50 Years of Memories and More | November 2019
The Class of ’69: RIT’s Newest Golden Circle Alumni
More than 200 RIT Alumni gathered to share memories and pay homage to their classmates at the Golden Circle Alumni Luncheon October 18th at Locust Hill Country Club.
It’s all part of Brick City Homecoming weekend which draws so many former students to return to campus. The luncheon, hosted by the Division of Development and Alumni Relations honors graduates celebrating 50 years or more. They are called Golden Circle alumni.
Joining the esteemed group this year are members of the class of 1969, the first class to graduate from the Henrietta campus. Each of them was given a special medallion presented by Anika Aftab, RIT Student Government President and Rick Kittles ’89 an RIT Trustee.
Other members of different RIT classes were recognized, including Francis Drago ’48, the oldest alumnus in attendance.
President David Munson also put the spotlight on another group of graduates he calls “trailblazers” for the stance they took in 1969.
That was a time of major change in this country. While America began launching trips to the moon, on the ground people were fighting for their civil rights. RIT was no exception. That year the Black Awareness Coordinating Committee (BACC) was formed to focus on the needs of underrepresented students. Five of the founding members of BACC, including Kenneth Everett attended the luncheon. President Munson thanked them for helping to lay a strong foundation for the university’s diversity and inclusion efforts today.
In acknowledging RIT’s rich history, Munson also outlined some exciting changes ahead including construction of the Global Cybersecurity Institute and plans for the new Innovative Maker and Learning Complex which will connect the Student Alumni Union with Wallace Library. He said he hopes they feel a sense of pride in what their alma mater has become.