Alumni Activities

Stop the presses for Big Shot '99!
Mark your calendars now for a special event in New York City. On Thursday, October 28, Big Shot '99 will head to Pier 86 for the most ambitious subject in its history -- the 900-foot-long aircraft carrier Intrepid, now a sea, space and air museum. Everyone (especially photo alumni) is welcome to participate, since it will take no fewer than 2,000 people holding hand-held flashes and other light sources to illuminate the aircraft carrier. There also will be an invitation-only reception for alumni aboard the ship following the shoot. For more information about Big Shot '99, call (716) 475-2863, or e-mail mrppph@rit.edu. There will be more about this exciting event in the fall University Magazine.

Lifelong learning for RIT graduates
Recent research demonstrates that adult humans need regular brain exercise to keep that important organ in top shape. Alumni University, a new program developed by the Office of Alumni Relations, offers non-credit workshops and seminars to RIT alumni to give their gray matter a workout. While providing an opportunity for graduates to re-connect with RIT, the program also helps alumni to hone professional skills, to make networking contacts and to increase their knowledge base through participation in workshops and seminars of interest.

Alumni Relations plans several Alumni University programs each year. Classes Without Quizzes was the first offering, held this past April. Future programs and dates will be announced soon.

For answers to any questions about Alumni University, contact Christina Mancini, assistant director of alumni relations, by phone, (716) 475-4975, or by e-mail, cmmalum@rit.edu.

Learning and going places
Alumni Relations is also developing regional alumni education opportunities, as well as a travel-abroad series for alumni education. In such instances, faculty members will be asked to lead seminars and workshops off-site for groups of alumni. More information about these programs will be provided soon.

On-line community organizing
The Web -- via www.rit.edu/alumni -- is one more medium for RIT alumni to use to connect with the institution's community. RIT was among the first academic institutions to offer this resource to its on-line alumni. Together with the Educational Technology Center, Alumni Relations is gathering presentation materials, class notes and videos that can be launched through RIT's alumni Web site. This program will establish an on-line library of resources that alumni can access at any time, and will be launched later this spring.

Past perfect events
RIT's 30th anniversary celebration of the Henrietta campus marked the first annual Brick City Festival last October. Highlighting the autumn alumni event was a performance by Kevin Nealon, formerly of Saturday Night Live. Rochester's own Skycoasters rocked the crowd with music from the past 30 years on Saturday night, and the Stonehurst Regatta on Sunday was again a huge success.

October also witnessed the annual alumni receptions at the Graph Expo in Chicago and the Photo Expo in New York City. The two events had a combined attendance of over 200.

Hospitality Alumni Society
Jeffrey N. Rowoth, FAH '81, SMM '91, was awarded the Sarah M. Gillam Award in April 1998 for his professional achievements. The student recognition award was given that same evening to Jason R. P. Zebrowski '99.

Jim Fredrickson, SMM '95, will coordinate the June 11 golf outing. Time and place will be announced soon.

Don't miss the annual NRA Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show in Chicago. There will be a breakfast reception at the Standard Club on Monday, May 24. For more information, contact Keith Shurerts, SMH '95, by phone, (716) 272-2322.

Announcements, et cetera
Jim Bucolo, '79, and the civil engineering technology class of 1979 will host a 20-year reunion at RIT on June 19. For more information on the reunion, contact Dan Hickey, BFA '91, MS '98, through Alumni Relations.

RIT will again host the 1999 Brick City Festival, October 8, 9 and 10.

Also this fall: The Graph Expo, in Chicago, is scheduled for October 17 through 20. The day and time of the alumni reception has not been set.

For more information, contact Alumni Relations by phone, (716) 475-ALUM; by TTY, (716) 475-2764; or by e-mail, ritalum@rit.edu.