Photo Spotlights

The RIT/NTID community celebrated the official opening of the Jan Strine Memorial Labyrinth Sept. 17. Strine, an award-winning assistant professor at NTID for 30 years, was a mentor to deaf students until her death from cancer in 2013. Strine taught a wellness and spirituality course in RIT’s Instructional Wellness Program, often discussing labyrinths. A blue lotus flower representing rebirth and the victory of the spirit is the focal point of the installation’s seven-circuit path, and the design incorporates delicate pieces of sea glass gathered by Strine throughout the years. According to her longtime partner, Jeanne Colombo, who spoke at the ceremony, “Jan made the world a better place.” Following the ceremony, guests were invited to walk the labyrinth, placing one foot in front of the other, which is said to relax the body and refresh the spirit.

Saunders College of Business hosted its annual fall picnic on Sept. 16. Food, games and information about student clubs were available to students, faculty and staff.

RIT kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month on Sept. 15 with food, music and dance in Global Village. The date coincides with the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries. The celebrations culminate with a guest speaker to campus, Jackie Cruz, 6:30 p.m. on October 15 in Ingle Auditorium. Cruz is a Dominican-American actress known for her role in the series Orange Is the New Black. Here, Emily Prado, a third-year student in the Saunders College of Business from Boston, leads a group in a Latin dance lesson.

The annual 9/11 Remembrance Vigil was held Sept. 11 on the grass knoll in front of the Sentinel statue. Taps was played at 8:46, 9:03, 9:37 and 10:03 a.m. in remembrance of each airplane that crashed on Sept. 11, 2001. An American flag was planted on the knoll for each of the 2,997 people who died in the attacks.

Men’s hockey captains (from right) Alexander Kuqali, a fourth-year accounting student from Pittsburgh, PA; Andrew Miller, a fourth-year business management student from Chicago, IL; and Josh Mitchell, a fourth-year environmental science student from Osoyoos, BC; get their first look at the Atlantic Hockey Championship rings. The team was honored on Sept. 9 at the Gene Polisseni Center.

Shayla Sanders, a fourth-year accounting student from Rochester, gathered information on volunteering from the Town of Henrietta Assistant Recreation and Youth Bureau Director Karen McArthur during the Community Service Fair Sept. 10. The event is held each semester by the RIT Leadership Institute & Community Service Center and featured nearly 30 agencies. McArthur participated for the first time and was impressed by the interest from students and others.

RIT President Bill Destler (far right), with men’s hockey captains (from right) Alexander Kuqali, a fourth-year accounting student from Pittsburgh, PA; Andrew Miller, a fourth-year business management student from Chicago, IL; and Josh Mitchell, a fourth-year environmental science student from Osoyoos, BC; along with Brandon Thompson, a fifth-year business management student from Vancouver, BC, get their first look at the Atlantic Hockey Championship rings. The team was honored on Sept. 9 at the Gene Polisseni Center.

This year’s faculty show showcases recent work by faculty members from the six schools in the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences through Sept. 26. Hosted by both the Bevier Gallery and the William Harris Gallery, this annual event features the work of filmmakers, designers, photographers, craftspeople and industry representatives as well as the work of painters, sculptors, printmakers and illustrators. Shown here is the Bevier Gallery.

The African American, Latin American and Native American (AALANA) community at RIT hosted an outdoor event, featuring music, games, food and giveaways on Sept. 6. From left, Ellen Raffaelle, a third-year international hospitality and service management student from Rochester; Mila Le, a fourth-year new media marketing student from Vietnam; and Sasha Gonye, a third-year game design student from Falmouth, Mass., tie dyed shirts.

Jerome Underwood, senior director of youth development and family services for the Rochester City School District, is RIT’s 2015-2016 Minett Professor. Underwood completed an MBA in finance from RIT in 2001. The professorship, established in 1991, brings distinguished Rochester-area multicultural professionals to RIT to work with students, faculty and staff members for one academic year.

Marge Piercy, best selling author of poetry and novels, did a reading and book signing Sept 2. Her work often addresses feminist and social concerns. The event was sponsored by RIT’s English department, Center for Women and Gender, Women’s and Gender Studies Program and Signatures Magazine.

The Association for Commuter Engagement (ACE), a program through the Center for Campus Life, hosted a lunch for more than 150 students. ACE provides a lounge with some amenities and special events for commuters and was recently awarded for “Outstanding Program for Commuter Students” from College Student Educators International.