Photo Spotlights

Richard Santana, associate professor and chair of RIT’s Department of English, is exploring how religion and morality are expressed in popular culture and the impact this has on the development of religious themes in American life. Santana’s newest work in this area is Religion and Popular Culture: Rescripting the Sacred, co-authored with New York University professor Gregory Erickson.

Rhea Sanchez came to RIT from Honolulu five years ago “on a leap of faith.” Pictures of the campus, student reviews and her own curiosity about a genetic engineering class offered through the bioinformatics program convinced her to apply to RIT. Sanchez will graduate this spring with a BS/MS degree in bioinformatics, and looks forward to pursuing her Ph.D. in reproductive biology.

Jackie Sergi, a mechanical engineering graduate student, at work recently in a new fuel-cell lab in the Kate Gleason College of Engineering.

Nathan Green ’10 is among 648 RIT undergraduates majoring in computer science, making it the hottest academic program on campus based on total enrollment. A native of Fresno, Calif., Green says adjusting to winters in Rochester is a minor obstacle compared with the challenges presented by his computer science curriculum. “Every project is a puzzle to be solved,” explains Green, “and it’s a lot of fun.”

RIT hosted its annual salute to faculty and staff engaged in sponsored research on Feb. 12. The 2008 PI Reception recognized principal investigators who submitted grant proposals last year, helping the university achieve a record level of research funding. Dr. James DeCaro gave the keynote address at the event.

A performance by “The Magic Guy” was part of “Love Day” Feb. 12, as RIT’s Community Service Center and Center for Campus Life teamed with student organizations to present a day filled with educational activities with RIT clubs and presentations by the Wegmans ZooMobile. Rasheen Martin, 10, from School #4, volunteered to assist “The Magic Guy.”

Len Hawley, violinist, serenaded RIT students at a special Valentine dinner Feb. 12 at Gracie’s. Students were treated to heart shaped cheese ravioli, prime rib, salmon with salsa, stuffed chicken breasts and a variety of desserts. Dining Services started this tradition more than 30 years ago.

Andrew Cuomo, New York attorney general, joined RIT trustee B. Thomas Golisano Feb. 12 at RIT for an address on government consolidation.

Erik Golen ’03 (computer engineering) is nearly finished with his doctorate in computing and information sciences. He will be the first student to complete the doctoral program offered through the B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences. His thesis research is in underwater sensor networks and their deployment for military surveillance. It’s research he began while working as an engineer at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport.

Jennifer Schneider, professor of environmental management and safety, talks with student Kwesi Amable in the lobby of the new College of Applied Science and Technology building. Amable, a third-year medical informatics major, participates in the McNair Scholars program with Schneider as his faculty mentor.

RIT’s Alpine Ski and Snowboard Club hosted its annual Winter Rail Jam for skiers and snowboarders on a hill between the Student Alumni Union and Wallace Library on Feb. 6. Photo by Charles Neumann.

An invitational exhibit featuring work from students and faculty in middle and high schools in the Rochester and Finger Lakes region is in the Bevier Gallery through Feb. 25.