- University’s ‘futurists’ encourage audience to embrace curiosity during Imagine RIT symposiumBe curious because what if, said RIT alumnus Bob Morrealle, who shared stories of discovery, hope, and confidence during his presentation at the Futurists Symposium, a collection of alumni and faculty offering an insider’s look into the future of technology, the arts, and design. The symposium, held April 26 in the Wegmans Theater, MAGIC Spell Studios, was the official kickoff to Imagine RIT: Creativity and Innovation Festival. Joining Morreale ’92 (medical illustration) MST ’93 (visual arts-all grades), who is senior division chair for Immersive and Experiential Learning and assistant professor of biomedical communications at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, was Jeyhan Kartaltepe, associate professor, RIT School of Physics and Astronomy, and director for the Laboratory for Multiwavelength Astrophysics; Chukwuma “ChuBoi” Morah ’09 (industrial engineering), chief marketing officer for FUT.GG; and Karen Roth ’06 (software engineering), president of the Society of Women Engineers and deputy director for AFWERX. The event was hosted by RIT President David Munson and moderated by WXXI Connections host Evan Dawson. Morreale, who advised the audience to “keep technology close and expect the unexpected,” talked about how he uses advanced visualization techniques, AR/VR, and spatial computing to print 3D models of organs to help physicians plan for surgeries. “We are able to align the technology and create an experience to train in ways that don’t put patients at risk.” Morreale showed slides of how his illustrations and innovative technology helped successfully separate conjoined twins and how the growing use of artificial intelligence, a recurring theme throughout the presentations, has great possibilities. He mentioned a future where realistic digital doctors will be driven by AI, enabling the work of thousands as opposed to a few. Kartaltepe, who is the principal investigator of COSMOS-Web, the largest James Webb Space Telescope program, works with her students to ponder the extremes of the universe, with the goal of learning where we came from. She said that one of the project’s challenges is developing machine learning and analyzation techniques to understand the volume of data being collected. “The James Webb Space Telescope is a marvel of technology and international cooperation as it collects data from across the spectrum,” she said. “It is designed as a dream. The day when we learn about the first black holes and supernovae of the first stars is within our reach.” Fourth-year management information systems student Alric Amona came to the symposium to meet Morah, one of his heroes. He asked Morah, who is an expert in the future of gaming and the creator economy, about taking the leap of faith when executing ideas. “If you have an idea—a gut feeling—go for it. Follow your curiosities, make content, and learn how to code,” said influencer Morah, who launched the gaming data startup FUT.GG. His company, which enables him to blend his love of playing video games and binge-watching soccer, has more than 7.5 million users with more than 1.1 million social media followers. “RIT has proven that a career in gaming is 100 percent possible,” he said. Roth, a 2024 Distinguished Alumni awardee representing the Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences, “lives the future every day” in her role that brings cutting-edge American ingenuity from small businesses and startups to address the most pressing challenges of the Department of the Air Force. She believes that it’s crucial to create technology that is applicable for the future, and to engage passionate people to build a technical ecosystem. “For me, a key component is how to communicate technology to people who need it and to grow an opportunity space,” she said. “It’s important to take into account the human factor of what makes technology great. It’s diversity and differences in thinking that enable people to be innovative and imagine the future.” Added Dawson, who facilitated a question-and-answer session: “RIT has such an impressive roster of alumni; people who are changing the world.”
