp. ing professional) from the Institute of the chief informa- Packaging Professionals. In addition, she tion officer of St. Kristin Cavallaro ’11 (SCB) was now has an expanded role as manager of Ann’s Community in Rochester. He promoted to management analyst for Packaging & Graphic Development for relocated with his wife, Rita ’82 (FAA), Monroe County’s Office of Management Just Born Quality Confections Inc. and their daughter, Carrie, to San Diego. and Budget in March 2017. Matthew Benedict ’08 (KGCOE) and Roberta DiLeo ’08 (COS), ’09 (COS), ’12 (KGCOE) met in Baker Hall in 2003, remained close friends for six years, dated for another seven, and then Guilherme Andrade ’15 tied the knot March 4, 2017, under the (mechanical engineering), stars in the Strasenburgh Planetarium at Rochester Museum & Science Center. Lara Goulart ’16 (industrial design), Bruno Scarpin ’16 2009 (manufacturing and mech Aaron Cook ’09 (CAST) was anical systems integration) and promoted to asso- Thiago Lima ’16 (electrical ciate at Erdman engineering), all of Brazil, Anthony. He is a member of the created the UNA Smart device facilities engineer- in 2015. Marcelo Sala has since ing and design joined the team. services core UNA Smart users fill the business in the Rochester office. Alumni company makes Brazil’s Top 100 startups list device with water, insert a biodegradable coffee pod and James Breunig ’09 UNA Smart, touted as an top 100 among the 2,800 click a button either on the (KGCOE) started the engineering innovative way to brew coffee startups considered and coffee maker or on the mobile company XCEED and tea anywhere and created ranked fourth in its category, app to begin brewing. The Engineering and by five RIT alumni, was reportedly making it one of mobile app also allows users Consulting PC in recently named to Brazil’s Top the best companies to invest to set timers for their coffee 2014 after working for Ginna Nuclear 100 startups list by 100 Open in this year. brewing, track daily consump- Plant for five years. His company, Startups and Wenovate-Open Mauricio Reck ’16 (manu tion and caffeine intake, and www.xceed-eng.com, does mechanical Innovation Center. facturing and mechanical reorder UNA coffee pods and civil engineering projects in all fields, including nuclear power. UNA Smart cracked the systems integration), automatically.

44 | FALL 2017 Mariah Texidor ’15 (CIAS) obtained 2012 2014 full-time employment with 70 South Jessica Rought ’12 (SCB), ’13 (SCB), Gallery in Morristown, N.J., as a lab of Nashua, N.H., was promoted to printer. senior in the audit practice at Baker Newman Noyes, one of the nation’s Ryan Meadows ’15 (CIAS) finally popped top 100 accounting and consulting the question to his college love Andreas firms. She joined the firm in July 2015, Roalsvig ’15 (CIAS). He said “yes.” having previously been with Shatswell, MacLeod & Co. Ethan Whritenor ’15 (KGCOE) has been working at Rochester Gas & Kate Komorowski ’12 (CAST) has Electric as an associate engineer for been promoted to engineer III within just over a year. the Wastewater Department of Barton & Loguidice, an engineering, planning, Emily Cali ’15 (CIAS) attended the environmental and landscape architec- General Assembly Web Development ture firm. Immersive program and hopes that the skills she learned from the intensive Keleigh (Bicknell) Alsheimer ’16 2013 boot camp will help her be more mar- (KGCOE) and Zachary Alsheimer ’15 Lauren Dearman ’13 (NTID) mar- ketable within her company, Booz Allen (KGCOE) were married at the Bristol ried Matthew Pillsbury ’12 (CIAS) on Hamilton. Harbor Resort in Canandaigua, N.Y., Oct. 15, 2016, in Cortland, N.Y. About Ryan Peterson ’14 (CHST) and Sarah on Sept. 23, 2016. The wedding party two dozen alumni were in attendance, Rose Sampson ’14 (CHST) got engaged included Paulina Kleinberger ’16 including half of the bridesmaids and on June 16, 2016, at Grand Teton (KGCOE), Quincey Stuck ’16 groomsmen. National Park in Wyoming. They (KGCOE), Joshua Eddy ’15 (GCCIS), planned to tie the knot on June 9, 2017, Michael Fleszar ’15 (KGCOE), and in Rochester. Sean Langan ’16 (KGCOE). The wedding coupled as a reunion for more than 30 RIT alumni. Zach and Keleigh currently live in Northern Kentucky and work for Toyota and GE Aviation, respectively.

