RIT Appoints New Leaders of Golisano College

Rochester Institute of Technology announces leadership appointments in its new B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences.

Walter Wolf, previously chair of RIT’s computer science department, has been named interim dean of the Golisano College.

Wolf began at RIT in 1983 as a computer science lecturer. He later became assistant professor, associate professor and acting graduate program chair of computer science before being appointed department chair in 1993. He was acting dean of RIT’s College of Applied Science and Technology during summer 2000.

"I’m delighted with the opportunity to take part in the founding of the B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences," Wolf says. "The formation of this college will benefit our students and RIT and challenges us to realize the great potential it represents."

Prior to joining RIT, Wolf was a research associate in biochemistry at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, assistant professor of chemistry at Colgate University, assistant and associate professor of chemistry at Eisenhower College and visiting professor at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station.

Wolf, of Waterloo, holds a master’s degree in computer science from RIT and master’s and doctorate degrees in organic chemistry from Brandeis University.

"Dr. Wolf is the most appropriate person to serve as interim dean during this inaugural period for the B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences," says Stanley McKenzie, RIT provost and vice president for academic affairs.

Following a national search, a permanent appointment will be made in 2002.

Margaret Reek, professor of computer science, has been appointed acting chair of RIT’s computer science department in the Golisano College, succeeding Wolf.

Reek, who earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science from RIT, has been on the department’s faculty since 1981.

"I’m looking forward to the challenges of leading the department during this exciting time, which includes formation of the new college and planning and construction of a new building," Reek says.

A 1995 recipient of the Eisenhart Award for Outstanding Teaching, Reek specializes in formal laboratories, object-oriented technology, computer networks, data communications and operating systems. She is a member of RIT’s Institute Effective Teaching Committee and served as acting undergraduate chair of computer science and chair of the department’s accreditation committee and two-year curriculum committee.

Prior to joining RIT, Reek held positions with Digital Equipment Corp., Stromberg-Carlson Corp. and Programmed Transportation Inc. Her husband, Kenneth Reek, RIT professor of computer science, is also a past recipient of the Eisenhart Award, making the Reeks the only husband-wife winners of the award. The Reeks reside in Churchville.

J. Fernando Naveda, associate professor of software engineering, has been appointed chair of RIT’s software engineering department in the Golisano College, replacing Mike Lutz, professor and department/program leader since its inception in 1996.

"These are exciting times for RIT," Nevada says. "Our baccalaureate degree in software engineering has become the standard against which others are measured. Being at the helm of this program is both an honor and a responsibility."

Naveda came to RIT in 1993 from the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania where he was assistant professor of computing sciences and founder and director of the university’s master’s program in software engineering. He also was assistant professor of computer science at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. At RIT, Naveda has been associate professor of software engineering and computer science and assistant professor of computer science.

Naveda, of West Henrietta, earned a bachelor’s degree in computer systems engineering from Monterrey Institute of Technology in Mexico and a doctorate in computer and information sciences from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, where he also was a teaching and research assistant. He was a visiting scientist at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif., and Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.

Nevada’s professional interests are software architecture, software engineering education and software design patterns. He has consulted for Harris Corp. and RIT Research Corp. and he worked on a project funded by Xerox Corp. and the New York State Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research that studied Intent-Based Document Abstraction and Representation.

"Margaret and Fernando bring a wealth of experience and firm commitments to the positions," says Golisano College Dean Wolf. "I’m sure they’ll contribute greatly to the success of the departments and the new college."

Lutz, who stepped down from his position on March 1, remains associate department chair and Motorola Professor of Software Engineering at RIT. He will work extensively on SWENET, a National Science Foundation-funded initiative to develop a Web site for software-engineering curricula-support material for schools and industry. RIT, as lead university, is working with five other universities on the project.

BACKGROUND: The B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences, RIT’s eighth college, was launched on Feb. 7 when RIT received a $14 million gift from the chairman and chief executive officer of Paychex Inc. Golisano’s gift is the largest from an individual in RIT’s history.

The Golisano College offers undergraduate and graduate programs in computer science and information technology and an undergraduate program in software engineering. A graduate program in software engineering is under development.

RIT was the first university to offer undergraduate degrees in information technology and software engineering and, in 1972, one of the first universities to offer an undergraduate degree in computer science. The Golisano College is also home to RIT’s newly established Information Technology Lab, which partners with industry in the development of innovative applications of emerging information technologies.

Founded in 1829, RIT is internationally recognized as a leader in engineering, imaging, technology, fine and applied arts, and education for the deaf. RIT enrolls 14,500 students in more than 240 undergraduate and graduate programs.

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Note: Digital photographs available. Send request to mjsuns@rit.edu.