University’s ‘futurists’ encourage audience to embrace curiosity during Imagine RIT symposium
Be 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.”
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- Design icon Patricia Moore inspires RIT graduates to embrace change and forge paths of impactWhile sharing insights from her own transformative journey, Patricia (Pattie) Moore, a distinguished designer and trailblazing alumna of the class of 1974, encouraged this year’s Rochester Institute of Technology graduates to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead and answer the call for change. Photo gallery See a collection of photos from commencement weekend. “More than any generation before you, you have been graced with potential for creating a world of love and respect, equity, and quality of life for all,” Moore said during her keynote speech during today’s Academic Convocation in the Gordon Field House and Activities Center. Nearly 4,500 students are graduating from RIT this year, including those attending RIT’s global campuses in China, Croatia, Dubai, and Kosovo. Individual college commencement ceremonies honoring the graduates will continue throughout this weekend. A hooding ceremony is today for 67 people receiving Ph.D. degrees. Four honorary degrees also were awarded at RIT’s commencement ceremony May 10. Prabu David, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, served as master of ceremonies at his first RIT Convocation.Travis LaCoss Patricia Moore ’74, a distinguished designer, encouraged graduates to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Moore began her speech by transporting the audience back in time and recalling the tumultuous era of the 1970s, when she and her peers grappled with global crises and societal upheavals. “Fifty years ago, when I sat as you do today, the global headlines were dire,” she reminisced. “The world was struggling, and as the class of 1974, we had constant concerns and fears for the future.” Amidst the chaos of the times, Moore and her contemporaries emerged as advocates for change, spearheading movements that would shape the course of history. “As long-haired, bell-bottomed hippies, we launched the first Earth Day, planting the seeds for a global awareness and response to the impact of climate change,” she recalled, highlighting the power of grassroots activism to effect meaningful change. Photo gallery See a photo gallery of the four honorary degree recipients. Moore also acknowledged the divisive nature of the times, marked by the polarizing Vietnam War and ongoing struggles for gender equality. “We were vocal and earnest supporters of the Equal Rights Amendment,” she affirmed. “Today, 101 years later, we still await the recognition of men and women as equal, with the 28th Amendment of the Constitution.” Drawing upon her own experiences, Moore shared words of wisdom and encouragement with the graduating class. “The more things change, the more they remain the same,” she said, invoking the timeless adage to underscore the enduring nature of human challenges. “I have always viewed both refrains not as permission to cave or quit, but rather as a call for action and a time for change.” She urged graduates to embrace their role as agents of change and to harness their collective potential for positive impact. “I stand with you, a generation eager for equity, deliberate in your drive for dignity, and insistent that your abilities for innovation will in fact deliver the ever-elusive change of our collective dreams,” she said. “The reason I leave my bed each day is to meet the calls, the challenges, and the constant concerns with action,” added Moore. “Actions that now, we will make together.” RIT President David Munson congratulated the graduates and added that he continues to be impressed by their perseverance and resiliency, which includes navigating college through a pandemic. Scott Hamilton From left to right, Justin McFadden, a management information systems major; Amadou Sow, a management information systems/business management double major; and Britney Wang, an electrical engineering technology major, gathered for photos prior to the Academic Convocation ceremony on May 10. He urged them to “continue to rely on your RIT family for support whenever needed.” “As you move on to your next phase of life, you will face new challenges and tackle new opportunities. I know you will continue to employ the abilities and skills you have developed here at RIT,” said Munson. “We hope that, when you reflect on your time at RIT, your memories will be of favorite professors and staff, lasting friendships, and a feeling of joy and fulfillment.” Student Government President Darcie Jones evoked a song titled, The Next Right Thing, sung by the main character, Anna, in her favorite Disney movie, Frozen 2, to encourage her fellow classmates. “While I will cherish all my time at RIT, I’m ready to do my next right thing and make a positive impact on the world wherever I go,” said Jones. “So, here’s to the last few years—and remember—when life gets complicated and overwhelming, think of Anna … and work toward your next right thing.” Read the speeches The full text of the speeches by President David Munson, keynote speaker Patricia Moore, and Student Government President Darcie Jones are available.
