University Magazine Winter 2019 VR. AR. 4K. 3D. MAGIC spells opportunities with new learning lab Also inside: Artificial intelligence with a human touch FROM THE PRESIDENT Wanted: RIT brand champions RIT President David Munson introduced a stronger narrative for the university that “leverages RIT—University Magazine the power of technology, the Editor arts and design Mindy Mozer, Marketing and Communications for the greater Executive Editors good” during a Lisa Cauda, Development and Alumni Relations Bob Finnerty ’07, Marketing and Communications campus-wide Deborah M. Stendardi, brand kickoff Government and Community Relations on Sept. 27. John Trierweiler, Marketing and Communications Lamark Elizabeth by Photo Contributing Editors Kim Slusser, Development and Alumni Relations Cindy Sobieraj, Development and Alumni Relations ou ever wonder what people think as well as our new logo. Look for more Art Director about you? First impressions. Last- enhancements in upcoming editions as Jeff Arbegast ’93, Marketing and Communications Ying impressions. Your brand is a we continue to hone our storytelling. Photographers summary of both. So, what is our story? Our kaleidoscope Elizabeth Lamark ’00, Marketing and Communications Here at RIT, we have refreshed our of curious minds uncovers ingenious A. Sue Weisler ’93, Marketing and Communications brand to reflect how far we’ve come and ways to move the world forward! Let’s Writers: Marketing and Communications where we intend to go. For our university, work together to solidify our position as a Luke Auburn ’09, ’15 Scott Bureau ’11, ’16 branding answers a fundamental ques- creative and innovative powerhouse. We Michelle Cometa ’00 tion: Who and what is RIT? have no interest in the status quo. Susan Gawlowicz ’95 Having an identifiable brand will help Let me reinforce that RIT is an out- Rich Kiley Greg Livadas distinguish our university from others, standing university and is only going to Vienna McGrain ’12 in the minds of prospective students and move upward. Ellen Rosen parents, colleagues at other universities, Collectively, we can do a better job Copy Editor funding agencies, government officials of sharing with the rest of the world Marie Lang, Marketing and Communications and the general population. what truly makes us better, different Print Production Our brand works by forming emo- and special. Brenda Monahan, Marketing and Communications tional connections from the very first When everyone at RIT participates in interaction—a billboard in downtown a unified storytelling approach, our mes- Marketing and Communications University Communications Rochester, a conversation at the Imagine sage will carry farther and more quickly. 22 Lomb Memorial Drive RIT festival, an inquiry from a potential When a stranger asks me what I do as Rochester, NY 14623-5608 student about NTID or an interaction with president of RIT, I am going to respond: “I Voice: 585-475-5064 Fax: 585-475-5097 an RIT alumna in Silicon Valley. These in- campaign for a university that is shap- Email: [email protected] teractions accumulate and shape the way ing the future and improving the world Office of Alumni Relations people think and feel about our university. through creativity and innovation.” Crossroads 41 Lomb Memorial Drive Our new brand is derived from rigorous You, too, are our brand champions. And Rochester, NY 14623-5603 qualitative and quantitative research that Voice: 585-475-ALUM, Toll Free: 866-RIT-ALUM now we need all of you to be RIT’s brand TTY: 585-475-2764, Fax: 585-475-5308 includes feedback from target audiences ambassadors. We need you to help tell our Email: [email protected] —prospective students, corporate and story to the world. Learn it, love it, live it! Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, community partners, school counselors And I will be right there with you. New York, publishes RIT—University Magazine. and academic peers—as well as our own Because at RIT, we’re always on to RIT does not discriminate. RIT promotes and students, faculty, staff and alumni. We something amazing! values diversity within its workforce and provides equal opportunity to all qualified individuals have constructed a unified RIT story that regardless of race, color, creed, age, marital status, we can now collectively share with the Yours in Tiger pride, sex, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender rest of the world. identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran status, or disability. Our brand will focus on a creative community and innovation in every Vol. 20, No. 3, 124M-P2183-11/2018-LANE-JSA discipline. Elements of the new brand can David C. Munson Jr., President Printer: The Lane Press; Burlington, Vermont © 2018 Rochester Institute of Technology be found in this magazine, with stories [email protected] All rights reserved focused on technology, the arts and design Twitter: @RITPresident 24 MAGIC Spell University Magazine Studios opened Winter 2019 a new building on campus this fall. Along with state-of-the-art Departments features, it is 2 On Campus filled with quirky 6 About Students elements inspired 8 Research by pop culture, film and animation and 34 Alumni Updates video games. 