Photo Spotlights

Best-selling author Richard Florida delivers the keynote address during RIT's "Rochester on the Rise" conference Thursday. Florida, the Heinz Professor of Economic Development at Carnegie Mellon University, discussed with about 200 community leaders how to utilize the "creative class" in stimulating economic development. The conference was part of RIT's daylong Founders Day Celebration, commemorating the university's 175th anniversary.

Rafi Sela, left, executive from Israel-based AR Challenges Ltd., learns about advances in computing education during a tour of RIT. Sela was escorted Tuesday on a visit to the B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences by Roger Gaborski, director of RIT's Laboratory for Applied Computing, and Hans-Peter Bischof, assistant professor of computer science. The visit was part of an initiative sponsored by Greater Rochester Enterprises, designed to education Israeli business leaders on expansion opportunities in the Rochester region.

Carolie Simone (left) and former first lady of RIT, Clarice Rose, are honored June 2 at the dedication of a garden near the Ritter Ice Arena. The event was sponsored by the RIT Women’s Council.

Robert Reel, president of the Rochester Rotary Club, left, presents RIT President Albert J. Simone with the 68th Rotary Award June 1 at the Hyatt Regency. Simone, the definition of “the citizen of the community," has made significant contributions to the business, professional, cultural, and civic life of the greater Rochester community and beyond,” said Bob Enright executive director of the Rotary. “Truly, in giving so much of himself, he reflects Rotary’s motto ‘Service Above Self”.”

RIT President Albert Simone accepts the first installment of a $2 million Xerox grant from Anne Mulcahy, Xerox chairman and CEO, during a reception preceding RIT's convocation ceremonies, May 21. The grant will help fund innovation in technology, encourage leadership development and to promote diversity.

Nearly 10,000 runners toured the RIT campus Thursday as part of the JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge. This was the first time that RIT hosted the annual event, which has grown in size dramatically over the years. Rainy skies gave way to a beautiful rainbow at the conclusion of the race, as participants took part in a picnic-style celebration. RIT fielded 282 runners, the third largest team at this year's Challenge.

Xerox CEO Anne Mulcahy delivers RIT's commencement address, May 21, in RIT’s new Gordon Field House and Activities Center. The event served as kickoff to RIT’s 175th anniversary celebration, which will be commemorated throughout the 2004-05 academic calendar.

Ed Alexander, left, and Chris Gotie, mechanical engineering technology majors, prepare to smash a brick as part of an end-of-quarter project in Machine Design class on May 21. In place of a final exam, student teams designed and built brick-bashing devices in RIT's first-ever "Brick Bash." Course instructor Marty Gordon says the competition also served as a stress reliever for students. Bricks were donated by Miller Brick Co.

Second-year graduate ceramics student Holly Brown carefully forms miniature heads for spectators at the School for American Crafts walkthrough event on May 17. Students from the woodworking, glass, metals and ceramics programs put on demonstrations to entertain visitors while displaying their work from throughout the year.

Students browse through illustration portfolios at a walkthrough event on May 13. The illustration, medical illustration, art education, and fine art studio departments all opened their facilities for tours and curious onlookers.

Joe D’Amato, left, and Justin LaChausse, mechanical engineering majors and members of RIT’s Formula SAE team, work on this year’s newly designed, student-built racer in the mechanical engineering department’s machine shop on April 28.

RIT’s mini-Baja team captured fifth and sixth places among nearly 90 challengers in the Mini Baja West in Portland, Ore., in April. RIT's two cars, which were entered separately, also earned top-10 placements for design, endurance, hill climbing, maneuverability, “rock crawl” and sales report.