The University Magazine Fall 2018 1972 Campaign for Greatness will Transform RIT FROM THE PRESIDENT Transforming the landscape, transforming RIT RIT: The University Magazine Executive Editors Lisa Cauda, Development and Alumni Relations Bob Finnerty ’07, Marketing and Communications Deborah M. Stendardi, Government and Community Relations John Trierweiler, Marketing and Communications Editor Mindy Mozer, Marketing and Communications Contributing Editors This billboard showing plans for the new campus was on Jefferson Road. The campus opened a year later than Kim Slusser, Development and Alumni Relations scheduled in 1968. The campus will celebrate the 50-year milestone this fall. Cindy Sobieraj, Development and Alumni Relations Art Director Jeff Arbegast ’93, Marketing and Communications Photographers IT’s history is fasci- This blended campaign—including Elizabeth Lamark ’00, Marketing and Communications nating and eclectic. philanthropic, research and government A. Sue Weisler ’93, Marketing and Communications Our university funds—will allow us to build upon our Writers: Marketing and Communications Rstarted with a progressive updated strategic plan, engage alumni, grow Luke Auburn ’09, ’15 Scott Bureau ’11, ’16 vision and uncommon our status as a research university and build Michelle Cometa ’00 ambition. deeper relationships with government and Susan Gawlowicz ’95 First, we were born of corporate partners. The campaign will impact Rich Kiley Greg Livadas an unlikely institutional every area of the university. Priorities include Vienna McGrain ’12 marriage of an influential cultural associa- attracting exceptional talent, enhancing the Ellen Rosen tion, the Rochester Athenaeum, founded student experience, improving the world Copy Editor in 1829, and a technical training school, through research and discovery, and leading Marie Lang, Marketing and Communications the Mechanics Institute, founded in 1885. future special initiatives. Print Production Yet it was the 1961 decision to leave Each time we combine the power of Brenda Monahan, Marketing and Communications downtown Rochester for farmland in the technology, the arts and design to make town of Henrietta that put RIT on its path good things happen, we’re one step closer to Marketing and Communications University Communications to preeminence as a global university. This greatness. Please join us on our journey as 22 Lomb Memorial Drive bold move allowed the university to start we work together toward a shared destiny. Rochester, NY 14623-5608 fresh with a new canvas. The new land- We’re driving progress. We’re shaping what’s Voice: 585-475-5064 Fax: 585-475-5097 scape also led to RIT being chosen as the possible. We’re transforming the future, by Email: [email protected] home campus for the federally sponsored transforming RIT. Office of Alumni Relations National Technical Institute for the Deaf. We also hope to see you for Brick City Crossroads 41 Lomb Memorial Drive The rest, as they say, is history as cre- Homecoming & Family Weekend, Oct. Rochester, NY 14623-5603 Voice: 585-475-ALUM, Toll Free: 866-RIT-ALUM ativity and innovation began to flourish 19-21, where we will be celebrating the TTY: 585-475-2764, Fax: 585-475-5308 on the modern-day campus at a brisk 50-year milestone in Henrietta. This includes Email: [email protected] pace. We have continued to transform the a rededication of our sprawling 1,300-acre Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, Henrietta and higher education landscape campus, which now includes lots of glass and New York, publishes The University Magazine. RIT does not discriminate. RIT promotes and since we opened our doors in 1968. steel, in addition to our 15.7 million bricks! values diversity within its workforce and provides What’s next? Together, we have many We are eager to celebrate our past and look equal opportunity to all qualified individuals more chapters to write in the evolving RIT forward to reimagining the future. regardless of race, color, creed, age, marital status, sex, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender story. I am convinced that we have covered identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran only the early volumes. This is why I am Yours in Tiger pride, status, or disability. excited to announce we have launched a $1 billion campaign, the largest external Vol. 20, No. 2, 123M-P2165-8/2018-LANE-JSA support effort in the university’s history. Printer: The Lane Press; Burlington, Vermont © 2018 Rochester Institute of Technology The campaign is aptly titled, “Transform- David C. Munson Jr., President All rights reserved ing RIT: The Campaign for Greatness.” [email protected] b | WINTER 2011-12 Fallen tree is being turned into three projects Souvenirs—A keepsake A limited production of RIT-branded commemorative souvenirs made of wood and glass—wood embracing RIT’s history and glass celebrating the present—will be given to honored members of the RIT community and also sold through ShopOne2. 