Once again, there's terrific news to report. In May, New York
Governor George Pataki came to campus to announce that RIT will
be home to a STAR Center. The state is providing $14 million to
fund this project.
STAR stands for "strategically targeted academic research." RIT
will be taking aim at four targets: microsystems, photonic systems,
remote systems and high-bandwidth telecom networks. A multi-disciplinary
team of engineers and scientists is already at work on research
related to these areas, and our students will havethe opportunity
to be involved in projects that will lead to important technology
breakthroughs. A story on page 9 will introduce you to this exciting
research.
Later in May we welcomed more than 3,700 new members to our alumni
ranks at the 116th annual commencement ceremonies. The Class of
2001 distinguished itself by embracing the 12 graduates of the
software engineering program the first in the U.S. to earn this
bachelor's degree. Turn to page 6 for details on these pioneers
and many more of our distinguished graduates. Another milestone
this year was the graduation of 265 students from RIT's American
College of Management and Technology in Dubrovnik, Croatia. RIT
is proud to be educating more than 600 students in hospitality
and service management in this international program that was
established in 1997.
Of course, as one class departs the campus, another prepares
to begin its journey. The incoming freshman class, numbering approximately
2,300 students, continues our tradition of excellence with their
strong academic histories and geographic diversity this class
alone represents 40 states and 34 foreign nations. These students
and their 12,000 colleagues will have the opportunity to explore
career choices through more than 200 academic fields of study
at RIT. The future awaits these talented young scholars.
I invite all alumni, parents and students to share the excitement
at Reunion 2001. Join us on campus Oct. 1214 as RIT launches
its first comprehensive reunion program. Catch the spirit!
