Faculty/staff messages to the Class of 2021

Faculty and staff in RIT's College of Art and Design shared congratulatory and inspirational messages with this year's graduates:

Laurie Alexander

Academic Advisor, Student Services and Advising

"You Made It! Congratulations, College of Art and Design Class of 2021!! I'm so happy for you all! Here's a special shout out to all of my graduating Interior Design and Industrial Design students! I am so, so proud of each and every one of you and inspired by your perseverance, resilience and achievement. It has been my honor to work with you these years, and I wish you all my best as you venture into the next phase of your life journey. Time to celebrate!!!"

Michaël Amy

Professor, Art History

"All best wishes for a life and career rich in experiences and learning. Continue to open yourself up to the world of ideas and sensations, and take creative risks. Remember, hard work and perseverance eventually pay off. Stay in touch."

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Submitted by Juan Carlos Caballero-Perez

Juan Carlos Caballero-Perez

Professor, Metals and Jewelry Design

"To our graduating seniors and graduate students, you are amazing! You have faced some of the most difficult challenges any students have ever had to face with the pandemic and you all rose to the occasion. Your commitment to school, your work, each other and your own growth as artists has been incredible. I am so honored to have been a part of your college experience. I am excited to see what the future holds for each of you as artists and as individuals. Congratulations and all the best to each one of you."

Lauren Cannon

Academic Advisor, Student Services and Advising

"Congratulations to the College of Art and Design Class of 2021! It has been a sincere pleasure to get to know you all and watch you grow as creators during your time with us at RIT. Know that I am very proud of all of your accomplishments and perseverance, and you should be, too. I hope that you enjoy all of the adventures awaiting you. Stay in touch, and best of luck!"

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Kris DePalma

Kris DePalma

Academic Advisor, Student Services and Advising

"Congratulations to the College of Art and Design Class of 2021! You should be so proud of your accomplishments! I am especially excited for all my Illustration and New Media Design majors, as you complete your undergraduate studies and move on to the next phase of your journey — whether that be employment, graduate studies, or just a little time off to figure out what's next! I hope your time at RIT has been meaningful and you leave with fond memories. Don't be a stranger! Stay in touch, come back for Brick City Homecoming and become an active alum! You deserve all the best life has to offer and I look forward to hearing about your new adventures and achievements!"

Keli DiRisio

Assistant Professor, Graphic Design

“What a year! Not what anyone expected or wanted, but you've all come through this! You've gotten this far and this is just the beginning. Stay strong, keep your eye on the prize, and remember to always spell check! Now get out there and set the world on fire!"

Lorrie Frear

Professor, Graphic Design

"You are uniquely prepared to face the world‘s challenges. You are stronger than you thought, and have developed amazing resilience and resourcefulness to help you change the world for the better. I wish all of you the very best as you move into this next part of your journeys."

Ricardo Figueroa

Program Director, Motion Picture Science, Interim Co-Director, School of Film and Animation

"Dear graduating MPS'ists! 

I want to first congratulate each of you on all your achievements this past year, which we all know was one full of challenges and adjustments for all. Second, know that you are now all uniquely equipped to handle pretty much anything that life throws at you!

MPS will always be your home at RIT and we hope you will all stay in contact with us as your careers progress. All of us at MPS wish you lots of success, health and happiness for what's to come, and last, let's celebrate! =)"

Mary Golden

Assistant Professor, Program Director, Interior Design

“Congratulations to the Interior Design Class of 2021!!! We are so proud of you all and the amazing work you have done. Best wishes as you launch your professional careers!”

Lara Goulart

Visiting Lecturer, Industrial Design

"Congratulations on your graduation and best wishes for your next adventure!"

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Submitted by Lara Goulart

Kristie Gross

Interim Co-Assistant Dean and Associate Director, Student Services and Advising

"CONGRATULATIONS, Class of 2021! You did it!!! We are so proud of you and know that you are going to do great things!! Best wishes and keep in touch! =) -Kristie & Myles =)"

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Submitted by Kristie Gross

Gregory Halpern

Professor, Fine Art Photography and Photography and Related Media

"In the days (and months and years) ahead, 'the real world' will come at you. That transition will be exhilarating at times, and hard at times. During the hard times, remember to be kind to yourself and be patient. It takes time to realize your dreams (it took me many years!). Invest in friendships and support each other because we need each other. You have already accomplished something great — and it certainly was not easy this last year. That accomplishment shows perseverance, which will serve you well. Don't forget us back here at RIT, and please keep us posted on the challenges and adventures you face next. You've got this. Onward!!!"

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Submitted by Gregory Halpern

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Submitted by Angela Kelly; taken by Josh Meltzer

Angela Kelly

Professor, Fine Art Photography

"Dear Class of 2021, I take special pride in your class. Many of you were in my freshman or fine art photography classes where we bonded as teacher and student, laughed and worked together. We even danced in K. Lab to the tune of 'Kodachrome' by Simon and Garfunkel. I have observed your progress, struggles, and new discoveries as you grew through four years at RIT. I have great hopes for your future and the challenges you'll meet head-on. Thank you for making my time at RIT so memorable. Congratulations!

