Photo Spotlights

Russell Bessette, left, executive director of the New York State Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research, presents a faculty development award to RIT astronomer Don Figer during a ceremony on campus Feb. 8. Figer recently joined RIT as a result of NYSTAR's $750,000 grant, highlighting the agency's commitment to assiting universities develop new areas of expertise leading to economic development.

RIT’s Student Alumni Union was transformed into a way station for old computers and other electronics headed for refurbishing or recycling on Jan. 27. A total of 3.9 tons—about twice last year’s haul—was collected from RIT students, faculty and staff during the third annual Electronic Waste Recycling Day, sponsored by RIT’s Student Environmental Action League. The event prevented the unwanted gear from finding a final resting place at the bottom of a dump.

Brian R. Chontosh, ’00, a graduate of RIT’s mechanical engineering technology program, is the 2005 RIT Outstanding Alumnus and was recently on campus to receive the award. Chontosh, of Churchville, N.Y., attended RIT while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps and received a Navy Cross, the nation’s second-highest honor for valor, after a 2003 enemy ambush in Iraq. Chontosh, a captain, is currently assigned to the Marine Infantry Institute in Quantico, Va.

Representatives from the Department of Homeland Security tour the labs within RIT's new IT Collaboratory facility. Don McKeown, left, distinguished researcher in RIT's Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science, was among the presenters. Also pictured, from left to right, are Chris Ann Nguyen, Office of Legislative Liaison, Dept. of Homeland Security; Robert Hooks, deputy director of Office of Research and Development, Science & Technology, Dept. of Homeland Security; and Don Boyd, RIT's vice president for research. The IT Collaboratory, a NYSTAR research center, will be formally dedicated on March 3.

The Sentinel, RIT’s landmark sculpture and Albert Paley’s largest commission to date, is the subject of a new book, Sentinel, documenting its creation from start to finish. The book is produced by RIT Cary Graphic Arts Press. Paley signed copies of Sentinel during an on-campus reception Jan. 24. It can be purchased online through the Cary Graphic Arts Press Web site.

Renee Keiser, 3rd year professional and technical communication student, enjoys the festivities at the 2nd annual Groundhog's Day Gala, sponsored by RIT's Department of Communication. The real groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, saw his shadow again this year, signaling six more weeks of winter. Maybe we'll actually have a "winter" now.

Loren Winters from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics captures the decelerating force of a projectile traveling into a hanging elastic strip. The scene is among nearly 60 photos included in Images from Science, an exhibition of scientific photography created by Professors Michael Peres and Andrew Davidhazy in the School of Photographic Arts and Sciences. The exhibit is back in Rochester after a three-year odyssey throughout the United States and overseas at One Bausch & Lomb Place through April.

CIMS co-op students, clockwise from top, James Bagg, Matthew Chabot and Jonathon Pickard work on a Marine Corps Light Armored Vehicle in preparation for its use in CIMS’ research program. A network of sensors will be integrated into the vehicle to monitor key equipment, allowing for real-time diagnostic and prognostic health assessment to reduce logistics costs by making re-supply, maintenance and repair efforts more effective while also enhancing the safety of military personnel in the field.

In his (slightly British) rendition of Frank Sinatra’s New York New York, Neil Hair, the assistant professor of marketing in the College of Business, became a singing sensation during Spirit Week at RIT and was crowned the COB Idol. The karaoke contest netted nearly $500 for the COB Class Gift Scholarship Fund.

Edward McCarthy, senior program manager at RIT's Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies discusses CIMS research with Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-Perinton) during a tour of the facility Jan. 23. The congresswoman visited campus to receive an update on the center’s Alternative Fuel and Life-cycle Engineering Program, which seeks to expand use of alternative fuels, extend the life cycle of vehicles, and promote the use of remanufactured components.

RIT students (left to right) A.J. Siegel and Evan Sax weigh boxes of clothes and camping equipment headed to Pakistan. Following October’s deadly earthquake in Pakistan, RIT faculty and students started an online campaign, www.QuakeHelp.net, urging people to donate camping equipment. Since November, more than two tons of gear was collected in Rochester. UPS is shipping the supplies free of charge.

Richard Kaplan, president and CEO of Pictometry International Corp. delivered the keynote address at the 2006 Rochester Entrepreneurship Conference at RIT on Jan. 20. The event, focusing on “Growing Entrepreneurial Ventures,” was sponsored by RIT, the University of Rochester, HTR, The Innovator’s Edge, Greater Rochester Enterprise and Rochester Business Journal.