Also inside: Tour the new Senior design cybersecurity results in more complex than prototypes

University Magazine Spring 2021

Rochester Rising RIT is helping make Rochester a next-generation technology hub FROM THE PRESIDENT

Welcome to Rochester: A renaissance with RIT our regional economy and quality of life, where the sector is a source of new knowl- edge, technology transfer, workforce RIT University Magazine development, and service to the commu-

Executive Editors nity. We have an impressive cluster of 19 Phil Castleberry, University Advancement public and private colleges throughout the Bob Finnerty ’07 MS, Marketing and Communications greater Rochester region. Collectively, we Vanessa J. Herman, Government and Community Relations enroll 83,000 students and award 19,000 John Trierweiler, Marketing and Communications degrees each year. We are one of the most

Editor Gabrielle Plucknette-DeVito academically productive regions in the Mindy Mozer, Marketing and Communications country, ranking third in college degrees

Art Director f Chester Carlson, George Eastman, per capita and No. 1 for degrees in STEM Jeff Arbegast ’93 MS, Marketing and Communications Kate Gleason, and Henry Lomb could fields, according to the U.S. Department of see Rochester today, these inventors Education. Photography Editor I Gabrielle Plucknette-DeVito ’07, and pioneers would want to invest in our Did the COVID-19 pandemic slow Roch- Marketing and Communications resurging region. ester down? Quite the opposite. Greater Assistant Editor More than 70 percent of our 136,000 Rochester Enterprise, the organization Scott Bureau ’11, ’16 MBA, alumni live away from greater Rochester. responsible for recruiting companies to Marketing and Communications Yet they often ask about the economic the area, had a banner year benefitting Contributing Editors health of the region. Whether our alumni from record capital investments and add- Jon Rodibaugh ’12 MBA, live in tech hubs like Silicon Valley or ing thousands of new jobs across various Advancement and Alumni Relations Cindy Sobieraj, Advancement and Alumni Relations Boston, or overseas in Croatia or India, business sectors. This includes optics, they still have a fondness for the Finger photonics and imaging, food and bever- Photographers Elizabeth Lamark ’00, Marketing and Communications Lakes region. age, advanced manufacturing, energy A. Sue Weisler ’93 MS, Marketing and Communications My elevator speech is that Rochester innovation, and e-commerce. Writers: Marketing and Communications has a new economy and RIT is helping to We also are harnessing this vibrancy Luke Auburn ’09, ’15 MS Rich Kiley drive it to new heights. Today, there are for our students. There is a new vision Scott Bureau ’11, ’16 MBA Greg Livadas more people employed here than were for Rochester’s 30-story former Xerox Michelle Cometa ’00 Vienna McGrain ’12 MS Susan Gawlowicz ’95 Shelly Meyer employed by the “Big Three”—Kodak, Tower that will transform the office Xerox, Bausch & Lomb—combined in complex into student housing and a busi- Copy Editor Marie Lang, Marketing and Communications their heyday, up 30,000 to a workforce ness innovation hub. Innovation Square, Print Production of 537,000. And the local economy is a project recently announced by Gallina Brenda Monahan, Marketing and Communications more diversified, with 97 percent of the Development, will draw upper-level and Marketing and Communications Rochester region workforce employed in graduate students from area colleges and 22 Lomb Memorial Drive Rochester, NY 14623-5608 companies of 100 employees or less. universities. Several renovated floors are Voice: 585-475-5064, Fax: 585-475-5097 When we look back at the past, it expected to open this summer. Email: [email protected] should be with excitement rather than RIT’s talent is a key ingredient in this Office of Alumni Relations wistfulness, for we have been given an resurgence. Rochester has the capacity Crossroads 41 Lomb Memorial Drive amazing legacy that includes everything and resources to surpass its former glory, Rochester, NY 14623-5603 Voice: 585-475-ALUM, Toll Free: 866-RIT-ALUM necessary for major success in a new era just in a different way. Watch us grow! TTY: 585-475-2764, Fax: 585-475-5308 that now is in full swing. Email: [email protected] The region has an extraordinary Yours in Tiger and Rochester pride,

Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, abundance of assets that position us to New York, publishes RIT University Magazine. be an entrepreneurial powerhouse. We RIT does not discriminate. RIT promotes and not only have the intellectual talent and values diversity within its workforce and provides equal opportunity to all qualified individuals major university partners that forward- David C. Munson Jr., President regardless of race, color, creed, age, marital status, looking companies require, but we also [email protected] sex, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender Twitter: @RITPresident identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran have inherited an exceptional quality of status, or disability. life thanks to an impressive cluster of cul- tural organizations, unparalleled natural P.S.: The Imagine RIT: Creativity and Vol. 23, No. 1, 130.6M-P2363-4/2021-LANE-JSA resources, and a resilient and welcoming Innovation Festival is being held virtually Printer: The Lane Press; Burlington, Vermont © 2021 Rochester Institute of Technology spirit of community. on Saturday, May 1. View the exhibits the All rights reserved. Higher education is a major driver in day of or any time after at rit.edu/imagine. Cover Move over, SiIicon Valley. Rochester can be the next American technology hub, and RIT is helping

Jim Montanus drive the innovation. University Magazine Spring 2021

18 Elizabeth Lamark Elizabeth Protecting the Future See what's inside the new global cybersecurity complex on campus.

Departments Features

2 On Campus 12 14 26 34 6 About Students Research Senior Design Rochester Faculty Profile 10 Research Students discover RIT’s multidis- Rising Meet Joshua 34 Faculty Profile hidden 15th- ciplinary senior RIT is helping Rashaad Alumni Awards 36 century text design program make Rochester McFadden, 40 Alumni Updates on medieval results in more a next-generation assistant 46 Class Notes manuscripts. than prototypes. technology hub. professor of 54 In Memoriam photography. A. Sue Weisler RIT isinterested indevelopingaDoctorof this strategic partnership? What doyou opportunities through see Rochester Regional HealthAlliance. Technology grew from theRITand ofThe College HealthSciencesand college hasgreat potentialtogrow. health sciences andtechnology. Ithinkthe like thisintheUnited Statesthatcombine of thecollege. Therearenotmany colleges The reputationofRITandtheuniqueness What excites you about RIT? programs. Here, Wang shareshisideas. new health caresolutions, andnewdegree health sciences andtechnologytocreate RIT, Wang looksforward toconnectingthe locomotion andTai Chiexercise. Nowat tive biomechanicsrelatedtowheelchair Health Sciences. Roy andLucyMathis College ofNursingand and endowedchairprofessoroftheDrs. Lee versity ofTexas atTyler, wherehewas dean Yong “Tai” Wang. 2 |SPRING 2021 R Meet thenew dean healthsciences On Campus His research focusesonrehabilita- Wang joinedRITinJanuaryfromtheUni- in alldirections. and Technology Health Sciences the Collegeof looks to grow “Tai” Wang Dean Yong under newleadership withDean and Technology begantheyear IT’s College ofHealth Sciences the semesterand publishedapaperinthe mental health atthebeginningandendof students atGeorgiaStateUniversity. tic exercise forDoctorofPhysical Therapy past 20years. ItaughtTai Chi asatherapeu- It’s called theyinandyang balance. hands aremovinginoppositedirections. and graceful movement.InTai Chi,both exercise andacombinationofbreathing Tai Chiismy passion.Itisamind-body How doesTai Chiinform your research? I understand you are aTai Chimaster. be my firstproject. future. TheDoctorofPhysical Therapy will to developasimilarprogram atRITinthe then toDoctorofPhysical Therapy. Ihope from BStoMasterofPhysical Therapy, whole process ofconverting theprogram for 16years. Ihave experience throughthe vert toDoctorofPhysical Therapy by2020. Master ofPhysical Therapy program tocon- tion ofPhysical Therapy requiredevery health professions. TheAmericanAssocia - clinical site. Itisoneofthehotprograms in Regional Health wouldlike toprovidethe Physical Therapy program andRochester I measured students’physical and Tai Chiisonearea ofmy research in the I was aprofessorofphysical therapy Susan GawlowiczSusan ’95 lar thingstohelpstudents. and findjobs. Iwouldlike todosomesimi- pare theirrésumés, prepareforinterviews, career success coachtohelpstudentspre- did atUTTyler, called jobplacement. I thinkweshouldaddanotherone, aswe recruitment, retention,andgraduation. We talkaboutstudentsuccess intermsof to hear whattheyneededtobesupported. I metwithstudentsseveral timesasemester was dean attheUniversity ofTexas atTyler, I amadean andalsoaprofessor. WhenI alumni to know aboutyou? What would you like students and impairment orAlzheimer’s disease. for cognitiveissues, suchas cognitive States. ThenIstartedtolook atTai Chi doing wheelchairTai ChiintheUnited I thinkamoneoftheleading persons of DisabilityandRehabilitative Research. of AmericaandfromtheNationalInstitute Chi withfundingfromParalyzed Veterans one ofthemostcitedTai Chistudies. American JournalofChinese Medicine. Itis We hadapersoninthecollegecalled The ultimategoalisstudentsuccess. Then IstartedtodevelopwheelchairTai

Retired VP leaves indelible mark on university, Greater Rochester region after 41 years

ebbie Stendardi, who retired as “She has established and led countless vice president of Government and campus activities that are now signature DCommunity Relations at the end of functions of the university, including 2020, leaves an indelible mark on RIT and creation of the RIT University Magazine and the Greater Rochester region. Brick City Homecoming and Family Week- Stendardi, who began working at RIT end. It is hard to imagine an RIT without in 1979, stepped down from a university Debbie.” that has ascended to a world-class research Stendardi also was a vital contributor to institution and a major economic develop- countless Finger Lakes Regional Economic ment force during her tenure. Development Council’s activities, Greater During that time, she built strong, long- Rochester Enterprise, and other economic term relationships with top political and development entities in the region. business leaders, who praised Stendardi “I would like to be remembered as a for her unstinting efforts on behalf of the collaborator who worked well with others university, RIT students, and beyond. across the university and the community, Among her many accomplishments, and who looked to bring people together Stendardi advocated for financial aid pro- to achieve mutual goals,” Stendardi said. grams to enable more students to benefit “The role that RIT plays as an economic from an RIT education. driver in the region and the respect and

She helped secure funding for ground- esteem it engenders makes me feel truly Lamark Elizabeth breaking initiatives, including Golisano privileged to have had the opportunity to Debbie Stendardi retired as vice president of Institute for Sustainability, MAGIC Spell serve the university for these 41 years.” Government and Community Relations at the Studios, the AMPrint Center for Advanced Vanessa J. Herman, a higher education end of 2020. Technology, and most recently, the Global veteran who was serving as assistant vice Cybersecurity Institute. president for government and community as what political leaders had to say about Donald J. Truesdale, chairman of RIT’s relations at Pace University, was chosen to her career, at bit.ly/RITStendardi. Board of Trustees, called Stendardi “an ever- succeed Stendardi after a national search. present force of nature in support of RIT.” Read more about Stendardi, as well Rich Kiley

NTID program addresses need for interpreters of color

ddressing the need for diverse rep- Named for Valarie Randleman, the first resentation in the sign language in- Black interpreter in RIT/NTID’s Department Aterpreting profession is the goal of a of Access Services, the program strives to highly successful program at RIT’s National reflect Randleman’s qualities of humility, Technical Institute for the Deaf. service, dedication, and support for others. The Randleman Program, a two-year “The interpreting field is white-domi- preceptorship that focuses on intersection- nated at nearly 90 percent, which makes ality and inclusion of interpreters from experiences like those offered with the underrepresented minorities, aims to equip Randleman Program unique,” said Kristi interpreters of color who are newer to the Love, program coordinator. “It is rewarding field for the demands of interpreting in a and inspiring to see firsthand the personal postsecondary environment, while simulta- and professional strides participants make, neously increasing diversity representation. while at the same time contributing to

The program accepted its inaugural advancing the field of interpreting.” Mark Benjamin cohort of protégés in January 2019 and con- Valarie Randleman was the first Black interpreter tinues to expand each year. Vienna McGrain ’12 MS in RIT/NTID’s Department of Access Services.

SPRING 2021 | 3 On Campus

Students learn supply chain management by solving real-world problems

he impact of COVID-19 on national cal Center (URMC), managing order place- pressures in this market.” and global supply chains has domi- ment, shipping, and receiving. He is also Assistant Professor Steven Carnovale Tnated discussions in boardrooms part of the effort to streamline PPE ordering leads RIT’s graduate supply chain degree and at dinner tables since the beginning of from URMC’s affiliates, including hospitals offerings and teaches the undergraduate the pandemic. From meat and toilet paper and urgent care facilities, with a new supply chain management capstone course, shortages in grocery stores, to significant web application. which is part of the undergraduate supply lapses in life-saving personal protective As part of his work, Green keeps current chain degree program, a future-focused equipment in hospitals and clinics, the with ever-changing guidelines, regulations, new economy major. world has witnessed how supply-chain and supply-chain constraints, and ensures Together with his colleagues, Carnovale disruptions halt progress. that URMC clinics and hospital locations has tweaked the curriculum to reflect how But while this unprecedented global have PPE in the right place, at the right time, to coordinate the balance of inbound and health crisis has created many challenges, and for the right price. outbound materials, how manufacturers it has also presented RIT faculty, and “Through my combined classroom and have had to move facility operations to students like Brendan Green, with oppor- work experiences, I’ve learned that hospi- domestically based operations, and how tunities to apply theoretical supply-chain tals have been under pressure to manage companies are reconsidering sourcing deci- scenarios to solve real-world problems. purchasing, inventory, and distribution sions in the midst of COVID-19. For several months, Green, a graduate of big commodity items like gloves, masks, In fact, RIT’s supply chain graduate student in RIT’s global supply chain man- and gowns,” said Green, who is from program was recently revised as STEM- agement program, has been a supply chain Penfield, N.Y. “This project is developing designated degrees using 21st-century data- specialist for University of Rochester Medi- the platform that will deal with the outside driven techniques and decision making to

4 | SPRING 2021 RIT student Brendan Green, left, and Assistant Professor Steven Carnovale discuss the supply chain management of PPE at University of Rochester Medical Center. As part of his RIT class, Green is using real- world supply chain issues to find workable solutions.

Students learn by solving real-world problems

A. Sue Weisler

generate practical, managerial results. “We don’t teach sophisticated random world fueled his passion for supply chain. “At the point when COVID-19 became a guessing. When our students and graduates “This has been a very challenging time global phenomenon, I was able to relay to speak with their managers, they won’t say, for everyone, including URMC, but it has our classes how supply chain is the epi- ‘I think we can probably save the company also been a great learning experience at center when it comes to sourcing, manu- $10,000. Instead, they will be able to say, work and in the classroom,” said Green. facturing, and distribution. Everything is ‘If we do this, this, and this, we will save “I just love seeing this process go from zero interrelated,” said Carnovale, who teaches this much. And here’s the proof.’” to where we need it to be. From inventory Green’s Supply Chain Analytics course. Green is also learning to roll with the to logistics to distribution, I love being in “COVID-19 has induced a bull-whip supply-chain punches and respond in ways touch with so many areas of supply chain effect where manufacturing decisions, the that will create solutions. “You think you’re management. It’s a wonder to me.” demand for supply, and disorganization shored up with a supplier, but they call with As for Carnovale, he believes in the have resulted in one of the most common a logistics issue. You have to go back to the power of real-world corporate learning. problems in supply chain management—a drawing board. Then the government comes “This is a program where the rubber failure to fulfill orders on time, and in full.” up with new guidelines. I’m learning how to meets the road. We are giving our students Carnovale also said that although Green’s handle a constantly shifting environment.” a toolbox equipped with multiple real-world example uses PPE as the “goods,” Prior to URMC, Green had worked for a ways to solve the problems that they will mathematical modeling and analytical local small business and always enjoyed inevitably face. We teach them how to be techniques allow students to substitute PPE the operational side of the business. His the ‘Ace Hardware’ of supply chain.” for books, shirts, eggs, milk, or any product fascination with how goods flow from com- that a supply chain is tasked with fulfilling. pany to company and move throughout the Vienna McGrain ’12 MS

SPRING 2021 | 5 About Students

Pancy Lwin, a mathematical modeling Ph.D. student from Myanmar, received an NSF INTERN award to work at IBM Research Almaden developing models that study the interplay of structure, statistical mechanics, and mechanics in biological systems.

A. Sue Weisler Ph.D. students complement academic research with internships and co-ops

ancy Lwin sits about retical condensed matter and only students taking advantage of RIT’s Ph.D. alumni go on to 2,700 miles from IBM statistical physics who leads of RIT’s co-op and internship work in such settings rather PResearch Almaden, but theoretical and computational program. Across the university, than academia, estimates Twyla she is helping scientists there physics work at IBM Research Ph.D. students are securing Cummings, RIT’s associate develop methods to model how Almaden. Lwin’s graduate prestigious work experiences provost and dean of Graduate antiviral treatments impact advisor, Associate Professor like Lwin’s to provide important Education. the spread of flu-like viruses, Moumita Das, has collaborated gateways to careers in industry, “I think our students bring including COVID-19. with Jones on previous projects foundations, and government. a fresh and interesting perspec- Lwin, a mathematical model- and made the connection, so Interdisciplinary internships tive to these entities and there’s ing Ph.D. student from Myan- Lwin seized the opportunity to outside of RIT are a required a clear benefit for both parties,” mar, received an NSF INTERN complement her academics. component of Lwin’s Ph.D. pro- said Cummings. “It helps our award to work at IBM Research “Being a part of this project is gram. She began her internship students answer the question, Almaden, based in San José, awesome, honestly,” said Lwin. in February and will continue ‘Is this really what I want to do?’ Calif., developing models that “It’s a very hot topic and we’re through August. Upon comple- Or they gain some additional study the interplay of structure, taking a theoretical approach tion, she’s hoping to have a new insight and experience that statistical mechanics, and me- to solving it. Biophysics is very set of skills to supplement those helps them shape not only their chanics in biological systems. complicated because you have she is developing while working research for their dissertation, Although the pandemic interconnected processes in a on her dissertation, as well as but also for their future.” prevented her from doing the biological system happening a better sense of opportunities Data from the Office of Career internship in person, she has at micro and macro levels, but that exist in industry. Services and Cooperative Edu- been working remotely under I’m hoping to help make some Establishing those profes- cation shows that over the past the guidance of Barbara Jones, important findings.” sional connections is important five years, 84 Ph.D. students an expert in the area of theo- Undergraduates aren’t the because more than 80 percent have formally reported com-

6 | SPRING 2021 Olivia Kuzio completed a yearlong co-op at the Getty Institute for Conservation and two summer co-ops at the Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute while pursuing her Ph.D. in color science.