- Ahndraya Parlato named a Fellow of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial FoundationThe John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation has awarded Senior Lecturer Ahndraya Parlato a 2024 Guggenheim Fellowship. According to the foundation, this year’s fellowships were granted to a “distinguished and diverse group of culture-creators working across 52 disciplines.” Parlato, who has taught photography in RIT’s College of Art and Design for 13 years, is one of 188 recipients of Guggenheim fellowships this year. The support of the fellowship will allow her to further pursue her ongoing photography project, TIME TO KILL, which will be released as a book by Mack Books. “I am incredibly grateful to both the Guggenheim Foundation and RIT for giving me the dedicated time and resources to work on my project,” said Parlato. “I am, of course, honored to be in the company of so many amazing photographers who have received this fellowship before me.” TIME TO KILL is a body of work that explores ideas around gender, aging, and motherhood using photography and text. The photographs include portraits of women between the ages of 55 and 75, minor visual tricks or illusions, and still lifes of precariously-balanced objects and of flora as they move from nascence into states of decomposition. “Few women depicted in the history of art are middle-aged, a period when women’s experience is often markedly different than that of men. This is predicated on a patriarchal culture obsessed with youth, which still tends to value women most for their attractiveness,” Parlato explained. “As a woman not quite yet in this stage of life, I believe this work is an exercise in psychological projection. It carves out a space where I can consider both my fears and fantasies around aging, and to think through the scarier elements of possible irrelevancy and unattractiveness as well as the potentially freeing elements that invisibility might allow me.” Chosen through a rigorous application and peer-review process from a pool of almost 3,000 applicants, the 2024 Guggenheim Fellows were selected on the basis of prior career achievement and exceptional promise, according to the foundation’s website. As established in 1925 by founder Sen. Simon Guggenheim, each Fellow receives a stipend to pursue independent work at the highest level under “the freest possible conditions.” In all, 52 scholarly disciplines and artistic fields, 84 academic institutions, 38 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, and four Canadian provinces are represented by the 2024 Fellows, who range in age from 28 to 89. Many of their projects directly respond to timely issues such as democracy and politics, identity, disability activism, machine learning, incarceration, climate change and community. Since its founding in 1925, the foundation has awarded over $400 million in fellowships to more than 19,000 Fellows. Since its establishment, the foundation has granted over $400 million in fellowships to more than 19,000 individuals. The broad range of fields of study is a unique characteristic of the fellowship program. For more information, go to the foundation's website. To view more of Parlato’s work, go to her portfolio website or her Instagram.
- Staff volunteers make Imagine RIT shineFor Jeremy Zehr, volunteering at Imagine RIT: Creativity and Innovation Festival gives him the chance to give back to the university in a unique way. Zehr, a captioning coordinator for the College of Art and Design, spends the festival as a people mover, driving attendees across campus in a golf cart.Provided Jeremy Zehr "It’s a great event and I love volunteering. I love being part of the RIT community, in general, and being a people mover is a great way for me to get to know the campus visitors,” he said. “We have a very talented crop of individuals that have the privilege of coming to this university to learn new skills, and it makes me proud to be a member of this community to see what they are doing.” The festival, which returns to campus on April 27, requires an extraordinary amount of support to run smoothly. RIT staff members volunteer at the festival to assist the university in creating an unforgettable event each year by handing out welcome bags, supervising parking lots, and showing campus visitors around the bustling festival, among other duties. Volunteers also have the opportunity to experience the festivities themselves and see the projects students, faculty, and staff put on display. RIT Karel Shapiro Karel Shapiro, an administrative assistant in the Office of the Provost, says that volunteering at Imagine RIT builds camaraderie for those on campus. “I like the sense of community that being a true Tiger gives me. I also enjoy interacting with other employees that I otherwise would not interact with throughout the course of my workday,” Shapiro says. Brendon Strowe, Library Applications Developer at RIT Libraries, also volunteers at Imagine, helping as part of the planning committee and with communications on the day of the festival. Provided Brendon Strowe “I think volunteering is important because it gives staff an opportunity to interact with our students and gain an understanding into the work students are doing in the classroom and also using what they've learned to do something they’re passionate about,” Strowe says. More than 200 staff volunteers annually commit their time to Imagine RIT, according to Ann Ielapi, senior director for Events and Conferences and Imagine RIT director. “I love seeing the internal RIT community come together and pull off something as magnificent as Imagine and to see the students light up when they’re able to display their projects, their research, their performing arts, their robotics, whatever it may be. It’s just an incredible opportunity for them to get to engage with the public and to talk about things that they’re passionate about,” she said. Ielapi also believes that volunteering at Imagine RIT is the embodiment of a teambuilding opportunity. “In the past, we’ve had entire offices, cohorts of people, volunteer together and make a whole day out of it. That camaraderie related to working with your colleagues and peers is really a great experience as well,” Ielapi said. By the Numbers Nearly 400 exhibits—50 more than last year—will be on display Saturday during Imagine RIT: Creativity and Innovation Festival, featuring the work of more than 2,800 students, faculty, and staff.
