University Magazine Spring 2020 Using Design Tech to improve lives Also inside: Longest-serving faculty member leaves legacy of design FROM THE PRESIDENT Creating our destiny while RIT University Magazine hen RIT President Executive Editors Mark Lisa Cauda, Development and Alumni Relations W Bob Finnerty ’07 MS, Marketing and Communications Ellingson dedicated Deborah M. Stendardi, Government and the opening of a Community Relations modern campus in John Trierweiler, Marketing and Communications Henrietta in 1968, Editor he predicted that Mindy Mozer, Marketing and Communications the new facilities Art Director were a “bare beginning” and that the Jeff Arbegast ’93 MS, Marketing and Communications university’s future would be going Photography Editor at a “constantly accelerated pace.” Gabrielle Plucknette-DeVito ’07 President Ellingson’s wisdom still The Innovative Maker and Learning Contributing Editors guides us. And while it is satisfying Complex: This 100,000-plus-square-foot Jon Rodibaugh ’12 MBA, to reflect on how far we have come, facility will become the epicenter of what Development and Alumni Relations Cindy Sobieraj, Development and Alumni Relations we must always look forward. RIT represents—creativity and innovation This spring semester, I have been at the intersection of technology, the arts, Photographers making presentations to the RIT and design. The complex will connect the Elizabeth Lamark ’00, Marketing and Communications A. Sue Weisler ’93 MS, Marketing and Communications community describing the major Student Alumni Union with the Wallace investments we are making during Library to create a nexus point on campus. Writers: Marketing and Communications Luke Auburn ’09, ’15 MS Rich Kiley the next few years. The investments The design includes a huge makerspace, Scott Bureau ’11, ’16 MBA Greg Livadas are designed to make RIT more student project areas, active learning Michelle Cometa ’00 Vienna McGrain ’12 MS distinctive and attractive to prospective Susan Gawlowicz ’95 Ellen Rosen classrooms, a black-box theater, a dance students. Our challenges over the next studio, and music rehearsal spaces. This is Copy Editor decade are a looming decline in the the largest of all the projects and a grand Marie Lang, Marketing and Communications number of high school graduates opening is estimated for spring 2023. Print Production nationwide due to lower birthrates Brenda Monahan, Marketing and Communications and an expected decline in overall Marketing and Communications attendance among those seeking University Communications bachelor’s degrees. 22 Lomb Memorial Drive Rochester, NY 14623-5608 We are strategically preparing for Voice: 585-475-5064, Fax: 585-475-5097 a much more competitive landscape Email: [email protected] in recruiting students. That is why we Office of Alumni Relations recently financed $346.2 million in Crossroads 41 Lomb Memorial Drive Rochester, NY 14623-5603 bonds—the largest in our history— Voice: 585-475-ALUM, Toll Free: 866-RIT-ALUM allowing the university to refinance, TTY: 585-475-2764, Fax: 585-475-5308 save money, and create a pool of funds Email: [email protected] to invest in our future. Guided by our Tait Preserve of RIT: The university 2025 Strategic Plan that is aligned with now owns 177 acres in the nearby town of Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, our $1 billion fundraising campaign— Penfield, which will be the home of the New York, publishes RIT University Magazine. RIT does not discriminate. RIT promotes and values diversity “Transforming RIT: The Campaign for Tait Preserve of RIT and Leenhouts Lodge. within its workforce and provides equal opportunity Greatness”—we are about to embark This substantial gift of real estate from to all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, on the largest facility upgrades in our the Tait family will expand our research creed, age, marital status, sex, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, history since President Ellingson’s 1968 and educational offerings in ecology, national origin, veteran status, or disability. campus dedication. agriculture, sustainability, and other fields. Vol. 22, No. 1, 124M-P2447-3/2020-LANE-JSA So, what does distinctiveness look We will add facilities to the site, including Printer: The Lane Press; Burlington, Vermont © 2020 Rochester Institute of Technology like? Let’s take a tour of the projects labs and classrooms, in the coming year. All rights reserved that will continue to transform RIT: Read more on pages 14-17. transforming RIT the leading performing arts program in the plan to hire a design firm to manage the nation for non-majors, attracting talented expansion project. The expansion will and creative students who can continue include learning laboratories, collaborative their passions for music, dance, theater, student spaces, and room for hospitality and other performing arts. We expect and service innovation degree programs. construction on phase one of the project Plans also are underway to construct event to conclude in spring 2023. spaces that will accommodate