Douglass MacLennan Ph.D. students complement academic research with internships and co-ops

co-ops and internships were thinking about putting One of her advisors, Professor are optional for most Ph.D. in shows. Roy Berns, had previously gone programs. She said one of her favorite on sabbatical and worked with Olivia Kuzio recently projects she worked on was a the technical studies research completed her third co-op group of color studies from the team, saw the opening, and while pursuing her Ph.D. Bauhaus in the early 20th cen- encouraged her to apply. in color science, a program tury because of its focus on the Kuzio said her co-op experi- where co-ops are optional. art and science of paint mixing, ences have helped shape her She previously spent two and how the human visual sys- career aspirations. She hopes to summers on co-op with the tem interprets color mixtures. continue to work in the field of Smithsonian Museum Conser- Another highlight was us- conservation science with the vation Institute in Washington, ing imaging techniques on a goal of working in a lab or stu- D.C., and in the fall she finished 16th-century painting by Hans dio affiliated with a museum. a yearlong co-op at the Getty Holbein the Younger to reveal “I’ve been so fortunate, I’ve Conservation Institute in Los hidden features in the paint learned a lot, and I feel like my

Gabrielle Plucknette-DeVito Angeles. layers beneath the painting’s knowledge speaks for itself,” Twyla Cummings, RIT’s associate In her co-op at the Getty surface, which provided never- said Kuzio. “I learn so much provost and dean of Graduate Conservation Institute, Kuzio before-seen details about the here on campus in my research, Education. used analytical techniques artist’s creative process. but it’s so enriched by the expe-

to answer technical questions Kuzio credited her depart- riences I’ve had at the museums pleting 161 co-op placements at about artworks that conserva- ment’s faculty with providing I’ve worked at.” 90 employers. But that count is tors were working on restoring Ph.D. students support to ex- likely lower than reality because or stabilizing and that curators plore opportunities like these. Luke Auburn ’09, ’15 MS

SPRING 2021 | 7 About Students

8 | SPRING 2021 Recharging and doing good Students within RIT’s two hospitality clubs and the Eta Sigma Delta honor society used one of three Recharge Days to bake and deliver cookies to first responders in Rochester. The spring semester featured three recharge days for students to take a break from classes and studying. Other activities included a trip to a maple syrup farm, an e-sports tournament, rock painting, and hikes. Ndidi Chimah, a second- year hospitality and tourism management major from Baltimore, Md., who is pictured here, hopes the initiative will encourage others to give back to their communities.

A. Sue Weisler Improving health Toilet seat technology The smart toilet seat , Equipped to measure the developed by Casana, electrical and mechanical Research strives to make it easier activity of the heart, the for clinicians to monitor smart toilet seat can also patients with congestive monitor heart rate, blood heart failure in the comfort pressure, and blood of their own homes. oxygenation levels.

Alumni join forces to market smart toilet seat

lumnus Nick Conn’s vision for a at The Villages active adult community in one-of-a-kind smart toilet seat that Florida. Awill improve the health of people “Right now we are polishing the product,” around the world has made giant leaps Conn said. “I am able to focus on where I toward becoming a reality with the help of can provide the most value, which is en- one of RIT’s most generous patrons. hancing the design and capabilities of the product and tweaking the technology. With Austin at the helm of our leadership team, we are able to produce a fantastic product that will work as intended every single time, and Austin can focus on continuing to raise capital, building partnerships and connec-

Oliver Thom Oliver tions, and marketing the toilet seat. We all Joining the Casana leadership team as CEO is complement each other so well.” Austin McChord ’09, founder of Datto Inc. McChord first met Conn in 2018 during an RIT visit and was impressed with the lutionary product hopes to make it easier toilet seat technology that he developed. for clinicians to monitor patients with McChord kept up with Conn’s progress, and the condition in the comfort of their own in 2020, when the world changed due to the homes, as well as lower hospital readmis- pandemic, he realized that it was the right sion rates. The toilet seats are equipped time to express his intentions to help bring to measure the electrical and mechanical the toilet seat to market. activity of the heart and can monitor heart “Nick is a brilliant scientist and the rate, blood pressure, blood oxygenation toilet seat is his life’s work. You cannot find levels, and stroke volume. anyone in the world more passionate about

Gene Avallone Algorithms analyze the data and will toilet seats than Nick,” said McChord. “But RIT alumnus Nick Conn ’11, '13, ’16 developed notify advanced practice providers of health the process of turning an idea into an actual the smart toilet seat when he was a student, parameters outside of the set range. A re- industry, into a company that is going to along with Professor David Borkholder. port, passed along to cardiologists, will help be impactful, is really hard. I’ve been down determine if intervention is necessary. that road. I knew that I could help him, and Casana, the company formerly known as According to Conn, who earned three Nick was down for that. We are growing fast Heart Health Intelligence created by Conn, degrees from RIT—a bachelor’s degree and a and are moving fast to make this a reality.” received $14 million in funding to further master’s degree in electrical engineering in Following the $14 million investment, the development of a toilet seat-based 2011 and 2013, respectively, and a doctoral McChord brought on a team of “excellent cardiovascular monitoring system. Joining degree in microsystems engineering in operators” from his time at General Catalyst the Casana leadership team as CEO is Austin 2016—the toilet seat will be soon entering and Datto. In a matter of a few months, the McChord ’09, founder of Datto Inc., who in the clinical trial phase as part of the FDA company grew from four to 25 employees, 2017 donated $50 million to RIT, the largest clearance process. The first human subject including the addition of RIT Professor gift in the university’s history. testing will be conducted internally at the David Borkholder, a full-time member of With 1 million new cases of congestive company’s headquarters in Rochester, at the the Casana leadership team. Borkholder was heart failure diagnosed each year, the revo- University of Rochester Medical Center, and instrumental in helping Conn develop the

10 | SPRING 2021 Next steps The product will soon be entering the clinical trial phase, which includes human subject testing, as part of the FDA clearance process. Once cleared, production begins.

Alumni join forces to market smart toilet seat

project at RIT. McChord said the FDA clearance, once reached, will be the first of its kind since there are no other smart health monitoring toilet seats in production in the world. “We have to prove to the world that our product does what we say it does,” he said. “Proving that is very expensive, which is why we made such a major investment. But we will have a truly unique position in the market and we are already several years ahead of any potential competition.” McChord said he is drawn to ideas in “unsexy spaces that no one is paying at- tention to.” He was interested in this idea because not many people in the world are paying attention to toilet seats and data backup. “These areas that are overlooked are About the name actually really fascinating spaces,” he The name Casana, added. “Outsiders who bring a fresh look according to founder Nick at an existing space have a good chance Conn, means “healthy at disrupting it—and those are the things home” in Italian. Casana that I get most excited about.” Conn, who has wanted to be an electrical was formerly called Heart engineer and entrepreneur since he was 11 Health Intelligence. years old, believes that everything in his life has led to this particular adventure. “The combination of an invention that offers huge impact, cool technology, and a ‘wow factor’ is everything that I’ve ever dreamt of,” said Conn. “I just thought it would take a lot longer to get to this point. I’m so excited that every day I get to work with a phenomenal team that is here to sup- port me, which is the wildest part of it all. I am possibly the most blessed person in Rochester. My dream is happening and it’s happening at the highest level possible.”

Vienna McGrain ’12 MS

SPRING 2021 | 11 Research

By using ultraviolet-fluorescence imaging, RIT students revealed that a 15th-century manuscript leaf held in RIT’s Cary Graphic Arts Collection was actually a palimpsest, a manuscript on parchment with multiple layers of writing. The image on the left shows the document as it appears in visible light, while the image on the right was produced by the student-built imaging system.

Students discover hidden 15th-century text on medieval manuscripts

IT students discovered lost text on parchments from the Cary Collection here Innovative Freshman Experience, a year- 15th-century manuscript leaves at RIT and when we put one of them under long, project-based course that has the im- R using an imaging system they devel- the UV light, it showed this amazing dark aging science, motion picture science, and oped as freshmen. French cursive underneath,” said Zoë photographic sciences programs combine By using ultraviolet-fluorescence imaging, LaLena, a second-year imaging science their talents to solve a problem. the students revealed that a manuscript leaf student from Fairport, N.Y., who worked on When RIT switched to remote instruc- held in RIT’s Cary Graphic Arts Collection the project. “This was amazing because this tion in March 2020 due to the coronavirus was actually a palimpsest, a manuscript on document has been in the Cary Collection outbreak, the students were unable to finish parchment with multiple layers of writing. for about a decade now and no one noticed. building it, but thanks to a donation from At the time the manuscript was written, And because it’s also from the Ege Collection, Jeffrey Harris ’75 (photographic science and making parchment was expensive, so leaves in which there’s 30 other known pages from instrumentation) and Joyce Pratt, three stu- were regularly scraped or erased and re-used. this book, it’s really fascinating that the 29 dents received funding to continue to work While the erased text is invisible to the other pages we know the location of have on the project over the summer. naked eye, the chemical signature of the the potential to also be palimpsests.” Those three students—LaLena; Lisa Enochs, initial writing can sometimes be detected The imaging system was originally built a second-year student double majoring in using other areas of the light spectrum. by 19 students enrolled in the Chester F. motion picture science and imaging science “Using our system, we borrowed several Carlson Center for Imaging Science’s from Mississauga, Ontario; and Malcom

12 | SPRING 2021 A multidisciplinary team of students, including Zoë LaLena, created the imaging system for their Innovative Freshman Experience class. The team started the project last fall, before RIT switched to remote instruction in March 2020.

Elizabeth Lamark Students discover hidden 15th-century text on medieval manuscripts

Zale, a second-year motion picture science North America, including to the Cary Col- manuscript leaves from Ege collections student from Milford, Mass.—finished lection. Galbraith said he’s excited because across the country are palimpsests. They assembling the system in the fall when it means that other institutions with Ege imaged another Ege Collection leaf at the classes resumed and began analyzing docu- Collection leaves now may have palimp- Buffalo and Erie County Public Library that ments from the Cary Collection. sests in their collection to study. turned out to be a palimpsest and are reach- Steven Galbraith, curator of the Cary “The students have supplied incredibly ing out to other curators across the country. Graphic Arts Collection, said he was excited important information about at least two of As they begin stitching the lost text back they discovered the manuscript leaf was our manuscript leaves here in the collection together, paleographers can examine the a palimpsest because similar leaves have and in a sense have discovered two texts information they contain. been studied extensively by scholars across that we didn’t know were in the collection,” The students have been selected to share the country, but never tested with UV light said Galbraith. “Now we have to figure out their results at the 2021 International Con- or fully imaged. what those texts are, and that’s the power of gress on Medieval Studies. The project also Collector, educator, and historian Otto spectral imaging in cultural institutions. To was featured in stories by the Daily Mail, Ars Ege made leaf collections out of medieval fully understand our own collections, we Technica, Smithsonian Magazine, Mashable, manuscripts that were damaged or incom- need to know the depth of our collections, and more. plete and sold them or distributed them and imaging science helps reveal that to us.” to libraries and special collections across The students are interested to see if more Luke Auburn ’09, ’15 MS

SPRING 2021 | 13 Senior Design

Students work on the design process for the Dreadnoughtus tail Students Joseph Samuelson, left, and Ryan Kent adjust the model tail and with help from James Whritenor, the project team’s faculty guide. the electronic sensor pad to assess the impact of the tail as it moves. Senior design program results in more than prototypes

tudents in RIT’s Multi­ for a company, an individual RIT colleges. Engineering Network (KEEN) disciplinary Senior Design in the community, or RIT. Ideas for projects come partner school, we are com­ Sprogram are building Some teams are even consider­ from companies, community mitted to instilling an entre­ a robotic model of a dinosaur ing filing patent applications.” agencies, faculty-researchers, preneurial mindset within tail and sustainable water sys­ Multidisciplinary Senior alumni, and the students them­ our students,” said DeBartolo. tems for developing countries. Design is a required, two selves. Students returning from RIT has been a part of KEEN, a They are developing a semester, design-based course co-ops have initiated projects national initiative to advance training system for lacrosse for engineering students. Cur­ specific to work they did while undergraduate­ engineering goalkeepers and collaborating rently, more than 400 students at companies, and companies education, since 2019. with space engineers on rocket are working on 80-plus projects. in turn sponsor the work. “This capstone experience launches. The course, which started in A team can spend as many gives our seniors a chance to “These are more than ‘I’ve 2002 as a pilot program in engi­ as 1,200 person-hours over two showcase their curiosity and got an idea for nifty-widget neering, today features innova­ semesters developing working ability to make interesting projects,’” said Beth DeBartolo, tive tracks such as sustainable prototypes, ready-to-implement connections in their work, director of Multidisciplinary designs, assistive technologies, devices, process improvements, while creating value for clients.” Senior Design. “These projects and aerospace systems, and or system software. Following are a few of their are creating value, whether includes students from other “As a Kern Entrepreneurial innovations.

14 | SPRING 2021 Photos by Gabrielle Plucknette-DeVito by Photos Joseph Samuelson, forefront, checks connections for teammates Ryan Kaiya Li adjusts the Dreadnoughtus model tail. Its 3 feet in length is scaled Kent and Kaiya Li, who make sure the data collection system is working to align with the actual 30-foot-long tail of the dinosaur. to record tail locomotion. results in more than prototypes

Robotics zoo This past year, she connect­ About the tail expands to dinosaurs ed with a researcher at Rowan The system simulates the When Kathleen Lamkin-Kennard, University, who is interested in associate professor of mechanical applications of high-tech tools swinging motion of the engineering, began research for paleontology. Dreadnoughtus tail. Sensors work on soft muscles and Although there is much are embedded to detect actuators, she used nature evidence about dinosaur move­ bending and acceleration. as her model to produce ment based on fossils, there moving robots. are no real dinosaurs to test Over the past few years, theories. But being able to assess she and her student teams tail movement contributes to have developed otters, fish, and understanding animal other animal shapes to show biomechanics. that McKibben muscle systems can be successfully integrated into prosthetics and other biomedical­ devices.

Elizabeth Lamark SPRING 2021 | 15 Senior Design

Co-op connection Students like Joseph Even introduce new projects for their senior design capstone based on work they did while on co-op. His team’s data acquisition system may one day be on a Relativity Space mission.

Water treatment for the developing world Clean water is taken for grant­ ed in some parts of the world, but for other areas, the need for this valuable resource is immeasurable. Luke Murphy and his team­ mates developed a prototype UV LED water disinfection Relativity Space system to meet this crisis. Joseph Even Bryce Salmi ’13 The affordable system, which they estimate at just under $50, is an easy-to-use, self-contained system expect­ Lamkin-Kennard’s team part of the team that designed cally designed for testing and ed to produce nearly 15 liters built a 3-foot swinging mixed-signal data acquisition characterizing rocket engines. of water a day. dinosaur tail, modeled on hardware to simulate various Project technology developed “Our product takes ad­ the Dreadnoughtus, to help sensors as part of Hardware- will benefit both Relativity vantage of advancing UV researchers study the way it In-The-Loop for the Terran 1 Space and the RIT Launch technologies, specifically moves through actuation mod­ rocket. The Terran 1 is one of Initiative. UV LEDs,” said the fifth-year els and biomechanics. the company’s low Earth Even and his teammates, industrial engineering student Their work supports faculty orbit rockets that integrates Jared Bandru, an electrical from Avon, Ind. “By using this research, provides a collabo­ 3D printing, artificial intelli­ engineering major; Ben technology, we are able to san­ ration with another universi­ gence, and robotics. Hebert, a mechanical engi­ itize water with far less power ty, and includes a corporate Even, a fourth-year electri­ neering major; and Anthony partnership with Lockheed cal engineering student from Bacchetta and Jay Mantini, Martin. Several of the compa­ Orchard Park, N.Y., worked both computer engineering ny’s engineers are mentoring with Bryce Salmi ’13 (electrical majors, are creating two data the team. engineering), someone with a acquisition systems—one for similar, enthusiastic interest Relativity Space and one for Co-op inspires in space technology and travel the RIT Launch Initiative. rocket project who works for the company. “I always wanted to work When Joseph Even came to RIT Salmi’s own senior design on the most challenging four years ago, one of the clubs project on a Cube Sat device thing I could find,” said he joined was the RIT Launch eventually made it into space Even. “Relativity Space is Initiative, and he has been and is inte­grated onto current doing something particularly involved in rocket builds and satellites to optimize power special—3D printing rockets

competitions ever since. from spacecraft solar panels. in their entirety. This aspect A. Sue Weisler Completing a co-op with The deliverable for Even’s of the company adds a slew of Ultraviolet LED lights are an energy Relativity Space as an avionics project is a high-speed data challenges making the work efficient disinfection method in intern last summer, he was acquisition system, specifi­ that much more exciting.” areas with limited electrical power.

16 | SPRING 2021 Solving problems Other projects Students develop projects that solve a problem, in NASA connections RIT is fielding two teams this case training lacrosse this year for the PSYCHE goaltenders. Mission, a collaboration with Arizona State University, which is leading collegiate design work for the NASA initiative. The mission is an up-and-coming exploration of a unique metal asteroid that may help scientists un- derstand planet formation. RIT’s teams are working

A. Sue Weisler to develop a landing system that could orbit the asteroid, send sampling equipment to Helping others the surface, and return Michael Smith, left, and samples for eventual Luke Murphy discuss the analysis. “NASA believes the technology integrated mission overall might give into a home-based water insight into how the Earth filtration system. was formed,” said Beth DeBartolo, director of Multidisciplinary Senior required than before. This allows Design. “The project us to disinfect water remotely, provides networking with the use of a solar panel Senior design prototypes start with CAD designs that detail device opportunities for students that they might not instead of traditional power.” dimensions and electronics integration. otherwise have because RIT’s engineering faculty part of the program includes members have connections connections to all the with international organiza­ collegiate working teams, tions. Students also can work LAX training system The machine would pitch plus NASA personnel.” on projects through the col­ for goaltenders balls at varying speeds and lege’s Engineering Grand Chal­ Defending against a ball directions to a goaltender to Robo-Drum lenges Program and Engineers thrown upwards of 70 test reflexes and techniques. Students have developed a tech device to help teenag- for the Developing World. miles per hour in a lacrosse Anticipating a shot ers with physical disabilities International projects have game takes agility and guts. during a game means un­ play instruments. The Ro- become a regular part of senior Practicing the agility part derstanding range, velocity, bo-Drum team worked with design and give students the is being made easier with a speed—and the project team teachers and students from chance to build technology for training system developed had to reverse engineer this Niagara/Orleans Boards of good. to improve a goaltender’s information when building Cooperative Educational The challenge for the team technique when facing play­ the new device. Services this past year, vis- was not only understanding the ers in the fast-paced sport. “We had to acquire iting the classroom several times to meet the teens, limited resources in the devel­ “Our goal is to develop motors to move and adjust assess physical capabilities, oping world, but their need to a new, automated way of components,” Biswas said. and develop user-friendly understand the intricacies of training lacrosse goalies “The positioning and shoot­ designs to keep the music UV LEDs. spanning across different ing mechanism requires six flowing. “Being a new technolo­ levels—from youth to col­ powerful motors.” gy, there is not a significant legiate players,” said Andrei Teknic Inc., a local engi­ Dematic Retrotech amount of prior experience to Biswas, a fifth-year comput­ neering firm specializing in Students are assisting go by when designing compo­ er engineering major from servo motors, drives, and Dematic Retrotech in designing a model of a smart nents to work with it. We also New Delhi, India. control systems, supplied warehouse system. The had to formulate our own equa­ He and his project team the equipment, and compa­ group is looking to develop tions to measure the disinfec­ are building a standing de­ ny engineers mentored the automated storage and tion rate of the system, which is vice with a shooting mech­ team in how to install and retrieval systems and using important to get correct in order anism, similar to pitching calibrate the motors. student expertise to build a to prevent people from drinking machines used by baseball model prototype for use in unclean water.” players in a batting cage. Michelle Cometa ’00 trade shows and recruiting.

