Photo Spotlights

More than 100 RIT graduate students presented their research at the third annual Graduate Research Symposium on July 22. Nicole Varble, a mechanical engineering student, explained her research on methods to increase flow in a fistula used for dialysis.

High school students from California to Maryland attended a five-day workshop on photojournalism July 18-22. Led by William Snyder, chair of RIT’s photojournalism program, the week included lectures, shooting assignments and demonstrations and culminated with a book of students’ photographs.

RIT professor Grover Swartzlander, left, shared his expertise in optical vortices with graduate students and other young scientists during the Pan-American Advanced Studies Institute on Frontiers in Imaging Science in June at Universidad Nacional de Colombia in Bogatá Colombia. Standing with Swartzlander are Matt Risi, alumnus; Ross Robinson, graduate student in imaging science; Meridith Whitaker-Kupinski, alumna; David Saroff, doctoral student in the astrophysical sciences and technology program; and Alexandra Artusio Glimpse and Kenny Fourspring, graduate students in imaging science. Swartzlander is an associate professor in RIT’s Department of Physics and the Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science.

RIT’s student chapter of the Technical Association of the Graphic Arts won for best overall publication at this year’s international competition held in Pittsburgh. RIT competed against universities from the United States and Canada. Part of the book’s design included a foldout, removable cover featuring a timeline of the history of graphic arts. The students chose a printed spine, that looked like ribbon. Students developed a variable data workflow to personalize each spine with the last name of the person who was to receive a book copy. The book’s content included technical papers written by School of Print Media students and faculty.

While the U.S. Navy Blue Angels flew overhead, several of the Navy’s flag officers and enlisted personnel stopped by RIT to visit with middle school girls in the WE@RIT World in Motion camp to talk about how STEM programs can be preparation for naval careers. Featured at the camp event was Rear Admiral Gretchen Herbert, assistant chief of naval operations, who shared some of her experiences as she first looked into the Navy as a career choice while attending West Irondequoit High School. Since being commissioned in 1984, Admiral Herbert has served as a combat systems officer and assistant chief of staff for communications and information systems and has been deployed in the Mediterranean and Arabian Gulf with several carrier strike groups.

RIT history professor Richard Newman, center, makes a stop at the historic home of Susan B. Anthony during his conference, “Abolitionism, Women’s Rights and Religion on the Rochester Reform Trail,” which continues through July 23. Eighty schoolteachers from around the country came to Rochester to learn about our place in American history. Other tour stops include Mount Hope Cemetery, National Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, the Erie Canal Aqueduct and The Strong. Newman discusses the tour with Kevin Brenner, right, a teacher in Greensboro, N.C., and a Rochester native.

RIT’s Nathaniel Rochester Society has given its highest honor to E. Philip Saunders, founder of TravelCenters of America, chairman and founder of Genesee Regional Bank, owner of Saunders Management Co. and a member of the RIT Board of Trustees. The 2011 NRS Award will be presented July 14 during a ceremony at RIT’s Robert F. Panara Theatre in the Dyer Arts Center. The annual honor recognizes individuals who have contributed to the university’s advancement in an outstanding and significant manner. In 2006, Saunders made a $13 million gift to the university to boost the visionary plans of RIT’s business college which now bears his name. In 2010, he enhanced his support with an additional $5 million and a challenge to all Saunders College alumni and friends to raise $15 million to support future endeavors.

RIT history professor Richard Newman is spearheading a summer workshop series that will better educate history teachers on the influence of 19th century social reform movements on modern politics, culture and society.

Marshall Goldsmith, best-selling author and thought leader in leadership development and life coaching, gave the keynote address at the RIT Women’s Leadership Conference, “Finding Your Mojo,” on June 28.

High school teachers attending RIT’s Summer Math Institute Teachers’ Workshop had the opportunity to attend computer science presentations offered through the CS4HS workshop. Both programs ran June 27-30. Here, Alex Canter leads the App Inventor Workshop, along with Lindsey Ellis (seated to his right).

Mayur Thakur, a software engineer with Google, was the keynote presenter for the second annual Computer Science for High School at RIT program on June 28. The three-day workshop is for area science, technology, engineering and mathematics high school teachers to upgrade skills and to build new course modules for courses. Thakur led a full slate of speakers in fields from robotics to game design.

Marshall Goldsmith, best-selling author and thought leader in leadership development and life coaching, gave the keynote address at the RIT Women’s Leadership Conference, “Finding Your Mojo,” on June 28.