Dustin Kochensparger ’14 (GCCIS) was promoted to the role of line producer at Bungie, the creator of the hit video game Destiny. He is part of the Live team and has been the lead Erin (Woods) Patel ’15 (CAST) and Lindsay Burke ’13 (CAST) and Brian producer on the last three major game Pritesh Patel celebrated their wedding Shannon Ryan ’16 (SCB) was promoted Koscielniak ’09 (CAST) were married updates. with two ceremonies in Chicago on July to full-time employee status three on Dec. 9, 2016, in Skaneateles, N.Y. 9, 2016. Wedding attendees included months after starting with Chatsworth They met at their shared worksite on 2015 Indira Dalel-Rodriguez ’09 (SCB), ’12 Products as a marketing intern. She now Dec. 6, 2010. (SOIS); Maritza Garcia ’14 (CIAS); manages digital promotions and website Monica Martinez ’10 (SCB); Melissa updates. Ryan is also now engaged to Richter ’14 (SCB); Travis Williams ’15 her fiancé, Schuyler, and they are getting (CAST); Marian Van Vlack ’15 married in April 2018. (CAST); and Purav Arya ’08 (CAST).

Justyn Carll ’15 (KGCOE) recently started Premium Nootropics LLC with twin brother Colby Carll ’15 (CAST). Are you moving? If your address changes, you can Linda Chamot ’15 (SOIS) was make sure you continue to receive selected as a 2016-17 RIT Outstanding The University Magazine by report- Undergraduate Scholar. ing your new address to the Office of Alumni Relations. Send an email 2016 to [email protected] or call the office Nicholas Giordano ’16 (SCB) started a toll free at 866-748-2586. job at Esri in Redlands, Calif., as a GIS Alumni can also keep in touch Janna Luksha ’10 (NTID), ’13 (SOIS), consultant and project manager for state through the Online Community. a NASM certified personal trainer who and local governments. Go to www.rit.edu/alumni. is deaf, started the ASL Bootcamp at the Eastside YMCA of Greater Rochester in Huang Chen ’16 (GCCIS) was pro- Penfield, N.Y., where she is employed. Dina Johnson ’15 (CHST) has accepted moted in less than nine months at The ASL Bootcamp is an eight-week a position at the University of Rochester Liberty Mutual as an IT analyst. He is program that is open to any fitness level School of Nursing and Psychiatry also pursuing YouTube filming and for enthusiasts who are deaf or are inter- department as a human subject clinical cinematography. ested in learning ASL while becoming fit. research coordinator.

FALL 2017 | 45 ROAR Day Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Did you know . . . that Tigers can ROAR over 3,200 times in one day? Well, RIT TIGERS at least! ROAR Day is RIT’s annual day of giving and is an opportunity for Tigers everywhere to give back to the university. When you ROAR, it echoes throughout campus for the whole year. Make a gift and make some noise for RIT!