SPRING 2021 | 17 Protecting the Future

Cybersecurity RIT’s new 52,000-square-foot Three floors Global Cybersecurity The three-story Institute (GCI) has institute is devoted opened on campus. to cybersecurity training, education, and research.

ore than one wave of infections swept across Cybersecurity M the globe in 2020. Cybercriminals used the COVID-19 pandemic to up their complex attacks and create a pandemic of their own. According to the FBI’s Cyber Division, the number of complaints increased 400 open for business percent from what they were

18 | SPRING 2021 Elizabeth Lamark Elizabeth

seeing pre-coronavirus. is on its way to becoming one attack surface,” said Steve for the more than 1 million This cyber pandemic is just of the best places in the world Hoover, the Katherine Johnson unfilled cybersecurity jobs one of many cybersecurity issues for cybersecurity education, Executive Director of the GCI. worldwide. RIT is working to that RIT experts are working training, and research. “At the GCI, we understand that change that. to address in the new Global “Being able to work remotely and are aiming to make you and In the three-story cyber­ Cybersecurity Institute (GCI). and use digital technology in your digital-self safer.” security institute, experts Late last fall, the GCI opened every aspect of our lives has At the core of the cyberse- are coming together to train the doors to its 52,000-square- tremendous potential to curity problem is the fact that new professionals and students, foot state-of-the-art facility on improve the world, but it employers can’t find enough as well as push the frontiers of campus. With the institute, RIT also really opens up the qualified professionals to hire research.

Photo by Glenn Melvin

SPRING 2021 | 19 Protecting the Future

Elizabeth Lamark Justin Pelletier, director of the GCI Cyber Range and Training Center, is helping prepare businesses for their next cybersecurity incident. The range will allow RIT to offer immersive simulations of real-world cyberattacks.

First floor “These experiences will be varied and used to mimic disaster scenarios, while Cyber training center customized, so participants will never temperature controls can literally turn 1 know exactly what to expect—just like up the heat of the situation. At the heart of the GCI is the Cyber Range real life,” said Pelletier. Thanks to a more than $3.3 million con- and Training Center, a virtual and physical For example, participants might have tribution from IBM, the cyber range has also lab for simulating network cyberattacks and to defend the network of a medical center been equipped with some of the best Secu- problem-solving scenarios. during a natural disaster or discover a rity Information and Event Management “When you walk into this room, you can malware attack that could impact millions (SIEM) products on the market. experience what a cyberattack is really like,” of retail customers. Across from the Cyber Range sits a said Justin Pelletier, director of the Cyber The range has 30 computer stations large atrium and expansive configurable Range. “For cybersecurity experts and any- and is capable of hosting more than mini-conference space, where the GCI can one involved in real-life cyberattacks, this 5,000 virtual machines simultaneously. host competitions, talks, workshops, and is a giant sandbox where you can prepare It features a video wall with 1080p and hackathons. and train without getting hurt.” 4K screens, a control room, a conference The first floor also features a section GCI organizers are currently constructing room, and electrostatic privacy glass walls. for teaching the general public about immersive incident response experiences LED lights that surround the room cybersecurity. The Cyber Experience Center for organizations to come in and face off can bring the mood of a training scenario has exhibits on cybersecurity history, cyber against advanced persistent threats seeking to from a welcoming blue to a stress-inducing hygiene, student and faculty research steal valuable information and wreak havoc. flashing red. Rumbling speakers can be projects, and hands-on demonstrations.

20 | SPRING 2021 Future defenders More students are studying computing security than ever before. That’s a good thing, because industry experts say they need more qualified professionals.

Elizabeth Lamark

Second floor space for wireless security and networking International champs Next generation of cyber defenders equipment, software-defined radios, and A team of RIT students beat 2 antennas, among other things.” Stanford and 13 other colleges This year, RIT’s undergraduate computing In addition to the Network Security Lab, to win the Collegiate Penetration security program saw its largest incoming the GCI has two new security instructional Testing Competition in January. class ever. On the second floor of the GCI, labs and is home to the Eaton Cybersecurity The GCI hosted the event virtually. several new lab spaces have been created SAFE (Security Assessment and Forensic RIT is the founder of CPTC, which is the premier ethical to help train this next generation of cyber- Examination) Lab. A new Air Gap Lab in hacking competition. RIT is security defenders. the building also gives students the ability also a perennial contender at Hanif Rahbari, assistant professor of to work with dangerous malware, while the National Collegiate Cyber computing security, is teaching a wireless staying safely sealed off from the rest of Defense Competition. security course in the GCI’s new Network campus and the internet. Security Lab this spring. More than 500 students are currently “The modern design and state-of-the-art studying computing security at RIT, which equipment allow for a more diverse set of has been nationally recognized for lab activities, beyond traditional network- cybersecurity education and research. ing labs, which helps further enrich the The second floor has dedicated space for education our students get at RIT,” said the students enrolled in the NSF’s Cyber- Rahbari. “Now we have a more usable Corps: Scholarship for Service program.

SPRING 2021 | 21 Protecting the Future

Elizabeth Lamark IBM made a more than $3.3 million gift to help enhance computing security capabilities in the GCI, including state-of-the-art software that uses Watson artificial intelligence to analyze cyberattacks.

These students earn a scholarship covering you toward the right resources and software systems more secure, faster, their costs at RIT, in exchange for agreeing direction,” said Sharma, who is originally and more reliable. to work at a government computing from India. “RITSEC has become like a Since joining RIT in 2014, Mirakhorli, security job for the same number of years. safe space for any student with an interest associate professor of software engineering, The GCI also has space for students in cybersecurity to be among like-minded has been working to analyze and change the participating in competitions and the people, to learn from them, and grow— way people create and maintain complex university’s cybersecurity club RITSEC. not only in the cybersecurity field, but software systems. Today, with more than Neha Sharma, a computing security as a person as well.” $4 million in support from the National master’s student, said she is happy to see Science Foundation, Defense Advanced these student spaces in the new building. Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and As the graduate representative of RIT’s Third floor other organizations, Mirakhorli and his WiCyS (Women in CyberSecurity) Student Making software more secure team of student researchers are working Chapter, which is an independent program 3 to change the culture of development. within RITSEC, and a member of RIT’s The Global Cybersecurity Institute’s third “Fifty percent of vulnerabilities in Collegiate Penetration Testing Competition floor is devoted to researchers tackling today’s software systems are because of team, she has seen first-hand how much some of the most pressing cybersecurity design flaws,” said Mirakhorli, who was these experiences can help students grow. problems of today and tomorrow. named Kodak Endowed Scholar in the “The club members and competition Mehdi Mirakhorli is one of those Golisano College of Computing and leaders are always ready to help and guide researchers looking to make large-scale Information Sciences. “Today, we patch

22 | SPRING 2021 RITSEC, the student cybersecurity club, has dedicated space in the GCI.

Faculty and student cybersecurity researchers have millions in funding from government and private organizations. Cybersecurity Bootcamp The GCI is home to RIT’s Cybersecurity Bootcamp—a 15-week immersive training course that is helping people switch careers The GCI has several new cybersecurity and join the cybersecuri- classrooms, including the Network ty workforce. Security Lab. Integrating RIT’s world class Cyber Range and strength in interactive games and media, this innovative offering integrates classroom and security bugs, but we don’t get to the root lab work with work of the problem and identify architectural experience in a simulated flaws in the software.” real-world cyber business. This highly Software architecture goes beyond Mehdi Mirakhorli, an just code, explained Mirakhorli. Whether innovative training model associate professor prepares professionals it’s a banking system or electronic medical of software from all backgrounds records, most software requires reliability, engineering, is (even those with no prior availability, security, and performance. trying to change coding or IT experience) However, if the pieces don’t fit together the way people for critical entry-level perfectly, the whole system can crumble. maintain complex cybersecurity roles that software systems. “Not all programmers are designers come with an average that understand these important software salary of more than $50,000 a year. design principles,” said Mirakhorli. The bootcamp is being “However, it takes years of experience to delivered remotely and become a designer and they are expensive, new cohorts start almost so we have fewer of them in the industry.” every month. Learn more That’s why Mirakhorli made it his long- at rit.edu/cybersecurity/ term goal to synthesize software design cybersecurity- into something more intuitive, particularly bootcamp.

Photos by Elizabeth Lamark SPRING 2021 | 23 A B Protecting the Future

C D E

A The building is connected to RIT’s Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences. B Binary code decorates many areas of the GCI. C The building was designed by LaBella Associates, with cybersecurity in mind. D The Cybersecurity Experience Center. E The first-floor atrium and conference space can be used for events.

for new learners and novice walk programmers through ar- tive perspective. He meets with programmers. chitecture step-by-step and tell new students, novice program- Other research In 2020, he received a them if they’re violating any mers, and expert designers to • Detecting fake online prestigious NSF Faculty Early design principles. This will lead learn how different people ap- videos Career Development (CAREER) to fewer errors and security proach architecture problems. award for his efforts in software problems.” He is also developing artificial • Using artificial intelligence to predict cyberattacks architecture. For example, programmers intelligence that can learn best His project aims to change who are excited about adding practices from good software • Vehicle-to-vehicle software design and program- a login and password to their systems out in the world today. communications for smart and autonomous ming from a purely manual and system might not know exactly In the GCI’s research space, cars exclusive task, to one in which where to place their technol- Mirakhorli is also guiding a a programmer and an automat- ogy. If they locate it on the team of student researchers • 5G and wireless security ed design synthesis tool can client-side, they could expose that is creating different tools • Preserving online privacy collaborate to generate software their system to an authentica- and techniques coders can • Improving cybersecurity design and implementation tion bypass vulnerability. use to make more reliable and education that meets its quality attributes With Mirakhorli’s tool in secure software. scenarios. hand, a programmer would get “Ultimately, we hope to “I’m essentially creating a an alert about this vulnerability make all of our software new programming language and learn how to mitigate it. secure by construction,” said that makes it easier for people As part of the CAREER Mirakhorli. to express design intent,” said award, Mirakhorli is looking at Mirakhorli. “This tool would software design from a cogni- Scott Bureau ’11, ’16 MBA

Photos by Elizabeth Lamark 24 | SPRING 2021 Can we count on you? Making your annual gift to RIT increases the university’s national standing and the value of your degree.

Any amount, any time of the year. It’s a win-win.

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© 2021 Rochester Institute of Technology. All rights reserved. Rochester Institute of Technology | One Lomb Memorial Drive Rochester, New York 14623 Rochester Rising RIT is helping make Rochester a next-generation technology hub

Move over, Silicon Valley. Rochester, N.Y., can be the next great American technology hub. That’s according to an MIT economics expert, who ranked Rochester as the No. 1 city with potential to be a national economic driver. Continues on page 28 Jim Montanus 26 | SPRING 2021 Why Rochester?

• No. 1 Northeast city to live in after coronavirus pandemic; 15th best city in the U.S. Business Insider

• 7th brainiest large metro. Lumosity

• No. 1 U.S. city for commuters. Kiplinger

• 17th most arts-vibrant community in 2018. National Center for Arts Research

• No. 1 safe weather city in the Northeast. The Weather Channel

• 13th best place to live for quality of life. U.S. News & World Report

• No. 1 for patents issued per 1,000 workers. U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

• No. 5 metro with potential to be an innovation growth center. Brookings Institution

• 6th most affordable city to buy a home. Forbes

SPRING 2021 | 27 Rochester Rising One of the main factors in this ranking is that Rochester is a college town, with 19 colleges and universities in the region. While many graduates do find jobs around the world, they also have attractive options in the Flower City. “Rochester has a large and highly educat- ed workforce, a fantastic university base, and a high quality of life, making it an ideal candidate to become a next-generation technology hub,” said Jon Gruber, professor of economics at MIT. Gruber is co-author of Jump-Starting America: How Breakthrough Science Can Revive Economic Growth and the American Dream. Several generations ago, Rochester got its first taste of being a technology hub. At the time, it was a three-workplace town. Kodak, Xerox, and Bausch & Lomb helped shape the city and its skyline. Today, Rochester has an entirely new economy. Ninety-seven percent of the region’s workforce is now working at smaller companies with fewer than 100 employ- ees. There are actually 30,000 more people working in Rochester today than when the Big Three were in their heyday. “It shows that Rochester is really diversi- fying—and the innovation is still here,” said Matt Hurlbutt, president and CEO at Greater Rochester Enterprise (GRE). “I like to say, we’re a place where smart people live and smart businesses grow.” According to Hurlbutt, those fast-grow- Here to stay ing Rochester businesses can be found in Mike Pinch ’06 MBA, six key industry sectors: ’12 MS, director • Advanced manufacturing; at Security Risk • Energy innovation; • Food and beverage manufacturing and Advisors, said that agriculture; new tech companies • Life sciences; in Rochester are giving • Optics, photonics, and imaging; alumni more reasons • Software and IT. to stay. RIT is helping drive innovation in each of these sectors. For example, a Philadelphia-based cybersecurity firm was inspired to open a Rochester office in 2019 because of the new talent coming out of RIT’s computing security programs. At high-tech RIT labs, researchers are working with a local corpo- ration to revolutionize plastic recycling and the whole flexible packaging industry. RIT graduates and collaborators are also playing key roles at one the region’s largest employers, where they are helping preserve

A. Sue Weisler Rochester’s legacy as an imaging leader.

28 | SPRING 2021 A. Sue Weisler RIT professor Changfeng Ge, left, and packaging science majors Andrew Morris and Nathanael Strong research recycled plastics using the Lab Scale Blown Film Line in the American Packaging Corp. Center for Packaging Innovation on campus.

Even during the pandemic, Rochester is security), director at SRA. candidates to sort through. At RIT, we had growing. In 2020, GRE managed 34 business Pinch knows Rochester well. Three dozens.” expansion projects that account for new generations of his family have worked at The company is also excited to work with capital investments of $554 million, helped Kodak, and his parents even met there. RIT through the new Global Cybersecurity retain more than 1,500 jobs, and created “Technology is in the DNA of this town,” Institute (GCI), which opened on campus in 2,150 new ones. said Pinch. “Rochester has been breeding 2020. The high-tech building is helping RIT That’s positive news for the nearly 30 engineers and technologists for years, and expand cybersecurity training, education, percent of RIT students who complete at as a result, we now have this rich ecosystem and research. least one co-op locally. It’s also good for of tech startups.” After learning about RIT’s Cybersecurity the more than 39,000 alumni who still call Pinch has helped develop the Securi- Bootcamp program, a 15-week cyberse- Rochester home. ty Risk Advisors Rochester office, which curity workforce training course offered collaborates with other tech companies in through the GCI, Security Risk Advisors saw Local talent the region. an opportunity. The company has offered Hiring managers at the cybersecurity con- The company provides cybersecurity $25,000 in scholarships for underrepre- sulting firm Security Risk Advisors (SRA) expertise to many Fortune and Global 1,000 sented professionals looking to enter the noticed a trend—a lot of their best new companies, helping with penetration test- cyber workforce through the program. employees were coming from colleges in ing, governance compliance, 24/7 cyberse- “We’re excited to work together to build Rochester. curity monitoring, as well as engineering a more diverse cybersecurity community As a result, when the Philadelphia-based solutions. that can help strengthen the industry,” said company decided to expand its operation in More than 20 of the company’s employ- Pinch. “The GCI is a wonderland for com- 2019, Rochester was the perfect place to set ees are RIT graduates. SRA also hires co-op puting security nerds like me, and it’s a real up shop. students. In fact, after attending its first RIT bonus to have it here in Rochester.” “I knew we could provide challeng- career fair, Pinch said that SRA managers ing technical work with exciting clients, were quite surprised. Breaking research boundaries creating an opportunity for top performing “RIT put our Human Resources depart- American Packaging Corp. is another students to stay here in Rochester,” said ment to the test,” said Pinch. “At a normal Rochester employer that’s utilizing high- Mike Pinch ’06 (MBA), ’12 MS (computing career fair, we get two or three perfect tech facilities at RIT.

SPRING 2021 | 29 Rochester Rising

Over the past 10 years, the company has donated millions to help create two pack- aging centers on RIT’s campus. Together, they have turned these laboratories into a testing ground for new ideas and solutions in sustainable packaging. “We get great suggestions and input from experts working at American Packaging,” said Daniel Johnson, chair of RIT’s Depart- ment of Packaging Science. “This helps keep our research really relevant and our lessons up-to-date with the latest industry trends.” As a manufacturing staple in the re- gion for more than 100 years, American Packaging creates flexible packaging for a wide variety of food, pharmaceutical, and industrial products. The company even established one of its Flexographic Printing and Laminating Centers of Excellence in Rochester. Recently, American Packaging began working with RIT researchers to develop a pre-screening capability that they can use to conduct early assessments of packaging innovations. Jeff Travis, Manager of Innovation and Sustainability for American Packaging, explained that before using a newly devel- oped recyclable plastic packaging material, the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) requires that it is certified by a testing laboratory. “However, it costs roughly $14,000 every time you submit materials to be certified— and these labs are busy because there are currently only three that exist,” said Travis. “We thought that with the equipment and expertise at RIT, we could develop a way to get an early read on whether to go forward with an investment. This can really push the envelope of innovation.” To develop this capability, RIT packaging This is not a photo, science Professor Changfeng Ge is con- ducting a comprehensive laboratory scale but a physics-driven assessment of polyethylene film, which is simulation of a drone- typically used for food packaging. Ge and based imaging system his research students are evaluating the above RIT’s campus. compatibility of the film coated with bar- L3Harris is one company rier resin, with film reclamation systems using DIRSIG, an RIT- that source post-consumer film from store developed simulation drop-off bins and curbside collection. The team prototypes recycled film and software, to save time tests its performance compared to the and money when original. Using special machines in RIT’s designing airborne labs, they conduct migration studies and DIRSIG software imaging systems.

30 | SPRING 2021 measure how the packaging acts as an imaging system can do—and Other key a barrier to oxygen and water vapor. all in advance of the system ever In the end, they hope to develop physically being built. For example, industry sector an accelerated method — based on the simulations show how a system highlights APR protocol—to determine if a detects different atmospheric or plastic material is recyclable. lighting conditions. “If we can successfully do this, it “With RIT’s help, we enable our Hydrogen future could be a major shift that impacts end customers to better understand RIT’s Golisano Institute the way all flexible packaging the impact of for Sustainability provides companies develop new recyclable system specifi- renewable energy expertise materials,” said Ge. cations on the through its continuing performance our relationship with hydrogen Problem-solving community imaging system fuel cell developer Plug Imaging science researchers at RIT sensors will have also understand the major impact — and how that Power. The company is that their work can make on an will translate opening a hydrogen fuel cell industry. to capturing a ‘‘gigafactory’’ in Henrietta this The Digital Imaging and Remote Stacey Casella better image,” year and plans to build North Sensing Image Generation said Stacey Casella ’08 MS (color sci- America’s largest green (DIRSIG) modeling software, which ence), general manager of geospa- hydrogen production facility was developed at RIT decades ago, tial integrated solutions at L3Harris. in Genesee County. is used by hundreds of organiza- “We have a lot of back-and-forth tions across the country to test with RIT; working together to lever- image system designs. age existing capabilities and build Healthy alliance In Rochester, L3Harris Technol- out future technology road maps.” Since 2008, RIT has had a ogies continues to leverage the Derek Walvoord ’02 (imaging strong alliance with the city’s DIRSIG technology to quantify and science), ’08 Ph.D. (imaging sci- second largest employer, visualize performance of its ence), an image Rochester Regional imaging systems. scientist at “Companies like L3Harris rely on L3Harris, is also Health. Many alumni are DIRSIG to save time and money,” said working with RIT also playing a key role in Joseph Sirianni, associate director researchers to research and development of the Digital Imaging and Remote explore how DIR- at Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, Sensing (DIRS) Laboratory at RIT. SIG simulations which developed the first “They come to us for training and can be used to automated, high throughput continually work with our research- train artificial in- antibody test for COVID-19 ers to develop new capabilities and Derek Walvoord telligence-based upgrades for DIRSIG.” imaging algorithms. The group is last year. L3Harris is one of the largest also collaborating with the Univer- employers in the region, and much sity of Puerto Rico in Mayagüez to Zero waste of its business comes from govern- determine how deep learning can When the food waste-to- ment contracts. In Rochester, many be used to assist scene generation fertilizer company Re-Nuble RIT alumni work for the company’s processes alongside DIRSIG. opened a manufacturing Communications Systems and According to Greater Rochester Space and Airborne Systems seg- Enterprise leaders, the region has facility in Rochester, it came ments. More than 60 alumni work the perfect ingredients to make to RIT’s New York State in the area of remote sensing alone. so many collaborations like these Pollution Prevention Institute DIRSIG plays an important role happen. (NYSP2I) for help. NYSP2I at L3Harris when scientists begin “We’re the right size city, with conducted a greenhouse gas developing remote sensing systems growing key industries, and a assessment for the company, for drones, satellites, and airborne highly skilled workforce coming capabilities mounted to aircrafts. from great universities,” said while the GIS Center of The modeling software essentially Hurlbutt. Excellence in Advanced and allows designers to create phys- Sustainable Manufacturing ics-based simulations of what Scott Bureau ’11, ’16 MBA created a plant layout design.

