Class of 2022

An overhead view of the RIT logo on a patch of grass during commencement ceremonies.
 

Congratulations
Class of 2022!

Congratulations to the College of Art and Design's newest graduates! As the Class of 2022 gets set to make its creative mark on the world, we celebrate its ingenuity and countless accomplishments.

A group of student throw their graduation caps into the air.
A graphic that says What's Next for RIT's Class of 2022?

 

500+

Total degrees to be conferred in 2022 across the College of Art and Design

List of graduates

 

370+

Number of undergraduate candidates

 

130+

Number of graduate candidates
Todd Jokl

Congratulations to the Class of 2022! You have much to be proud of! You have overcome personal and academic challenges throughout your journey at RIT. This last year certainly tested your resolve but you rose to meet this pivotal time in history. These moments of resilience will propel you forward in the next chapter of your life. Go out into the world and make your mark with passion and purpose. As an RIT Tiger, you dream big and take bold risks. We can’t wait to see how it all unfolds."

Todd Jokl
Dean
College of Art and Design

Commencement Gallery

Ceremony photos by Elizabeth Lamark; reception photos by Daniel Sarch '23

A student in the crowd smiles wide.
A group of students in the crowd takes a selfie.
Dean Todd Jokl confers a degree to a student.
Someone takes a photo of a new grad and their family.
Frank Cost, faculty, shows off his colorful tie.
A graduate candidate looks on during the commencement ceremony.
Students in the commencement ceremony crowd.
Film and animation faculty stand in a line.
School of Film and Animation Director Shanti Thakur fist bumps a student.
A detailed look at an ornamental necklace worn by a new graudate.
Students in the commencement ceremony crowd.
A group of fresh graduates throws grad caps into the air.
Dean Todd Jokl at the lectern.
A new graduate poses for a photo in front of MAGIC's large LED wall.
Faculty stand side by side.
Family and friends take photos of posing new graduates.
A student receives their degree.
People wearing homemade headsets with pacmen-looking people wearing grad caps.
A new graduate sits at a table with his family.
A family takes photos of their daughter.
Undergraduate delegate Siobhan Gannon at the lectern.
Graduate delegate Selma Pena at the lectern.
An overhead photo of a new graduate.
Frank Cost, faculty, with two new graduates.
A grad cap that reads RIT.
Faculty and new graduates talk in a circle.
Dean Todd Jokl fist bumps graduate candidates.
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Delegates

Siobhan Gannon headshot.

Siobhan Gannon (undergraduate)

From Hudson, Mass., Gannon is graduating with a BFA in film and animation with minors in software engineering and 3D digital design. She also is member of the RIT Honors program and serves as a volunteer 3D modeler for PRESENCE VR, where she creates assets, helps with user testing and collaborates with an RIT software engineering team to create a VR app for companies to interview art students. Her professional interests include shading, lighting, rendering, rigging and modeling. Gannon is the recipient of the RIT Outstanding Undergraduate Scholar Award, Vicarious Visions In It Together Scholarship, NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Award and was a 2016 Scholastic Art Award Honorable Mention. She is also the Metrohacks: Women 2018 Social Track winner. She serves as vice president for RIT’s American Cancer Society On Campus.

Selma Pena headshot.

Selma Pena (graduate)

From Mexico City, Mexico, Pena is graduating with an MFA in film and animation. She is passionate about writing and coordinating animation projects. Her work includes serving as a production coordinator/writer at MAGIC Spell Studios, where she oversees teams of 3D artists, editors, sound composers, motion picture scientists and animators; Moonbug Entertainment, where she assists in the implementation of the company’s Talent Tracker, a tool that interfaces with a database of potential employees and contractors, develops story, narration and music ideas for properties including “Little Baby Bum,” “Digley and Dazey" and “KiiYii;” co-founder/producer at PeAr Animation Studios, where she creates projects from initial concept to script, and completes key frames, music and essential artwork; and creative manager for Univision Mexico (Televisa), where she managed a team of writers, artists and musicians.

Connect

A student donning regalia at a commencement ceremony.

Get Social

Share your decorated caps and commencement moments on social using #RITartdesigngrad and #RITgrad

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Tiger Wisdom

Alumni share their words of encouragement for RIT's newest graduates

View messages
A student takes a selfie with faculty Juan Carlos Caballero-Perez

Picture Perfect

Capture the excitement of graduation by taking photos at hand-picked campus locations

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Profiles

Emily Bishop headshot.

Emily Bishop (photographic sciences)


Off to Edmund Optics

Marian Draper holds a vessel in the studio.

Marian Draper (ceramics)


Crafting history-inspired ceramics (includes video)

Jackson Glozer poses in front of a Tesla sign.

Jackson Glozer (photogaphic sciences)


Contributing to industry

A 2D-animated character in a jungle setting.

Kiki Johnson (animation)


Socially-conscious storyteller

Sydney Lewandowski poses at a table.

Sydney Lewandowski (visual media)


Finding her passion

Johnny Gates and Alex McDonald pose for a photo next to a three-channel video installation while holding a large check.

Alexandra McDonald (production)


Demonstrating technology, the arts and design

A robot next to a storybook.

Ari McMahon (industrial design)


Merging design and engineering

Selma Pena holds a clapper board.

