The University Magazine Winter 2014-15 A new hand for Lucas RIT scientist launches global network to put 3D-printed prostheses into the hands of those without Gene Polisseni Center opens with a roar Brick City Homecoming & Family Weekend highlights FROM THE PRESIDENT The RIT Advantage: Greatness Through Diff erence RIT: Th e University Magazine Executive Editors Deborah M. Stendardi, Government and Community Relations Bob Finnerty ’07, University News Services Editor Mindy Mozer, University News Services Contributing Editors Lisa Cauda, Development and Alumni Relations Kelly Redder, Alumni Relations Craig Smith, Development Cindy Sobieraj, Development and Alumni Relations Alumni Relations Staff Art Director Jeff Arbegast ’93, University Publications Designers: University Publications Alexander Gartley ’07 Amanda Lindley Weisler Sue Photos by A. Photographer RIT President Bill Destler talks about the 2025 strategic plan to faculty and staff . A. Sue Weisler ’93, University News Services Writers: University News Services Scott Bureau ’11 Michelle Cometa ’00 Susan Gawlowicz ’95 Editor’s Note: Th e editors of Th e University Describe RIT’s new vision to our Rich Kiley Greg Livadas Magazine recently interviewed President stakeholders. Vienna McGrain ’12 Bill Destler about RIT’s new strategic plan, RIT will become an internationally Marcia Morphy “Greatness Th rough Diff erence.” Th e plan, distinguished university by exploiting its Ellen Rosen which was scheduled for approval by the diff erences and better meeting the needs Copy Editor Marie Lang, University News Services Board of Trustees in November, will guide of a rapidly shrinking world. Or, more suc- the university through 2025. Th e full plan cinctly: RIT will achieve greatness through Multimedia Producer David Wivell, University News Services can be viewed at rit.edu/president. diff erence. Print Production Coming this spring: We will publish a Brenda Monahan, University Publications comprehensive report on the strategic plan, Explain what you mean by “greatness illustrating examples of the RIT advantage through diff erence.” University News Services into the next decade. RIT is an internationally signifi cant career- 132 Lomb Memorial Drive focused university with unique character Rochester, NY 14623-5608 Voice: 585-475-5064 Where is RIT today in the spectrum of and programs. We belong in the category Fax: 585-475-5097 great global universities? of the world’s great universities, not because Email: [email protected] RIT is a unique, very good, comprehensive we seek to replicate the great universities of Offi ce of Alumni Relations university with a growing national and in- the 20th century, but because we are already Crossroads 41 Lomb Memorial Drive Rochester, NY 14623-5603 ternational reputation. We have several dis- practicing what the future universities must Voice: 585-475-ALUM, Toll Free: 866-RIT-ALUM tinctive programs: our co-op program, the provide. TTY: 585-475-2764, Fax: 585-475-5308 National Technical Institute for the Deaf, Email: [email protected] imaging science, the School for American What defi nes an internationally signifi - Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York, publishes Th e University Magazine. RIT does not Craft s, industrial design, photography, fi lm cant university? What do you think the discriminate. RIT promotes and values diversity within its and animation, sustainable manufacturing public is looking for? workforce and provides equal opportunity to all qualifi ed and computational astrophysics, to name a Th e public is looking for institutions that individuals regardless of race, color, creed, age, marital status, sex, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender few. It should be noted that none of these are responding to their concerns about identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran status, is in a traditional academic discipline. Th is traditional higher education. Th ese con- or disability. year, we also produced 29 Ph.D. degree re- cerns include: Vol.16, No.3, 105M-P1662-11/2014-LANE-JSA cipients—a record high—and thus eventu- • Aff ordability and the return on invest- Printer: Th e Lane Press; Burlington, Vermont © 2014 Rochester Institute of Technology ally we will be moving into the prestigious ment of an RIT degree. Th e RIT advan- All rights reserved “national research university” category. tage: 96 percent of our students are b | WINTER 2011-12 2. Th e student-centered research university: • RIT’s research enterprise will be a national model of inter- and trans- disciplinary and inter-generational col- laboration based upon the principle that diverse teams formed from members of diverse experience levels and diverse disciplines drive good questions, good processes and good solutions. • RIT