Photo Spotlights

Students from East High School’s Academy of Hospitality and Tourism planned, prepared and served a Mardi Gras meal at Henry’s on May 19. The event was the culmination of yearlong partnership between the local high school and RIT’s School of Hospitality and Service Management.

Andrew Herbert, College of Liberal Arts, received a 2008-2009 Eisenhart Outstanding Teaching Award on May 7. Since 1965, RIT’s Eisenhart Awards for Outstanding Teaching have honored and celebrated faculty excellence. Winners are chosen through rigorous peer review of student nominations.

Twenty RIT students, faculty and staff members took the RIT Health/Fitness Challenge over the past 126 days. Combined, the group lost 138.5 pounds, 161 inches and 33.8 percent body fat. The group, including Alicia Tejada Abreu, focused on nutrition, fitness and wellness.

Linwei Wang is set to become one of the first two graduates of the Computing and Information Sciences Ph.D. program in the B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences. Wang came to RIT to work with her mentor, Pengchang Shi, who serves as the college’s Ph.D. program director for graduate studies and research. Wang will join the program’s faculty after she graduates.

RIT’s English Language Center celebrated its 30th anniversary during an open house May 14. The celebration featured a variety of international foods and a number of exhibits prepared by RIT international students to teach the community about the students’ home countries. Here, Rhona Genzel, director of the English Language Center, greeted some of the guests.

RIT’s School of Film and Animation hosted a pre-reception for filmmakers participating in the Rochester High Falls International Film Festival. Actress CCH Pounder attended the May 15 event and toured the facility. RIT is among the venues for this year’s film festival.

Scott Franklin, a physics professor, won the first Gender Diversity Award. The award was presented by Vice President for Student Affairs Mary-Beth Cooper at the annual Women’s Career Achievement Dinner April 27.

Lindsay Berkebile, a third-year RIT film and animation student, is the recipient of the inaugural X-Factor Filmmakers Award. Berkebile was honored at a May 14 ceremony for the Rochester High Falls International Film Festival. The award was established by Lauren Tracy, a fourth-year RIT film and animation student. Tracy’s goal is to help women filmmakers advance in the industry.

After being laid off, Rachelle Danno enrolled in RIT’s Center for Multidisciplinary Studies and crafted a unique degree program combining courses in fine art, food service management and business management. Danno completed her course work in winter quarter.

United States Congressman Steve Israel toured the Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies during a visit to campus May 8. Israel, a leader in the area of sustainability development, was on campus to discuss RIT’s current efforts in sustainability research and education.

Inductees of the Department of Communication chapter of the Lambda Pi Eta National Honor Society were honored April 30 at the organization’s annual gala.

Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society students gathered April 29 outside RIT President Bill Destler’s home before a special dinner honoring the new recipients. Alpha Sigma Lambda was founded in 1964 to recognize students who represent outstanding academic achievement and campus leadership.