Richard Smith remembers pivotal moments that led to his career path as an ASL-English interpreter. When he was 16 years old, he had the opportunity to see a sign-language interpreter at work. After that, he signed up for free sign-language classes offered at RIT. “It was these moments, along with others, that made me realize this was the work I wanted to do and that NTID was where I wanted to be,” said Smith. Forty-six years later, “Smitty,” as he affectionately known on campus, will retire June 30 from his role as curriculum support/materials development coordinator in NTID’s Department of American Sign Language-English Interpretation. Throughout his career, Smith, who started at NTID in 1979, has earned several awards, including the Alice Beardsley Professional Interpreter of the Year Award, the Department of Interpreting Services Interpreter Emeritus Award, the Genesee Valley Region Registry of Interpreters Service Award, and the Rochester Deaf Kitchen Most Valuable Interpreter Award. He has also twice received the NTID Advisory Group Award. “NTID has given me far more than I have contributed—a life, a career, and a purpose,” he said. “I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time and couldn’t be more grateful.” ‎How has the field of ASL interpreting changed throughout the years? The field has changed quite a bit. There is more research and new and different ways of looking at things and more Deaf colleagues interpreting and taking on leadership roles. There is also more open dialogue, which is truly wonderful. When I first started, there were no degree programs offered for interpreters—just training programs. Now, interpreters can earn a doctoral degree or specialty certificates, such as interpreting in healthcare. What will you miss most after you retire? Hands down, I will miss seeing all of the students—Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing—grow and become leaders. I will also miss talking about ASL and the work that we do as interpreters. What are a few of your most memorable interpreting assignments? I had the opportunity to work in China and see the Great Wall. I was also able to interpret in the beautiful city of St. Petersburg in Russia. It was also a pleasure to work as an interpreter on the social work team within Interpreting Services for eight years. Those were the best years. What are your plans during retirement? I have plans to go to the gym, volunteer at the Rochester Deaf Kitchen food pantry, and continue with my hobby of making raised garden beds, rolling plant stands, and holiday ornaments from scrap wood and recycled materials. Oh, and I plan to take naps.

Former Oxford University professor Newton Howard is fueled by his fascination with quantum biology and neuroscience. He believes there is a future where we can not only understand the brain at a deeper level but unlock new ways to enhance cognitive function and treat neurological disorders. This fall, Howard will bring his enthusiasm and expertise to Rochester Institute of Technology’s School of Individualized Study as a professor of practice. Howard is the founder of ni2o, Inc., an organization dedicated to enhancing cognitive and athletic performance for those affected by neurological conditions. His career has spanned academia, the U.S. military, and the private sector, and he is known for transforming research into real-world applications, including having roles in developing technologies such as wireless hotspots, Google Earth, and Google Translate. He has several U.S. patents, presented at national and international conference, and has published journal articles, papers, and textbooks. As a former professor at Oxford, where he is still a member of the university’s congregation, MIT, and Georgetown University, Howard founded and directed multiple laboratories, including the Computational Neurosciences Lab at Oxford and the Synthetic Intelligence Lab at MIT. He is also the founder of The Howard Brain Sciences Foundation and C4ADS (Center for Advanced Defense Studies), a think-tank dedicated to data-driven analysis of global conflicts and transnational security threats. “RIT is a university on the cutting-edge of technology, the arts, and design, and Newton Howard is a perfect representation of our mission and aspirational thinking,” said James Hall, dean of RIT University Studies and executive director of the School of Individualized Study. “We are thrilled that Dr. Howard will share his spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship with our students who are always on the lookout for ways to pursue opportunities to make a positive difference in the world.” RIT’s Professor of Practice designation recognizes industry professionals with extensive experience in their fields who bring real-world knowledge and expertise into the classroom. This fall, Howard will be supporting RIT partnerships with alumni in the private and public sectors while continuing to conduct research that advances understanding of the brain and the development of neural prosthetics to treat brain and neurological diseases. As he looks ahead to interacting with students and faculty this fall, Howard says, “As we work together at RIT, we are not just shaping minds, but shaping the future. The greatest discoveries happen when we embrace the diversity of thought, challenge our assumptions, and learn from one another. I look forward to contributing to a community where both faculty and students are partners in the pursuit of knowledge. It is through genuine interaction, shared insight, and interdisciplinary collaboration that we can create meaningful advancements.”