News

Twelve RIT alumni have been honored with Distinguished Alumni Awards for the 2023-2024 year. The Distinguished Alumni Awards are presented annually by each of RIT’s nine colleges, the School of Individualized Study, and the RIT Graduate School 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.

Students, faculty, and alumni at RIT are participating in NASA’s national Moon to Mars initiative to build a training device and monitoring tool to help make extended space travel healthier for astronauts.

A new whimsical mural, painted by fourth-year student Emma McCarthy, debuted in the Booth Hall elevator just before the November holiday break. The artwork adds some vibrancy to the formerly dark-colored walls.

Ipek Koprululu ’24 MFA headlines a host of visual communication design MFA students to be honored in competitions recognizing design excellence around the world.

Dani Dupree (second place), Simon Ball (third place) and Cooper Gilson (honorable mention) claimed three of the five award placements in the Philadelphia Museum of Art Collab Student Design Competition.

The inaugural production in the newest building on the RIT campus, AstroDance II: Across the Universe, premieres Dec. 1 to 3, featuring a variety of dance, aerial and circus arts, and augmented reality, which will be presented in the new state-of-the-art Sklarsky Glass Box Theater.

Students in RIT’s Multidisciplinary Senior Design (MSD) program worked on The Overcomer, a patented device being used by children and adults with mobility challenges to play sports at the Special Olympics and in schools, nursing care facilities, sports leagues, and homes around the world.

Jerry Alonzo ’90 MFA (woodworking and furniture design) worked as a lawyer and judge for over 40 years, but his love for woodworking never strayed. Now, he channels experiences from his career into his art to create thought-provoking pieces that prompt viewers to think critically about the legal system and, ultimately, the true meaning of justice.

Don Charlton ’99 (graphic design) came to RIT with just two suitcases. He was excited to leave his small town outside of Pittsburgh and dive into the world of design. At the time, he likely didn’t anticipate his degree would lead him to the tech industry.

In a space known for innovative science and technology, Paige Manley '24 (3D digital design) is demonstrating the value of art as an aid to science through opportunities with NASA.

WXXI’s “Connections” program features Amy Adrion, assistant professor in the School of Film and Animation.

Students and alumni from RIT’s School of Photographic Arts and Sciences received a total of seven awards in this year’s international College Photographer of the Year competition. Among the awards, Vincent Alban ’23 earned the title of College Photographer of the Year for the second year in a row.