SPRING 2021 | 31 Rochester Rising

RIT’s Venture Creations graduates contribute to Rochester’s growth

A new addition to the Zheng. heart of Rochester’s Zheng’s company is bringing Downtown Innovation to the forefront the right “nu- Zone—RIT’s Venture tritional tools” for conscious Creations technology eaters who care about long- business incubator— term wellness, with a lighter is designed to enhance environmental impact, without the synergy between sacrificing taste. the vibrancy and Just prior to graduating from resources of the city the incubator in 2015, Zheng, and the region’s newest his co-founders Chris Carter start-up companies. and Scott Valpey, and a team of In December, Venture four employees transformed Creations relocated from 5,000-square-feet of warehouse John Street in Henrietta, space on Scottsville Road in N.Y., near the RIT campus, to 40 Franklin St., joining RIT’s Center for Urban Entrepreneurship in a move that further advances the commitment from univer- sity leadership to have a presence in downtown Rochester. Venture Creations is no stranger to launching start-ups—42 to date, with more than 550 jobs created. Among its most successful Rochester into its fungi head- graduates are Leep Foods, quarters. The popularity of the IMSWorkX, and Impact Photos by Leep Foods Leep by Photos specialty mushrooms, carried Earth, all of which are expe- Leep Foods co-founder George Zheng ’14 grew up in the Finger Lakes and in many Wegmans Food Mar- riencing enormous growth considers the region an essential part of who he is. kets and served at several local and demonstrating the eateries, seemed to be growing positive economic impact exponentially. that start-ups can have on a Food as medicine per food mushroom empire that In a few short years, Leep city like Rochester and the From the beginning of his is making under-consumed mi- Foods’ operation has expand- surrounding region. entrepreneurial journey, Leep cronutrients and under-recog- ed to 15,000-square-feet of Foods co-founder George Zheng nized longevity nutrients more growing space. Its products are ’14 (mechanical engineering accessible through the flavor of available in 300 retail locations, technology) had a vision of per- wood-grown mushrooms. including Wegmans and Tops suading American consumers “I grew up in a medical Friendly Markets. Partnerships to think of food as medicine. household where thinking of with Palmers Foods and Artisan Today, Zheng and his team food as medicine with healing Meats in Canandaigua, N.Y., are building a science-based su- properties was normal,” said help produce their blended

32 | SPRING 2021 burger and sausage line. Nine years ago, Chevier nancial investment that Chevier While COVID-19 was peaking founded IMSWorkX, a telecom- was searching for, and the and more customers were buy- munications startup based on a resulting acquisition enabled ing food online, Leep launched software platform that enables IMSWorkX to become a division its Better Blended Burgers with phone carriers to deploy voice- of the larger corporation. Thrive Market and with Iron mail, call routing solutions, “No one on the original team Chef Geoffrey Zakarian on the conferencing controls, and was willing to leave Rochester, QVC shopping network. other features. Along with a and this is where we were all Their blended meats launch team of engineers that followed born and raised,” she said. “And success resulted in winning her from a former company, we’ve kept our focus in order $250,000 in the 2020 Grow-NY Chevier joined RIT’s Venture to provide the services that our Food and Agriculture compe- Creations incubator. customers want and need.” tition. By this fall, Leep will Over the next six years, the have its super-food mushrooms company added 18 employees, Change agents and meat blends available in expanded into office space in From developing zero-waste more than 600 retail locations a Rochester suburb, deployed initiatives to revolutionizing

throughout the Northeast, with its technology in more than a composting and food scrap Impact Earth pending national distribution. dozen worldwide networks, and collection, every decision that Impact Earth co-founder Robert The company has added accrued nearly $2 million in the Impact Earth team makes Putney runs an environmental ed- several employees in produc- revenue. However, the search takes into account social cap- ucation program for children and tion and sales and has brought for greater opportunities within italism, a holistic approach to parents in several Rochester-area on well-known Rochester the telecom space became a sustainability, and a communal school districts. businessman Jeff Adair as CEO. priority for Chevier. responsibility to the environ- Revenue doubled from 2019 to “At the time, there wasn’t a lot ment. Henrietta, N.Y., Abundance 2020, and is expected to double of local investment opportuni- Although the birth of the Co-op in the city of Rochester, again in 2021. ties for telecom, so we reached environmental movement in and national companies Wal- out across the country,” she the United States truly began in greens, WebMD, and Zero Waste Communicating a great idea said. “Ultimately, the people the 1960s and 1970s, according Chicago. A great idea can go a long way. who expressed an interest in to Impact Earth co-founder To complement office space In fact, it was a great idea that our company wanted us to Robert Putney, it had its share in Brighton, N.Y., Impact Earth ultimately led Shannon Chevier relocate our headquarters to of peaks and valleys. But Putney has opened a retail location in ’99 MS (software develop- the Southeast. That was when is encouraged by the spirit of Eastview Mall in Victor, N.Y., ment and management) to we started to explore the idea of today’s movement where his where more than 100 zero-waste become a critical part of one an acquisition—a local acqui- company stands to serve a new lifestyle products, including of Rochester’s most successful sition.” generation passionate about hand-sewn face masks, and family-owned companies and An already “friendly” rela- the planet. kitchen, bath, and laundry items, realize her dream of bringing tionship with Rochester-based “Impact Earth has really are sold. Additionally, Impact an innovative technology to the communications systems giant come about at the right place Earth will temporarily show- marketplace. REDCOM developed into the fi- and the right time,” he said. “We case at downtown Rochester’s are change agents that solve newest hotspot, Mercantile on problems.” Main. Impact Earth launched from Always in search of opportu- Venture Creations in 2017 with nities to share its mission, the a five-employee team. Clients team has boosted its curbside included the Brighton Central food scrap collection, acquiring School District and CMAC/ Community Composting and Marvin Sands Performing Arts growing its base to nearly 2,000 Center in Canandaigua, N.Y., customers. where the company managed “Zero waste is a journey and recycling, composting, and we are generating opportunities educational initiatives. for growth every year,” Putney Today, the company has said. “We’re at the steep part of expanded to include a lifestyle the mountain climb right now. products division and sustain- But we started with nothing. We ability consulting. Twenty-three are in it to win it. And we be- employees are working on lieve that you win it by grinding

REDCOM projects with partners like local every single day.” Shannon Chevier ’99 MS was able to develop her telecommunications and regional farmer’s markets, company to become a division of REDCOM in a recent acquisition. Lori’s Natural Foods Center in Vienna McGrain ’12 MS

SPRING 2021 | 33 Faculty Profile

Joshua Rashaad McFadden

Joshua Rashaad McFad- Many people don’t know you Atlanta, go to graduate school, to tell those various stories. den is an award-winning, are from Rochester. How has and continue to combine my The true problem is that Black inter­nationally recognized that played into your work and passions for social justice with Americans are never allowed assistant professor of photo­ current sense of place? my art. I created projects like to just exist without having that graphy at RIT’s School of Yes, I was born and raised “After Selma,” “Come to Selfhood,” existence constantly brought Photographic Arts and here in Rochester. As many “I AM A MAN,” and a “Lynching’s into question. Sciences, nationally can imagine, photography has Long Shadow.” recognized for its degree always been a big part of my What role does education programs. A transformative life, actually from the time my Your powerful work in play in your work? artist, social justice advocate, mother introduced me to photo­ “After Selma” covers the Education is integral because and change agent, he pos- graphy at the age of 7. Addition­ 50th-anniversary march from everyone learns from art, and sesses a unique vision of the ally, much of my family has Selma to Montgomery. How there are many concepts visual Black American experience. worked at Kodak. From then on, did this experience inform your culture can teach us. I love that His artwork transcends my goal was to be an artist, and trajectory to the present? photography makes you visual­ the genres of social in my newest body of work, I’ve That was the moment I truly ize the unseen and the little documentary, reportage, started to explore this notion of understood that freedom was a known. With it, you see what portraiture, book arts, and family, place, and time. constant struggle and that history you can’t ignore or forget, such fine arts to bring forward is not linear but cyclical. We as the hidden layers of injustice. powerful stories about the How has your time in places must continue to fight against My goal is to create conscious realities of the injustices such as North Carolina, Atlanta, the evils of oppression, racism, creators and conscious visual Black people in America and additional cradles of civil injustice. If we aren’t careful analysts who will be moved still face today. rights movements informed and mindful, then we will to speak out against injustice your experience and perspective always end up where we started everywhere. In fact, it should be with your photography? but in a worse position, almost the goal of all professors to make My experience in these locales like walking two steps forward conscious creators and thinkers has made a profound impact on then taking three steps back. because, as it is said, injustice my work, and it started when I anywhere is a threat to justice Tune in left Rochester in 2008 to attend Do you think there is a relationship everywhere. We all must be Intersections: The RIT college at Elizabeth City State between your compelling photo­ part of the solution. Podcast is a conversation University, a historically black graphs in your exhibit “Evidence” between people whose college and university (HBCU) and recent work showing the What are some ways in which daily work is making a in North Carolina, to study fine Black Lives Matter movement, RIT, the College of Art and difference in the world. art. In undergrad, I started an including the funerals of Black Design, and the photography To listen to Joshua Rashaad organization that advocated for citizens killed by police? school play in all this? McFadden’s episode, go to non-violence, and also focused I think multiple threads connect Again, part of my mission is bit.ly/RITpodcast. on voter education and regen­ all of my projects. They build on to develop conscious creators eration. That experience led me each other. It’s also important to and visual analysts. to intern at The King Center in say that Blackness or The Black RIT has allowed me the space Atlanta. I worked hand-in-hand Experience doesn’t only exist to do this. But to make a real with civil rights leaders, such within trauma caused by white change, I need much more sup­ as Bernice King, MLK’s daughter, supremacy, racism, and police port from the entire university, and many others. That experience brutality. We are so much more, the global community, and ev­ guided my decision to move to and my project only begins eryday positive change agents.

34 | SPRING 2021

Joshua Rashaad McFadden, assistant professor of photography, documents the fight for social justice, as seen in the photos below.

Photo by Elizabeth Lamark

Protesters in Minneapolis march in unity in response to the killing of George Floyd.

A June 14, 2020, protest at the Wendy’s in Atlanta where Rayshard Brooks was shot and killed by police.

This is a scene from the Say Their Names Cemetery in Minneapolis, located down the street from the George Floyd memorial.

SPRING 2021 | 35 College of Alumni College of Art and Design Engineering Technology Awards

College Dave Gallagher ’91 Laureen R. Cook ’07 MS Imaging and photographic Telecommunications honors technology engineering technology CEO and owner, Capture Integration CEO, Extelcon

The Distinguished Alumni What is your What is your favorite RIT memory? favorite RIT memory? Awards are presented annually “The RIT experience cannot be “One of my favorite RIT memo- summed up in a few sentences. ries includes the challenges, and by each of RIT’s nine colleges RIT and the imaging technology eventual triumph, as a returning program gave me so much more adult student, in mastering a and the School of Individual- than I could have imagined fiber optics course, which was 35 years ago. The program taught by the Department ized Study to alumni who have opened my eyes to the variety Chairman Dr. Warren Koontz.” of possibilities in the photo- performed at the highest levels graphic industry for someone How did RIT help to who never wanted to become prepare you for success? of their profession or who have a ‘photographer.’ “After 22 years of mobile indus- contributed to the advance- “Without a doubt, my most try experience, I found myself rewarding experiences were competing globally for execu- ment and leadership of civic, my teaching assistant posi- tive roles. As a senior female tions with Glenn Miller, Phil American TMTS executive, philanthropic, or service orga- Terry, and Michael Peres. These aside from my MBA, I needed a professors took me under their technical degree to cement my nizations. It is the highest award wings and allowed me to get place on the global stage in this a glimpse of how rewarding it male dominated field, which was an RIT college can bestow upon can be to help another student secured by going back to school with their educational goals. at age 44 and graduating with a its alumni. The 2020-2021 Their generosity, trust, and master’s degree in telecommuni- mentorship were as important cations engineering at RIT.” recipients were honored during as—or even more important a virtual ceremony on April 29. than—any class I attended. It What does being an RIT set me in a direction that I am alumna mean to you? still on today and is such an “RIT is one of the finest technol- important aspect of why I still ogy and engineering schools volunteer my time at RIT.” in the United States. I am very proud to be an RIT alumna.”

36 | SPRING 2021 Golisano College of College of Health Computing and Sciences and Technology College of Liberal Arts College of Science Information Sciences

Andrew Goodfriend ’88 Osbourne A. McKay ’88 Rob Hochstetler ’04 MS Elan Lee ’98 Medical informatics Criminal justice Applied statistics Computer science Ophthalmologist, Deputy commissioner, President and CEO, Founder and CEO, OcuSight Eye Care Center Correctional Industries, New York Central Electric Power Cooperative Exploding Kittens State Department of Corrections

What is your career What is your What is your What is your highlight to date? favorite RIT memory? favorite RIT memory? favorite RIT memory? “I find the ability to make “I have several favorite RIT “I had a classmate, Tom “Being on Tech Crew and work- a difference in my patients’ memories, so allow me to share Weymann ’06 MS, who really ing all night with the rest of the lives the highlight. As an just two. My first favorite RIT pushed me to be better, and I team to tear down after a huge ophthalmologist, I am, for memory is becoming a member hope he would feel that I also concert.” some, able to restore sight. of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity 35 pushed him and others to be I had a patient who was years ago. I am a life member better learners. I don’t even What is your career terminally ill with metastatic and remain active in our local want to say students, because highlight? cancer and she was given alumni chapter. My second our professors were teaching “I was at an airport waiting at radiation treatment to her favorite RIT memory is being and instructing, but more than the gate for a delayed flight. brain to reduce the tumors awarded the Alfred L. and Ruby anything they were helping us Everyone was grumpy and for comfort. This, unfortunate- C. Davis Scholarship and being enjoy and love what they were frustrated. Everyone except for ly, caused instant cataracts and honored by the Mark Ellingson teaching. RIT is a special place a group of four kids sitting in blinded her. Her wish was to Association.” and a special school.” a circle on the floor playing a be able to see her grandchildren game. When I walked over, they one last time and I was able What is your What is your career were playing Exploding Kittens. to give her that wish, though career highlight? highlight to date? The only thing that kept me she did not live long after her “My career highlights include “There was a project I worked from standing there beaming, surgery. Though this was more running a statewide occupa- on at RIT that I actually used at was the fear of being the creepy than 20 years ago, this is a tional firm in the mid-1990s work, as I worked while going guy at the airport smirking at a reminder to me of why I love and becoming deputy com- to school. That was exciting. My bunch of kids.” this career.” missioner for New York State current job allows me to make Department of Corrections and a real difference in lives of the How did RIT help What does being an RIT Community Supervision, where citizens of South Carolina. If I prepare you for success? alumnus mean to you? I had the opportunity to bring do my job well, they pay lower “My professor’s encouragement “RIT is a community and about institutional change to power bills. There is something to build things instead of just taught me how to be a part infuse fairness and equity in satisfying about determin- talking about building them.” of something greater than the workplace.” ing how you are serving your myself, and I now enjoy giving fellow man while working. I’m back to the university that a believer in the concept that has given so much to me.” at work we are all serving our fellow man.”

SPRING 2021 | 37 College Honors Updates Kate Gleason National Technical Saunders School of College of Engineering Institute for the Deaf College of Business Individualized Study

Michelle S. Spina ’91 Pamela Lloyd-Ogoke ’81 Mark G. Barberio ’85 Luticha André Doucette ’14 Electrical engineering Social work Accounting Applied arts and sciences Vice president, Signal Processing & Chief, Division of Vocational Principal, Markapital and an RIT Owner of Catalyst Consulting Algorithms Group, Sensors Division, Rehabilitation, Community Integration trustee Systems & Technology Research Services and Supports and an RIT Trustee

What is your What is your career What is your What is your favorite RIT memory? highlight to date? favorite RIT memory? favorite RIT memory? “Letting the professors in the “Serving on the North Carolina “While in school I enjoyed “Wow, honestly, I really electrical engineering depart- Division of Vocational Reha- being involved with the enjoyed talking with friends ment know that I had been bilitation Executive Leadership Residence Hall Association after lab. Making connections accepted to MIT for graduate team where my role of being and Student Government. that last to this day are the school. I felt they were as a leader of several statewide I made a great group of most important to me.” happy about the news as I programs for all people with lifelong friends who worked was, which reflected the level disabilities has enabled me hard and fully enjoyed student What is your of involvement they had with to witness positive outcomes life. Twenty-five years after career highlight? their students. They were for individuals successfully graduation, it’s returning to “Becoming my own business thrilled for me and I was integrating into their commu- see the huge, positive changes owner. Helping organizations equally thrilled to share the nities. As a person who is Deaf, at RIT. I also got to enjoy and people look at themselves exciting news with them. I enjoy dispelling the myth that being a part of two sons, a with an equity lens and seeing Thirty years later, I remem- Deaf people are limited in their niece, cousins, and friends them transform is amazing ber all of the faculty and staff ability to supervise and manage attending RIT and finding for me.” fondly, keep in touch with a others.” their career paths.” few, and feel so very thankful How did RIT help to have had such a close-knit How did RIT help to What is your career highlight? prepare you for success? community during my time prepare you for success? “Advancing from a staff accoun- “My education helped me hone at RIT.” “Arriving to NTID newly Deaf tant in a $30 million revenue my critical thinking skills, as and extremely shy was a chal- company to co-CEO and CFO well as my ability to deal with What is your career lenge. Entering the social work of a multi-billion dollar global ambiguity. Furthermore, I can highlight to date? program where there was an industrial group, participating easily identify how to ‘get to “The day that I heard that we expectation for students to in the growth through acquisi- the work’ quickly and with won not one, but two major interact, engage, and do presen- tions, innovation, and changes accuracy. This is a needed skill project proposals for which tations was out of my comfort in ownership/cultures. Also, in today’s world.” I was the lead at Systems & zone. Through support of staff learning from and working Technology Research. The and peers, I began to develop with some of the smartest What does being an RIT effort was monumental. Two confidence and also became a business people around the alumna mean to you? years later, we are now seeing proud Deaf individual with a world, while leveraging my “It means you’re part of a our ideas that were once just desire to break barriers— experience to add value to network of skilled people who mere thoughts on paper being especially for the marginalized companies through board are also OK with being nerdy successfully tested.” Black Deaf community.” memberships.” and odd. This uniqueness is so needed.”

