GMST 100th Anniversary

Frank Gannett

Gannett's growing prominence in the newspaper field was responsible for the esteem in which he was held by his fellow publishers and in turn resulted in the prompt acceptance by the association of the recommendation of its education committee to establish a printing school.

The Ellingson Era Begins

In 1936, John A. Randall was replaced in the presidency by Mark Ellingson. Ellingson would serve until 1969 and bring to fruition an important merger between the Empire State School of Printing and the Mechanics Institute; ultimately, bringing the Empire State School of Printing from Ithaca to Rochester as the Department of Publishing and Printing.

The Incunabula Years

The economic depression of the thirties naturally began to affect enrollment early in the decade. This problem was countered by inaugurating a twelve-month schedule so that students could work longer periods in the cooperative program, a most desirable improvement for both employers and students.

The Role of Women

The Empire State School of Printing was one of the earliest opportunities for women to pursue formal education in the graphic communications industry. Here, students set type at the Downtown Campus.

In 1953, Ellen Eggleton would become the first woman to receive an Associate of Applied Science from the School of Printing.

Hands-on Learning

President Mark Ellingson and machine composition instructor, Joseph Sorace, work with convocation speaker, Ruth M. Leach.

In recognition of the increasingly specialized professional nature of its programs, the university adopts the name it holds today: Rochester Institute of Technology.

Alexander S. Lawson

Alexander Lawson, a student demonstrating exceptional skills, was asked to become an instructor in 1947. In 1969, he was appointed as RIT’s first Melbert B. Cary Jr. Professorship in Graphic Arts, named after the noted graphic artist and life-long supporter of the graphic arts. Lawson held the post until retirement in 1977.

Inkometer

Virgil Barta, who lead RIT’s Graphic Arts Research Division, watches Vernon Watson use an inkometer, a measuring instrument to measure the “tack” (adhesiveness) of an ink with the roller system on an offset press.

At this time, RIT is a center of research on all aspects of the graphic arts.

Linotype Machine

George Kartis, student, operating a Linotype machine. Also in photo: William Biracree, Jr., President, Rochester Club of Printing House Craftsmen; Robert Du Bois, President, Printing Industry Association of Rochester; RIT President Mark Ellingson; Milton Williamson, President, Rochester Industrial Advertisers.

Student Clubs

Beginning in 1955, student clubs become an integral component of the program’s student experience. Gamma Epsilon Tau, a national, co-educational collegiate honors fraternity for graphic arts education competes at an annual conference with a student produced research journal. They are a student chapter for The Technical Association of the Graphic Arts (TAGA), an international community of industry professionals and academics dedicated to scientific research and technological innovation in the diverse field of graphic communications.

The Support of Industry

Equipment donations included a Xerox camera, copier, and fuser, the earliest commercial version of what was to become the ubiquitous Xerox Copier.

The Xerox Tower became an iconic part of the downtown Rochester skyline starting in 1967.

Leading in Education

With the continuing increase in enrollment, due in part to the wide welcome of the new four-year program terminating in a BS degree and the end of WWII, the Department of Printing was now settling down into what the administration conceived to be its role as the pace-setter in American graphic arts education.

Experienced Faculty

“The professional objectives of this department demand faculty members who are highly competent in their areas of specialization and who at the same time have a keen interest in teaching young people.”

Just a decade later out of the twenty-nine printing instructors twenty-seven would hold degrees at or above the baccalaureate level.

Early Facilities

Students in the print program worked on and supported multiple projects for large-scale players in the publishing industry.

This student is seen working on an issue of Kodakery, a newspaper for US Kodak employees, in the layout lab in the Clark Building at the Downtown Campus.

Mark Guldin

Mark Guldin, leading a tour of visitors, joined RIT as a faculty member in 1961 and became dean of the College of Graphic Arts and Photography in 1982.

Twenty-Five Years

In its twenty-fifth year in Rochester, the School of Printing celebrates a period of continuous growth in every facet of its operation. From an enrollment of eighteen students interested primarily in becoming journeymen printers, the student body is now composed of 417 undergraduates looking forward to being in the forefront of graphic arts leadership in the quarter of a century ahead. In 1965 Flexography and Gravure Printing become part of the curriculum.