38 Class Notes Features 10 Education with a purpose RIT helps veterans take their next step. 14 Reaching out to alumni New program proves it’s never too late to graduate. 18 Pioneering research Artificial intelligence— with a human touch. 24 VR. AR. 4K. 3D. 32 MAGIC spells opportunities with A highlight of Brick new learning laboratory. City Weekend was a big hockey win. 32 Brick City Homecoming & Family Weekend The annual bash included a special Henrietta campus rededication and downtown campus ceremony. Cover University Magazine Taylor Thum, a film and Winter 2019 animation major, is using the opportunities provided by MAGIC VR. AR. 4K. 3D. MAGIC spells opportunities Spell Studios to create with new learning lab a new platform for Also inside: Artificial intelligence with a human touch live-action storytelling Photo by A. by Sue Weisler Photo through virtual reality. On Campus Photo by Elizabeth Lamark Elizabeth by Photo Theresa Fitzgerald ’84 (graphic design), vice president of brand creative at Sesame Workshop, announces the next Metaproject partnership to the industrial design students who are charged with creating a modern Sesame Street product for play. Metaproject heading to ‘Sesame Street’ etaproject 09 is being brought to Design Week in New York City in May. vice president of brand creative at Sesame you by the Sesame Workshop and “Partnering with Sesame Workshop pres- Workshop. Mthe letters R, I and T. ents an ideal opportunity for our students “Our mission is to help kids grow Fifteen students in RIT’s industrial to apply our ‘Design is One’ philosophy to smarter, stronger and kinder,” she said. “We design program are spending the semester create products that are semantically and are very much looking forward to seeing designing products for Sesame Workshop, syntactically correct, and pragmatically un- what the students design and sharing it the nonprofit educational organization derstandable, but also visually powerful, in- with children and families.” behind Sesame Street. It’s part of the uni- tellectually elegant and timeless,” said Josh The Metaproject initiative, true to RIT’s versity’s annual Metaproject, which pairs Owen, professor and chair of the industrial mission of providing experiential, innova- students with a different industry partner design program in the School of Design, and tive learning opportunities, has seen indus- each year with the task of designing a the founder of Metaproject. “The ultimate trial design students work in collaboration product that solves a specific problem or goal is to create objects that make children’s with photography, glass and new media works within a set of parameters set by the lives better through family engagement, design and other partners. The course of- industry partner. addressing simplicity, functionality, beauty, fers them a taste of real-world experience, This year’s theme is “Urgency of Play,” uniqueness and cleverness, while clearly connections with leading design industry and students are charged with creating targeting a need.” professionals and the possibility of having a modern Sesame Street product for play. Working with RIT presents an exciting their design put into production. Winners will be judged in December, with opportunity for the Sesame Workshop, said a chance to have their work on display at Theresa Fitzgerald ’84 (graphic design), Ellen Rosen 2 | WINTER 2019 Photo by Kalle Bailey The Lobozzo Alumni House is a welcome center, event space and alumni business center all in one. The house is just south of the Red Barn at the top of the hill. The house is named after Joseph M. Lobozzo ’95 (EMBA), who was founder of JML Optical Industries Inc. Lobozzo Alumni House opens IT’s first multipurpose welcome center for alumni on campus is Rready to welcome visitors. The 5,700-square-foot house on the west side of campus across the street from Riverknoll Apartments is the first perma- nent on-campus facility built for alumni, primarily by alumni. The house opened in October. The Joseph M. Lobozzo ’95 Alumni House features a lounge, conservatory, dining room, conference room, patio, library, cater- ing kitchen, business center and several Lamark Elizabeth by Photo administrative offices for Development and The Alumni Association boardroom is one of many rooms in the Lobozzo Alumni House, along Alumni Relations staff members. with a lounge, conservatory, dining room, business center and outdoor patio. WINTER 2019 | 3 On Campus Photo by A. by Sue Weisler Photo Students capped off the Division of Diversity and Inclusion Summer Experience with a community service project by volunteering at on-campus resources including Bern’s Closet, the RIT Foodshare and the RIT Community Garden, shown above. Students get head start on academics ixty-four RIT freshmen got an early “I used to be really worried about com- these scholarship programs.