38 | SPRING 2021 University-wide Award

Jeffrey Harris named Outstanding Alumnus

f RIT Trustee Jeffrey Harris Lockheed Martin Missiles and ’75 (photographic science) Space, as well as Lockheed Iwere to impart one piece Martin Special Programs. He of advice, it would probably be was also president of Space to listen to your mother, who Imaging, the first company to he affectionately referred to as commercially provide high- “The General” growing up. resolution satellite imagery That’s because it was his of the Earth and information mother who found the perfect products. university where her son could Before his corporate career, parlay his interests in photog- Harris served in senior na- raphy and science into a highly tional leadership positions, successful career. including assistant secretary “She ascertained that I of the Air Force for Space, wanted to do something with director of the National Recon- photography, but not take naissance Office, and associate pictures, and the only school executive director of the Intel- on the planet that had some- ligence Community Manage- thing like this was Rochester ment Staff. In these roles, he Institute of Technology,” said provided direct support to Harris. “She figured that out, the Secretary of Defense and got me up to the campus, and the Director of Central introduced me to the imaging Intelligence. science program.” In addition to his philan- When it came time for Har- thropic support, Harris serves ris and his partner, Joyce Pratt, as chair-elect of RIT’s Board of to give back to the university Trustees, having been a mem- that was so instrumental to ber for more than a decade. his success, he did so in honor His engagement as an active of his mother’s 90th birthday, member of the RIT commu- establishing the J.K. (Jane nity has helped to frame the King) Harris Scholarship for a university’s strategic plan that Rochester City Scholar. They leverages insights gained by have also generously sup- working with students and ported the Chester F. Carlson faculty. Center for Imaging Science and Previously, Harris received the performing arts at RIT. the College of Science Distin- Harris was honored for his guished Alumni Award and the ongoing support of the univer- NRS Award. sity and career achievements “You recognize the value of with the 2020/2021 Outstand- experiences gained while at ing Alumnus award during a RIT that makes you an engaged virtual ceremony on April 29. citizen,” said Harris. “Although Harris thrived in the experi- the university is now very dif- ential nature of RIT’s imaging ferent than when I graduated science program, which led in 1975, it has continued to him to a career advancing equip graduates to be suc- national security programs in cessful leaders and thinkers, Jeffrey Harris ’75 was honored both government and industry. demonstrating the impact that Currently consulting for the comprehensive RIT experi- for his ongoing support and career both industry and govern- ence delivers.” achievements with the 2020/2021 ment organizations, Harris Outstanding Alumnus award in April. has served as president of Amber Webb A. Sue Weisler

SPRING 2021 | 39 Alumni Updates

Mona Harrington ’08 MS, executive director of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, is helping to improve the us- Lacey Johnson ability, security, and accessibility of voting systems used across the country.

Alumna guides U.S. election commission

n Feb. 10, alumna Mona Harrington agency and spearheaded a series of initia- Harrington its first information security sat before the U.S. Election Assis- tives to ensure COVID-19 and cybersecurity officer. She set up policies, procedures, and Otance Commission (EAC) in a public challenges don’t harm the election process. an awareness campaign to get cultural buy- meeting. The commissioners unanimously Her past jobs in cybersecurity, 18 years in on the importance of cybersecurity. voted to approve her recommendation to of federal government experience, and a “I came up with the first international adopt the next generation of federal voting degree from RIT all helped get her to this travel cybersecurity guidelines for our system guidelines. critical role. judges and had numerous other circuits As executive director of the EAC, Cybersecurity has been a key issue for throughout the country asking for my guid- Harrington ’08 MS (professional studies) Harrington, ever since she helped elimi- ance,” said Harrington. helped steer the U.S. through a unique nate a computer virus at the U.S. Court of At the EAC, Harrington has directed the 2020 election. Today, she is continuing her Appeals for the Federal Circuit in the early distribution of more than $800 million in work and hopes to rebuild voter confidence 2000s. It started as a contracting IT job at funding to states. Under her leadership, the across the country. the court and led to a permanent position agency has been strategically reorganized “Given the circumstances, our election monitoring cyber activities. and undergone a hiring initiative. officials did a miraculous job and really She wanted to boost her skills, so she Leading up to the 2020 election, she as- rose to the occasion,” said Harrington. “It’s a found a master’s program at RIT that fo- sembled a new cyber team and partnered process of continuous improvement, so by cused on cybersecurity, computer forensics, with the Department of Homeland Security moving the Voluntary Voting System Guide- and counterterrorism. The program was a to release a risk profile tool that allows lines forward to version 2.0, I believe we are partnership between RIT and the Center for states and local jurisdictions to identify going to revolutionize voting technology.” Advanced Defense Studies in Washington, their risks. In June 2020, Harrington was voted—by D.C. Today, students can take part in a simi- “Who knew that what I learned from RIT Democrat and Republican presidential ap- lar customizable master’s program in RIT’s in 2008 would help me every day on the pointees—to a four-year term as executive School of Individualized Study. job,” said Harrington. director of the EAC. With the growing importance of cyber- As leader, Harrington has revamped the security management, the court named Scott Bureau ’11, ’16 MBA

40 | SPRING 2021 Chris Edwards ’97 (film and video production) is co-founder and CEO of THE THIRD FLOOR.

Grad applies studio’s talent to faraway galaxies

ince Chris Edwards ’97 (film and video and Steven Spielberg as early adopters of ment award he shares with VFX pioneers he production) graduated, you could say the ‘previs’ process, so our theory was that has idolized since childhood. Sthe sky has been the limit when it there had to be many more storytellers who Edwards said he continues to call on comes to his meteoric success over the last would love to have this level of support for what he learned from his School of Film two decades. their creative visions,” Edwards said. and Animation instructors inside the walls Fittingly, THE THIRD FLOOR (TTF)—the TTF’s collaborations include Avatar, of what is today RIT’s College of Art and multinational, award-winning visualization Gravity, Joker, five recent Star Wars films, Design. “The perfect balance of technical studio Edwards co-founded with computer- 19 Marvel films, five seasons of Game of and artistic training in an environment graphics artists in 2004— was hatched on Thrones, and The Mandalorian. that encouraged me to become an entrepre- the third floor of George Lucas’ Skywalker Working on “Mando,” as Edwards affec- neur,” he recalled fondly. Ranch in northern California. tionately calls the Disney+ series, has been His connections to the college and uni- Today, Edwards serves as CEO of the especially rewarding for the TTF crew. versity remain strong. Five years ago, Ed- Los Angeles-headquartered company that “When we first heard about Lucasfilm’s wards helped establish the Entertainment began with 10 artists originally tasked with plan to produce a live-action Star Wars TV Advisory Board, a group of RIT alumni with digitally prototyping Star Wars: Episode III, series, on par with the features, we knew strong industry ties who meet regularly shot-by-shot, and has grown to more than that the clever use of real-time visualization inside TTF’s Los Angeles screening room. 400 employees deployed from Los Angeles was going to be key to realizing the scope THE THIRD FLOOR continues to expand to London to Beijing. and scale of the Star Wars universe on an and apply its design process into the world Recognized as the gold standard for vir- episodic budget and schedule,” he said. of professional education and simulation, tual “previsualization,” THE THIRD FLOOR The studio’s accolades include five with a space theme, of course. has empowered thousands of directors and Emmy Awards, multiple Visual Effects Soci- “We’re now building 3D experiences to producers to plan blockbuster films, TV ety Awards, two Lumiere Awards, and a Clio. help train U.S. Space Force cadets,” Edwards series, video games, and theme park attrac- Edwards’ ingenuity was recognized with the concluded. tions worldwide. GENIE Visionary Award at the 2020 Paris “We were fortunate to have George Lucas Digital Images Summit—a lifetime achieve- Rich Kiley

SPRING 2021 | 41 Alumni Updates Another round Alumni craft beer and open breweries

Chris Rhoades, left, and Brendan Harder Jeff McCullor

Beer Tree Brew Co. Erie Ale Works Port Crane, N.Y. Erie, Pa.

Jeff McCullor ’04 misses sitting From farm to glass, it’s all in the family for Jeff McCullor ’04 (marketing) always has his down at a table and getting to Chris Rhoades ’16 (mechanical engineering pitch ready for when someone asks about know a group of strangers over technology), ’16 MS (manufacturing and what he does—or about beer in general. a pint of beer at his brewery. mechanical systems integration) “That’s one thing my professor However, the Erie Ale Works and his brother-in-law Brendan Philip Tyler taught me about owner isn’t letting the pandemic Harder ’13 (mechanical personal selling that I’ll halt his business entirely. He engineering). never forget,” said has invested in his own canning Using hops from the family’s McCullor. equipment, so he can increase central New York hop and Since writing up a busi- distribution. grain farm, Rhoades and Harder ness plan and opening Erie Tom Sutter ’84, another have gone from weekend brewers Ale Works in 2014, McCullor brewery owner in Massa­ to owners of Beer Tree Brew Co., near is always looking for new ways to sell his chusetts, is using this time to Binghamton, N.Y. The pair built and opened beer. He helped found the Lake Erie Ale expand his facilities, so he can their hemlock A-frame brewhouse on the Trail, in an effort to work together with create a sour and barrel-aged farm in 2017. They also opened a factory lo- other local breweries. beer program. cation in nearby Johnson City in late 2020. Today, there are 13 More than a dozen RIT alumni Rhoades has gone from aerospace engi- breweries on the trail have tapped into the craft-beer neering to working at the brewery full time, passport with two boom that has swept across the while Harder also works as a new product more on the way. country. In the past 12 years, the development manager at Amphenol Aero- “I also see a number of craft breweries has space. The duo said that they still use what better return on more than quadrupled. they learned at RIT every day in the brewery. digital marketing, as Alumni are taking what they “We designed and run everything in the opposed to traditional learned at RIT and using it to buildings ourselves, including the PLC-driven advertising media,” create unique businesses with automatic systems that control temperature, said McCullor. “Social one thing in common—beer. steam, and all the essentials for making media and email is good beer,” said Harder. our focus now.”

42 | SPRING 2021 About this story Last year, RIT University Magazine highlighted 13 breweries owned by RIT alumni. This story includes some we missed. To see who we previously featured, go to bit.ly/RITbrewers.

Tom Sutter Jeff Lukasik Everett “Sid” Lovell Medusa Brewing Co. and Timberyard Brewing Co. Nostrovia Brewing Co. Wild Run Brewing Co. Hudson, Mass., and East Brookfield, Mass. Erie, Pa. Stafford, Va.

While traveling through Europe as a It took Jeff Lukasik ’05 (mechanical When Everett “Sid” Lovell ’80 (mechanical Dow Chemical research director for engineering technology) four years to engineering) decided to get out of the many years, Tom Sutter ’84 (photographic make his dream a reality. In 2019, he corporate world at General Electric, he sciences) grew a fondness opened Nostrovia Brewing. began looking for a small business that for Belgian beer. When he “It’s been a unique he’d like to own. decided that he wanted venture because He settled to challenge himself with I took a lot of on a camp a new business, he knew significant steps ground and beer was the direction to go. to minimize risk 34 years later Working with partners, and overhead,” he is still Sutter opened Medusa said Lukasik. running the 20 acre Aquia Pines Camp Brewing near his home Using his engineering background Resort, less than an hour drive south in Massachusetts in 2015. from RIT and his job as a mechanical of Washington, D.C. After years of When a friend in a neigh­ engineer at Cummins, he designed homebrewing beer, he also opened a boring town was looking and fabricated a 10-barrel brewing tasting room at the camp ground in 2014. for help to start Timberyard system in his garage. He then “I really like stouts, but I wasn’t a fan Brewing in 2018, Sutter renovated the building that would of the bitter aspect of the ones I could knew this would be become the new home for his brewery, buy,” said Lovell. “So I learned how to another good investment. gutting all of the plumbing and make them myself, with an aftertaste “In our first year at Medusa, we brewed electrical himself. that is a lot smoother.” more than 100 different beers,” said Sutter, The brewery’s name, Nostrovia, Lovell makes about 100 gallons of who also works as an operations director is an English mispronunciation of beer at a time, so he only sells the beer at Kayaku Advanced Materials. “Our an eastern European toast and pays onsite. Being close to the Marine Corps taprooms are community based and homage to Erie’s large Russian and Base Quantico, many of his brews are mili- we have a well-rounded portfolio of Polish populations. tary themed. beers to go along with that.” Scott Bureau ’11, ’16 MBA

SPRING 2021 | 43 Alumni Updates

Dimple Joseph ’18, ’18 ME has been working with the healthcare company Abbott, coordinating Abbott the manufacturing process for new COVID-19 rapid tests.

Grad helps ramp up rapid test manufacturing

imple Joseph’s short-term assign- of 50 million rapid tests per month. center’s director, Dr. Wendy Gelbard, who ment last year turned out to be a “As industrial engineers, we look at would become both a mentor who fostered D“really big start up.” people and processes and how they inter- her interest in the medical field and a friend As part of the healthcare company act. We look at identifying where we can she remains in touch with today. Abbott, Joseph contributed to the main do things better,” she said. “This is our “It is not just leading this test project— manufacturing site’s readiness to produce element—a request came in and our com- that is big enough,” said Gelbard, who is the company’s new BinaxNOW Rapid Test, pany responded.” part of RIT’s COVID-19 task force. “But doing which met the growing demand for testing Coordinating projects and working with it in a pandemic and having to live by safety options as pandemic cases were rising. a variety of people is not new to Joseph, rules and regulations that make it possible Although the rapid test is only the size who mixed coursework with campus activi- to even work, that is pretty amazing.” of a credit card, it is a big breakthrough ties and community service projects. Gelbard credits Joseph’s education, because it can determine an individual’s She held leadership positions with RIT’s experience, and a knack to connect well COVID-19 status in nearly 15 minutes. student chapter of the Institute of Indus- with people as key to her ability to produce “My life pretty much changed in August,” trial and Systems Engineers and was a at a high level. said Joseph ’18 (industrial engineering), ’18 member of DIVAS (Determined Individuals Joseph’s continued connections to RIT ME (engineering management), describing Victoriously Achieving Success), a former mentors and previous leadership practice her reaction to the assignment to be part of leadership program through RIT’s Multi- are being put through the paces at Abbott, the team that would ramp up production of cultural Center. As director of the College where she is a front-line leader who super- the important tests. Activities Board, she managed a staff of 30, vises workers on the manufacturing team. Originally based at the company’s site in and together the group delivered more than “I’m not a medical professional, but my Plano, Texas, she joined a rapid response 100 events per year for students. work can still help somebody get better, to team that headed to Gurnee, Ill., over the “Planning other people’s social life was get back to their families,” she said. “That is summer to scale-up the overall manufac- my social life,” she said, laughing. the sort of mission I wanted to be a part of.” turing process and train employees at the While working on a senior design project site. They are on target to produce their goal for the Student Health Center, she met the Michelle Cometa ’00

44 | SPRING 2021 David Spindel ’64, right, has photographed celebrities including John Lennon, Jerry Stiller, Chuck Connors, and Joe DiMaggio. To view more of his photographs, go to spindelvisions.com. Photos by David Spindel

Photographer is a ‘kid in the candy store of life’

ll David Spindel wants to do in life is one of his own. emotions and experiences to create nos- create works of art that bring smiles “They didn’t really shake me up,” said talgic photographs that trigger memories Ato people’s faces. So, he turned that Spindel. “I met them and they were really inside one’s mind. into a career. down-to-earth. I can’t even think of one “My mother-in-law would love to go to Spindel ’64 (professional photography) who had their nose up in the air.” garage sales in Rochester, and having lived is known for both his commercial work, The one job that Spindel said will always in Brooklyn my whole life I had no idea memorabilia photographs on general sub- be stuck in his mind was the time he had what they were,” said Spindel. “She bought jects, and baseball memorabilia. He has also the honor to photograph John Lennon. these little knick-knacks and I loved them. created a large body of photographs called These photographs are featured in a book Each piece had a story. I started collect- Rebuses, which is the use of visual images created by Yoko Ono, John Lennon Summer ing some of my own and making collages. to represent words or phrases. of 1980, the PBS special documentary That’s really where I got my inspiration to Upon graduating, the Brooklyn, N.Y., LENNONYC, and others. drive my career.” native started his career by taking on a few “I didn’t even know I was to be photo- Spindel is creating a book of his past assisting jobs, including with Tosh Matsu- graphing him until I entered the Hit Factory. works called Kid in the Candy Store of moto, a Japanese commercial photographer. I walked into a room to set up my equip- Life. He plans to include a compilation of After working under Matsumoto for about ment and there was a guy getting a mas- his memorabilia photographs, celebrity a year, Matsumoto suggested he open his sage. He turned over and I realized it was portraits, and stories. He aims to show his own studio, and that is when Spindel’s John Lennon,” Spindel said. “He told me he readers that they should never give up on career exploded. usually received a fee to have people watch their true desires in life. “If you love some- He specialized in commercial advertising him get a massage. I told him I usually get thing you’ve created, show it to the world photography and in photographing celebri- a fee to have people watch me move my and never stop doing that,” he said. “Stick to ties, such as Joe DiMaggio, Eli Wallach, equipment. He said I was funny and said we what you love and don’t let anyone tell you Anne Jackson, Jerry Stiller, Chuck Connors, would get along great. It was definitely an what to do otherwise.” and George Burns. Even though they were unforgettable experience.” famous names, Spindel said he saw them as Spindel also has a passion for using his Ava Gervan ’22 1961 Ron Gallo ’61 VFX editor finds fulfilling work on The Prom (FAA) was the Key to abbreviations recipient of the Best Figure Class Notes and Portrait award from the national art magazine Plein Air Painting in April 2020. View his painting at rongallo.com. Abbreviations 1968 CAST College of Applied Science and Technology (now CET) CAD College of Art and Design CCE College of Continuing Education Gene DePrez ’68 (FAA) advised Farrar Stratton (now SOIS) the board and staff of the Greater Harlan Doolittle ’14 (film production) is a VFX editor and assistant Richmond Partnership in the CET editor with Ryan Murphy Productions, which made The Prom. development of their Regional College of Engineering Technology Strategic Economic Development CHST plan. He also moderated a panel on arly in 2020, Harlan exposure to positive queer role College of Health Sciences design leadership at the annual Doolittle ’14 (film models or stories—let alone and Technology conference of the International Eproduction) had just coming-of-age stories—until Economic Development Council. wrapped up working on my late teens,” they observed. CIAS DePrez recently moved from the Netflix’s Hollywood and was “I had to dig for stories on the College of Imaging Arts New York City area back to Rochester. looking forward to adding Internet or on forums to find and Sciences (now CAD) visual-effects expertise people who were like me.” to season 3 of the FX series Murphy’s award-winning CLA Pose when the pandemic show Glee, about a show College of Liberal Arts brought Hollywood—and choir with disparate members COS the world—to a halt. dealing with social issues College of Science Doolittle was fortunate, regarding sexuality, race, and however, to be able to head relationships, was a watershed FAA over to The Prom, the Netflix moment for Doolittle. Fine and Applied Arts ensemble comedy movie “Some of us don’t really (now CAD) directed by Ryan Murphy, get the chance to go incognito Jan Detanna ’68 MFA (FAA) is the the television producer, about being queer, and as an GAP lead singer in The Dukes a cappella director, and writer Doolittle effeminate kid who danced Graphic Arts and Photography singing group, which appeared on a had previously worked with competitively and loved pop (now CAD) seven-day Mexican Riviera cruise in on American Horror Story culture, that resonated with February 2020. GCCIS and other hits. me,” they recalled. “This was Golisano College of Computing “Luckily, The Prom was the first time I had seen a kid and Information Sciences mostly done shooting, so like me get a happy ending, they asked me to supervise enshrined on mainstream KGCOE their VFX (visual effects) television and universally Kate Gleason College and I was happy to step in,” recognized.” of Engineering the VFX editor and assistant A decade later, Doolittle editor with Ryan Murphy was working on a similar NTID Productions recalled. “I loved story for a new generation. National Technical Institute how I could pour over every “It means the world to know for the Deaf detail on The Prom.” there are queer kids out there SOIS As a VFX editor, the Los An- like me who might get a much School of Individualized Study geles resident (who uses they/ needed dose of courage and he/she pronouns) helps shape feel-good hope from The Prom, SCB each individual shot with and to know they can dream Saunders College of Business VFX artists and vendors. big without having to hide Doolittle’s work on The themselves or feel ashamed,” SVP Prom—and the show’s strong Doolittle said. “My job is to NTID “Summer Vestibule Program” message rooted in the need support the story being told, Charles Holden ’68 (GAP) started a for inclusivity—was especially and it’s such a blessing to be letterpress and book studio and rewarding both personally able to tell stories for a living.” About Class Notes teaches classes in typography, and professionally. Class Notes are edited for space, letterpress printing, bookbinding, and “As a gay millennial, I Rich Kiley clarity, and style. Share information by papermaking in Wilmington, N.C. Visit didn’t have a whole lot of going to rit.edu/alumni/class-notes. the site at portcityletterpress.com.