- Leave your legacy in the music performance theaterAnyone who would like to make their mark on the music performance theater being erected on the Rochester Institute of Technology campus is invited to sign a steel beam that will be part of the building. For the next two weeks, a 12-foot beam, painted orange, will be on the southeast side outside of the construction zone, under a blue tent. Anyone who wishes may sign their name on it, or even leave a message to future students. It is accessible 24 hours for approximately the next two weeks. Markers for signing are at the site. “It’s almost like a time capsule,” said Michael Dellafave, associate director for construction management and grounds. “The beam will be installed in the steel structure of the building and will live there for the duration of the building’s life.” Dellafave said beams were also signed for the SHED, the Saunders College of Business expansion, and the Gene Polisseni Center. Each had hundreds of signatures. Groundbreaking on the three-story, 40,000-square-foot building was held in September and is the first major theater project in the Rochester area in decades. It will consist of a 750-seat theater primarily used for musical theater productions. The theater will have two balconies and a historic pipe organ as its centerpiece. The estimated completion date is December 2025, and like other venues on campus, it will be available for public use. In 2019, RIT established a vision to become the leading performing arts program in the nation for non-majors. More than 1,800 students have received partial performing arts scholarships since then.
- Women’s, gender, and sexuality studies program honors first graduating classThe first class of graduates from RIT’s women’s, gender, and sexuality studies (WGSS) program will be celebrated during commencement this month. Molly Kohli, from Rome, N.Y., and Gaby Licona, from Miami, will be the first of many future alums from the program. The WGSS program has long existed at RIT, and, in 2023, the bachelor’s degree program was approved and offered for current students. Starting in the fall of 2024, enrollment will be available to incoming first-year students. Silvia Benso, who has served as the WGSS program director for six years, expresses her excitement about celebrating the first graduates and increasing the program’s offerings through this added degree pathway. “The WGSS degree is very flexible. As a primary major, it opens the way to innumerable careers where people skills and a passion for gender justice are required—from diversity, equity, and inclusion-focused jobs to counselors and advisors in various educational, but also industry contexts to advocacy and activism in various fields,” said Benso. “As a double major, one can become virtually anything they wish—an engineer, a game designer, a health practitioner, an entrepreneur, a political scientist, and more— all with a well-rounded, needed sensitivity to increase gender equity and justice in one’s field of professional activities.” After taking courses in the program for four years, Kohli had completed much of the work required of the new bachelor’s degree program prior to its existence. This experience allowed her to change her major to WGSS once the degree was approved. Kohli says that combining her WGSS education with what she learned through her minor in anthropology and sociology helped her gain a greater understanding of people and how they interact with and react to one another. “When considering people’s different cultures and demographics, you can more easily figure out why they react in certain ways, and what we might do on a cultural and societal level to mitigate negative reactions toward one another,” said Kohli. “A big part of anthropology is making sure people’s voices are heard and that we’re uplifting diverse voices. Using that mentality when approaching women’s, gender, and sexuality studies is incredibly important.” After graduation, Kohli aspires to work in a library in a role focused on community building with plans to pursue a master’s degree in library sciences in the future. Licona, who is a double-major in WGSS and communication, says that she has always been a big advocate for social justice and feminism. She earned a minor in women’s and gender studies prior to the new degree offering, and she is grateful for the opportunity to take on the additional major during her last year at RIT. As she makes plans and goals for her post-university career, Licona shares that her dream job is to work in social media marketing for a feminist or women-led organization that shares her same values. “Being the president of the Her Campus chapter here RIT, I’ve had the chance to write articles related to college women and I've seen what it's like to work in a group with college students just looking for a safe space,” said Licona. “So that experience really pushes me to want to work for a women's magazine or women's organization that provides resources and educational sources for other individuals on women, feminism, and advocacy targeting towards social justice.” Licona credited her success in the program to her close friend Mackenzie Vanacore ’22 (English), who introduced her to WGSS, as well as her work with Advance RIT and senior staff specialist Silvia Caraballo. Both Vanacore and Caraballo inspired her and helped her to pursue her goals. Looking ahead to the next academic year, Benso anticipates that interest in the new degree program will continue to grow. “Molly and Gaby are both emblematic of the various options a WGSS degree offers. They both understand the value of a WGSS education for the present and the future. I like to think of them as ‘visionary’ students, students who, in a truly RIT spirit, have an innovative vision of a better world to come and are willing to take the initiative to make it happen,” said Benso. “I look forward to welcoming more students like them to the program.” For more information about how to enroll in the women’s, gender, and sexuality studies bachelor’s program, go to the department website or email Silvia Benso at silvia.benso@rit.edu.
