Success Stories Feature

NTID’s 2014 Distinguished Alumnus, Andrew R. Jacobson ’90, ’96 (Hotel Management, Service Management), took the skills he learned at RIT/NTID and applied them to his professional life.

“The intensity of RIT’s academic system, combined with involvement with my fraternity, gave me a broader perspective on life,” the New York City native says.

Jacobson’s career led him to Portland, Oregon, and Wilmington, Delaware, before he returned to New York City to focus on his tax preparation business.

“The tax business truly is a people-focused business,” he says. “You meet all kinds of individuals, and building those business relationships has great rewards.”

Jacobson has given back to RIT/NTID in a variety of ways, including serving on the boards of NTID’s Foundation and the NTID Alumni Association. He has been a supporter of Sebastian and Lenore Rosica Hall, NTID’s newest facility for research and innovation. And at April’s Distinguished Alumni Award Dinner, Jacobson was able to reflect on what the college really means to him.

“The dinner was beautiful,” he says. “It was wonderful to see all of the other honorees who also are involved at RIT. I was truly honored and humbled.

“This award was not about me; it’s about the evolution of our school. The growth of RIT and NTID has been tremendous.”

Jacobson cited new facilities, a thriving campus life that provides more opportunities for leadership and personal growth, and the university’s growing national and international reputation as factors that have made RIT and NTID a destination for attracting the finest students and faculty.

“I’m grateful to Dr. Gerry Buckley and the leadership of NTID for allowing me to share my insights on the NTID Foundation and Alumni boards; to my fellow board members for their motivation and dedicated service; and to the NTID faculty, staff and students for asking me to share my life experiences. I’m truly proud to be an alumnus.”