Four Presidents Past Winners
Annually the Four Presidents Distinguished Public Service Award is presented to a current member of the faculty or staff who, through his/her public service, mirrors the lives of the four presidents - who have been not only outstanding professionals but also caring members of the community.
![Denishea R. Ortiz](/gcr/sites/rit.edu.gcr/files/images/paragraph/image-card/D.Ortiz_headshot_0.jpg)
Denishea R. Ortiz
Executive Director, Marketing & Communication
Finance & Administration
Gifts were made in Denishea Ortiz's name to the following organization:
- Rochester Area Community Foundation, Racial Equity Fund
- Causewave Community Partners
- IBERO American Action League
- Urban League of Rochester
![Susan Fox, 2023](/gcr/sites/rit.edu.gcr/files/images/paragraph/image-card/getphotoid.jpg)
Susan Fox, 2023
Prospect Researcher, Advancement Services and Administration
University Advancement
Gifts were made in Susan Fox's name to the following organization:
- East Avenue Grocery Run
![Portrait Matthew Reynell](/gcr/sites/rit.edu.gcr/files/images/paragraph/image-card/Matt%20Reynell.jpg)
Matthew Reynell, 2022
Assistant Director, Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships
Division of Enrollment Management
Gifts were made in Matthew Reynell's name to the following organizations:
- Center for Youth
- Children Awaiting Parents
![Portrait of Luane Haggerty](/gcr/sites/rit.edu.gcr/files/images/paragraph/image-card/haggerty.jpg)
Dr. Luane Davis Haggerty, 2021
Principal Lecturer, Department for Performing Arts
National Technical School for the Deaf
Gifts were made in Luane Davis Haggerty's name to the following organizations:
- IRT Theater
- Off-Monroe Players
- PUSH Physical Theatre
- Rochester Community Players
- Rochester Latino Theatre Company RLTC
![Portrait of Thomas Warfield](/gcr/sites/rit.edu.gcr/files/images/paragraph/image-card/warfield.jpg)
Thomas Warfield, 2020
Director of Dance, Department of Performing Arts
National Technical Institute of the Deaf
Gifts were made in Thomas Warfield's name to the following organizations:
- The Avenue Blackbox Theatre
- WOC Art Collaborative
![Portrait of James A. Myers](/gcr/sites/rit.edu.gcr/files/images/paragraph/image-card/myers.jpg)
James A. Myers, 2019
Associate Provost, International Education and Global Programs
Office of the Provost
Gifts were made in James A. Myers’ name to the following organizations:
- Haiti Outreach Pwoje Espwa (H.O.P.E.)
- Cancer Wellness Connections
- Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
![Portrait of Twyla J. Cummings](/gcr/sites/rit.edu.gcr/files/images/paragraph/image-card/cummings.jpg)
Twyla J. Cummings, 2018
Dean of Graduate Education
Office of the Provost
Gifts were made in Twyla J. Cummings’ name to the following organizations:
- AKOMA
- Rochester Area Business Ethics Foundation
- Rochester Women’s Network
- YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County
![Portrait of James H. Watters](/gcr/sites/rit.edu.gcr/files/images/paragraph/image-card/watters.jpg)
James H. Watters, 2017
Senior Vice President and Treasurer
Finance & Administration
A gift was made in James Watters’ name to the following organization:
- New York Wine and Culinary Center.
![Portrait of Cynthia S. Gray](/gcr/sites/rit.edu.gcr/files/images/paragraph/image-card/gray_0_0.jpg)
Cynthia S. Gray, 2016
Assistant Vice President
RIT & Rochester Regional Health Alliance and
Institute of Health Sciences and Technology
Gifts were made in Cynthia S. Gray’s name to the following organizations:
- Bivona Child Advocacy Center
- Heritage Christian Services
- Leadership Rochester
- Rochester Community Robotics
- United Way of Greater Rochester
![Portrait of Sarah Brownell](/gcr/sites/rit.edu.gcr/files/images/paragraph/image-card/brownell.jpg)
Sarah Brownell, 2015
Lecturer, Design, Development & Manufacturing
Kate Gleason College of Engineering
Gifts were made in Sarah Brownell’s name to the following organizations:
- Friends of Borgne
- House of Mercy
- St. Joseph's House of Hospitality
![Portrait of Rose Marie Toscano](/gcr/sites/rit.edu.gcr/files/images/paragraph/image-card/toscano_0_0.jpg)
Rose Marie Toscano, 2014
Professor, Department of Liberal Studies
National Technical Institute for the Deaf
Gifts were made in Rose Marie Toscano’s name to the following organizations:
- The Advocacy Center
- Muscular Dystrophy Association
- SKIP of NY