Selma Peña (film and animation MFA)


Making MAGIC at RIT

Adam Spector peaks through a ceramic vessel.

Adam Spector (visual arts-all grades MST)


Answering a life-changing phone call

An illustration of vines and flowers.

Meghan Wassil (illustration)


An award-winning finish

Zaid Abdulsalam, Ismael Cortes Jr., and Justice Marbury pose for a group photo.

Zaid Abdulsalam (medical illustration) and Justice Marbury (photojournalism)


Fulfilling long-term promises

A group of students sit around a table.

Graduate assistants (media arts and technology MS)


Gaining valuable experience 

Headshots of eight photographic sciences seniors

Photographic sciences seniors


Continuing a strong legacy

Spring Exhibitions

Each spring, RIT's galleries showcase thesis and capstone work by BFA and MFA candidates across the College of Art and Design's wide portfolio of programs. Below is a collection of highlights from the shows! *Hover over an image for photo credit.*  

Gallery visitors look at wall paintings.
People look at ceramic sculptures.
Two artists stand in a gallery surrounded by artwork.
A person looks at small images hanging on a gallery wall.
Gallery visitors look at photographs on a wall.
Two people talk in RIT City Art Space.
people pack in William Harris Gallery for the fine art photography show.
People talking in a gallery.
Gallery visitors look at photos in William Harris Gallery.
People pack into University Gallery for the industrial design BFA capstone exhibition.
Students operate an interactive exhibit.
Ariel Meltser at her exhibit space as part of the industrial design BFA capstone show.
Three students look at posters on a gallery wall.
A student showcases her poster for her interior design BFA capstone project.
A group of interior design seniors pose for a group photo.
Students look at jewelry in a display case.
MFA student Alex Jarus looks at an installation hanging from the ceiling of RIT City Art Space.
Students pose for a photo in RIT City Art Space.
MFA student Abigail Benkovich poses for a photo, with images of her metals and jewelry design work as a backdrop.
A gallery visitor looks at paintings on a wall.
Professor Luvon Sheppard shakes hands with someone in Bevier Gallery.
Gallery visitors check out a wall-spanning printmaking work.
Two people talk in a gallery.
Flowers in the foreground, photos on gallery walls in the background.
Gallery visitors look at photos on walls in William Harris Gallery.
A detailed painting of someone's eye.
A display of metals and jewelry design.
A display of a collection of utilitarian vessels.
A collection of sculptures in RIT City Art Space.
Faculty and students talk and embrace.
A gallery visitor looks at photos on a wall.
Photojournalism seniors pose for a group photo.
A prototype of a sneaker.
Three people talk in a gallery.
A prototype of a hockey helmet design.
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Awards

Faculty, students and staff across RIT are annually recognized for their outstanding efforts in and out of the classroom with awards from the Office of the Provost. Additionally, the College of Art and Design gives out end-of-year awards. This year's honorees were:

Maggie Blaisdell and Lorrie Frear pose for a photo.

Pfizenmaier Award

Maggie Blaisdell
Graphic Design student
Lorrie Frear (mentor)
Professor, School of Design

The Irene Pfizenmaier Award for Excellence in Graphic Expression is given each year to a student recipient, who selects a faculty mentor to share the honor with.

Cecily Culver headshot.

Edline M. Chun Award

Cecily Culver
School of Design

The Edline M. Chun Award for Outstanding Teaching and Service recognizes an adjunct faculty member who has shown excellence in teaching and provided exemplary service to their affiliated school and the college.

Side-by-side headshots of Keli DiRisio and Carol Fillip.

Romano Prize

Keli DiRisio, Assistant Professor, School of Design
Carol Fillip, Associate Professor, School of Design

The Frank J. Romano Prize for Publishing Entrepreneurship is given to a faculty member/team who works with students to create innovative publications using new technologies and/or workflows.

Kristie Gross headshot.

Staff Recognition Award

Kristie Gross
Associate Director, Student Services

The award recognizes a College of Art and Design staff member for their outstanding contributions within the college and RIT campus community.

A portrait of Joshua Rashaad McFadden against a black background.

Gitner Family Prize

Joshua Rashaad McFadden
Assistant Professor, School of Photographic Arts and Sciences

The award is given to a tenured or tenure-track faculty member in an area related to graphic communication who has been judged to have made an outstanding contribution to their profession.

Mary McLoughlin portrait.

Outstanding Graduate Student Award

Mary McLoughlin
Industrial Design MFA

Awarded annually to an MFA, MS or MST candidate in the College of Art and Design.

Nate Rohman headshot.

Excellence in Academic Advising - New Advisor

Nate Rohman
Academic Advisor, College of Art and Design

This Provost's Award recognizes someone who demonstrates exceptional academic advising and outstanding support of students and their success.

Retirements

The College of Art and Design congratulates the faculty and staff who retired this year after amazing careers at RIT

  • Frank Cost (40 years, James E. McGhee Distinguished Professor, School of Photographic Arts and Sciences)
  • Leonard Urso (39 years, Ann Mowris Mulligan Distinguished Professor in Contemporary Crafts, School for American Crafts)
  • Marla Schweppe (29 years, Professor, School of Design)
  • Fran Chinnock (25 years, Senior Staff Assistant, Schools of Art and American Crafts)
  • Michele Washburn (16 years, Administrative Assistant II, Dean's Office)