The program continues to celebrate the Gravure Printing process at an annual summit (pictured here). 

Gannett Hall

RIT moves from downtown Rochester to its current Henrietta location. Gannett Hall is one of the original Henrietta buildings, and is still the primary location for the program—housing the program for over 50 years.

Advancements in Equipment

Students observe a professor demonstrating proper use of printing equipment.

An MBO folding machine for bindery is donated. Now all major printing processes are represented on campus with current industry equipment.

The Isaiah Thomas Award in Publishing

Named for one of America’s great patriot printers, this award has been bestowed on Industry notables since 1979 when Ronald White of Rockwell International accepted the prestigious award. Other recipients include Katharine Graham, Washington Post Company (1983); Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, New York Times Company (1984); Dona Violet a Barrios De Chamorro, Sra. Expresidenta de Nicaragua (1998); and Thomas Curley, The Associated Press (2005).

The 80s

250 Printing freshmen arrive in September matching the predicted economic revival of the printing industry. With 661 students now enrolled, the School of Printing approaches the population envisioned in its original blueprints back in the 1960s.

A Splash of Color

In 1983 a SCR-40 Scanning densitometer, a Linotype/Paul scanner, and a Compugraphics typesetter are donated.

Seen here, in a course in web offset printing on the Harris M-1000B press, Daniel Clark, T&E Center pressman, describes to students how to ‘fine tune’ the color balance of the inks from the remote console by checking against the color key.

Ink and Paper

Professor Joseph Brown uses a colorimeter to measure ink/paper color relationships.

Expansion of Industry Partnership

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation renews its partnership with RIT’s Printing Industry Center, awarding The Printing Industry Center $250,000.

Industry partners pledge money to help fund the center’s operations and advise RIT’s researchers on topics critical to the printing industry. 

The Open Publishing Lab

The Open Publishing Lab (OPL) opens. A cross-disciplinary center that focuses on researching new methods of content creation and developing innovative applications to publish across various media, the lab’s projects tackle the challenge of bringing digital content created by the various Web 2.0 applications back to print in an on demand, appropriately formatted and finished form. In this way, digital content can reside side by side with other traditional printed content, but also take advantage of the enhanced user generated concepts of Web 2.0 capabilities. This space wins an HP Innovation Research Award in 2008.

Endowed Professorships

Today, the department houses several Endowed Professorships:

• The Gannett Endowed Professorship
• Melbert B. Cary Endowed Professorship
• Paul and Louise Miller Endowed Professorship
• Fawcett Endowed Professorship
• Gravure Endowed Professorship

Awards

The Melbert B. Cary Jr. Distinguished Professor in RIT’s School of Media Sciences routinely presents the prestigious Melbert B. Cary Jr. Award to someone who is making tremendous steps forward in the graphic arts industry. Previous recipients are:

• Stephen Nigro, president of HP Inc.’s 3D printing business
• Charles Hull, the co-founder and chief technology officer of 3D Systems, widely considered the “father of 3D printing”
• Frank Steenburgh, senior vice president for business growth, Production Systems Group at Xerox Corp.
• John Dreyer, chairman of Pitman Company
• Dan Gelbart, president and founder of Creo Products Inc.

Digital Design

A graduate student uses design software to create the engaging print component for a product's packaging to ensure that it stands out in today's saturated product market.

Rising Stars

Student Nick Gawreluk holds a poster of himself at a graphic communications expo. Nick wins a College of Engineering Technology Rising Star Award after graduating in 2021. He is now the Global Sales Operations Manager, Software Solutions at Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG.

An Innovative Move

The School of Media Sciences changes its name to the Department of Graphic Media Science and Technology and moves from the College of Art and Design to the College of Engineering Technology.

This change supports more collaborative and integrated programing in packaging and engineering technology. Packaging represents a growth market in the graphic communications industry and the interdisciplinary nature of both degree programs better position students for careers and research initiatives, including those in the printed electronics industry.

100th Anniversary

Now the Department of Graphic Media Science and Technology, this program proudly celebrates 100 years of history, industry partnership, and student success.