College Alumni Programs
College of Liberal Arts starts newsletter
The College of Liberal Arts is proud to announce its new electronic newsletter.
Produced by the college’s communication specialist, Will Dube ’09 , and designed by senior communications major, Alicia Schofield ’11, the newsletter has information on college programs, faculty, students and alumni.
Each month the newsletter will be e-mailed to the CLA community. Additionally, every three months a hard copy will be printed for special distribution. Be sure your e-mail address is up-to-date by reviewing your alumni profile at www.rit.edu/alumni/cla.
CAST shows off at Brick City Homecoming
Brick City Homecoming was the setting for CAST students to show off to visiting alumni. The Engineering Technology Interactive Exhibits featured the Baja Off-road Vehicle, the Concrete Canoe, the Hybrid Electrical Bike, IQ Bug Navigation, Package Chunkin’ and Pumpkin Chunkin’.
The School of Hospitality & Service Management held its 25th Alumni Awards Dinner honoring Julie Hayes Fenske ’86 with the Sarah Margaret Gillam Memorial Award; David Brough ’92 with the Dr. Richard Marecki Memorial Award; Hector Garcia ’89, ’96 with the Dr. Paul Kazmierski Memorial Award; Kathryn McGuire ’97 with the Excellence in Health Award; Aaron Kulpa ’96 with the Entrepreneurial Award; William Myers ’98 with the International Award of Excellence and Abigail Holland ’11 with the Student Recognition Award.
Also held in October was a Deans’ Reception for CAST, GCCIS and SCB alumni in Syracuse. During November, CAST hosted two events. In Chicago, more than 100 packaging science alumni, students, faculty and friends gathered for a reception at Dave & Buster’s during Pack Expo. Back on campus, CAST held its second annual college Hockey Night with alumni gathering for a tailgate dinner and then cheering on the men’s hockey Tigers vs. UConn.
CIAS welcomes new faculty
The College of Imaging Arts and Sciences welcomed many new faculty who are returning to their alma mater: Josh Shagum ’10, visiting assistant professor biomedical photography; Miguel Cardona ’04, visiting assistant professor in design; David Schnuckel ’10, visiting assistant professor in glass; Rachel Jerome Ferraro ’96, lecturer in the School of Photographic Arts and Sciences; Chad Grohman ’94, lecturer in the School of Art; Shaun Foster ’02, assistant professor in 3D digital graphics; and Meredith Davenport ’86 ’88, assistant professor in the School of Photographic Arts and Sciences.
The opening of the Vignelli Center for Design Studies this fall was a spectacular kickoff to the 2010-11 CIAS Alumni events series. Check out the website at www.rit.edu/alumni/cias to see if we will be in a city near you.
COS leadership takes shape
In her first fall quarter as permanently appointed Dean of the College of Science, Dr. Sophia Maggelakis has convened a committee of faculty, research scientists, staff, students and alumnus Paul Conrow ’81, who are charged with drafting the COS Strategic Plan for the next five years.
Plans are also under way for the development of the Institute of Health Sciences and Technology, one of the many opportunities that are being realized as a result of the RIT & Rochester General Health System Alliance.
Earlier in the fall, Maggelakis announced her leadership team, which includes the following academic unit heads: Dr. Stefi Baum, Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science; Dr. Mike Kotlarchyk, physics; Dr. Doug Meadows, School of Mathematical Sciences; Dr. Paul Rosenberg, chemistry; and Dr. Gary Skuse, interim head of the School of Biological and Medical Sciences.
Members of the dean’s office include: Dr. Mark Fairchild, associate dean for research and graduate education; Dr. Andy Langner, COS strategic planning coordinator; Catherine Mahrt-Washington, assistant dean for student affairs; Dr. Darren Narayan, director of undergraduate research; Dr. Elizabeth Perry, director of science exploration program; and Dr. Laura Tubbs, associate dean for undergraduate education.
Computer science marks 35th year
The Golisano College and the RIT Alumni & Family Series Program joined forces to offer a ride-and-slide family day at Sea Breeze Amusement Park in August, hosting 125 kids and adults.
The Computer Science (CS) Department celebrates its 35th anniversary this year. Our kick-off celebration was the CS Blues and Brews event co-hosted by the CS Department in September at the Lovin’ Cup restaurant at Park Point. Thirty-eight guests enjoyed food and a beer-tasting while listening to the bluesy sounds of alumnus Steve Casilio ’08 and his band, Cold Sweat Project. The celebration continued through Brick City Homecoming weekend with a dessert reception, where guests learned more about the history of computing.
Three RIT colleges hosted the first multiple deans’ reception on Oct. 27. Jorge Díaz-Herrera, dean of the Golisano College, Fred Walker, dean of the College of Applied Science and Technology, and Ash Rao, dean of the Saunders College of Business, invited alumni in the Syracuse, N.Y., area to gather and hear about what’s new at their alma mater. Fall finished with the third annual Golisano College Hockey Night, bringing together alumni on Oct. 29 for a tailgate dinner and to cheer on the RIT Tigers.
KGCOE’s Reeve retires
The Kate Gleason College of Engineering bids a fond farewell to Dick Reeve. We wish him the best of luck as he enjoys retirement with his family. With Reeve’s retirement, we welcome Jacqueline Mozrall ’87 as associate dean of the Kate Gleason College of Engineering. Prior to this appointment, Mozrall was department head for Industrial and Systems Engineering.
The KGCOE wrapped up a successful round of events during Brick City Homecoming, including the 30th Anniversary of Computer Engineering. During this celebration, Dr. Roy Czernikowski was inducted as the first member of the Computer Engineering Academy.
NTID alumni participate in events
RIT/NTID alumni chapter events were well attended throughout the summer and early fall. Events were held in Centralia, Wash.; Las Vegas, Nev.; Pittsburgh, Pa.; and Columbus, Ohio. Receptions also were held in Rochester for alumni, faculty and friends of the ASLIE and MSSE programs.
The NTID Alumni Association Board of Directors welcomed the following new board members at the October meeting: Chad Ludwig SVP ’91, ’97; Lauren Bain ’07; Amy Crumrine ’94, ’97; Andrew Jacobson ’90, ’96; Alok Doshi, ’95; Arlene Sankey ’86, ’89, ’93 and Katherine Hoheusle ’00.
The RIT/NTID community mourned the loss of Anthony “Tony” Wallace ’08, who was killed in the line of duty as a police officer of the Hoonah, Alaska, Police Department on Aug. 28. Tony was a three-time All-American wrestler and served as an officer with RIT Public Safety. He was named to the RIT Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.
A memorial service to celebrate Tony’s life was held on Oct. 21 in the Gordon Field House.
SCB board creates awareness
On Sept. 21, 2010, the Saunders College of Business Alumni Advisory Board kicked off the new academic year with a reception hosted by Dean Ash Rao at Monroe Golf Club in Rochester.
Founded in the 1980s as the College of Business Alumni Association, the board has worked toward supporting the Saunders College of Business on alumni-focused initiatives.
This year, the board has developed and attached quantitative metrics to its goals of increasing Saunders College alumni brand awareness, engagement and participation.
Currently, 21 alumni serve on the board, including officers Russ Schwartzbeck ’97, board chair; Bill Prentice ’97, development committee chair; Mark Forte ’91, golf tournament committee chair; Kate Turner ’08, networking committee chair; and Brandyn Jacob ’02, professional development committee chair.
To learn more, e-mail alumni@saunders.rit.edu.