will enlarge its graduate portfo- lio through adding professional and research-focused programs in STEM fi elds, the humanities, social sciences and arts. 3. Th e power of diff erence and inclusion: • RIT will be the most globally engaged private university in the U.S. as mea- sured by the breadth and size of its inter- national, student and alumni popula- tions served both in the U.S. and abroad. • RIT will eliminate the achievement gap RIT held its largest career fair on record this fall with more than 250 companies visiting campus. The new strategic between minority and majority students. plan focuses on career education, student success and return on investment. • RIT will be the largest producer of female and minority STEM graduates among all private universities in the nation. employed or accepted into graduate school microsystems engineering, sustainability, within six months aft er graduation. computing, astrophysics and color science. 4. Aff ordability, value and return on • Career-focused curriculum. RIT advantage: • Global reach. RIT advantage: We have investment: We off er education in fi elds with high four international campuses, nearly 2,000 • RIT will be the university with the best employer demand and integrate design, international students from 100 nations in placement rate and return on investment management, and critical and innovative Rochester, and multiple opportunities for of all private universities in the nation. thinking into them. An RIT education student and faculty exchanges. • RIT will become the university that best includes considerable time learning outside utilizes educational technology to reduce the classroom ranging from a paid co-op What are the key themes and tangible goals costs, improve access and achieve learn- position to designing new products and you want to see accomplished in the plan? ing outcomes. businesses in the Simone Center for During the strategic conversations of the past Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship year involving all stakeholders, fi ve intersect- 5. Organizational agility: to participating on interdisciplinary ing spheres of eff ort have surfaced. • RIT will develop a university culture that research teams. is less risk-averse and less bureaucratic. • Accessibility and diversity. RIT advantage: 1. Career education and student success. It will streamline compliance measures We have a history of serving low-income • RIT will educate students at the inter- and empower local decision-making. students. We also serve 1,200 deaf and sections of technology and the arts, • RIT will diminish the negative eff ects of hard-of-hearing students. imagination and application, and rigor academic and administrative silos. • A focus on STEM (science, technology, and curiosity, all designed to meet the • RIT’s curricular, administrative and engineering, math) that is integrated demands of future careers in the ever- organizational structures will serve, not with design, business, social sciences and expanding global economy. impede, discovery and collaboration humanities. RIT advantage: Among private • One hundred percent of RIT under- among students, faculty and staff . universities, RIT graduates the second graduate students will have experiential highest number of STEM undergraduate learning relevant to their degree pro- How do we turn all this into reality? students in the U.S. gram and designed to provide skills and RIT has all the ingredients to realize the goals • Robust, well-funded and interdisciplinary competencies of growing importance to we have set. While the future holds sur- research that contributes to the advance- employers. prises for us, we are confi dent that the route ment of human knowledge. RIT advantage: • Students and their advisers will develop mapped within this strategic plan will allow We have seven interdisciplinary Ph.D. multi-dimensional plans to ensure on- us to emerge as a world-class university. programs: engineering, imaging science, time graduation. WINTER 2014-15 | 1 12 Gene Polisseni Center opens with a roar The University Magazine Winter 2014-15 Departments 4 On Campus 6 About Students 30 Tiger Talk 32 Alumni Updates 36 Alumni Activities 38 Class Notes Photo by Mike Bradley Photo by Mike Other Features 22 A new hand for Lucas 8 Physician assistant Medical program matures to fi ll national need. 16 Engineering a new Ph.D. Th e fi rst class of RIT’s seventh doctoral program begins. 20 License to boast Alumni have found a creative way to show their Tiger pride. 44 Brick City Homecoming & Family Weekend See photos from the event. Cover Lucas LeMay, 10, was born without fi ngers on his right hand. RIT students made him a 3D-printed mechanical hand that helps him ride his bike. (Photo by A. Sue Weisler) Find the free RIT: The University