- RIT and UR partner to create accelerated graduate degree pathways for education and counseling studentsRochester Institute of Technology’s College of Liberal Arts and University of Rochester’s Warner School of Education have established new 3+2 and 4+1 admissions agreements, providing RIT undergraduate students with expedited pathways to launch their careers in teaching, higher education, or counseling. These agreements streamline the process for eligible students to earn both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees within a five-year timeframe. In the 3+2 program, RIT students admitted and enrolled through this pathway will complete all required coursework for undergraduate majors in three years. This paves the way for a smooth transition to the Warner School’s mental health counseling and school counseling master’s programs. The first year at the Warner School concurrently fulfills the final year of their bachelor’s degree. Similarly, the 4+1 program offers RIT undergraduate students the opportunity to finish all coursework for their undergraduate major within four years as planned. However, students in qualifying bachelor’s degree programs at RIT can also begin graduate-level coursework in their fourth year, earning six credits toward their master’s degree in either higher education or a teacher preparation program at the Warner School. “This partnership represents an exciting opportunity to enrich the student experience at RIT,” said John Smithgall, assistant dean of the College of Liberal Arts. “These programs play a crucial role in expanding students’ perspectives about what they can achieve in terms of their educational and career aspirations. This is particularly significant in dismantling barriers and stereotypes about certain professions, empowering students to pursue their passions and make significant contributions to their chosen fields.” Under the terms of the agreement, RIT students who meet the Warner School’s admissions requirements and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.25 in their third year for the 3+2 program and fourth year for the 4+1 program can obtain both degrees in five years. Moreover, students will benefit from tuition scholarships toward their qualifying graduate degree programs at the Warner School. “We are thrilled to partner with RIT in offering these innovative admissions pathways,” says Sarah Peyre, dean of the Warner School. “This collaboration underscores our commitment to providing students with accessible and accelerated pathways to pursue their passions for teaching, higher education, and counseling. By combining our expertise and resources, we aim to empower students to excel in their academic journey and make meaningful contributions to their communities.” RIT’s College of Liberal Arts Interim Dean Kelly Norris Martin adds, “We have an incredibly diverse community of students in the College of Liberal Arts who all have unique visions for their futures. Through this new partnership, we’re able to expand the opportunities available to our students so they can follow their passions. Additionally, these new educational pathways can better prepare our students to fill the increased need for teachers and counselors in our communities.” According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for counselors and teachers are expected to increase through 2031. Whether individuals aspire to work in a K-12 school or clinical setting, or at the higher education level, RIT can provide students with a head start in becoming specialized educators or counselors. RIT’s culture of innovation and forward-thinking use of technology equips students to be adept at navigating and applying technological learning resources and tools to help their future students and clients excel. From regional K-12 schools to top higher education and healthcare institutions, the Warner School’s graduate programs further prepare students to apply their comprehensive insights in classrooms, clinics, postsecondary institutions and communities worldwide to lead change for all. For more than 65 years, the Warner School has advanced the fields of education and counseling through innovative theories, experiences and leadership. For more information about the accelerated pathways to careers in teaching, counseling and higher education, go to the Warner School’s partnerships program page or RIT’s College of Liberal Arts website.