46 | SPRING 2021 1969 and Point of Purchase for his design Bruce Thompson ’80 (KGCOE) John Morrison ’69 (SCB) has work titled: “Holiday Sales Event.” retired in December 2017 from accepted a second three-year ap- Hall is principal and creative director Xerox Corp. pointment to the Board of Trustees at Kevin Hall Design, a graphic design of Keystone College, LaPlume, Pa., and branding firm just outside New and to the Board of Directors for the Haven, Conn. Outreach Center for Community Services, Scranton, Pa. 1979 Bill Coons ’79 (FAA) founded 1971 Creative Dynamics Studio, a Chica- Tom Klinkow- goland corporate video production stein ’71 (GAP) agency. He most recently celebrated presented a its 20th anniversary. Clients exclu- lecture and sively include Fortune 500 class Tom Hubert ’81 (FAA) retired in workshop in companies. June 2020 after a 40-year career the Digital as professor of art at Mercyhurst Media Design University in Erie, Pa. He looks program at forward to continued production in the National Yun-Lin University of his ceramic studio. His website is Science and Technology in Taiwan. hubertceramics.com. 1972 Kenneth Marc Turkel ’80 (GAP) began Becker ’72 a master’s degree program at (SCB) has Seattle University in Existential worked as vice Sam Giannavola ’79 (GAP) has Phenomenology—Psychology in president for retired from a 34-year career at the September 2020 with an eye toward National University of Arkansas for Medical clinical psychotherapy. He also plays Corporation Science in Little Rock. He held many guitar for relaxation. for Housing staff and administrative positions Partnerships, over the years, including director Jeffrey White president of of the 40-person department that ’80 (GAP) John McNicholl ’81 (GAP) ran a Rakusin & included photographers, graphic retired from successful printing company for Becker Management Inc., and designers, videographers, and a Electronics for many years and is still in the printing currently is board chair of real estate print shop. He became a Registered Imaging after industry today. His son, John P. development and management of Biological Photographer in 1980, was a long career McNicholl, is proud to be a Tiger and the Montgomery College Founda- awarded Fellowship for meritorious in information is in his final semester of a five-year tion. He’s not yet retired and has contributions to the biological systems sales dual-degree program in industrial been married for 44 years with two sciences in 1998, and a lifetime and operations. engineering and a master’s degree daughters and four granddaughters. services award, the Louis Schmidt He is now living in Pittsburgh and in engineering management. Laurite award, in 2005 by the working for the Print & Graphics 1975 Biological Photographic Association. Scholarship Foundation on a Scott Bill Turan ’75 (GAP) writes that he part-time basis. Pfanstiel ’81 turned 67 and has a great hint for all Gene Salerno ’79 (FAA) shares (GAP) RIT photo students—make sure your his most recent work, The American 1981 retired as the clients are younger than you. In 2004, Series Art, a book of five historical Frank environmental he left a corporate job at Nabisco and paintings with other Tiger alumni. Bonsignore coordinator for went back to the freelance life where These five beautiful oil paintings were ’81 (COS) has the Solid Waste his clients are about 10 years younger created during the 1976 American written and Department at than him. Even with the pandemic, he Bicentennial and are as relevant published his the County of is still shooting food. today as they were then. first book, Tulare, Calif. Uncle Frank’s 1977 1980 Guide To 1982 Alan Joining the Frohlichstein Workforce. The book is available ’77 (GAP) on Amazon. has been re-elected to a four-year term to the board of directors of the Ophthalmic Photographers’ Society. He launched Daniel Holmes ’82 (GAP) recently his website Alanfrohlichstein.com Kenneth Kuzia ’80 (CCE) just moved to New Mexico where he and has a book chapter on ophthalmic finished editing and illustrating the returned to a career as a deputy photography in Photography in Clinical fifth and sixth books for his author Thomas A. Ethington ’81 (GAP) district attorney in Clayton. He Medicine, published by Springer. and friend, Rand Gee. The books retires after 30-plus years at spends a lot of time outdoors hiking include short stories, humorous Independent Commercial Studio, and using his photography degree Kevin Hall ’77 (FAA) has won an quips, anecdotes, and, most recently, seven-plus years as a staff photo­ sharing his experiences in photos award from the Advertising Club of a series of books documenting the grapher, and three-plus years as with family and friends. Former Connecticut 2020 Awards Show in coal mining regions in Pennsylvania an intern and lab tech at Eastman, classmates can contact him at the category of Signage, Graphics, in the 1800s and early 1900s. while at RIT and just after. [email protected].

SPRING 2021 | 47 Tiger Love Jolana Babacek Photography

Zahal Kohistani ’15 and Thomas Doolittle were married on Zoom in April 2020. About 25 families attended the Zoom wedding and wished the couple well. Tigers tie the knot over Zoom

IT plays a starring role in the April friends, in danger. They canceled the event House, officiated. 2020 virtual wedding of Zahal on March 14, 2020. Redder became ordained a year before R Kohistani ’15 (psychology) and Then they started seeing people around to assist family members and friends who former Tiger Thomas Doolittle. the country get married on Zoom. were looking for something other than a The couple met while they were students “At first we thought it was kind of funny,” traditional ceremony. living in Global Village. Their first date was Kohistani said. “It’s not something you think She adapted the ceremony so the 25 at SpringFest. They got engaged in front of about when you are planning a wedding.” families who attended could say a few Salsarita’s. They celebrated their engage- On April 18, 2020, New York Gov. Andrew words and wish them well. ment at the Joseph M. Lobozzo Alumni Cuomo signed an executive order allowing “It was perfect in every way except one,” House. And they were married on Zoom couples to obtain licenses and marry using Redder said. “I so wanted to give them by Kelly Redder, executive director of the audio-video technology. both a huge congratulations hug.” Lobozzo Alumni House. A week later, they were saying their “I By the end of the summer, the couple had “It’s like we planned it to be an RIT- dos.” moved to Southern California. themed relationship,” Doolittle joked. Kohistani wore her wedding dress and Kohistani works for San Diego State Uni- “It is funny how it all revolved around RIT.” Doolittle donned a tuxedo-style suit. They versity and Doolittle works for Community The two, who were introduced by Doo- ordered flowers, made a three-layer wed- Psychiatry. little’s sister, Emily Doolittle ’15 (media arts ding cake for two, and had a ceremony They are expecting a baby this fall. and technology), had planned a wedding in online. “Overall it has been a very good year for downtown Rochester for April 26, 2020. Emily Doolittle became their wedding us,” Kohistani said. “We are looking forward But Doolittle was watching the corona- planner. Redder, who hit it off with the to all of the things the next year will bring.” virus situation closely. He has asthma and couple when they were planning their didn’t want to put himself, or family and engagement ceremony at the Alumni Mindy Mozer

48 | SPRING 2021 1983 1985 Robert Bruschini ’85 (GAP) A tiger with taste re-joined the Corporate Brand Creative team at Bristol Myers Squibb as director, Corporate Brand Photo­graphy and Video. He is responsible for leading the visual identity of the new global cor- porate brand through photography and video across all platforms and communication channels.

Ann-Elizabeth Nash ’85 (GAP) was awarded her doctorate in Biological Gerard Kiernan ’83 (CAST) is the Education from facilities engineer and sustainability the University coordinator for the City of Springfield, of Northern Mass. He was instrumental in Colorado, securing solar credits for the city Graduate Dean’s Citation for that will result in energy savings and Excellence, in December 2019. reduce the city’s carbon footprint. Her research focuses on non-coop- erative social lizards, primarily the Rick Morris ’83 (CCE) was pro- spiny-tailed iguana in Costa Rica. moted to industrial furnace co-site Nash is the Executive Director of supervisor at AMG Vanadium in Colorado Reptile Humane Society. Zanesville, Ohio.

Taylor Zimmer ’85 (GAP) is de- Fox Squire 1984 veloping an environmental tourism Kyle DeFord ’08 (applied arts and sciences) is one of the stars of destination in Central New York called the HBO Max show STYLISH with Jenna Lyons. Solitude Farmz, with plans on open- ing this spring, depending on COVID. Zimmer has partnered with RIT yle DeFord ’08 (applied with former Creative Director students in the department of archi- arts and sciences) has Jenna Lyons was too good a tecture for some forward-thinking Kbecome one of the stars chance to pass up and led to ideas on sustainability and design. of the HBO Max show STYLISH DeFord’s current role as both Learn more at SolitudeFarmz.com. with Jenna Lyons. But it didn’t chief of staff for her company, happen overnight. Lyons LAD, and the general 1986 Graduating in 2008 in the manager of LoveSeen. middle of a recession, DeFord Concurrently, Warner took a position at J. Crew, Media/HBO Max wanted to becoming store manager for make a lifestyle show, and the popular clothing giant. Lyons was an established After several years, he was figure­head in fashion. Origi- hired as a recruiting coord­ nally, DeFord wasn’t slated inator in New York City, to be in the show. He was Gregory Germain ’84 (KGCOE), which became a pathway for responsible for concept devel- retired VP NetApp, is now serving as the work he is doing today. opment. But after a successful the chairman of the advisory board “When you are working screen test, he made his way in for 321 Coffee. Established by four Jim Cain ’86 MS (KGCOE) has on the recruiting team, you front of the camera.“It’s funny. North Carolina State students, 321 written 22 books in the past 20 years, get to know everyone.” People say, ‘You’re great on TV. Coffee is a nonprofit coffee shop but this year published his first novel. Within a couple of years, Was this something you’ve al- that employs adults with intellectual Rise Again is available on Amazon.com. he was recommended for a ways wanted to do?’ Definitely development disorders. position as special projects not,” he said, laughing. 1990 assistant to the CEO and DeFord, Lyons, and Sarah Peggy chairman of J. Crew Group, Clary, a fashion-stylist, do Terhune ’84 Mickey Drexler. The position more than just star in the MBA (SCB) turned into a critical on-the- show. They coordinate the received North job training experience. show’s projects and edit Carolina’s “It was like getting my MBA scenes after filming. Order of the directly from him,” he said. “People may think it’s a Long Leaf Pine Changes were happening competition—a cut-throat award. She was in the retail clothing industry reality show. This is something recognized for and the company. Drexler different. We want to see about her outstanding work as an advocate retired and several vital hiring these people full-time.” and leader in services and support Paul Chaplo ’90 MFA (GAP) leaders moved on to new for individuals with intellectual and wrote Amarillo Flights: Aerial Views opportunities. A call to work Michelle Cometa ’00 developmental disabilities, mental of Llano Estacado Country, a book illness, and substance use disorders. of photography published by Texas

SPRING 2021 | 49 1 2 3

Tiger Cubs

4 5 6

7 8 9

Joshua Zatulove ’03 (GCCIS) Julie (Zepke) Krug ’09 (CIAS) Sophie Schillaci ’10 (CLA) Elizabeth Abdeen ’13 1 and Jessica Peltz-Zatulove 4 and Ken Krug ’10 (GCCIS) 6 and Mike Boya ’11 (GCCIS) 8 (KGCOE), ’13 MS (KGCOE) welcomed their second sweet and welcomed their first baby into the welcomed their second child, and Danny Abdeen ’13 (KGCOE) smiley daughter, Dahlia Raine world in June 2020. Victoria Lillian Colton Dean Boya, in March 2020 welcomed their second daughter, Zatulove, in February 2020. Krug already loves to watch hockey. in Los Angeles. Zoë Ella, in May 2020.

Seth Schapiro ’05 (GCCIS) Erika (Soltis) Griffith ’10 Jennifer (Mueller) Dwyer ’11 (CIAS) Lorenny Mota Morla ’16 2 and his wife, Alyson, 5 (KGCOE), ’10 ME (KGCOE) and and William Dwyer ’11 (KGCOE) 9 (SOIS) and Michael Berrios ’14 welcomed their son, Owen, in John Griffith ’10 (KGCOE), ’10 MS welcomed Adelaide Dwyer in (GCCIS) are happy to announce the August 2020 in Annapolis, Md. (KGCOE) welcomed a new adven- June 2020. birth of their son, Silas Michael, turer to the family. Aiden Griffith in February 2020. Jerlyn (Thomas) O’Donnell was born in October 2020. Lauren Iuranich ’12 (CAST) 3 ’07 (CIAS) and her husband, 7 and her husband, John, are Michael, are happy to announce the excited to announce a third addition birth of their daughter, Mattis Joan, to their family, Apollo Oberon, in February 2020. born in October 2020.

50 | SPRING 2021 A&M University Press. It is his second He is the director of community events engagement. He was also promoted book. The book was accompanied for SUNY Empire State College and to the title of Staff Systems Engineer by a touring solo exhibition, which has exhibited at the museum in this with Northrop Grumman Corporation opened at the Panhandle-Plains exhibit for more than 10 years. (Mission Systems) in Annapolis, Md. Historical Museum. 1997 2006 1991 Mark Higgins ’97 (SCB), ’03 MBA Kristen David Gianna ’91 (CAST, GAP) (SCB) hosted the 11th Annual Autism (Emery) completed a Ph.D. in Technology at Open with Ron Toper ’97 (SCB), Willmott ’06 Capitol Technical University. He is ’98 MBA (SCB). The event raised MS (CAST) George Felipe ’11 (KGCOE) married teaching graduate Cybersecurity at more than $18,000 for Autism Up, an recently Abigail Crespo on March 13, 2020. Yeshiva University and at University autism support group in Rochester. published a of Maryland. He is also a business Dozens of RIT graduates attended. book through Rik Schmeelk ’11 (KGCOE) risk and control officer at Wells Fargo Information celebrated one year at L3Harris Bank. Charles Wilson ’97 MFA (CIAS) is Age Publishing. Technologies, now working as a teaching animation history at Central Gender, Tenure component engineer for the Space Tamra Werner ’91 (CAST), ’20 MS Michigan University. and the Pursuit and Airborne Systems Division. (SOIS) published her second book of Work-Life-Family Stability is a Earlier in his career, he spent in her series, Koli The Great White 1999 timely work that may interest anyone 10 years in the RF division, now Shark. Koli’s Friendship Adventure Laura Glazer ’99 (CIAS) started juggling work, home, and family. Communication Systems. includes a licensed partnership her first term as a graduate student with OCEARCH and a percentage at Portland State University, working 2007 of each sale benefits its research toward a Master of Fine Arts in Art Jerlyn and STEM programs. Alan Gesek and Social Practice. (Thomas) ’11 (CIAS) illustrated the 36-page O’Donnell ’07 children’s book. (CIAS) and Michael 1995 O’Donnell were Shail (Mithani) married on May Rajan ’95 MBA 26, 2019. Both (SCB) serves are marathoners as the president and triathlon of a nonprofit (half ironman) athletes who met each and is chasing other on OkCupid. They got married her dream of on their favorite running path in becoming a New Paltz, N.Y., and went for a run novelist. She proceeding the ceremony. They recently currently live in New York City. published her first novel, The Summer Breeze (bit.ly/TheSummer Robert J. Jackson ’99 (CAST) 2008 BreezebyShailRajan). released I Like the Me You See, Mary Mihajlov ’08 (CIAS) accepted Natalie Surace-Veator ’11 (SCB), the second children’s book in a a new position as a Human Resourc- ’20 MBA (SCB) was married in a three-book series. It is his third book es Generalist at Banner Engineering small outdoor ceremony on Sept. 26, overall. Additionally, he is a Ph.D. in Minneapolis. 2020. She and her husband, David student at Carolina University. Veator, enjoyed a honeymoon shortly 2009 after in the Adirondack high peaks. 2004 Chester 2012 Shellman Jr. Aurelkys Jeremy Sniatecki ’95 (CIAS) ’04 (CLA) Estevez ’12 developed a series of location-themed is a brand-new MS (CAST) designs based on season one of author who is was promoted The Mandalorian, to be released as inspired by the to head of numbered, limited edition poster relationship he the office of prints by Acme Archives/Lucasfilm. has with his free access The first three designs can be found young daughter, to public on AcmeArchivesDirect.com under Cassidy. A Day Bradley R. Blankenship ’09 information in a search by artist name. Season two in the Life of (GCCIS), ’11 MS (GCCIS) self- the Attorney poster art designs are currently in MiMi and Ty: The Graduation Dilemma published his first book, In Lost General’s development. is the first of a series of books about a Dreams the Four Were Bound, Office in Santo Domingo, Dominican newly divorced father who has primary through Amazon KDP and Republic, in November 2020. 1996 custody of his daughter, and how IngramSpark, in September 2020. Timothy they experience life’s situations The book is the first in the Genean Zeid Nasser Cosgriff ’96 together. Chronicles series and his larger ’12 (CAST) MS (CAST) Remi’s Cross Saga mythos. moved on to exhibited at 2005 L3Harris George Seth Schapiro ’05 (GCCIS) was 2011 engineering Eastman awarded IEEE Senior Membership Sarah Bicsak ’11 (COS) has been after six years Museum in the in recognition of his commitment to promoted to chemist II, specializing with Delphi Holiday Sweet advancement in the field of Systems in petroleum gas chromatography, Automotive, and has now transi- Creations Engineering through continued edu- at Paragon Laboratories in Livonia, tioned to the L3Harris international Exhibit 2020. cation, mentoring, and professional Mich. sales team.