- RIT graduate pursues Ph.D. across time zonesNastaran Nagshineh is one of the first Ph.D. candidates to bridge RIT’s Rochester and Dubai campuses. Her accomplishment creates a path for future students at the university’s international campuses. Nagshineh completed her Ph.D. in mathematical modeling while working full time as a mathematics lecturer at RIT Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, teaching as many as five classes a semester. She described her Ph.D. journey as “an exercise in perseverance” due to competing demands and long days. Rochester is eight hours behind Dubai, and the time difference meant many late-night classes and meetings. “I saw this collaboration as an opportunity, rather than as a challenge, because my primary adviser, Dr. Steven Weinstein (RIT professor of chemical engineering), and my co-adviser, Dr. Mohamed Samaha (RIT Dubai associate professor of mechanical engineering), both have the same area of research interest,” she said. “They both worked toward my success.” Nagshineh is one of 67 RIT Ph.D. students who defended their thesis this academic year and who will earn their doctorate. RIT awarded 63 Ph.D. degrees in 2023. In 2020-2021, RIT’s Graduate School met and surpassed the university’s goal of conferring 50 Ph.D. degrees during an academic year. That number will continue to grow as students cycle through the seven new Ph.D. programs that RIT has added since 2017, said Diane Slusarski, dean of RIT’s Graduate School. Meeting these goals puts RIT on a path toward achieving an “R1,” or research-intensive designation, from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Learning. RIT is currently ranked as an R2 institution. Many factors go into changing a university’s status, including research investment and maintaining a three-year average of 70 Ph.D. degrees awarded per year, according to Slusarski. “We have met the goals of the strategic plan, and now we look forward to contributing to the research innovation in the future,” Slusarski said. “We want to help the new programs thrive and win national research awards.” RIT’s emphasis on high-level research is seen in Nagshineh’s Ph.D. work. She applies mathematical modeling to the field of fluid dynamics. Her research has been published in top-tier journals and has gained notice, said Weinstein, her thesis adviser. Weinstein describes Nagshineh’s accomplishments as “a testament to a fantastic work ethic and commitment” and is inspirational to younger students at Rochester and Dubai. “The collaboration between RIT Dubai/Rochester has continued,” he said. “Another paper was submitted a few weeks ago with Mohamed Samaha and Nate Barlow (RIT associate professor in the School of Mathematics and Statistics) as co-authors, as well as Cade Reinberger, a younger Ph.D. student in my research group.” Mathematical modeling is one of RIT’s newer Ph.D. degree programs, and Nagshineh is among its earliest graduates. The program has doubled in size since it began accepting students in 2017, Slusarski said. This past fall, the mathematical modeling program had 35 students, with two graduating this year. Altogether, RIT has 13 Ph.D. degree programs currently enrolling 438 students, with computing and information sciences accounting for the largest with 117 students. RIT’s other Ph.D. programs include astrophysical sciences and technology, biomedical and chemical engineering, business administration, color science, electrical and computer engineering, imaging science, mechanical and industrial engineering, microsystems engineering, and sustainability. New programs in cognitive science and physics will launch in the fall. The growth in RIT graduate education—with more than 3,000 master’s and doctoral students—reflects a demographic change in the student population, Slusarski said. “We have a higher percentage of women in the graduate programs than we have for RIT undergraduate programs.” RIT’s graduate programs enroll 42 percent women, according to Christie Leone, assistant dean for the Graduate School. Nagshineh, who also holds an MS in electrical engineering from RIT Dubai, welcomes her role as a mentor to other women students on both campuses. “As a young woman in an Arabic country, the power of women is often underestimated and undervalued, and I hope to serve as a role model to female students, especially those that question their path,” Nagshineh said. She plans to continue in her career as a professor and a researcher. “I would like to pursue a research program where I can advise my own students and teach them more deeply.”
