Photo Spotlights

“What Matters to Me and Why” is a luncheon series where the RIT community can have an informal conversation with faculty and staff about personal values, journeys and visions. On March 19, Henry Hinesley, coordinator of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Center, shared his thoughts. The series is sponsored by the Spirituality Committee of RIT’s Student Wellness Initiative. The next “What Matters to Me and Why” luncheon is with Rauncie Ryan, assistant dean of graduate student success, on April 16 in the Campus Center Reading Room.

Typeface designer Steve Matteson ’88 (printing) spent March 11-16 in the RIT Cary Graphic Arts Collection reading room researching type designer Frederic Goudy for the first Cary Collection/Monotype Imaging Fellowship. In 1990, Matteson began work at Monotype Corp. contributing to the creation of the Windows 3.1x core True Type fonts Arial, Times New Roman and Courier New. He has designed close to 50 fonts—including Droid, Convection, Arimo, Chicory, Titanium, Truesdale and Mayberry—and his work is featured in several computer operating systems and embedded in game consoles, cell phones and other electronic devices.

One of RIT’s newest additions, Institute Hall, features a rectangular brick wall, dotted with windows that are recessed into the side of the building. By contrast, the north face of Institute Hall is curved and made up almost entirely of glass. The modern architectural style is designed to be compatible with existing campus buildings. To read more about RIT’s evolving architectural style, go to www.rit.edu/news/athenaeum_story.php?id=49764.

The “Alexey Brodovitch, Life & Livelihood” exhibition at RIT Cary Graphic Arts Collection at The Wallace Center is on view through May 19. From photographic portraits to the elegant layouts of Harper’s Bazaar, the exhibit examines the life and work of this 20th century art director and designer. A selection of portraits, publications and aphorisms provide a glimpse into Brodovitch’s career.

RIT’s 2013 United Way campaign kicked off March 14 with a carnival and prize auction. From left, RIT students Alexis Clemens and Agave Perez volunteered at the “Win it in a Minute” table for the game “Separation Anxiety.”

Stephanie Polowe, a professor in the Cultural & Creative Studies Department at NTID, received the 2013 Four Presidents Distinguished Public Service Award on Tuesday. Also recognized was Abubakar Ali, an RIT/NTID urban and community studies and international studies double major in the College of Liberal Arts, who received the Bruce R. James ’64 Distinguished Service Award for his service in the RIT community, in Rochester and in his native Somalia.

RIT Vice President Emeritus Alfred Davis started a $50,000 endowment to fund the awards program. Each recipient will have the privilege of designating the endowment income to a beneficiary of their choice.

From left, Associate Director of Student and Recent Alumni Programs James Macchiano, RIT President Bill Destler, Polowe, Ali and Senior Vice President for Student Affairs Mary-Beth Cooper gathered before the March 12 ceremony.

An exhibition “Totems and Other Tributes to the Earth” of two dozen recent ceramic works by Peter Gerbic, hosted at the Williams-Insalaco Gallery, Finger Lakes Community College, is on display through March 15. Gerbic earned his MFA in ceramics at RIT in 1968 and was one of Frans Wildenhain’s and Hobart Cowles’ students. Gerbic was instrumental in founding the ceramics program at both the Rochester Folk Art Guild and at FLCC.

RIT hosted “You Are Not Alone: Voices of Survivors of Violence,” a showcase featuring artwork, music and poetry created by survivors of violence, accompanied by their personal stories, as well as a memory table honoring those who have lost their lives to violence. Speakers and panel discussions were also part of the program, and a quiet spot was available for survivors to connect with each other. The showcase was sponsored by RIT’s College of Liberal Arts and the Center for Women and Gender. Here, a student views photographs of survivors by RIT student Lydia Billings.

RIT’s College of Health Sciences and Technology sponsored the conference, “Treating Family Violence as a Contagious Disease: Moving Beyond a One-Size-Fits-All Treatment Approach” on March 11. Keynote speaker Gail Gilchrist, head of the Centre for Applied Social Research at the University of Greenwich in London, presented “Treating Intimate Partner Violence Among Substance Users.” Gilchrist is implementing in London clinics a treatment alternative developed by conference organizer Caroline Easton, professor of forensic clinical psychology at RIT.

RIT celebrated International Women’s Day on March 8 with a tulip giveaway in the Student Alumni Union. International Women’s Day began in 1975 and the growing international women’s movement has helped make the commemoration a rallying point to build support for women’s rights and participation in political and economic arenas. RIT’s commemoration is sponsored by the College of Liberal Arts’ Women and Gender Studies Committee and International Education Committee. Co-sponsoring the event is RIT’s Center for Women and Gender. Here, Laura Shackelford, assistant professor in the College of Liberal Arts, handed out flowers.

Construction continues for the future Gene Polisseni Center. The arena will be the home of the men’s and women’s hockey teams and is expected to be open for play in Fall 2014. Currently, 651 pipe piles are being installed before concrete footings are poured. Live streaming video of construction of the arena is available online at www.rit.edu/powerplay.

Workers install plants to the green wall near the west entrance of the Golisano Institute for Sustainability March 7. The wall contains 1,776 green plants, contributing to air quality as well as aesthetics. The space measures 8 feet wide and 38 feet tall.