SPRING 2021 | 51 Class Notes

2013 Sarah Proper 2016 2018 ’15 (CIAS) and Geoffrey Ackerman ’15 (GCCIS), ’15 MS (GCCIS) were married at the court­house in Rachel (Herman) Crandell ’13 Douglas County, Colo. After their (CAST), ’14 MS (CAST) and 2020 wedding plans were cancelled, Spencer Crandell ’13 (KGCOE) they spent a quiet Thursday tying the were married on Sept. 5, 2020, in a knot. They hope to celebrate with all Ian Berringer ’16 (CAST) recently got small outdoor ceremony in front of a their Tiger pals in the future. engaged to the love of his life, Kerri senior living facility, so that Rachel’s Doyle, during a rock climbing trip in grandmother could be a part of the Jennifer New Hampshire. He also changed jobs Jasmine (Newton) Sprague ’18 celebration. Following their wedding, Stanton ’15 within Collins Aerospace (formerly (CLA) and Nick Sprague ’18 (CLA) they adopted their new puppy, Penny. (GCCIS) was UTC Aerospace Systems) and now were married on Nov. 30, 2019. They promoted to works in its Space Systems division are high school sweethearts and had Danny Abdeen ’13 (KGCOE) an advanced working as a reliability engineer. been together for more than six years recently completed nine years of software at the time of their wedding. active duty service as a submarine of- engineer Lorenny Mota ficer with the United States Navy and position at Niantic Inc. while also Morla ’16 (SOIS) Tim Torres ’18 transitioned to a role as a technical celebrating two years with the and Michael (CAD) accepted program manager at Amazon Web company. She assumed the role of Berrios ’14 an offer from EY Services. lead engineer for Pokemon GO’s (GCCIS) are Seren in London Mega Evolutions feature, released celebrating as a senior user 2014 in August 2020. their two-year experience Robb Dooling ’14 (GCCIS) won wedding designer. He had election as an Advisory Neighbor- Ryan Vogt anniversary. recently moved to London from New hood Commissioner in 6A06 in ’15 (GCCIS) York City to be closer to his partner. Washington, D.C. Dooling success- successfully Parth Shah ’16 ME (KGCOE) recently fully ran against two opponents. defended his graduated from The George Washing- 2019 doctorate ton University during the 2020 winter Hammad Ahsan ’19 (CET) credits his Holly Rollins thesis “Interface term with a doctoral degree in Engi- RIT degree for helping him to transfer Ostrout ’14 Problems and neering Management. He is the first jobs during the pandemic and then get MS (CIAS) Binary Electromagnetic Cloaking in his family to earn a doctorate. promoted to a Level 2 Engineer after and Nathan Designs in Computational Electro- eight months in his position. Ostrout ’15 magnetics.” He is currently a Eric Thomas MS (CIAS) mathematician at Argonne National ’16 (CHST), met at RIT Laboratory working on partial-differ- ’16 MS (CHST) in the print ential equation optimization theory graduated media graduate program. They were and optimal control of partial-differ- from the Simon married in 2016, had a daughter in ential equations. He is starting a new School of 2018, and recently bought a house. role at Lawrence Livermore National Business in Laboratory in the Quantum Computing Rochester group, focusing on the optimal control with an MBA of quantum systems to construct the in December 2020. He also holds a next generation quantum computers. master’s degree in Medical Manage- Lydia Yeckley ’19 (KGCOE) and ment from Simon. In 2020, Thomas her father competed on Discovery was promoted to Deputy Chief and Channel’s Rocket Around The Xmas Vice President of Clinical Care at CHS Tree as the Snow It Alls. Airing in Mobile Integrated Health Care (in December 2020, the rocket competi- Rochester) overseeing 200 prehospital tion featured launching holiday trees, medical providers. Additionally, sleighs, toy soldiers, and more. Thomas was also appointed to the Department of Emergency Medicine 2020 Katie Lachut-Yevich ’14 (CIAS) and Divisions of Cardiac Surgery and Yordan married Turner Yevich on Oct. 23, Prehospital Medicine at the University Tuzsuzov 2020, in Richmond, Va. They made it of Rochester Medical Center. ’20 (SOIS) through a small pandemic wedding released his and hope to continue on together Anjuan Thomas book, Systems for many more years (and worldly ’16 MS (CAST) Engineering for disasters) to come. secured his All, a short, dream job— non-academic 2015 an appointment introduction to systems engineering Dina Johnson ’15 (CHST) started into the United and targeted to the general public of Monroe County Family Coalition Inc., Emily DeVault ’15 (CIAS) and Ed States Foreign engineers and product designers a nonprofit organization. Her vision Foose ’15 (CIAS) were married on Service as a without prior systems engineering is to create opportunities for families Oct. 15, 2020. They were wed at facility manager. After specialty and experience. to bring about change and bridge the courthouse in Fairmont, W.Va. language training, he will serve in inequality in the community. They met on their first day at RIT. Bogota, Colombia.

52 | SPRING 2021 Use Your IRA Distribution to We see our gift as being impactful Impact the in several ways. Future Gender equity in These young computing fields is critical for our future. women will have the Alice Jo Lichtman MS ’79, and her opportunity to network husband, Marshall, believe strongly in the with fellow students, importance of women in computing fields. leaders in the field, and As one of two women in her RIT computing master’s degree program, she potential employers. was supported through her studies by RIT faculty and fellow students, and that gave her confidence to pursue They will also be a successful career that included being a part of the team that developed the first automated teller machine for ambassadors for RIT’s banking in Rochester. computer science The Lichtmans wanted to share Alice Jo’s success and make an impact by attracting more young women to programs at national this career field, so they created a fund to support travel for RIT’s Women In Computing organization. They used and international their IRA distribution to create the fund, and continue to add to it each year through a Qualified Charitable conferences.” Distribution (QCD). A QCD is easy to execute, and provides a tax advantage by lowering taxable income –Alice Jo each year. Lichtman MS ’79 You can use your annual IRA distribution to support Computer Science an area of RIT that you care about. Download our free guide to the Qualified Charitable Distribution at rit.edu/giving/QCD.

Contact us to learn more today.

Hal Burrall RIT Office of Planned Giving 585-475-3106 | [email protected] legacyrit.org

