Transforming the landscape, transforming RIT

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This billboard showing plans for the new campus was on Jefferson Road. The campus opened a year later than scheduled in 1968. The campus will celebrate the 50-year milestone this fall.

RIT’s history is fascinating and eclectic. Our university started with a progressive vision and uncommon ambition.

First, we were born of an unlikely institutional marriage of an influential cultural association, the Rochester Athenaeum, founded in 1829, and a technical training school, the Mechanics Institute, founded in 1885.

Yet it was the 1961 decision to leave downtown Rochester for farmland in the town of Henrietta that put RIT on its path to preeminence as a global university. This bold move allowed the university to start fresh with a new canvas. The new landscape also led to RIT being chosen as the home campus for the federally sponsored National Technical Institute for the Deaf.

The rest, as they say, is history as creativity and innovation began to flourish on the modern-day campus at a brisk pace. We have continued to transform the Henrietta and higher education landscape since we opened our doors in 1968.

What’s next? Together, we have many more chapters to write in the evolving RIT story. I am convinced that we have covered only the early volumes. This is why I am excited to announce we have launched a $1 billion campaign, the largest external support effort in the university’s history. The campaign is aptly titled, “Transforming RIT: The Campaign for Greatness.”

This blended campaign—including philanthropic, research and government funds—will allow us to build upon our updated strategic plan, engage alumni, grow our status as a research university and build deeper relationships with government and corporate partners. The campaign will impact every area of the university. Priorities include attracting exceptional talent, enhancing the student experience, improving the world through research and discovery, and leading future special initiatives.

Each time we combine the power of technology, the arts and design to make good things happen, we’re one step closer to greatness. Please join us on our journey as we work together toward a shared destiny. We’re driving progress. We’re shaping what’s possible. We’re transforming the future, by transforming RIT.

We also hope to see you for Brick City Homecoming & Family Weekend, Oct. 19-21, where we will be celebrating the 50-year milestone in Henrietta. This includes a rededication of our sprawling 1,300-acre campus, which now includes lots of glass and steel, in addition to our 15.7 million bricks! We are eager to celebrate our past and look forward to reimagining the future.

Yours in Tiger pride,

David C. Munson Jr., President

munson@rit.edu