President Destler sits with Mark Clement, President and CEO of Rochester General Health System during a December 2009 "Progress Report" to the community. In 2008, RIT and RGHS created a strategic alliance. For more on the alliance, visit: www.rit.edu/rghs

President Destler mingles with a crowd of more than 25,000 at the second annual Imagine RIT Festival on May 2, 2009. Imagine RIT showcased nearly 2,000 exhibitors from students, faculty and staff.

"Imagine RIT was simply magnificent for RIT and the greater Rochester community," said Destler. "It was exciting to see the ingenuity used in all the exhibits and activities. Visitors who explored campus discovered what happens when you unlock your imagination." For more on the festival, visit: www.rit.edu/imagine.

President Destler's 'Green Vehicle Challenge' kicked off the 2009 Imagine RIT Festival. The president issued his challenge to the RIT community as a way to encourage students, faculty and staff members to begin thinking about ways to utilize alternative forms of energy. The challenge participants competed to see which vehicle could complete a 3-mile loop around campus while expending the least amount of energy.

President Destler announced on Dec. 18, 2008 that RIT has entered into a strategic alliance with Rochester General Health System. An agreement between the two institutions will include RIT becoming the health system¹s official academic affiliate and RGHS becoming the university's official affiliated medical center. The partnership will add capabilities and provide opportunities for both organizations.

President Destler reads a book to the youngsters at Margaret's House, RIT's child care center.

RIT opened up a campus in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in the summer of 2008. Here, President Destler signs the official agreement to launch RIT Dubai.

President Destler led a delegation of RIT leaders in Japan in December 2008. Pictured here are Destler, Alan Hurwitz, president of the National Technical Institute for the Deaf; James DeCaro, director of NTID's Postsecondary Education Network (PEN) International; Lisa Cauda, RIT vice president for development and alumni relations, and officials from Tsukuba College of Technology/Tianjin Technical College for the Deaf.

President Destler stands above RIT's campus (The American College of Management and Technology) in Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Academic Convocation 2008 slide show. View the slide show.

Imagine RIT 2008 slide show. View the slide show.

Audio slide show of presidential inauguration (by Elizabeth Lamark ‘00, visual resources manager, RIT Educational Technology Center). View the audio slide show

The Inauguration of President William Destler. View the entire series of photos.

President Destler's first 100 days. View the entire series of photos.

Nabil Nasr, director of RIT’s Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies, shows equipment to President Destler and Deborah Stendardi, vice president of Government and Community Relations.

President Destler speaks to faculty, staff and students during his opening address to the campus, Aug. 30, 2007, in Gordon Field House and Activities Center.

President Destler tours RIT’s Center for Bioscience Education and Technology with New York State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno (center), state senators Joe Robach (far left) and Jim Alesi (second from left) and center director Douglas Merrill (far right).

President Destler and his wife, Rebecca Johnson, are taught sign language at their home at Liberty Hill.

Dominican Republic President Leonel Antonio Fernandez Reyna and his wife, First Lady Margarita Cedeno de Fernandez, with President Destler during their Sept. 28, 2007, visit to RIT.

Dr. Richard Rose, RIT’s seventh president, chats with President Destler in the president’s office on the seventh floor of the Eastman Building.

President Destler helps incoming freshmen move into their residence hall rooms, Aug. 26, 2007, during Orientation Week.

Incoming RIT President Bill Destler learns that he has "big shoes to fill" with the retirement of President Al Simone. Destler performed this skit with RIT Board Chairman Mike Morley during Al and Carolie Simone's community tribute gala in June.

Incoming RIT President Bill Destler and his wife, Rebecca Johnson, are greeted by Carolie Simone. Retiring RIT President Al Simone plays with RIT mascot RITchie at the Simones community tribute gala in June.