#ROARDay rit.edu/ROARDay

Alumni 1953 1961 1970 Charles R. Schuchart ’77 1985 John A. Ratcliffe ’53 Thomas R. O’Grady ’61 Ronald R. Mayer ’70 (CCE), March 17, 2017 Debra Fredricka Desimony 1929 (GAP), Feb. 23, 2017 (CCE), Jan. 26, 2017 (KGCOE), Jan. 22, 2017 Kenneth H. Vanduzer ’77 ’85 (CAST), Jan. 15, 2017 Thelma (Starr) Hettrick ’29 (CCE), March 28, 2017 1954 John Carver Rice ’61 1971 Joan A. Smith ’85 (CCE), (SCB), Dec. 25, 2016 (KGCOE), Jan. 16, 2017 1978 ’85 (CCE), Jan. 27, 2017 Nan (Hart) Droz ’54 Donald E. Spindler ’61 John Robert Gunther Jr. 1939 David L. Desch ’78 (CCE), (SCB), March 21, 2017 (CCE), April 1, 2017 ’71 (GAP), March 21, 2017 1987 Anthony F. Smyrski ’39 Arthur J. Riley ’71 (CCE), March 27, 2017 Cynthia (Siebach) (KGCOE), Jan. 6, 2017 1955 1962 April 17, 2017 William J. Higgins ’78 Lindeman ’87 (CAST), ’96 Alex J. Cichelli ’55 (CCE), 1941 Raymond C. Kesel Jr. ’62 (SCB), Jan. 14, 2017 (CAST), March 18, 2017 April 10, 2017 (CCE), Jan. 31, 2017 1972 Ronald Alan Ploesch ’78 Aaron M. J. Menchel ’87 Frances (Wolf) Lederman Werner Marx ’55 (GAP), Robert L. Reid ’62 James G. Anderson ’72 (NTID), Jan. 3, 2017 (COS), Nov. 25, 2016 ’41 (FAA), Feb. 26, 2017 April 10, 2017 (KGCOE), April 12, 2017 (SCB), April 17, 2017 Michael D. Salamone ’78 Lena M. Slusser ’41 (SCB), Gerald E. Mattys ’55 Alan R. Webster ’62 (SCB), David F. Murphy ’72 (CCE), March 14, 2017 1988 March 22, 2017 (CCE), March 6, 2017 Feb. 6, 2017 (SCB), Jan. 25, 2017 Robert F. Weise ’78 Ralph G. Bushey ’88 1943 Lloyd Schaber ’72 (CCE), (CAST), Feb. 11, 2017 (CCE), March 8, 2017 1956 1963 Feb. 21, 2017 Robert J. Kindt ’43 Charles J. Crane ’56 (CCE), Elmer J. Cooman ’63 Wayne A. Sheeler ’72 1979 1989 (KGCOE), Feb. 9, 2017 March 31, 2017 (CCE), Feb. 9, 2017 (FAA), Jan. 14, 2017 H. Paul Menkis ’79 Richard Gerard Radlinsky 1944 Armin E. Wimmer ’56 Albert W. Falkenstein ’63 James F. Zimmer ’72 (CAST), March 23, 2017 ’89 (CAST), Dec. 27, 2016 (GAP), April 13, 2017 Tracy Baxter ’44 (KGCOE), (CCE), Feb. 28, 2017 (CCE), ’93 (CCE), Jan. 26, Ray Williams ’79 1992 (KGCOE), Dec. 29, 2016 April 14, 2017 1957 Judith (Pearce) Kuhman 2017 Patrick Gerard Jenkins ’92 Janet (Hosley) Aron ’57 ’63 (CCE), April 7, 2017 1980 (CAST), Jan. 21, 2017 1947 Robert R. Rivers ’63 (CCE), 1973 (SCB), Feb. 5, 2017 John Michael Brightman M. Evelyn (Rose) Adams Feb. 17, 2017 Duane F. Koss ’73 (CCE), 1993 James W. Bender ’57 ’80 (CAST), Jan. 6, 2017 ’47 (FAA), March 25, 2017 April 2017 Francine Annette (KGCOE), Dec. 31, 2016 Elizabeth Dillon ’80 (FAA), 1964 (Olivadoti) Cronin ’93 1945 Alan H. Davidson ’57 1974 ’82 (FAA), March 2017 Arthur D. Berndt ’64 (CCE), April 11, 2017 Arthur A. Nowak ’45 (SCB), Feb. 9, 2017 Thomas F. Blazynski ’74 Beverly Mary James ’80 (CCE), Jan. 19, 2017 Karen L. Walker ’93 (CCE), ’53 (CCE), Feb. 24, Robert E. Hooker ’57 (CCE), April 3, 2017 (CCE), ’84 (CCE), April Richard O. Casper ’64 (KGCOE), Jan. 1, 2017 2017 (SCB), Jan. 31, 2017 (CCE), April 12, 2017 David K. Goodnight ’74 2017 Walter T. Piehler ’57 (KGCOE), Jan. 25, 2017 1948 Ronald F. Dichario ’64 1981 1996 (CCE), January 2017 (CCE), Feb. 12, 2017 James A. Stalnaker ’74 Deborah Lynn Bennett ’96 Mary (Ernenwein) Burns John C. Bahret ’81 (CLA), William L. Tomkiewicz ’57 Gary H. Foster ’64 (CCE), Jan. 13, 2017 (CLA), April 6, 2017 ’48 (SCB), Jan. 21, 2017 March 16, 2017 (CCE), April 9, 2017 (KGCOE), Dec. 29, 2016 Richard B. Sykes ’74 (SCB), Steven James Harris ’96 Brian Donald Bock ’81 1949 Clark A. Tooly ’57 (GAP), Kathy (Lauer) Gerbic ’64 March 29, 2017 (CAST), ’96 (CAST), Jan. (CAST), Jan. 28, 2017 Jan. 14, 2017 (FAA), May 13, 2017 28, 2017 Donald E. Preston ’49 1975 Christopher John Wall ’81 (GAP), March 11, 2017 1958 Robert M. Brady ’75 (SCB), April 1, 2017 1998 Robert R. Radmore ’49 1965 Harry E. Barnes ’58 (SCB), (NTID), March 9, 2017 Norman Richard David C. McCracken ’98 (KGCOE), Feb. 26, 2017 Bruce T. Glenwright ’65 March 10, 2017 Harry J. Gersey ’75 (SCB), Youngjohn ’81 (CCE), (CAST), ’02 (CAST), ’02 (CCE), Feb. 6, 2017 1950 James G. Laragy ’58 (GAP), Feb. 17, 2017 March 4, 2017 (CAST), Jan. 6, 2017 Jan. 13, 2017 G. Wayne Sovocool ’65 Dewey E. Horning ’75 Alexander Kilinski ’50 (COS), March 20, 2017 1982 1999 (KGCOE), Dec. 27, 2016 Robert A. Meibaum ’58 (CCE), ’85 (CAST), Feb. Harry Lorren Miller ’82 Christopher W. Graser ’99 Bernard E. Lapa ’50 (CCE), (GAP), Jan. 31, 2017 1966 15, 2017 (SCB), Jan. 27, 2017 (COS), March 30, 2017 Josephine A. (Siandack) Guy W. Avery ’66 (CCE), Lowell E. McCaw ’75 Feb. 14, 2017 Neil Alan Spink ’82 (CCE), Jack D. Michie ’50 (CCE), Miller ’58 (SCB), April 2, March 2, 2017 (CAST), March 29, 2017 2000 2017 Willard C. Milliman ’75 March 31, 2017 Jan. 30, 2017 Charles G. Braun ’66 Richard D. Humphreys ’00 Richard E. Richenberg ’58 (CCE), March 14, 2017 Dolores (Santy) Miller ’50 (CCE), March 26, 2017 1983 (CIAS), Dec. 24, 2016 (KGCOE), Feb. 20, 2017 (SCB), Jan. 1, 2017 Mary Margaret Leach ’83 Roger K. Smith ’58 1967 1976 Alexander M. Sikora ’50 (SCB), Jan. 23, 2017 2003 (KGCOE), Feb. 11, 2017 Vincent Campbell Jr. ’67 Steven C. Stricker ’76 (KGCOE), March 27, 2017 Frank Anthony Marticelli Latika K. Jones ’03 (NTID), John D. Ventura ’58 (SCB), Feb. 1, 2017 (CCE), Feb. 8, 2017 ’83 (CAST), March 2, 2017 March 12, 2017 1951 (KGCOE), April 12, 2017 Barbara L. Stein ’67 (COS), Raymond S. Vosefski ’76 Michael Senko ’83 (CCE), Barney F. Slayton ’03 John R. Boyd ’58 (FAA) March 25, 2017 (CCE), ’77 (CCE), January Roberta C. Beyea ’51 ’88 (SCB), Dec. 23, 2016 (CAST), Jan. 24, 2017 April 28, 2017 2017 (SCB), March 11, 2017 1968 Paul Damon Schmidt ’83 William E. Carnahan ’51 1977 2006 1959 Merritt W. Ackles ’68 (NTID), Nov. 5, 2016 Toni M. Vitale ’06 (COS), (GAP), Jan. 15, 2017 Michael W. Gust ’77 Daniel D. O’Connell ’51 Donald F. Riecks ’59 (CCE), Jan. 15, 2017 1984 Feb. 10, 2017 (GAP), Jan. 25, 2017 Paul J. Dentinger ’68 (KGCOE), ’80 (KGCOE), (GAP), Jan. 13, 2017 David A. Bringley ’84 W. William Schumacher (COS), Feb. 13, 2017 March 23, 2017 George F. Wu ’51 (GAP), (CAST), Feb. 25, 2017 ’59 (SCB), Dec. 27, 2016 R. Craig George ’68 (COS), Frank A. Johnston ’77 April 6, 2017 John Dana Carp ’84 (SCB), Faculty and Staff Feb. 9, 2017 (CAST), Feb. 22, 2017 Jan. 2, 2017 1952 1960 Gordon J. Holbig ’68 Bohdan Laluk ’77 (CCE), Allan W. Davis ’84 (SCB), Egon Stark, professor Richard W. Cleveland ’60 (CCE), Feb. 24, 2017 Feb. 21, 2017 Louis R. Baglio ’52 (SCB), Feb. 17, 2017 emeritus, Department of (GAP), Feb. 24, 2017 David F. Wicks ’68 (CCE), Francis Mastrodonato ’77 Jan. 15, 2017 John Duszynski ’84 Biology, College of Science, John P. Dinino ’60 (CCE), Feb. 17, 2017 (CCE), Dec. 24, 2016 Roger C. Harnaart ’52 (CAST), Feb. 20, 2017 April 12, 2017 (KGCOE), March 25, 2017 Jan. 13, 2017 Carmen J. Rossi ’77 (CCE), Robert W. Kirchhoff ’60 1969 March 28, 2017 Jack Edmund Gerke ’84 Bradley C. Smith ’52 (CCE), March 19, 2017 (KGCOE), Jan. 27, 2017 (CCE), Feb. 26, 2017 Peter Solecky ’69 (KGCOE), February 2017

