CIMS Building to be named for Louise

Louise Slaughter

On Friday, April 6, RIT will honor Congresswoman Louise Slaughter by officially naming after her the building that houses the university's Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies (CIMS). The formal naming of the Louise M. Slaughter Building coincides with the fifth anniversary of the opening of the facility.

In celebration of the naming, RIT will unveil a new building sign with a special-effects ceremony involving a cascade of confetti and streamers, followed by a reception. The 1-2 p.m. event will also air live on RIT’s cable channel.

The action to name the building for Slaughter recognizes her many efforts on behalf of RIT, and especially her support for CIMS since its inception in 1990. The building that houses CIMS was constructed with funds from the federal government and the state of New York, and completed in 1996.

Slaughter, in her 15th year in the U.S. House of Representatives, played the key role in securing a total of $11.25 million in federal funds to help build the facility. Since then, she has also been instrumental in securing funding for CIMS’ research activities, including $8 million for a defense research program in remanufacturing with the Office of Naval Research.

"It is fitting for us to recognize Louise Slaughter in this way for her extraordinary efforts on behalf of RIT," says William Buckingham, chair of RIT's Board of Trustees. "Louise has been a key champion of CIMS since its inception. She recognized early on the value that such a facility at RIT would bring to the Rochester community and the manufacturing sector, and she continues to be a staunch advocate on our behalf in Washington, D.C."

In addition to her efforts on behalf of CIMS, Slaughter has been instrumental in supporting federal funding for other RIT programs including the National Technical Institute for the Deaf; and student financial aid programs such as Pell Grants and College Work Study that benefit thousands of RIT students and their families.

Her concern for the Rochester community has led her to take a leading advocacy role on issues such as education and health care, and she has made women’s health issues a particular focus of her work in this arena. She has also taken a prominent role in addressing issues that affect economic development and community infrastructure, including efforts to reduce high airfare costs.

"One of my goals, as Congresswoman, has been to prepare my district for the 21st century," says Slaughter. "I am grateful to President Simone, Chairman Buckingham and to the board of trustees for recognizing my work in this way."

"Louise Slaughter has been a great friend to RIT," says President Albert Simone. "We wanted to say thank you in a way that would acknowledge her important contributions to RIT and to the community."