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Rochester Institute of Technology | One Lomb Memorial Drive | Rochester, New York 14623 Nancy (Guenther) Dou- Frank Ballabio ’61 (GAP) Robert Macur ’67 (COS) Bertram Falk ’72 (SCB) glass ’56 (FAA) March April 17, 2020 Jan. 9, 2020 Feb. 17, 2020 6, 2020 Orest Engelbrecht ’61 Ronald McMaster ’67 Lawrence Fetterly ’72 Michael Durkot ’56 (KGCOE) March 29, (CCE) April 25, 2020 (CCE) Feb. 20, 2020 (GAP) April 8, 2020 2020 Denton Ortman ’67 Willis Georgia III ’72 Catherine (Wright) Carl Greene ’61 (KGCOE) (GAP) Jan. 8, 2020 (GAP) May 6, 2020 In Searle ’56 (SCB) May 29, 2020 Edward Sklar ’67 (GAP) Allan Holm ’72 (GAP) April 4, 2020 Herbert Guck Sr. ’61 June 2020 May 3, 2020 Memoriam (CCE) Aug. 3, 2020 Ronald Paulhamus ’72 1957 Alan Lupton ’61 (SCB) 1968 (GAP) Oct. 27, 2020 Adrienne (Balzer) February 2020 Ronald Dinger ’68 (CCE) John Quincey ’72 (SCB) Cwalina ’57 (SCB) Frank Schulz ’61 (CCE) Dec. 6, 2020 Oct. 27, 2020 Sept. 21, 2020 Dec. 1, 2020 Terry French ’68 (GAP) George Reynolds ’72 Alumni Herbert Schafer ’50 (FAA) Mitchell Diamond ’57 April 27, 2020 Dec. 1, 2020 Donald Stanton ’61 (CCE) Feb. 7, 2020 (GAP) April 2020 July 11, 2020 Terrance King ’68 (CCE) 1942 Mary Sedita ’50 (SCB) (SCB) Douglas Ross ’72 (CCE) John Fix ’57 (FAA) Aug. 25, 2020 March 7, 2020 Charles Rogers ’’42 (FAA) April 10, 2020 Nov. 20, 2020 1962 Glen Simpson MFA ’68 Oct. 20, 2020 Roger Stabley ’50 (GAP) Marilyn (Wright) Vito Metallo ’57 (CCE) John Deary ’62 (SCB) (FAA) Dec. 15, 2020 Rubright ’72 (COS) Vincent Ross ’42 (SCB) Feb. 17, 2020 Oct. 1, 2020 Jan. 22, 2020 Eugene Struble ’68 June 22, 2020 March 30, 2020 Lee Phelan ’57 (GAP) George Debalko ’62 (CCE) Jan. 22, 2020 Robert Stappenbeck ’72 1951 May 22, 2020 Aug. 1, 2020 1943 Lynn Behnk ’51 (SCB) (SCB) Frank Wardynski ’68 (SCB) Feb. 3, 2020 Jane Doyle ’43 (SCB) Feb. 25, 2020 Stephen Szwec ’57 Robert Fisher ’62 (GAP) (CCE) Jan. 17, 2020 Michael Sylvestri Jr. ’72 June 3, 2020 June 4, 2020 March 7, 2020 Donald Cameron ’51 (GAP) (GAP) (KGCOE) Oct. 14, 2020 Gardner Wills ’62 (GAP) 1969 March 28, 2020 1958 Dominic Bianchi ’69 Anthony Szczygielski ’72 1944 July 25, 2020 (GAP) May 12, 2020 Walter Beckdahl ’44 James Cundall ’51 (GAP) Max Albertson ’58 (CCE) (CCE) Sept. 12, 2020 Norma (Jefferson) (KGCOE) Nov. 14, 2020 Feb. 9, 2020 Nov. 9, 2020 1963 Edward Carpenter ’69 Robert Dibble ’51 (KGCOE) Joan McCreadie ’58 Philip Sykes ’63 (KGCOE) Oct. 7, 2020 Thompson ’72 (FAA) Gladys (Crosby) Kelly ’44 Dec. 19, 2020 (SCB) Feb. 7, 2020 May 4, 2020 (SCB) Sept. 18, 2020 (KGCOE) Feb. 29, 2020 Joseph Distefano ’69 Loren Manbeck ‘51 (FAA) Alfred Olsen Jr. ’58 (FAA) April 20, 2020 Raymond Tillman ’72 1945 Aug. 29, 2020 (GAP) April 4, 2020 1964 Christian Groff ’69 (GAP) (GAP) Nov. 8, 2020 Mary (Sanderson) Erickson Catherine (Schneider) William Rabjohns Jr. ’58 Robert Bayer ’64 (SCB) Nov. 27, 2020 Geoffrey Whittier ’72 ’45 (SCB) June 6, 2020 Marsden ’51 (SCB) (KGCOE) Dec. 14, 2020 Jan. 11, 2020 Thomas Hennelly ’69 (CCE) Feb. 19, 2020 Barbara (Dixon) Fehr ’45 Sept. 10, 2020 Karle Schlemmer ’58 Bonnie (Phillips) Beckett (SCB) April 30, 2020 George Yuna ’72 (CCE) (SCB) May 23, 2020 Bernard Weis ’51 (FAA) (KGCOE) June 30, 2020 ’64 (COS) Jan. 4, 2020 Richard Hennip ’69 Jan. 22, 2020 Caroline (Merletti) Pane ’45 Dec. 9, 2020 Ronald Stenglein ’58 Roberta Broussard ’64 (SCB) Oct. 14, 2020 March 2, 2020 Richard Wiles ’51 (CCE) (SCB) June 29, 2020 1973 (SCB) (GAP) Dec. 17, 2020 Ralph Hopkins ’69 (GAP) Frank Allenza ’73 (CCE) Daisy (Palmer) Sept. 4, 2020 Vincent Ferrini ’64 MFA Oct. 15, 2020 1959 (FAA) Nov. 12, 2020 April 1, 2020 Radoulovitch ’45 (SCB) Ina Kurz ’69 MFA (FAA) Dan Davis ’73 MBA Jan. 5, 2020 1952 Allan Abramow ’59 Gary Lindsay ’64 (SCB) July 30, 2020 Harold Beamish ’52 (CCE) (KGCOE) July 3, 2020 Sept. 21, 2020 (SCB) Jan. 7, 2020 March 7, 2020 Jesse Stevens ’69 (CCE) Gregory Fuller ’73 ME 1946 Judith (DeRocher) Terry Lutz ’64 (KGCOE) Dec. 2, 2020 Gladys (Chileen) Cushman (CCE) July 16, 2020 M. Jeanne (Finster) Gelder ’59 (COS) Nov. 9, 2020 Laurence Van Etten ’69 May 15, ’52 (SCB) July 18, 2020 Frederick Krizan ’73 MS Ellinger ’46 (SCB) Aug. 13, 2020 Robert Marlette ’64 (COS) Feb. 22, 2020 2020 George Herschell ’52 (FAA) Carl Grusell ’59 (GAP) (SCB) Nov. 3, 2020 (CAST) Oct. 1, 2020 Jan. 12, 2020 John Williams ’69 (GAP) Ray Mandeville ’73 (CCE) Miriam (Herman) Jacobson Feb. 25, 2020 Gregory Soehner ’64 May 24, 2020 ’46 (SCB) Oct. 18, 2020 Wallace Hughes ’52 William Hudson ’59 (FAA) Aug. 9, 2020 Oct. 28, 2020 Lynn Zuckerman ’46 (SCB) (KGCOE) Feb. 14, 2020 (GAP) May 13, 2020 Philip Sperr ’64 (KGCOE) 1970 Donald Merchant ’73 April 18, 2020 Joseph Magro ’52 (KGCOE) Thomas O’Brien ’59 May 18, 2020 John Cavallaro ’70 (CCE) (CCE) Feb. 23, 2020 Nov. 16, 2020 Gerald Minns ’73 (CCE) 1947 (KGCOE) May 3, 2020 Robert Sturn ’64 (SCB) Dec. 4, 2020 Richard Monroe ’52 (FAA) John Paul ’59 (SCB) Nov. 30, 2020 Bruce Clark ’70 (GAP) Jan. 24, 2020 Jeanne (Von Daacke) Burr July 30, 2020 Oct. 29, 2020 Oct. 23, 2020 Bertrand Morgan II ’73 May 13, 2020 ’47 (SCB) Arthur Pavelle ’59 (GAP) 1965 James Colegrove ’70 (CCE) Sept. 3, 2020 1953 Laura Rugg ’47 (SCB) Nov. 11, 2020 Ellen (Barnes) Dabolt ’65 (CCE) Nov. 22, 2020 David Starr ’73 (SCB) April 9, 2020 Herbert Barnett ’53 (GAP) (SCB) July 7, 2020 March 2, 2020 May 4, 2020 Raymond Rauscher ’59 Joseph Deblaere ME ’70 1948 (COS) May 3, 2020 Adrian Fenyn ’65 (SCB) (KGCOE) Oct. 14, 2020 James Storrier ’73 (SCB) H. Lili (Hirsch) Krakowski July 8, 2020 March 8, 2020 Leo Hnyda ’48 (KGCOE) ’53 (FAA) Sept. 21, 2020 Joseph Schick ’59 (FAA) Loreto Deciantis ’70 Jan. 28, 2020 Sept. 27, 2020 Arthur Hughes ’65 (CCE) (KGCOE) Aug. 15, 2020 Brian Sutton ’73 (CCE) W. Harry Prout ’53 (GAP) Oct. 15, 2020 Jan. 1, 2020 Joyce (Brockmyre) Dec. 11, 2020 Gerald Snell ’59 (CCE) Gary Demske ’70 Sherwood ’48 (FAA) April 26, 2020 Douglas MacConnell ’65 (KGCOE) June 4, 2020 Richard Thomas ’73 Albert Scharf Jr. ’53 (COS) Aug. 21, 2020 (CCE) Sept. 3, 2020 July 19, 2020 (KGCOE) Jan. 6, 2020 George Springett ’59 David Hamelink ’70 (CCE) Nov. 23, 2020 John Piedmont ’65 (CCE) April 12, 2020 1949 Robert Weinstein ’53 (GAP) (CCE) Oct. 18, 2020 1974 Oct. 27, 2020 Lee Swanson ’59 Donald Owens ’70 (CCE) David Baker ’74 (SCB) Mary Eggleston ’49 (FAA) March 14, 2020 Raymond Prince ’65 Dec. 12, 2020 David White ’53 (GAP) (KGCOE) July 15, 2020 April 5, 2020 Emil Vogel ’59 (SCB) (GAP) May 1, 2020 John Talbot ’70 (CCE) Gail (Perkins) Gilroy ’49 Nov. 21, 2020 Carol (Gangemi) Douglas Barr ’74 (GAP) May 28, 2020 Feb. 24, 2020 March 27, 2020 (SCB) March 25, 2020 1954 Alvin Westfall ’59 Spagnola ’65 (SCB) Richard Thompson ’70 Muriel (Reilly) Kendall ’49 Aug. 21, 2020 David Beckwith ’74 Rodney Curtis ’54 (GAP) (KGCOE) June 10, 2020 MS (GAP) Feb. 3, 2020 (SCB) July 14, 2020 (SCB) Jan. 27, 2020 May 17, 2020 Daryl Sullivan ’65 Ernest Washburn ’70 Charles Knolle ’49 1960 (KGCOE) Sept. 27, 2020 Robert Burns ’74 (CLA) Marion (Muldoon) MBA(CCE) June 26, 2020 Jan. 1, 2020 (KGCOE) Oct. 19, 2020 McMullen ’54 (SCB) Bernard Bialaszewski John Trickey ’65 (SCB) Janet (Schlottman) ’60 (CCE) Dec. 4, 2020 March 2, 2020 1971 Larry Hathaway ’74 Sept. 16, 2020 (CCE) Jan. 23, 2020 Quetschenbach ’49 (SCB) Andrew Schantz ’54 (SCB) Pawlo Choroszylow ’60 Timothy Welch ’65 Rudolph Agostinelli ’71 Feb. 18, 2020 (CCE) April 25, 2020 (GAP) May 15, 2020 (CCE) Jan. 20, 2020 Helen Mikolji ’74 (CLA) March 14, 2020 Dec. 7, 2020 Charles Sawdey Jr. ’49 Anita (Hecktor) Warschkow John Consul ’60 (CCE) David Disanto ’71 (CCE) Sept. 14, 2020 1966 March 24, 2020 Herbert Oelkers ’74 MS (FAA) May 10, 2020 ’54 (SCB) March 6, 2020 Francis Sweeney ’49 (FAA) Joseph Dengler Jr. ’60 Peter Consol ’66 (SCB) Gary Garcia ’71 (KGCOE) (CCE) Oct. 20, 2020 April 30, 2020 1955 (SCB) April 9, 2020 April 5, 2020 Aug. 16, 2020 Robert Pisa ’74 (GAP) Donald Watrous ’49 Laverne Bowman ’55 (SCB) Oscar Erickson ’60 Cornelius Newton ’66 Allan Karp ’71 (NTID) Oct. 26, 2020 (KGCOE) June 4, 2020 Oct. 19, 2020 (CCE) Jan. 4, 2020 (CCE) March 10, 2020 Aug. 2, 2020 John Tucker ’74 (CLA) Doris Britt ’55 (FAA) John Fox ’60 (SCB) Raymond Pawley ’66 James Milne ’71 MS April 30, 2020 1950 July 29, 2020 Oct. 26, 2020 (SCB) Nov. 14, 2020 (KGCOE) April 26, 2020 Carl Wade ’74 (COS) Shirley (Young) Buck ’50 Gene Giavedoni ’55 (SCB) S. Spencer Merz ’60 Michael Plakosh ’66 Arvid Mukes ’71 MFA May 27, 2020 (SCB) April 5, 2020 (CCE) Feb. 1, 2020 Nov. 4, 2020 (KGCOE) Dec. 19, 2020 (FAA) June 12, 2020 1975 Ralph Defrank ’50 (COS) William Hochreiter ’55 Robert Saxe ’60 (CCE) Ronald Sterling ’66 Irving Roeder ’71 MBA April 10, 2020 (CCE) Aug. 12, 2020 Erwin Boettcher ’75 (CCE) July 8, 2020 March 25, 2020 (SCB) May 10, 2020 (KGCOE) Jan. 8, 2020 Earl Fuller ’50 (CCE) John Lapomarda ’55 (GAP) Terrence Schubert ’60 Wallace Stuart ’66 (GAP) Guy Wonder III ’71 (FAA) July 16, 2020 Nov. 28, 2020 Henry Douglas ’75 MS June 14, 2020 (FAA), ’63 MFA (FAA) Nov. 27, 2020 (CAST) Oct. 17, 2020 Charlene Harmes ’50 (SCB) Kathleen Outlaw ’55 (FAA) April 4, 2020 Barbara (Jack) Throunk Dec. 14, 2020 ’66 (FAA) Dec. 3, 2020 1972 Nancy Douglas ’75 MS Feb. 18, 2020 Ronald Senungetuk ’60 (CCE), ’76 MS (CAST) Charles Kirkland ’50 Santo Valenti ’55 (CCE) (FAA) Jan. 21, 2020 Nancy (Elder) Backus ’72 (KGCOE) Feb. 26, 2020 1967 (CLA) Oct. 7, 2020 March 6, 2020 June 16, 2020 Richard Waring Sr. ’60 John Bitner ’67 (FAA) David Flint ’75 ME Alma Loy ’50 (SCB) (KGCOE) Jan. 18, 2020 Stephen Bassett ’72 April 10, 2020 1956 May 14, 2020 (GAP) July 2020 (KGCOE) March 12, 2020 Ellen (Cody) Wrobel ’60 Helmut Brosi ’67 (CCE) Cathie Guion ’75 (SCB) Douglas Pruett ’50 (GAP) Helen (Garland) Castelli ’56 (COS) Jan. 10, 2020 Sharon Buchta ’72 (GAP) May 4, 2020 (SCB) March 18, 2020 Oct. 25, 2020 Dec. 8, 2020 March 2, 2020 Carl Raineir ’50 (KGCOE) Alfred Cutaia ’56 (KGCOE) 1961 David Kelch ’67 (GAP) Thomas Digiacomo ’72 David Kinlein ’75 (GAP) June 1, 2020 March 27, 2020 Dario Armanini ’61 (GAP) Oct. 27, 2020 (KGCOE) Feb. 28, 2020 Oct. 10, 2020 Oct. 22, 2020 54 | SPRING 2021 Raymond Kohloff ’75 MFA Jennifer Gravitz ’79 Linda Groves ’83 (SCB), Michael Wojnovich ’91 Michael Leathem ’06 MS Retired faculty member (GAP), ’83 MFA (CIAS) (CLA), ’81 MS (CAST) ’08 (SCB) Feb. 20, 2020 (COS) Oct. 21, 2020 (KGCOE) July 12, 2020 Ronald Hilton, Feb. 1, 2021 Dec. 11, 2020 Jan. 24, 2020 Joshua Kelsey ’83 (CAST) Edward McGee ’75 William Hicks ’79 (SCB) March 27, 2020 1992 2007 Retired CIAS (now CAD) (KGCOE), ’83 MBA (SCB) February 2020 Kenneth Reid ’83 (CCE) Doris Chest ’92 (CCE), ’92 Ariana De Rue ’07 (COS) faculty member Herbert April 4, 2020 David Huntoon ’79 (CCE), Dec. 5, 2020 (CCE) Jan. 2, 2020 Sept. 30, 2020 Johnson, Jan. 17, 2021 Matthew DeRoller ’92 Thomas Oldani ’07 Neil Rich ’75 MBA (SCB) ‘92 MS (CAST) April 2, Eugene Toth ’83 (GAP) Retired Payroll and Sept. 22, 2020 2020 June 4, 2020 (CAST), ’98 MS (CAST) (KGCOE) Jan. 23, 2020 Oct. 13, 2020 Daniel Spak ’07 MS Accounts Payable Michael Schopp Jr. ’75 Roberta Klein ’79 MBA Services staff member (CCE) Oct. 11, 2020 (SCB) April 26, 2020 1984 Ronald Statt ’92 (CLA) (CAST) April 11, 2020 Robert Allen ’84 (CCE) May 14, 2020 Michael Voellinger ’07 Keithaleen Jones, Jan. Eugene Lawless ’79 20, 2021 1976 (SCB) May 22, 2020 Dec. 5, 2020 Martha Walton ’92 (CCE) (GCCIS) Aug. 5, 2020 Lorraine Almond Marion Oldershaw ’79 Kevin Bulson ’84 Jan. 13, 2020 Retired staff member Aug. 29, 2020 2008 (Crowter) ’76 (FAA) (COS) Jan. 14, 2020 (KGCOE) Linda Kanaley (University July 15, 2020 Judith Cranston ’84 1993 Kimberly Turner ’08 MS Joan Stormont ’79 (GAP) Regina Carrone ’93 (FAA) (CAST) Nov. 26, 2020 Communications), Anthony Annis ’76 (CCE) Oct. 6, 2020 (CCE), ’93 MBA (SCB) April 14, 2020 Oct. 14, 2020 Oct. 29, 2020 July 17, 2020 Timothy McCarron ’93 2011 Peter Doe ’76 (GAP) 1980 Roger Kober ’84 ME Retired staff member (FAA) Feb. 11, 2020 Georgia Becker ’11 Sept. 16, 2020 Dudley Atkinson ’80 (KGCOE) Jan. 25, 2020 (CAST) Feb. 1, 2020 Elizabeth “Betty” Kelly, Paul Klem ’76 (CAST) (GAP) July 30, 2020 Carol Malanowski ’84 Heather Olson ’93 (FAA) Jan. 21, 2020 Susan Butenhof ’11 MBA Dec. 6, 2020 Nov. 23, 2020 Raymond Bottner ’80 MS (CCE) Feb. 10, 2020 (SCB) Nov. 24, 2020 David Kolupski ’76 (SCB) (CAST), ’89 MS (CAST) Warren Redonnet ’84 Jeff Shufelt ’93 (GAP) Retired faculty member Sept. 7, 2020 Oct. 6, 2020 MBA (SCB) March 3,2020 Nov. 23, 2020 2013 Roberta Klein (SCB), James McCarthy ’76 Sharon (Copeland) Dean Valavanis ’84 (GAP) Dorothea Twohig ’93 Kailea Colayori ’13 (NTID) April 26, 2020 (FAA) April 20, 2020 Coderre ’80 (COS) Feb. 6, 2020 (CCE) Dec. 15, 2020 Sept. 22, 2020 Julianna (Havens) Nov. 30, 2020 Patricia (Woolschlager) Edward Washington ’93 Mary Irwin ’13 (CIAS) Retiree Lucille B. Rittmeyer ’76 (FAA), ’77 Gary Delduca ’80 Weiler ’84 (SCB) (CIAS) June 14, 2020 Jan. 23, 2020 Marcera, June 17, 2020 MST (FAA) Oct. 21, 2020 (KGCOE) Oct. 15, 2020 Oct. 10, 2020 Talisha Payton ’13 1994 Retired NTID interpreter Marshall Roberson ’76 Franklin DiBella ’80 (CCE) (GCCIS) July 15, 2020 1985 Robert Swedenhjelm ’94 Dave McCloskey, Feb. (GAP) Sept. 22, 2020 Feb. 12, 2020 (CIAS) July 11, 2020 Michael Dunn ’85 (SCB) 2015 12, 2021 Robert White ’76 (CCE) Gary Lillibridge ’80 (SCB) Jasper Watts ’94 MS Ephraim Daniels ’15 Sept. 13, 2020 Oct. 24, 2020 Oct. 1, 2020 Richard Nelson ’85 (CCE), (CCE) May 28, 2020 (CIAS) July 5, 2020 Retiree Patricia A. Robert Mahoney ’80 McCoy, Aug. 19, 2020 1977 (CAST) July 9, 2020 ’05 (CAST) 1995 Oct. 2, 2020 2018 Donald Cash ’77 (CCE) Anthony Marconi ’80 Bonnie Coen’95 MFA Jonathan Amerault ’18 Retired NTID faculty Oct. 20, 2020 (CCE), ’84 (CCE) Robert Peck Jr. ’85 (CIAS) May 28, 2020 (KGCOE) Sept. 20, 2020 member Edward McGee Karen (Winston) Sept. 28, 2020 (KGCOE) Nov. 7, 2020 Jennifer Damiano ’95 ’75, ’83, April 4, 2020 Cranford ’77 (COS) Craig Messimer ’80 Donald Smith ’85 MBA (CIAS) April 16, 2020 2020 June 18, 2020 (KGCOE) Oct. 15, 2020 (SCB) Nov. 30, 2020 Daniel Fisher ’95 (CIAS) David Grzebinski Jr. ’20 Retired faculty member Richard Davin ’77 (COS) Richard Proia ’80 (SCB) Terri (Berthiaume) Ylitalo Jan. 3, 2020 (GCCIS) Oct. 9, 2020 Sidney McQuay (NTID), Oct. 4, 2020 April 16, 2020 ’85 (COS) Sept. 18, 2020 March 25, 2020 Larry Evans ’77 (GAP) 1997 James Sykes Sr. ’80 1987 Kathleen Gibbons- Retired staff member April 17, 2020 (CCE) Sept. 11, 2020 Faculty and Staff Timothy Glenn ’77 (CCE) Charlotte (Bettina) Howes ’97 (NTID) Jeffrey Meredith (Public Aug. 18, 2020 1981 Arrocha ’87 (SCB) March 6, 2020 Retired Image Perma- Safety), Aug. 21, 2020 Douglas Heffer ’77 (GAP) Mark Armstrong ’81 Sept. 23, 2020 Christian Kennedy ’97 nence Institute staff June 27, 2020 (GAP) June 9, 2020 Shirley Besanceney ’87 (CLA) Jan. 17, 2020 member Peter Adelstein, Retired faculty member Patrick Massaro ’77 Daniel Farrell ’81 (SCB) (CCE) Oct. 25, 2020 William Marsden ’97 April 30, 2019 Terence C. Morrill (COS), Nov. 1, 2020 Jan. 28, 2020 Roger Claybourne ’87 (CAST) June 3, 2020 Sept. 7, 2020 (CCE) Retired staff member Warner Meininger ’77 Timothy Gilbert ’81 MS (NTID) Nov. 24, 2020 1998 James Austin ’79, (SCB) March 13, 2020 (CCE) Jan. 31, 2020 Catherine Warren ’87 Retired staff member (CCE) July 16, 2020 Jay Becker ’98 (NTID) Dec. 9, 2020 Mark Morrison Randy Olmstead ’77 Louise Hill ’81 (CCE), ’82 July 31, 2020 Dec. 10, 2020 Kevin Zugibe ’87 (FMS Building Services), (NTID) (CCE), ’86 (CCE) Michael Burley ’98 Retiree Duane Barto, April 17, 2020 (KGCOE) June 23, 2020 Sept. 5, 2020 Gordon Sawrey ’77 MS (CAST) Dec. 1, 2020 July 28, 2020 March 25, 2020 (CCE) David Maher ’81 (NTID) 1988 Charles Penkitis ’98 Retiree Cheryl Petersen Oct. 13, 2020 Retired faculty member Charles Scardino ’77 George Ball ’88 MS (CAST) Nov. 24, 2020 (FMS Building Services), June 29, 2020 Arnold J. Berman, (CCE) Christopher Vann ’81 (CAST) May 11, 2020 Robert Spearing ’98 Oct. 27, 2020 Oct. 1, 2020 Nov. 2, 2020 Robert Snyder ’77 (SCB) Kenneth Daldry ’88 (CAST) Sept. 4, 2020 (KGCOE) Dec. 9, 2020 Jette (Davidson) Whitely Former CAD faculty (CAST) Nov. 25, 2020 Kenneth White ’98 Retired staff member Stephen Staub ’77 (CCE) ’81 (FAA), ’83 MFA (FAA) member John Pfahl, Patricia Irr ’88 (CLA) (CAST) June 24, 2020 April 8, 2020 Aug. 20, 2020 Shirley Besanceney April 15, 2020 Sept. 3, 2020 (Campus Safety), Mark Williams ’77 (CAST) Jerry Young ’81 (CCE) George Peterson ’88 1999 Oct. 25, 2020 Retired NTID faculty Nov. 11, 2020 March 5, 2020 (CAST) March 4, 2020 Tricia Weed ’99 MBA member K. Dean Santos, Robert Ray ’88 (KGCOE) (SCB) May 15, 2020 RIT Trustee Emeritus 1978 1982 Dec. 28, 2020 Nunzio Bisking ’78 (GAP) Peter Ackerman ’82 Nov. 2, 2020 2000 Joseph Briggs, April 4, 2020 (SCB) March 14, 2020 John Tamaro ’88 (NTID) Michael Brugnoni ’00 Jan. 22, 2021 Retired faculty member May 3, 2020 Rosemary Saur (NTID), Dennis Bowles ’78 (GAP) James Boardman ’82 (CIAS), ’00 (SCB) Trustee Chairman Oct. 5, 2020 Nov. 3, 2020 (CAST) Dec. 21, 2020 1989 Aug. 2, 2020 Emeritus Colby Chandler, Craig Carey ’78 (CCE) Robert Downey ’82 Linda Levitan ’89 (FAA) Joshua Gleason ’00 March 4, 2021 Retired staff member Oct. 25, 2020 (CCE), ’83 (CCE) July 31, 2020 (KGCOE) May 1, 2020 Daryl Sullivan (Center Franklin Clark ’78 (CCE) June 14, 2020 Retired faculty member Kevin Talty ’89 (CLA) Ronald Gumberts ’00 for Intercollegiate Nov. 2, 2020 Rita Fay ’82 (CCE) (SCB), Sept. 6, 2020 (CAST) Jan. 3, 2020 Terry Dennis Athletics and Recreation), Thomas Dalberth ’78 July 16, 2020 April 26, 2020 Marian Toth ’89 MS (CCE) Timothy Manchester ’00 Sept. 27, 2020 (CCE) June 20, 2020 Victor Jacek ’82 MS Jan. 13, 2020 (KGCOE) Jan. 4, 2020 Staff member Michael Eschrich ’78 (KGCOE) Aug. 1, 2020 Jeffrey Meredith ’00 Christie Retired NTID faculty Dobson (Student Affairs), (NTID) May 13, 2020 David Johns ’82 (SCB) 1990 (CAST) Aug. 21, 2020 member Paul L. Taylor III, July 18, 2020. James Fichera ’78 (SCB) May 3, 2020 Mary Hayes ’90 (CLA), ’95 Tad Moon ’00 (KGCOE) Jan. 11, 2021 April 4, 2020 Jacques Karr ’82 (CCE) (CCE) Sept. 16, 2020 Jan. 21, 2020 Tami MacDonald ’90 Retired staff member Harbert Gregory Jr. ’78 March 9, 2020 Judy (Marif) Surline ’00 Monica Frantzen (Grace Retired faculty member (GAP) June 13, 2020 Michael Kuzmak ’82 (CLA) Nov. 27, 2020 (NTID) Jan. 15, 2020 Jerome Wagner (COS), Bion Pohl ’90 (KGCOE) Watson Dining Room), David Gotham ’78 (CIAS) (SCB) Dec. 4, 2020 Sept. 1, 2020 June 10, 2020 Sept. 3, 2020 Jack Preall ’82 MS November 2020 2001 Leon Kransler Jr. ’78 (CAST) Nov. 25, 2020 Kenneth Popeck ’90 Cory Card ’01 (CIAS), Former wrestling and golf Retired faculty member (CAST) Sept. 1, 2020 Stanley Prezyna ’82 (CAST) Dec. 9, 2020 ’06 MFA (CIAS) coach Earl Fuller, Charles W. Warren Ronald Patterson ’78 (CCE) July 29, 2020 Ken Strempel ’90 (CAST) March 3, 2020 July 16, 2020 (COLA), Feb. 13, 2020 (CCE) Sept. 27, 2020 Charles Rink Jr. ’82 (SCB) Sept. 24, 2020 2003 Paul Toner ‘78 MBA (SCB) Nov. 25, 2020 Retired staff member Retired faculty member 1991 Scott Weaver ’03 (CAST), (Wallace Theodore “Ted” Wilcox April 14, 2020 James Rollins ’82 (NTID) Linda C. Groves Brian Boos ’91 (CAST) ’03 (SCB), ’06 MBA (SCB) Center), Feb. 20, 2020 (COS) Feb. 17, 2021 June 15, 2020 Feb. 21, 2020 Feb. 23, 2020 1979 Merlin Scharfe ’82 ME James Austin ’79 MS David Hardy Jr. ’91 (COS) Retired faculty member Retired staff member (KGCOE) Oct. 20, 2020 Dec. 8, 2020 2004 Nancy Wixom (CIMS), (CAST) Dec. 9, 2020 Mary Orr ’04 (CAST) Paul A. Haefner Jr. (COS), Gary Todak ’82 MFA Suzanne Lenhard ’91 May 15, 2020 Sept. 29, 2020 Lauri Berns ’79 (SCB) Oct. 6, 2020 June 14, 2020 (FAA) (CAST) Nov. 18, 2020 Aug. 1, 2020 Retired NTID faculty 1983 Nancy Sauter ’91 (CAST) 2006 William Devore ’79 (CCE) member Frederic Hamil, April 2, 2020 John Ash II ’83 (CCE) May 16, 2020 June Anderson ’06 MS Oct. 21, 2020 Robert Sherlock ’91 MS (CAST) Oct. 16, 2020 Dec. 15, 2020 (COS) Aug. 15, 2020 SPRING 2021 | 55 In Memoriam

Remembering D. Robert Frisina

“Bob was instrumental in developing, encouraging, and mentoring many of NTID’s best leaders over the years,” said Gerry Buckley, current NTID president and RIT vice president and dean. “His foresight, wisdom, and perseverance helped make NTID what it is today.” Stepping down as leader of NTID in 1976, Frisina continued to serve as an RIT senior vice president for 15 years. In 1993, he formed the International Center for Hearing and Speech Research (ICHSR), which was housed at RIT/NTID, and served as director of ICHSR for 17 years. He also served as a board member and adviser for a number of organizations and earned many RIT awards, including the Presidential Medallion, the Principal Investigator Award, and the RIT Diver- A. Sue Weisler sity Trailblazer Award. In 2007, RIT/NTID D. Robert Frisina, founding director of the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, stands on dedicated the D. Robert Frisina Quadrangle the balcony overlooking the area now known as Frisina Quad, dedicated in his honor in 2007. in his honor. In 2009, he was named vice president emeritus of RIT. he founding director of the National hard-of-hearing students to open to “He always spoke with tremendous pride Technical Institute for the Deaf, them successful career paths on par about the mission of NTID and the positive TD. Robert Frisina, died in Florida with those of their hearing peers. impact it has had on the lives of thousands on March 29. He was 96. He brought with him to RIT/NTID a An international author and lecturer, background in education and deafness Frisina was a visionary and a pioneer in as well as an acute understanding of the the field of deaf education. He was selected need for RIT to fulfill its contract with the by the RIT Board of Trustees as the first federal government for operating NTID. director of NTID in January 1967, and he When he saw a challenge, he doggedly went on to quite literally build NTID from pursued a solution. He scrupulously the ground up. selected faculty and staff who were experts “Few leaders anywhere in the nation in a variety of technical and educational could have matched his dynamic leader- fields and who understood they were ship in charting the course for the National embarking on what he called “The Grand Technical Institute for the Deaf,” once said Experiment,” an entirely new venture to Arthur L. Stern about Frisina. Stern chaired educate a large number of deaf and hard- Frisina, pictured here in the 1970s, enjoyed RIT’s Board of Trustees from 1961 to 1976. of-hearing students at the postsecondary interacting with students at RIT/NTID. At the time he was appointed NTID level on a mainstream college campus. director, less than 1 percent of all college-age Well known for encouraging faculty and of deaf individuals,” Buckley said. “He said deaf individuals were enrolled in post­ staff to develop innovative ideas, Frisina that one of the highlights of his career secondary education. Of those employed, was known to say that he had two pockets— was receiving a standing ovation from the most held unskilled or semi-skilled posi- one for problems and one for solutions. thousands of alumni who attended NTID’s tions, and there were virtually no deaf He often would tell people that if they 50th anniversary celebration in Rochester people in technical or managerial positions. brought him a problem for one pocket, in 2018.” Frisina’s goal from the start was to improve he also expected them to bring a solution education opportunities for deaf and for his other pocket. Pamela L. Carmichael

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