50th Anniversary Benches—A place for conversation The proposed location of the group of monumental benches will be near the University Services Center building and Crossroads, representing the cusp of the original RIT campus edge. “Sprout”—A place for learning at the Henrietta Library The winning design of a place for reading and play in the Henrietta Public Library features an abstract tree in Wendell Castle’s style where children can read, listen to stories and watch shows. Periodicals www.rit.edu Rochester Institute of Technology 2018 Revisit the Campus: October 19–21, 2018 1968 Register now: rit.edu/brickcity The University Magazine Fall 2016 Departments 2 On Campus 6 About Students 8 Research 30 Alumni Updates 46 Class Notes 48 Tiger Love Features 22 A student sits in the 110 Transforming RIT Student Alumni Union The Campaign for Greatness of RIT’s new Henrietta sets $1 billion goal. See how campus in 1969. The students are already benefitting. campus opened in 1968 after seven years of planning, design 16 College bound and construction. RIT helps prep Rochester seniors for next step. 22 50 years in Henrietta The story of how RIT transformed from a downtown college into a top-100 university coincides with a changing nation. 39 Alumni awards The Outstanding Alumnus, Volunteer of the Year and the Dis- tinguished Alumni will be honored during Brick City Homecoming & Family Weekend. 42 RIT Ambulance RIT Ambulance members turn volunteerism into careers. Cover The black and white photo of students in the Infinity Quad, taken in 1972, is a window into how different the campus looks today. (Illustration by Jeff Arbegast) Deaf hip-hop artist and D-PAN TV founder Sean Forbes ’08 entertained the crowd during On Campus NTID’s 50th anniversary reunion. Photo by Amelia Hamilton Photo by Amelia Hamilton Photo by Amelia Hamilton Photo by Amelia Photo by Mark Benjamin Photo by Mark Ellen Foshay-Fleming ’90 (social work), left, connected Actor CJ Jones ’73 (applied computer technology) Founding director of NTID D. Robert Frisina, center, with with friends at the reunion, including Brandi Rarus ’91 served as master of ceremonies during the opening past and present NTID leaders, from left, James J. DeCaro, T. (social work), center, and Lisa Geary Dyas. ceremony. Alan Hurwitz, Gerry Buckley and Robert Davila. Thousands celebrate NTID’s 50th anniversary ore than 3,000 alumni of RIT’s affinity groups, theatrical performances, an in this country. Today, NTID-supported National Technical Institute for art exhibit celebrating deaf artists, workshops students can take advantage of more than the Deaf returned to campus, and a golf tournament. 200 majors, research and performing arts Mmany for the first time since graduating, for Throughout its 50 years, NTID has become opportunities and doctoral degree readiness the college’s 50th anniversary reunion June a catalyst for diversity and inclusion on programs. 28-July 1. Activities included entertainment, the RIT campus, creating a post–second- To read more about NTID’s history, go to a silent auction, mini reunions celebrating ary learning environment never before seen http://bit.ly/NTID50. 2 | FALL 2018 Two colleges change their names NOTEBOOK National recognition INSIGHT Into Diversity wo of RIT’s larger colleges within each. Technology includes four depart- magazine named RIT are changing their names The College of Art and Design ments: civil engineering technol- a Diversity Champion to better reflect their aca- includes five schools, many of ogy, environmental management for the third consecu- Tdemic missions and opportunities which offer nationally ranked and safety; electrical, computer tive year. The national for students. graduate and undergraduate and telecommunications engineer- distinction aims to College of Art and Design will programs in the fine arts: Ameri- ing technology; manufacturing identify schools that be the new name for what is now can Crafts; Art; Design; Film and and mechanical engineering tech- exemplify an unyield- known as the College of Imaging Animation; and Photographic Arts nology; and packaging science, ing commitment to Arts and Sciences. and Sciences. The School of Media plus RIT’s Army and Air Force diversity and inclu- College of Engineering Tech- Sciences is moving to the College ROTC programs. sion throughout their nology was chosen for what is now of Engineering Technology to The college, which currently campus communi- the College of Applied Science better align the curriculum with has 1,586 undergraduate and 303 ties, across academic and Technology. printing industry trends. graduate students, and 77 full-time programs and at the The new names take effect with The College of Art and Design, faculty, offers 10 undergraduate highest administrative the fall 2018 semester, so diplomas which has some 25,000 alumni and seven graduate academic pro- levels. of students graduating in Decem- around the world, currently has grams. The School of International ber 2018 will bear the new college more than 1,600 undergraduates Hospitality and Service Innovation Goldwater Scholar titles. and 290 graduate students, and will move to Saunders College of A student at RIT’s RIT has nine colleges, with more than 140 full-time faculty.