No. 14, August 2017 RIT (USPS-676-870) is published 17 times annually by Rochester Institute of Technology, One Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, N.Y. 14623-5603, once in March, once in April, five times in June, three times in July, four times in August, once in September, once in October, and once in November. Periodicals postage paid at Rochester, N.Y. 14623-5603 and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to RIT, Rochester Institute of Technology, One Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, N.Y. 14623-5603. FALL 2017 | 47 from the Archives

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at RIT first opened its doors in 1987. It was originally called The Athenaeum. Photo provided by RIT Archive Collections

Osher at RIT celebrates 30-year milestone

he brain never retires. “This was a new experience after spending her Lifelong Learning Institute at RIT—join- Osher Lifelong Learning Institute 35 years in the clinical laboratory business,” ing a network that operates on the campuses at RIT (Osher at RIT) now boasts said Levin. “As a member-led organization, of 120 institutions of higher education from 700T active members—many of whom will I became a member of the Osher Council Maine to Hawaii and Alaska. celebrate the organization’s 30th anniversary and held various leadership positions. Osher “Our current facility, Rivers Run, has 6,500 this October. The milestone has not gone membership provided me with new oppor- square feet of space and five classrooms,” unnoticed, simply because the active and tunities and challenges, every day, all year said Bistrovich. “We named the building The stimulating environment for 50-plus learn- long.” Athenaeum in honor of our roots and late ers has become a go-to place in the Greater According to Mary Bistrovich, Osher at last year received a $25,000 capacity-building Rochester community where people can RIT program administrator, the members grant from the Osher Foundation to help in- continue to teach, learn and remain active in are the heart and soul of the organization. crease membership and continue to provide their retirement and semi-retirement years. “They have fascinating and diverse back- members with exceptional programs they Osher at RIT offers 50-plus courses during grounds, interests and careers which have come to love.” fall, winter and spring and shorter summer contribute to the incredible knowledge base According to Levin, there are so many classes with seminar lectures, where mem- that exists at Osher. Their passion for teach- misconceptions about aging. “This is the bers share their life experiences and interests ing and learning inspires me every day.” opposite. These people are very, very across a wide spectrum. There are no grades, The idea for the organization started in energetic and active. To all members, a job no homework, no pressure—just plenty of 1986 when Mark Blazey, then RIT dean of well done. Happy 30th anniversary Osher feel-good camaraderie among thinkers who training and professional development, visit- Lifelong Learning Institute at RIT.” wish to share the sheer joy of learning. ed the University of Delaware and was so im- Marcia Morphy Marie Levin, who lives in Fairport, N.Y., pressed with its model of Individual Learning retired 14 years ago and a new world of in Retirement (ILR) that he returned home lifelong learning opened when she joined and presented a plan to RIT’s Board of Trust- To learn more Osher at RIT. She started taking classes on a ees. A year later, “The Athenaeum” was born The 30th anniversary celebration of Osher wide range of subjects—science, history, art, from RIT’s original name in 1829. at RIT will be Oct. 20 at Locust Hill literature and government. Eventually her Fast forward to 2006, The Athenaeum was Country Club. For more information, interest in history grew and she soon began awarded a $1 million endowment from the contact [email protected]. leading classes in ancient history. Bernard Osher Foundation and became Os-

48 | FALL 2017 I can lower my capital gains tax with a charitable gift?

Indeed you can. A gift to a qualified charity of appreciated stocks, bonds, and/or mutual fund shares—that you’ve held long term (more than one year)—allows this. You can reduce or eliminate entirely the capital gains tax that you would have incurred had you sold the shares yourself.

How? { By making an outright transfer of shares and providing immediate support, by funding a charitable gift annuity or deferred charitable gift annuity with shares to create a life income stream for yourself and/or a loved one, or { By investing shares in a donor advised fund and creating future flexibility for yourself.

It’s easy. And as a bonus, these options give you an up-front charitable tax deduction.

So don’t let capital gains taxes get you down. Put your appreciated securities to work for you and for the organization you love.

To learn more about potential tax benefits that can be realized while supporting RIT’s mission, along with other creative planning ideas, please visit rit.edu/LowerCGT.

It is more than a gift. It is your legacy. THE ELLINGSON SOCIETY

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