Michael Krupnicki, president of Mahany Welding Supply in Rochester and founder of the partner company Rochester Arc + Flame Center, has been honored as RIT's Volunteer of the Year for 2016. Krupnicki graduated from RIT in 1999 from RIT's Executive MBA program.

Krupnicki has given back to RIT in many ways, offering classes not available on campus to RIT students. Sculpture, mechanical engineering technology and industrial design students have learned how to weld at his facilities. He estimates nearly 1,000 RIT students have taken credit-bearing classes at his businesses since 2004.

"This is how I give back as an alumnus," said Krupnicki. "I get satisfaction knowing that my organizations have contributed to students' education at RIT."

In addition, Krupnicki has sponsored the annual Glass Pumpkin Sale and RIT Formula Racing and RIT Baja Racing teams. He has hosted team-building activities for Saunders College of Business students at Arc + Flame, volunteered as a judge in campus business competitions and worked as an adjunct professor in Saunders College of Business from 1997 to 2012. He also hires RIT alumni to work in his businesses.

"Who would have thought a welding supply business could have an impact on so many college students," he said. "Maybe this will inspire other local alumni with businesses to find creative ways to give back."