RIT and Rochester General Health System launched a joint health care seminar series as part of the new strategic alliance between the university and health care provider. Stuart Altman, one of the nation's leading experts in health care industry reform and economics, spoke before top health and business leaders from the Rochester community on April 14 at RIT's Dyer Arts Center. His presentation focused on recent changes in the Massachusetts health care delivery system, basic health care issues under President Obama's leadership and implications for delivery of health care effectiveness and efficiencies. Altman is Sol C. Chaikin Professor of National Health Policy at The Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University.

A. Sue Weisler

A group of students from RIT's Imaging and Photographic Technology program recently experienced near weightlessness aboard NASA's Vomit Comet while testing a scientific experiment in a microgravity environment. During their time at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, the students met members of the STS-119 crew that had just returned from their mission on the shuttle Discovery to the International Space Station. NASA held a welcome home rally for the crew. Pictured from left are Bryan Zaczek, third-year imaging and photographic technology student, NASA astronaut Joseph Acaba, Eric Evans, fourth-year imaging and photographic technology student, and Aly Artusio-Glimpse, third-year imaging and photographic technology student.

Ross Dawson

The final Performing Artist Concert Series of the season is a prelude to the second annual Imagine RIT: Innovation and Creativity Festival. Quartsemble, a Rochester-area string quintet, will join composer Paul Coleman to perform "Electronic Variations," which will highlight classical fare with an innovative twist. Violinist Karine Stone is an RIT professor and concertmaster of the RIT orchestra. The concert is 8 p.m. May 1 in Ingle Auditorium. Tickets, which can be purchased at the Student Alumni Union Candy Counter or at the door on concert night, are $5 for students, $8 for faculty, staff and alumni and $12 for the general public.

Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin spoke at RIT April 19 as part of the Student Government Distinguished Speaker series. At age 21, Matlin became the youngest woman to receive the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her 1986 film debut in Children of a Lesser God. Matlin, who is deaf, discussed her recently released autobiography, I'll Scream Later.

A. Sue Weisler