business conferences and speakers. Let me add that we also are creating a new land-usage master plan for our The Global Cybersecurity Institute: 1,300-acre campus that will establish the There’s an overwhelming shortage of blueprint for the next 50 years. Perpetual trained computing security professionals progress: We’re transforming the future around the world. RIT is working to by transforming RIT. change that as we expand our focus in computing security research and education. Yours in Tiger pride, A three-story, 45,000-square-foot facility already under construction will include a Cybersecurity Learning Experience Center, five research labs, student lounges, David C. Munson Jr., President instructional labs, faculty offices, and Athletic facilities: We have 640 [email protected] a Cyber Range—a lab where network varsity athletes and thousands more Twitter: @RITpresident cyber-attacks can be simulated. RIT’s in club and intramural sports. Some of prowess in cybersecurity began more our facilities, including the main outdoor than a decade ago and we were among stadium, are subpar. We plan to construct the first universities in the nation to a new stadium complex for soccer and Transforming RIT create a department of computing security. lacrosse, including concessions, locker Behind all of these projects is a A dedication ceremony in October will rooms, and artificial turf practice fields. $1 billion fundraising campaign— officially open the institute. Design begins this spring. “Transforming RIT: The Campaign for Greatness.” This is a blended campaign that continues to seek support from a variety of investors, including alumni and friends, government and corporate partners, and research foundations and agencies. Many pillars of the campaign go beyond the noted construction projects. They include student scholarships, Performing Arts Center: Design of Saunders College of Business: fellowships, faculty endowments, a two-theater complex has just begun. Major renovation and expansion is and more. Learn more at rit.edu/ The smaller theater with approximately 800 coming soon to Max Lowenthal Hall. transformingRIT. seats will house musical theater, including E. Philip Saunders, the college’s namesake, a historic organ. We seek to add a 1,500-seat announced a $7.5 million gift to the orchestra hall for larger audiences in a business college. The Saunders College second phase. We are striving to develop is still raising matching funds. Soon we Spring 2020 | 1 University Magazine Spring 2020 Features Departments 10 Life Journey 4 On Campus Student crosses 8 About Students countries to reach 12 Research academic and sports milestones. 38 Faculty Profile 40 Alumni Updates Did you 14 Tait Preserve 46 Class Notes RIT was gifted an 48 Legacy Family estate to expand 50 Tiger Cubs research and Archives know... 56 educational offerings. As RIT strives to become one of the nation’s top the #1 university universities, the philanthropic spirit of our alumni 26 LiveAbility Lab must also rise to match our academic rigor and Students combine in the nation also overall student experience. When it comes to technology and rankings, RIT is at the top in almost every category design to help except alumni giving. In order to join this elite others. has the highest club of prestigious colleges and universities with significant alumni support, we need YOUR help. 32 Tiger Brewers percentage of RIT alumni hop on the craft-beer boom. * By making a gift to RIT each and every year—no alumni donors? matter the amount—you can help students in 38 Faculty Profile need, increase the value of your degree AND Meet RIT history improve RIT’s standing in the rankings. Alumni professor Richard giving is considered an indicator that you are Newman. satisfied with your educational experience—a key factor in ranking higher education institutions. We need you to help close the gap in alumni participation in giving. The best universities have the best alumni 18 donors. Tigers, let’s be one of them. Cover R. Roger Remington, An electric wheelchair controller box driven by facial the Vignelli Distinguished Make your gift today at muscles was designed and Professor of Design and built by student members longest-serving faculty rit.edu/AlumniGive. of RIT’s Neurotechnology member at RIT, will retire Exploration Team. The project will soon be tested in in May after 57 years at © 2020 Rochester Institute of Technology. All rights reserved. Elizabeth Lamark Elizabeth RIT’s LiveAbility Lab. Lamark Elizabeth the university. Rochester Institute of Technology | One Lomb Memorial Drive | Rochester, New York 14623 Did you know... As RIT strives to become one of the nation’s top the #1 university universities, the philanthropic spirit of our alumni must also rise to match our academic rigor and in the nation also overall student experience. When it comes to rankings, RIT is at the top in almost every category has the highest except alumni giving. In order to join this elite club of prestigious colleges and universities with percentage of significant alumni support, we need YOUR help.