- Students celebrate 5th annual Black graduationThe road to a master’s degree in business administration has been a long one for Emmanuelle Gourene ’23 (management information systems). Gourene came to RIT from Cote d’Ivoire in West Africa. She had to travel thousands of miles from home, adapt to a new culture, and face the COVID pandemic. She celebrated her second RIT degree with her peers on Saturday, May 4, during the fifth annual Black graduation ceremony. “I made lifelong connections here with a lot of people from different backgrounds and I really enjoyed it,” said Gourene. “It’s a celebration of our culture and of our identity. It’s important to celebrate our common achievements.” The graduation event, hosted by the Black Awareness Coordinating Committee (BACC), began with a breakfast in the Dyer Gallery and was followed by a ceremony in the Panara Theatre. Minett Professor Sherry Tshibangu addressed the graduates during the ceremony, sharing that the graduates’ journeys were taken with exceptional courage, and that their legacy is one to be continued. Afterward, a reception with music, food, and dancing took place in the SHED. Black graduation is held to uplift and highlight Black students and unify not just the Black community but the entire RIT community. “A lot of individuals in our community who are graduating and participated in Black graduation are leaders in a lot of organizations,” said Key’mon Jenkins, a third-year computer engineering student and vice president of BACC. “We wanted to make this a big celebration to honor them.” The first Black graduation was held in 2019, in part to acknowledge that Black students face some of the lowest degree completion rates in the nation. After going remote in 2020, it has continued to grow each year. This year’s ceremony was capped at 75 students, but all were welcome to attend. “I think that growth is essential because every year you want to see something different, you want to see additions to graduation,” said Guerline Guerrier, a third-year biomedical sciences major and president of the BACC. “I really wanted to give these seniors a good Black graduation because they were the COVID year. We’re replacing the one they missed, really.” Many intimate graduation ceremonies have started on campus the past few years, including rainbow graduation and Latinx graduation, giving students a chance to celebrate fellow students who they may identify with the most. “Watching this celebration of our Black graduates grow over the years has been great to see,” said Keith Jenkins, vice president and associate provost for Diversity and Inclusion. “It is to be applauded when students recognize the importance of honoring their peers.” The importance of celebrating fellow students resonates within the Black community on RIT’s campus. Many students helped in the planning and executing of the event, even though their graduation day is a few years away. “It is a very integral to build community and hold that strong, and represent from the start to the finish,” said second-year software engineering major Jaime Offeiokyne. “Being part of a community gives you the space that is going to transcend you, even beyond college.”
- RIT to offer new pathway for earning MS degree in sustainable systems and MBARochester Institute of Technology’s Golisano Institute for Sustainability (GIS) and Saunders College of Business are collaborating on an accelerated pathway that provides an opportunity for a Master of Science degree in sustainable systems and a Master of Business Administration. The program represents a strategic response to the increasing demand for professionals equipped with expertise in sustainability and business management, positioning graduates to lead the way in addressing complex global challenges while driving organizational success. The new master’s degree pathway in sustainable systems and business administration combines interdisciplinary coursework from GIS and Saunders College, building upon RIT’s reputation for excellence in sustainability education and business leadership and offering a unique opportunity for students to develop expertise in both areas. “RIT's new master’s degree pathway addresses a critical need for professionals who can integrate sustainability principles into strategic business decision-making,” said Amit Batabyal, interim head of the Department of Sustainability at GIS. “By combining advanced coursework in sustainable systems with foundational business principles, graduates will be well positioned to drive innovation and create positive social and environmental impacts within their organizations,” added Batabyal, Distinguished Professor and the Arthur J. Gosnell Professor of Economics in RIT’s College of Liberal Arts. The program's interdisciplinary nature will enable RIT students to explore the intersection of sustainability and business through a variety of specialized courses, including sustainable supply chain management, corporate social responsibility, environmental economics, microeconomics, and strategic management. Through experiential learning opportunities, internships, and industry partnerships, RIT students will gain practical experience applying sustainability principles to real-world business challenges. According to Bill Dresnack, director of Saunders College’s MBA program, the collaboration between GIS and Saunders College was initiated after a student expressed interest in both degrees. “I’m thrilled that we collectively responded to a student idea and built a combined program that can serve businesses as well as communities,” said Dresnack, associate professor in the finance and accounting department. “The need to combine economic growth and innovation with environmental and social considerations will continue to increase, and at RIT we have the collective resources to play a significant role in this work. I’m proud to be a part of this.” The new pathway is designed to be completed in two calendar years, offering RIT students the opportunity to earn two master's degrees in an accelerated timeframe. This pathway enables students to save time while positioning themselves in leadership roles in sustainability-focused industries, including renewable energy, green technology, and corporate sustainability management. Interested students can join this new pathway by applying to the MS in Sustainable Systems program, then upon successful completion will automatically be admitted to the Master of Business Administration with scholarship guaranteed. The program is open to students with diverse academic backgrounds, including environmental science, engineering, business, and related fields. Applications for the new pathway for a MS degree in sustainable systems and MBA are now open, with the first cohort scheduled to begin classes in the fall.