Institute of Fellows aims to serve students

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A. Sue Weisler

The members of the RIT Institute of Fellows want to offer a helping hand to students, faculty and staff in the RIT community.

Margaret Joynt, the newly appointed chair and former attorney in Rochester, plans to increase the organization’s outreach efforts within the RIT community. Her goal is to connect members with students to provide insights and help them grow into thriving professionals. Members are available to talk with students about their work and life experiences as well as networks they have developed in Rochester.

The Institute of Fellows is made up of 40 retired members who have all held distinguished careers and leadership roles within the Rochester community. Together they bring a wide range of experiences from a variety of fields including health sciences, art and craftsmanship, political sciences and business. They are committed to advancing their intellectual interests. During monthly meetings, members take turns presenting research on their specialized fields.

The organization was established in 1977 for notable individuals in the Rochester community to share insights with faculty and students and serve as a connection between the campus and the local community. The members also are a part of a Community Advisory Council to the president.

In the past, members have presented their research, taught classes, served on judging panels and reviewed thesis papers. They also have assisted students who are new to the Rochester community by showing them area landmarks and inviting them over for holiday celebrations.

The members plan to continue these initiatives as well as expand their efforts to mentor students one-on-one. They also are working with the Office of Graduate Studies on presenting cultural and political topics to foreign graduate students to help them adjust to life in America.

“It’s one thing to study, but students also have access to people like us who have spent 30 to 40 years in a profession and know the community,” said Bill Daniels, past chair and former dean of the College of Liberal Arts and political science professor. “We are willing to help and share insights with the RIT community in any way we can.”

The organization encourages students and faculty to contact them through its website. To learn more about the RIT Institute of Fellows, go to http://www.rit.edu/president/fellows/fellows-home.