Photo Spotlights

A group of 30 first-year engineering honors students recently participated in decidedly ‘low-tech’ competition. The object of the first “Tip-a-Can” event was to design a device, housed within a closed cylindrical container, that would automatically tip the can as close as possible to 60 seconds after the start of a timer. Eight teams of students—including, from left, Eva Ames, Jimmy LaPointe and Thom Siegwart—created improvised contraptions using such everyday, inexpensive items as egg timers, duct tape and mouse traps.

Jeffrey Rubin, director of substance and alcohol intervention services at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, is among the latest members to join RIT's Million Dollar PI Club. Ten new inductees were honored Feb. 22 for receiving sponsored funding of $1 million or more since 2000. The presentation was made during an annual reception for the university's principal investigators, sponsored by the Office of the Provost. In 2005, RIT researchers were awarded more than $32 million in grants.

Rachel Belter, a first-year mechanical engineering technology major and member of the RIT Formula SAE Racing Team, cuts chassis tubes for this year’s racecar. Belter is one of four females on this year’s team—an all-time high for the group. The team is preparing for its first race of the season, this May, in Pontiac, Mich.

Among the computer-controlled senior design projects demonstrated by RIT computer engineering majors on Feb. 16 was a remote-controlled surveillance vehicle, shown above held by William Burgdorf, a fifth-year student. With him are project teammates Tom Fisher and Eleni Binopolus-Rumayor, also fifth-year students. The battery-operated truck is controlled via an Internet connection.

Piano instructor Julie Ruhling gives Ben Hughes, second-year information technology major, a private lesson on the music program's newly rebuilt Steinway. The piano will feature prominently in the upcoming "All Mozart" recital celebrating the 250th anniversary or Mozart's birth. The free concert will take place at 1 p.m. Friday, March 31, in the Student Alumni Union Music Room, A120.

RIT student Kelly Brown, left, shares a laugh with “little sister” Tiffany as they try their hand at the ESPN Interactive Experience in the RITz Sports Zone. Brown is among five pioneering RIT students initiating a program sponsored by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Rochester. The effort—matching “little brothers and sisters” with RIT student mentors—is intended to provide each pair with the opportunity for one-on-one interaction during twice monthly gatherings on campus.

Jennifer Friede, RIT Bachelor of Fine Arts candidate and NTID student, will showcase her artwork, Self Portrait, Deaf Culture, 2004, at the Senior Fine Arts Studio Exhibition: Spring Fever, at Gallery r which runs through March 18.

Marie Giardino, director of TRiO Student Support Services, pledges her support to the Campaign for RIT as part of Campaign Day on Feb. 2. Giardino was among 839 students, faculty and staff members to stop by one of nine information tables to make a gift. The goal of the event was to raise the participation rate in the $300 million campaign among members of the campus commmunity.

An owl fascinates over 100 children from Rochester city schools during a Wegmans ZooMobile presentation on RIT's Love Day. RIT student clubs hosted activities on Feb. 14 that included science experiments, learning sign language, computer design, face painting, cookie baking, and arts and crafts.

RIT hosted students from Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, in Toronto, for an intense weekend interactive design competition. Students from RIT’s various interactive design programs participated. Ten teams comprised of two RIT students and two Humber students had 48 hours to design a project about Lake Ontario. Shown above are Guy Giordano, third-year new media design and imaging major, and Vinotha Ganeshan, Humber student. All of the final projects can be viewed at www.designcharrette2006.com and will be on display at the Flash in the Can Conference this April in Toronto. RIT and Humber plan to make the competition an annual event.

Todd Stahl, an art teacher at Webster Thomas High School, introduces one of his student's award-winning pieces during the Scholastic Art Awards 2006 ceremony at RIT on March 5.

Students from RIT's Asian Culture Society share the beauty of origami flowers as part of their Valentine's Craft Sale. Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding. The sale takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Tuesday, Feb. 14 in the Student Alumni Union lobby. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society.