Photo Spotlights

Constance Steinkuehler, associate professor in digital media at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, was the keynote speaker when the Center for Media, Arts, Games, Interaction and Creativity (MAGIC) hosted the 2016 New Media Consortium, June 14-16, at RIT and the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. The conference annually draws hundreds of highly-skilled professionals from universities, colleges, museums and research centers, and stimulates and furthers the exploration and use of new media and technologies for learning and creative expression. Thought leaders within the education industry are encouraged to “push the envelope” and implement cutting-edge technologies and learning approaches. Steinkuehler talked about her research that suggests key advances are needed to help usher in a new golden age of games. She also discussed the intellectual life of commercial entertainment video games, the ways in which the culture of play functions as a critique of schooling, and how games might serve as a vehicle for American domestic policy.

Marcia Trauernicht, manager of digital initiatives and metadata services in The Wallace Center, spoke at the first RIT/RCL Staff Conference, an event to increase collaboration between the library staff of Rochester’s two largest universities. Nearly 80 staff members from RIT's Wallace Center and the River Campus Libraries of the University of Rochester came to RIT June 15. The all-day conference featured lightning talks by various library staff and roundtable discussions. Expert panels also explored the topics of “The Library and Digital Humanities,” “Student Employee Training,” “Academic Integrity Initiatives,” “Special Collections—Supporting Curriculum,” “Community Outreach” and “Useful Online Tools and Apps.”

Doug Botto, team manager and driver of RIT Racing, takes a lap during the 2016 SAE Baja World Challenge June 9-12. This was the sixth time RIT has hosted one of the Society of Automotive Engineers' student design and racing competitions. More than 1,200 student-engineers, who designed and built off-road vehicles, participated in the event that included hill and rock climbs, acceleration and maneuverability challenges and a four-hour endurance race. RIT finished second overall.

Doug Botto, team manager for RIT Baja Racing, is helping to prepare the team for another exciting season that includes hosting the 2016 SAE Baja Rochester World Challenge, June 9-12. The event takes place at RIT’s Gordon Field House and at Hogback Hill Motocross site in Palmyra, N.Y. RIT has been racing in Baja events since 1980, both in the U.S. and internationally. Last season, the team placed in the Top-10 overall in each of its three events.

The 18th Annual RITirees Picnic honored Fred Bleiler, shown here, and the late William Larsen. Larsen was an associate professor of civil engineering technology and worked on a solar-powered water disinfecting system in Haiti. Bleiler, former director of physical education, developed wellness and fitness programs and was instrumental in the design and planning of the Hale-Andrews Student Life Center.

Planting is underway in the RIT community garden. The garden began in 2009 using sustainable materials and methods. It’s divided into several individual plots and common areas. Some members of the RIT Beekeepers Club are in the upper left, checking hives.

University Gallery hosts the Print Club of Rochester with an 85th anniversary juried exhibit through August 12. An opening reception is June 10, 5-7:30 p.m.

The “RIT Alumni House: Make This House a Home” crowdfunding campaign is complete, raising $61,255 from 307 supporters. To date, more than $500,000 has been raised to create a welcoming, alumni-focused facility. The fundraising goal is $1.8 million. RIT purchased a private estate home and surrounding grounds adjacent to the campus in December 2013. The home will be renovated to include meeting space, an alumni library, an Alumni Association boardroom, business center, event space for large and small gatherings and two executive sleeping suites for alumni and visiting dignitaries traveling long distances. Renovations are slated to begin this summer with an opening scheduled for spring 2017. To learn more, go to rit.edu/alumnihouse.

Chris Spinelli ’08, ’09 (economics, MBA) and Jon Mervine ’07 (economics) co-founded Roc Brewing Co. in East End downtown Rochester five years ago. The company grew, changed and celebrated this milestone on June 4 with an all-day party.

“Forces at Work,” an exhibit featuring work from 11 RIT MFA students from the Schools of Art, American Crafts and Photographic Arts and Sciences, is on view at Gallery r through July 3.

Austin Quinlan, president of the RIT Beekeepers Club, checks three beehives recently brought to campus and placed near the RIT Community Garden. The goal is to help curb the decline of the bee population while promoting sustainability efforts. Quinlan, a fourth-year film major from Marcellus, N.Y., said colony collapse disorder is threatening the population of honeybees across the country. The club plans to eventually collect, filter and bottle honey produced by the bees.

Hossein Shahmohamad, chair of RIT’s Academic Senate, worked with an executive committee to engage faculty and give them a strong voice at RIT.