The Distinguished Alumni Awards are presented annually by each of RIT’s nine colleges, the School of Individualized Study, and the Graduate School to alumni who have performed at the highest levels of their profession or who have contributed to the advancement and leadership of civic, philanthropic, or service organizations. It is the highest award an RIT college can bestow upon its alumni. The 2021-2022 recipients were honored during presentations throughout the spring semester.
National Technical Institute for the Deaf honoree: Christine Sun Kim BS ’02
Applied science and technology
Artist
What is your favorite RIT memory?
“Midnight trips to Wegmans and strolls in Mount Hope Cemetery.”
What is your career highlight to date?
“The 2013 TED fellowship and participating in the Whitney Biennial 2019 show.”
How did RIT help to prepare you for success?
“I made lifelong friendships. It’s all about connecting and communicating. These are the very skills I needed to succeed. RIT was the beginning of my adulthood.”
Who among RIT faculty and staff did you have the most impactful interaction with?
“Marlene Elliott, my interpreter for my elective art class during my last year. She showed me how much value art has and how necessary it is in our lives.”