The University Magazine

Spring 2011 issue

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Climbing ranks to lead N.Y.

Former Rochester mayor, police chief ignited career at RIT

By Will Dube

After several years with the Rochester Police Department, then-Sgt. Robert Duffy decided to return to school to get a bachelor’s degree. Duffy, who had a full-time job and a young family, learned quickly the value of time management and flexibility.

“I had to make sure I set aside enough time for my school work even if that ... (more)

Imagine This

Innovation and Creativity Festival Helps Students Succeed

By John Follaco

Imagine RIT: Innovation and Creativity Festival visitors have been dazzled by hot dog-serving robots, world-class artistry and a fleet of energy-efficient vehicles.

The number of visitors has grown from 18,000 in its first year to 32,000 in 2010, its third rendition.

And the festival’s success has helped establish RIT as an innovative ... (more)

Pasta fills bellies and builds relationships

By Mindy Mozer

On a snowy, cold Tuesday night in December, students line up for warm pasta at the Kilian J. and Caroline F. Schmitt Interfaith Center.

The free dinner is a chance for students to meet the chaplain staff in a non-worship setting. The only item on the agenda is pasta.

Jeff Hering, director ... (more)

Close-knit congregation finds a home at RIT

By Mindy Mozer

J-Jay Donowski ’96, ’98 (graphic design, sign language interpreting) and her husband, Vincent Donowski, ’00 (mechanical engineering), visited Catholic churches in the area but didn’t feel a connection. So they returned to the congregation they knew was a right fit—the Newman Community on the RIT campus.

“RIT is home for us,” J-Jay says. “I couldn’t imagine ... (more)

Building Support

Alumnae reach out to current, future engineers

By Michelle Cometa

When Mona Carbonel ’95 started at RIT in 1991, there were three women in her civil engineering technology classes.

Emily Cole ’99 was one of a few in industrial engineering and Mary Ellen Coleman ’86, ’02 managed the even rarer field of computer engineering.

All three negotiated the maze of male-dominated classrooms. ... (more)

Deaf firefighters answer call to serve

By Greg Livadas

Four RIT/NTID graduates share a unique passion and unique bond: They volunteer for local fire departments in the Rochester area.

No roster of deaf firefighters exists; the men estimate they are four of about 50 deaf firefighters nationwide.

“Although the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed more than 20 years ago, we’re still ... (more)

Corps Values

On the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps, RIT graduates talk about their service

By Kathy Lindsley

During her junior year at RIT, Amona White ’03 (mechanical engineering technology) spent spring break in Jamaica.

This was no vacation on the beach. She and other members of RIT’s InterVarsity Christian Fellowship presented puppet shows at an orphanage and did construction work at the Caribbean School of the Deaf. The following year, members headed to Guyana, South America.

The trips “made me ... (more)

Finding faith

Religious groups spark global citizenship

By Mindy Mozer

After the Muslim students finish rolling up their prayer rugs, Jewish students begin setting up for Shabbat dinner.

Later, Campus Crusade for Christ will play games and worship and InterVarsity Christian Fellowship will host its large group meeting on topics varying from building community to “Why are we here?”

By the end of ... (more)

By Design

Graduates are creative minds behind everyday products

By Laura La Bella Cummings

When Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes caught the game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl XLIII, he had a little help from RIT graduate Dan Bolinski.

Bolinski ’07 designed Holmes’ Reebok NFL Pro Lite Fade gloves, which feature a non-slip treatment on the glove’s palm to aid in gripping the ball. He also designed Reebok uniforms for ... (more)