![Portrait of Stephanie Polowe](/gcr/sites/rit.edu.gcr/files/images/paragraph/image-card/poloweali_0_0.jpg)
Stephanie Polowe, 2013
Professor, Cultural and Creative Studies
National Technical Institute for the Deaf
Gifts were made in Dr. Stephanie Polowe’s name to the following organizations:
- Caring Hearts for RIT Cats
- Irondequoit Community Cupboard
- Irondequoit Rotary
- Irondequoit Volunteer Ambulance
- NTID Theater Program
- Rochester Area Humane Society at Lollipop Farm
- Rochester Contemporary Art Gallery
- Summerville Presbyterian Church Mission Program
- Sunset House
![Portrait of Steven Morse](/gcr/sites/rit.edu.gcr/files/images/paragraph/image-card/morse_0_0.jpg)
Steven Morse, 2012
Assistant Vice President, Institute Audit, Compliance and Advisement
Gifts were made in Steven Morse's name to the following organizations:
- Rochester School for the Deaf
- Susan B. Anthony House
- Shepard Home
- New York Museum of Transportation
- NTID Student Interpreters Club
![Portrait of Dr. Mary-Beth Cooper](/gcr/sites/rit.edu.gcr/files/images/paragraph/image-card/mary-beth-cooper_0_0.jpg)
Dr. Mary-Beth Cooper, 2011
Senior Vice President, Student Affairs
Gifts were made in Mary-Beth Cooper's name to the following organizations:
- YMCA of Greater Rochester
- Angela Buckley Scholarship at RIT
![Portrait of John Klofas](/gcr/sites/rit.edu.gcr/files/images/paragraph/image-card/klofas_0.jpg)
John Klofas, 2010
Professor, Criminal Justice
College of Liberal Arts
Gifts were made in John Klofas' name to the following organizations:
- House of Mercy
- Teen Empowerment
- Determined Divas
![Portrait of M. Ann Howard](/gcr/sites/rit.edu.gcr/files/images/paragraph/image-card/howard.jpg)
M. Ann Howard, 2009
Professor, Science, Technology & Society/Public Policy
College of Liberal Arts
Gifts were made in Ann Howard’s name to the following organizations:
- NeighborWorks Rochester
- Greater Rochester Urban Bounty
- Anthony L. Jordan Health Center
![Portrait of Dr. James J. DeCaro](/gcr/sites/rit.edu.gcr/files/images/paragraph/image-card/decaro_0_0.jpg)
Dr. James J. DeCaro, 2008
Director, Postsecondary Education Network-International
National Technical Institute for the Deaf
Gifts were made in Dr. DeCaro’s name to the following organizations:
- Rochester Hearing and Speech Center
- Al Sigl Center
- Rochester School for the Deaf Archives
- Hearing Loss Association of America Rochester New York Chapter
![Portrait of Dr. D. Robert Frisina](/gcr/sites/rit.edu.gcr/files/images/paragraph/image-card/frisina.jpg)
Dr. D. Robert Frisina, 2007
Director, International Center for Hearing and Speech Research
National Technical Institute for the Deaf
Gifts were made in Dr. D. Robert Frisina’s name to the following organizations:
- Rochester Rehabilitation Center
- Rochester Hearing and Speech Center
- Rochester School for the Deaf
![Portrait of Deborah M. Stendardi](/gcr/sites/rit.edu.gcr/files/images/paragraph/image-card/stendardi_0_0.jpg)
Deborah M. Stendardi, 2006
Vice President, Government and Community Relations
Office of the President
Gifts were made in Deborah M. Stendardi’s name to the following organization:
- United Way of Greater Rochester’s Women United Youth Advocate Model
![Portrait of William C. Larsen](/gcr/sites/rit.edu.gcr/files/images/paragraph/image-card/larson.jpg)
William C. Larsen, 2005
Associate Professor Civil Engineering Technology
College of Applied Science and Technology
Gifts were made in William C. Larsen’s name to the following organizations:
- Haiti Outreach – Pwoje Espwa (H.O.P.E.)
- RIT Civil Engineering Technology Environmental Management Building Fund
![Portrait of Dr. Barry R. Culhane](/gcr/sites/rit.edu.gcr/files/images/paragraph/image-card/culhane.jpg)
Dr. Barry R. Culhane, 2004
Executive Assistant to the President
Gifts were made in Dr. Barry Culhane’s name to the following organizations:
- Junior Achievement of Greater Rochester
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial of Greater Rochester Inc.
- Rochester Rotary Charitable Trust
- Al Sigl Center
![Portrait of Dr. Fred W. Smith](/gcr/sites/rit.edu.gcr/files/images/paragraph/image-card/smith.jpg)
Dr. Fred W. Smith, 2003
Secretary of the Institute
Assistant to the President
Gifts were made in Dr. Fred W. Smith’s name to the following organizations:
- Institute of Fellows
- RIT Women’s Council
- Nathaniel Rochester Society scholarship
- Family Service of Rochester
- Strong Children’s Museum