Photo Spotlights

Mike Klein and Robbie Horgan bear their stripes as RIT's beloved mascot, Ritchie the Tiger. Both students have volunteered as orientation assistants over the past two years, spending part of that assignment in costume. They admit to enjoying the "power" that comes with wearing the suit. "Just by raising your hands, you can get the crowd to go nuts," explains Klein.

Robert Chandler, RIT Libraries marketing communications specialist, shows off his tiger stripes at the Wallace Library open house on Sept. 1. The open house included interactive crafts, Tiger face painting, popcorn and other treats, informal tours of the library facilities and the opportunity for students to meet library staff.

Two of three candidates for New York governor appeared at the Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science on Aug. 30 during a town hall-style forum, sponsored by Time Warner Cable. Democrat Elliot Spitzer and Republican John Faso (shown here) appealed to voters inside the Carlson Center auditorium and those watching as part of a statewide telecast. The other Democratic candidate, Tom Suozzi, took part in the forum from Pace University in New York City. Spitzer and Suozzi face off in the Sept. 12 primary.

Two of three candidates for New York governor appeared at the Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science on Aug. 30 during a town hall-style forum, sponsored by Time Warner Cable. Democrat Elliot Spitzer (shown here) and Republican John Faso appealed to voters inside the Carlson Center auditorium and those watching as part of a statewide telecast. The other Democratic candidate, Tom Suozzi, took part in the forum from Pace University in New York City. Spitzer and Suozzi face off in the Sept. 12 primary.

Orientation Assistants take a moment to unwind during orientation week for first-year students. The week kicked off Sunday, Aug. 27 with move-in day and concluded Monday, Sept. 3.

Robert Manning, professor of finance in RIT's E. Philip Saunders College of Business, shares personal finance tips to first-year students and their families during new-student orientation. “College students are being heavily targeted by credit card companies because they are the one market that is not saturated,” warns Manning, a nationally recognized expert on the dangers of consumer debt. He hopes an open dialogue will educate young adults on the importance of responsible credit usage.

RIT's orientation assistants rev up their "Tiger Spirit" as part of the university's new-student orientation program. More than 100 upperclassmen play a critical role as OAs, helping new students and their families adjust to campus life during the weeklong program. Orientation concludes with the start of classes on Monday, Sept. 4.

Several hundred of RIT's women gathered Thursday, Aug. 31, for the first Lighting The Way ceremony. The ceremony, designed to welcome first-year women to campus, began with speeches that highlighted the support network that exists for women at RIT. Following the speeches, faculty and staff lit lanterns for the students and joined them in a procession to Grace Watson Hall.

Student Government President Lizzie Sorkin delivered a welcome address to first-year students during Convocation for New Students and Families on Monday, Aug. 28, in the Gordon Field House and Activities Center. Sorkin encouraged the students to immerse themselves in the RIT community. RIT President Albert Simone and professors Robert Manning and Hamad Ghazle were among the other speakers at the annual event.

Approximately 3,275 first-year students and their families experienced an RIT tradition on Monday, Aug. 28: the 'Tiger Walk.' Faculty and staff lined the entrance to the Gordon Field House and Activities Center, dressed in RIT garb and equipped with noisemakers, to welcome the students and families as they processed into a convocation ceremony. Classes for the new academic year begin Monday, Sept. 4.

RIT welcomes approximately 3,275 first-year students during move-in day activities on Sunday, Aug. 27. The newcomers are comprised of about 2,435 freshman students, which is 180 more than last year and the largest in RIT’s history, and approximately 840 transfers. Fifty percent of these first-year students come from outside New York state. Class begin Monday, Sept. 4.

The Nathaniel Rochester Society held its annual summer gala in July with a Western theme. Robert Wayland-Smith, left, and his late wife Kathleen, were awarded the Whitaker Service Medallion for their outstanding volunteer service and leadership. Bruce James, center, and his wife Nora were the recipients of the NRS Award for their contributions to the advancement of RIT President Simone, right.