RIT recognizes faculty and staff alumni Thursday

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Elizabeth Lamark

Four alumni have been named as the 2016 Golden Brick Award winners: from left, Kerry Phillips ’84, ’97; Robin Amico ’10, ’15; Sue Provenzano ’84, ’09; and Adam Smith ’98, ’01.

Four of RIT’s faculty and staff alumni were recognized at this year’s Alumni Faculty & Staff Breakfast on Thursday, Nov. 17.

The four alumni have been named as the 2016 Golden Brick Award winners, an award that was founded in 2010 and recognizes faculty and staff alumni who have gone above and beyond in connecting and engaging with graduates and supporting RIT.

In 2016, alumni faculty and staff have given nearly $162,300 back to RIT, with a participation rate of 37.7 percent.

Julia Lisuzzo ’08 (MBA), president of the RIT Alumni Faculty & Staff Chapter that sponsors the award, said that being both an alumna and an employee of the university has been a wonderful and engaging lifelong experience.

“We have dedicated our careers and our degrees to RIT and at nearly 1,500 strong, we will continue to make a difference at this fabulous university together,” Lisuzzo said.

The four alumni being recognized for giving their talent and treasure to RIT are:

Robin Amico ’10, ’15, (applied arts and sciences, MBA) analyst, Sponsored Programs Accounting: Amico volunteers to help with many RIT events including: Tiger Walk, ROAR Day, United Way Campaign, Commencement and the Imagine RIT: Innovation and Creativity Festival. She works hard to rally her fellow colleagues around these RIT initiatives. Her colleagues call her a cheerleader and comment on her great spirit and positivity. She also received the most nominations that have ever been given for the award.

Kerry Phillips ’84, ’97 (accounting, MBA) budget director, Vice President Finance & Administration: Phillips is a leader in the Faculty & Staff Alumni Chapter, as well as longtime RIT employee. He personally welcomes each new alumnus or alumna hire. Additionally, he gives to scholarships.

Sue Provenzano ’84, ’09 (health services management, service leadership and innovation), assistant vice president to the Provost, Office of the Provost & senior vice president for Academic Affairs: Provenzano has been an outstanding campus partner for many key alumni relations initiatives. She coordinates some of the biggest events on campus, including commencement and convocation. Provenzano touches the first things students interact with when they come to RIT and the last before they become alumni.

Adam Smith ’98, ’01 (professional photographic illustration, computer graphics design) instructional faculty, CIAS School of Design: Smith has been instrumental in helping bring together alumni in cities like Brooklyn and San Francisco, and he is connected to alumni around the country. He has also been a valuable partner with RIT fundraising initiatives.