Photo Spotlights

Jim Vallino, who was recently named chair of RIT’s Department of Software Engineering, is a recipient of an Eisenhart Award for Outstanding Teaching for the 2009-2010 academic year. Vallino’s unique teaching philosophy, one that requires students to share responsibility for their own learning, has earned admiration from his students and his peers. The award is named in honor of M. Herbert and Elsa Bausch Eisenhart. Mr. Eisenhart was the longtime president and board chairman of Bausch & Lomb Inc. and a member of RIT’s Board of Trustees for more than 50 years.

The RIT Formula SAE team unveiled its 2010 car May 1 at the Imagine RIT Festival. RIT, one of the top collegiate design teams in the country, begins its season with a trip to Michigan International Speedway May 12-16. Last year, RIT Formula placed second overall in the competition. RIT will defend its first-place overall finish in California June 16-19 and will compete in the Formula Student Germany event Aug. 4-8.

Twelve young women studying in RIT’s School of Film and Animation screened their films at the 360 | 365 George Eastman House Film Festival May 9. The program included animations, live action, experimental films and documentaries. This is from the showing of Grandpa?!, produced and shot in Taiwan by TzuHui Lin.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand discussed fuel-cell research projects being conducted at RIT with President Bill Destler. Gillibrand visited campus April 30 to tour the research labs of RIT’s Golisano Institute for Sustainability. She also hosted a fuel cell roundtable discussion with area business, government and labor leaders. The event was organized by New York State Assemblyman Joseph Morelle.

The 360 | 365 George Eastman House Film Festival kicked off May 5 with an appearance by film director James Ivory. Ivory was honored as a George Eastman Honorary Scholar and presented his latest film, The City of Your Final Destination. In addition, 12 young women studying in RIT’s School of Film and Animation will screen their films at the festival. Filmgoers can see the program “Women of SOFA” at 1 p.m. May 9 at the Little Theatre in Rochester. The program will include animations, live action, experimental films and documentaries.

Keith Jenkins, associate professor in the Department of Communication, has been selected to receive an Eisenhart Award for Outstanding Teaching for the 2009-2010 academic year. The honor, presented by the Office of the Provost, encourages the professional growth and development of RIT faculty and specifically recognizes those members of the academic body who contribute most to enhance student learning. The award is named in honor of M. Herbert and Elsa Bausch Eisenhart. Mr. Eisenhart was the longtime president and board chairman of Bausch & Lomb Inc. and a member of RIT’s Board of Trustees for more than 50 years.

Visitors interacted with a large projection screen via a controlling system to create a unique collaborative art piece called Hydropic, from the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences, at the 2010 Imagine RIT: Innovation and Creativity Festival.

2010 is the 40th anniversary of the Higher Education Opportunity Program at RIT. This state-funded program is committed to the recruitment and academic success of students with strong academic potential who would otherwise be excluded from higher education due to circumstances of economic disadvantage. The celebration on April 30 honored all those past and present involved with HEOP at RIT. The program included a video and a keynote speaker, Wade Norwood, director of community engagement for the Finger Lakes Health Systems Agency.

The RIT Green Vehicle Challenge kicked off the 2010 Imagine RIT: Innovation and Creativity Festival on May 1. Nine teams built and raced alternate energy vehicles to compete on time and energy consumed.

Sketchbox is an immersive installation that seeks to bring strangers together to play, both cooperatively and competitively. Without using a controller of any kind, players interact with the games by moving throughout the installation space. The game world is comprised entirely of doodle-quality illustrations, representative of the childlike simplicity of play. An exhibit from the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences at the Imagine RIT: Innovation and Creativity Festival.

RIT Student Government encouraged students to voice their concerns and offer feedback during the first ever Student Speak Up Day April 29. Tables were set up around campus and leaders encouraged students to fill out surveys to help shape the future of RIT.

The 18th annual Taste of RIT took place on April 29 with all proceeds going to the RIT United Way Campaign.