Alumni News

For more than 30 years, Robert Rothman has led hundreds of RIT students on tours to the Galápagos Islands to observe the wildlife and landscape that inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection. Rothman’s A Paradise for Reptiles, an homage to the 19th century scientist, is an accessibly written guide for anyone interested in Darwin, the Galápagos, and reptiles in general.

The speedy “elevator pitch” has become an essential component of selling one’s business idea to potential investors. RIT’s Center for Urban Entrepreneurship recently gave local entrepreneurs the opportunity to compete—in five minutes or less—for the grand prize in the Pull Up & ROC the Pitch competition.

RIT’s School of Film and Animation (SOFA) has been ranked among the top 50 animation schools in the country by Animation Career Review, a leading online resource of information for aspiring animation and game design professionals.

The ancient astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus was the first scientist to document the theory that the sun is the center of the universe in his book, De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium (On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres). That first edition book, along with a delicate manuscript from astronomer Johannes de Sacrobosco, that is contrary to Copernicus’ groundbreaking theory, has now found a permanent home at Rochester Institute of Technology.

The latest Emmy Award captured by Jaclyn Pytlarz '14 (motion picture science) was for her role in developing the latest high-dynamic range (HDR) technology, which generates natural-looking quality on TV screens.

"40 Years in Motion" holds RIT student-made stop motion animations dating back to the 1970s, paired with a display of the original puppets and props used to make the films.

NASA features Julia Barsi '97, '00 MS (imaging science).

RIT alumna Krystle Ellis ’09, ’15 MS gives the keynote address during the annual Let Freedom Ring event held Jan. 15 on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Ingle Auditorium. 

Amy Adrion, assistant professor in the School of Film and Animation, has directed and produced seven episodes of children's literacy series Storyline Online with the help of fellow faculty, students and alumni.

A team of interior design students inspired the sleek design of a new pre-security food and beverage service space at the Syracuse Hancock International Airport.

RIT is partnering with Synapse Virtual Production on an in-person immersion in Los Angeles next month that will provide creatives, technologists, and classically trained filmmakers with the latest training in experiential elements for virtual production.

NTID has named Rosa Lee Timm ’00 as the recipient of its Distinguished Alumni Award for the 2023-2024 year. The Distinguished Alumni Awards are presented annually to alumni who have performed at the highest levels of their profession or who have contributed to the advancement and leadership of civic, philanthropic, or service organizations.