College of Art and Design 2020-2021 Distinguished Alumnus: Dave Gallagher

The Distinguished Alumni Awards are presented annually by each of RIT’s nine colleges and the School of Individualized Study to alumni who have performed at the highest levels of their profession or who have contributed to the advancement and leadership of civic, philanthropic, or service organizations. It is the highest award an RIT college can bestow upon its alumni.

The 2020-2021 recipients will be honored during a virtual ceremony on April 29. Learn more and register for the event.

College of Art and Design 2020-2021 Distinguished Alumnus

Dave Gallagher ’91 (imaging and photographic technology)
CEO and owner, Capture Integration

What is your favorite RIT memory?

“The RIT experience cannot be summed up in a few sentences. RIT and the imaging technology program gave me so much more than I could have imagined 35 years ago. The program opened my eyes to the variety of possibilities in the photographic industry for someone who never wanted to become a ‘photographer.’

Without a doubt, my most rewarding experiences were my teaching assistant positions with Glenn Miller, Phil Terry, and Michael Peres. These professors took me under their wings and allowed me to get a glimpse of how rewarding it can be to help another student with their educational goals. Their generosity, trust, and mentorship were as important as—or even more important than—any class I attended. It set me in a direction that I am still on today and is such an important aspect of why I still volunteer my time at RIT.”