Four Presidents Past Winners
Annually the Four Presidents Distinguished Public Service Award is presented to a current member of the faculty or staff who, through his/her public service, mirrors the lives of the four presidents - who have been not only outstanding professionals but also caring members of the community.

Don Pophal, 2025
Associate Teaching Professor
Gifts were made in Donald Pophal's name to the following organization:
- Seymour Library Foundation

Denishea R. Ortiz, 2024
Executive Director, Marketing & Communication
Finance & Administration
Gifts were made in Denishea Ortiz's name to the following organization:
- Rochester Area Community Foundation, Racial Equity Fund
- Causewave Community Partners
- IBERO American Action League
- Urban League of Rochester

Susan Fox, 2023
Prospect Researcher, Advancement Services and Administration
University Advancement
Gifts were made in Susan Fox's name to the following organization:
- East Avenue Grocery Run

Matthew Reynell, 2022
Assistant Director, Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships
Division of Enrollment Management
Gifts were made in Matthew Reynell's name to the following organizations:
- Center for Youth
- Children Awaiting Parents

Dr. Luane Davis Haggerty, 2021
Principal Lecturer, Department for Performing Arts
National Technical School for the Deaf
Gifts were made in Luane Davis Haggerty's name to the following organizations:
- IRT Theater
- Off-Monroe Players
- PUSH Physical Theatre
- Rochester Community Players
- Rochester Latino Theatre Company RLTC

Thomas Warfield, 2020
Director of Dance, Department of Performing Arts
National Technical Institute of the Deaf
Gifts were made in Thomas Warfield's name to the following organizations:
- The Avenue Blackbox Theatre
- WOC Art Collaborative

James A. Myers, 2019
Associate Provost, International Education and Global Programs
Office of the Provost
Gifts were made in James A. Myers’ name to the following organizations:
- Haiti Outreach Pwoje Espwa (H.O.P.E.)
- Cancer Wellness Connections
- Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

Twyla J. Cummings, 2018
Dean of Graduate Education
Office of the Provost
Gifts were made in Twyla J. Cummings’ name to the following organizations:
- AKOMA
- Rochester Area Business Ethics Foundation
- Rochester Women’s Network
- YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County

James H. Watters, 2017
Senior Vice President and Treasurer
Finance & Administration
A gift was made in James Watters’ name to the following organization:
- New York Wine and Culinary Center.

Cynthia S. Gray, 2016
Assistant Vice President
RIT & Rochester Regional Health Alliance and
Institute of Health Sciences and Technology
Gifts were made in Cynthia S. Gray’s name to the following organizations:
- Bivona Child Advocacy Center
- Heritage Christian Services
- Leadership Rochester
- Rochester Community Robotics
- United Way of Greater Rochester

Sarah Brownell, 2015
Lecturer, Design, Development & Manufacturing
Kate Gleason College of Engineering
Gifts were made in Sarah Brownell’s name to the following organizations:
- Friends of Borgne
- House of Mercy
- St. Joseph's House of Hospitality

Rose Marie Toscano, 2014
Professor, Department of Liberal Studies
National Technical Institute for the Deaf
Gifts were made in Rose Marie Toscano’s name to the following organizations:
- The Advocacy Center
- Muscular Dystrophy Association
- SKIP of NY

Stephanie Polowe, 2013
Professor, Cultural and Creative Studies
National Technical Institute for the Deaf
Gifts were made in Dr. Stephanie Polowe’s name to the following organizations:
- Caring Hearts for RIT Cats
- Irondequoit Community Cupboard
- Irondequoit Rotary
- Irondequoit Volunteer Ambulance
- NTID Theater Program
- Rochester Area Humane Society at Lollipop Farm
- Rochester Contemporary Art Gallery
- Summerville Presbyterian Church Mission Program
- Sunset House

Steven Morse, 2012
Assistant Vice President, Institute Audit, Compliance and Advisement
Gifts were made in Steven Morse's name to the following organizations:
- Rochester School for the Deaf
- Susan B. Anthony House
- Shepard Home
- New York Museum of Transportation
- NTID Student Interpreters Club

Dr. Mary-Beth Cooper, 2011
Senior Vice President, Student Affairs
Gifts were made in Mary-Beth Cooper's name to the following organizations:
- YMCA of Greater Rochester
- Angela Buckley Scholarship at RIT

John Klofas, 2010
Professor, Criminal Justice
College of Liberal Arts
Gifts were made in John Klofas' name to the following organizations:
- House of Mercy
- Teen Empowerment
- Determined Divas

M. Ann Howard, 2009
Professor, Science, Technology & Society/Public Policy
College of Liberal Arts
Gifts were made in Ann Howard’s name to the following organizations:
- NeighborWorks Rochester
- Greater Rochester Urban Bounty
- Anthony L. Jordan Health Center

Dr. James J. DeCaro, 2008
Director, Postsecondary Education Network-International
National Technical Institute for the Deaf
Gifts were made in Dr. DeCaro’s name to the following organizations:
- Rochester Hearing and Speech Center
- Al Sigl Center
- Rochester School for the Deaf Archives
- Hearing Loss Association of America Rochester New York Chapter

Dr. D. Robert Frisina, 2007
Director, International Center for Hearing and Speech Research
National Technical Institute for the Deaf
Gifts were made in Dr. D. Robert Frisina’s name to the following organizations:
- Rochester Rehabilitation Center
- Rochester Hearing and Speech Center
- Rochester School for the Deaf

Deborah M. Stendardi, 2006
Vice President, Government and Community Relations
Office of the President
Gifts were made in Deborah M. Stendardi’s name to the following organization:
- United Way of Greater Rochester’s Women United Youth Advocate Model

William C. Larsen, 2005
Associate Professor Civil Engineering Technology
College of Applied Science and Technology
Gifts were made in William C. Larsen’s name to the following organizations:
- Haiti Outreach – Pwoje Espwa (H.O.P.E.)
- RIT Civil Engineering Technology Environmental Management Building Fund

Dr. Barry R. Culhane, 2004
Executive Assistant to the President
Gifts were made in Dr. Barry Culhane’s name to the following organizations:
- Junior Achievement of Greater Rochester
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial of Greater Rochester Inc.
- Rochester Rotary Charitable Trust
- Al Sigl Center

Dr. Fred W. Smith, 2003
Secretary of the Institute
Assistant to the President
Gifts were made in Dr. Fred W. Smith’s name to the following organizations:
- Institute of Fellows
- RIT Women’s Council
- Nathaniel Rochester Society scholarship
- Family Service of Rochester
- Strong Children’s Museum