Casey Kelly

Visiting Assistant Professor, Graphic Design

"Dreams are goals without actions. Set a few goals and make sure to list and take the steps towards your goals. You will find fulfillment in the process and having a direction, even if you end up where you least expect. Best of luck, have FUN, and go get em'!"

Amanda Kowalcyk

Sr. Staff Assistant, Student Services and Advising

"Through persistence and perseverance you were able to achieve your goals! It was a crazy road, but you made it! Congratulations to the Class of 2021!"

Bruce Leonard

Lecturer, Program Director, Industrial Design BFA

"I am so fortunate to have been given the opportunity to be your teacher and undergraduate program director. You know, only a very few of us are scheduled to teach every student in the Industrial Design (ID) program. A total of five of us taught all sections of a major course. This includes Kim in Human Factors, Graham in M&P, Mindy in Career Planning, Alan in ID History and me in Professional Practices. 

It has been a privilege to meet and teach everyone in the Class of 2021! You are a special group having endured nearly three semesters of COVID restrictions. To come together as you did for your capstone show demonstrated a resiliency and commitment to improving the lives of others. I was touched by my experience at City Art Space and came away with a feeling that our future is in good hands.

So, continue to show up, try hard, be curious and make lots of work every day. (Thanks to Mitch Goldstein for the quote!)"

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Submitted by Bruce Leonard

Alex Lobos

Professor, Graduate Director, Industrial Design

"Super congrats, Class of 2021! You will make the world a super awesome place."

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Submitted by Alex Lobos

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Submitted by Paul Muenzer

Paul Muenzer

Academic Advisor, Interim Co-Assistant Dean, Student Services and Advising

"Congratulations - Class of 2021! You are a group of amazing photographers, scientists, artists and designers with many accomplishments to your name. I look forward to seeing all the ways you will share your talents with the world in the coming years. I wish you each the best as you begin the next chapter of your life as alumni of the College of Art and Design."

Hye-Jin Nae

Assistant Professor, New Media Design

"You did it. Congratulations, New Media Design. Exciting new adventures await. I miss you all. ?"

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Submitted by Hye-Jin Nae

Josh Owen

Vignelli Distinguished Professor of Design and Director, Vignelli Center for Design Studies

“Nothing is simple — but everything should aspire to be.”

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Josh Owen

Jim Perkins

Distinguished Professor, Medical Illustration

“Congratulations to the Medical Illustration class of 2021. Your work is on the cutting edge of art and science. Let’s hope there’s never another pandemic, but if there is, you will be the ones educating the world about it. Best of luck in the future and keep in touch.”

Nate Rohman

Academic Advisor, Student Services and Advising

"Congratulations to the College of Art and Design Class of 2021! You should all be so proud to have overcome so much. You have earned this and every future success! Again, congratulations and best of luck with all future endeavors!"

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Stephen Scherer

Stephen Scherer

Lecturer, Graphic Design

"Best of luck. You are an extremely talented and creative group that the world will take notice of. Be bold, be surprising, be unconventional ... but most of all, be happy and remember fondly your years here at RIT."

Amos Scully

Associate Professor, Industrial Design

“You all are amazing, you carried energy and creativity in the mess of masking and staying at home. Find yourself, be yourself, connect with as many others as you can, and stay in touch!!!”

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Amos Scully

Adam Smith

Associate Professor, Program Director, New Media Design BFA and Visual Communication Design MFA

"Remember to build upon, that Inception is real, to consume everything, always remain a kid, and to collaborate with others. You remember the lecture! Your ideas, designs, and stories will be the inspiration for the next generation."

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Submitted by Adam Smith

Stephanie Solt

Academic Advisor, Student Services and Advising

"Congratulations to all of my advisees and all College of Art and Design graduates! It has been wonderful getting to know all of you and seeing your talents flourish. Be proud of all you have accomplished!"

Vee Sweet

Assistant Professor, Film and Animation

“School of Film and Animation Class of 2021! You are an amazing, talented, hard-working group that has my deepest respect! I am so proud of the intense dedication, creativity, and camaraderie I have seen from you since I have known you! This year, perhaps more-so than last, has thrown you intense curve balls. But you have withstood them admirably and pushed beyond the limits of what you knew you could do. Having withstood something as trying a year as this — equip those lessons you learned in patience, persistence, and fortitude forward with you towards the future. You are rockstars, and you will be missed!”

Joshua Thorson

Assistant Professor, Program Director, Photography and Related Media MFA

"Congratulations to you all! Stay in touch! I will miss you!"

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Submitted by Joshua Thorson

David Wivell

Associate Director, International Enrollment

"Congratulations to all the fun, creative, full-of-potential for changing the way we think people graduating from the College of Art and Design this year! And a special shout out to the wonderful international students that bring a diverse world of ideas to RIT! 祝贺今年的毕业生!"

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Submitted by David Wivell

Catherine Zuromskis

Associate Professor, Program Director, Fine Art Photography

"CONGRATULATIONS!!! You all faced huge challenges over the course of this strange year and overcame them. It's been an honor to work with many of you and I wish you the very best of luck and a bright future!!"