- RIT President David Munson announces plans to step down in 2025RIT President David Munson will retire in 2025 after leading the university for eight years and capping an illustrious 40-plus-year career in higher education. His last day in office will be June 30, 2025. Munson announced his intentions to retire to the Rochester Institute of Technology community April 23 after informing the Board of Trustees and RIT leadership organizations. “Over the next year, I intend to remain highly focused on the job at hand. We will have opportunities later to celebrate our collective work in establishing RIT as the premier university in the nation working at the intersection of technology, the arts, and design,” Munson said. “As we have pursued this mission together, I have been blessed with your ideas, passion, hard work, and friendship. I’m also thankful for the support of my wife, Nancy, for taking a leap of faith and assuming an integral role on this journey.” Munson joined RIT in 2017 after serving as dean of engineering for the University of Michigan for a decade. RIT Board of Trustees Chairman Jeffrey Harris ’75 praised Munson for propelling RIT into a leading research university with national and international impact and influence. "Under Dave’s leadership, RIT’s momentum continues to accelerate as the leading university that aligns the power of science, technology, the arts, and design with experiential learning to drive innovation,” said Harris. “We’ve accomplished the goals that we set in our 2025 strategic plan, Greatness through Difference, and Dave has set the table for a seamless transition next year.” Harris added: “On behalf of the RIT Board of Trustees, I extend our deepest gratitude to President Munson for his leadership and unwavering dedication to our faculty and students. His strategic vision creates a legacy that will define our university for years to come.” Under Munson’s leadership, RIT:Reached new heights with enrollment, with the university now serving a record 20,570 students, including growth at international campuses in China, Croatia, Dubai, and Kosovo. Completed a $1 billion-plus blended campaign—“Transforming RIT”—to raise money for scholarships, endowed professors, facilities, and more. Launched a performing arts program that now includes more than 1,800 performing arts scholars. Completed and began major facility projects to enhance the student experience, including: The SHED (Student Hall for Exploration and Development). Saunders College of Business expansion. ESL Global Cybersecurity Institute. Music Performance Theater, scheduled to open in 2025. A research building to expand RIT’s growing research portfolio with completion in the fall. Athletic facilities, including Tiger Stadium. Endured and progressed during a global pandemic, allowing RIT to remain financially stable and continue with its strategic plan. Harris said the trustees are preparing for a seamless transition and will engage students, faculty, and staff during the search. Founded in 1829, the university is home to 20,570 students from all 50 states and more than 100 foreign countries. This includes campuses in China, Croatia, Dubai, and Kosovo. More than 148,000 RIT Tiger alumni are shaping and improving the world. RIT is the third largest producer of undergraduate degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math among all private universities in the U.S. RIT also is home to the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) and has one of the oldest and largest cooperative education programs in the country. In 2023, sponsored research reached $94 million, while the university’s endowment now stands at more than $1 billion.
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- Catholic Sunday Morning MassApr 28, 2024 9:15 AM | "Where do we go on Sunday at 9:15 a.m.?" We go to Mass. Join the RIT Newman Catholic Community for worship. The morning Mass will be ASL interpreted.
- Piano Studio RecitalApr 28, 2024 1:00 PM | Piano studio recital from the studio of E-Na Song.
- Catholic Sunday Mass (5 p.m.)Apr 28, 2024 5:00 PM | "Where do we go on Sunday at 5 p.m.?" We go to Mass. Join the RIT Newman Catholic Community for worship.
- Food Truck Rodeo WeekendsApr 28, 2024 5:00 PM | Food Truck Rodeo weekends are back. Grab your friends and head to Lot M for local flavors brought to you by seven different local food truck vendors! Learn more about our food truck vendors at rit.edu/dining/food-trucks.
- The TABLE Lutheran-Episcopal Campus Ministry WorshipApr 28, 2024 6:30 PM | We gather on Sunday evenings for worship at 6:30 p.m. in the Allen Chapel inside the Schmitt Interfaith Center. Normally, we have music, readings from Holy Scriptures, either an Episcopal Priest or Lutheran Pastor will give a very brief sermon, and finally gather at the altar for communion. This is an opportunity for us to gather and take time to worship God in some new and maybe more creative ways. We hope you join us each week at The Table and consider becoming a part of our faith community on campus at RIT/NTID. We do provide ASL interpreters each week, so let us know if you are coming.
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