Engaging Rochester

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Black-and-white studio portrait of a man with dark hair and a thick mustache, wearing a bow tie, collared shirt, and textured jacket, looking directly at the camera against a plain backdrop.

Honoring the life and legacy of Gene DePrez, visionary founder of Rochester’s Urbanarium and civic innovator.

This is a two-day symposium honoring the life and legacy of Gene DePrez, civic innovator and visionary founder of Rochester’s Urbanarium. Day two events will be held at the Kate Gleason Auditorium, 1st floor, Bausch & Lomb Building, Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County, 115 South Ave.

Friday, January 30
Wegman’s Theatre, MAGIC Spell Studios, Rochester Institute of Technology

4:30–6:00pm: Reception & pop-up exhibit
6:00–6:45pm: Keynote address: Simeon Banister, President & CEO, Rochester Area Community Foundation
7:15–8:30pm: Film screening: Think About It (1968)

Saturday, January 31
Kate Gleason Auditorium (1st floor), Bausch & Lomb Building, Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County (115 South Ave)

10:00–10:15am: Welcome & Opening Remarks
10:15–11:30am: Design for a Greater Rochester: Past, Present, and Future
 

As Rochester celebrates the 50th anniversary of its iconic city mark, communications professionals, graphic designers, and historians reflect on the role design plays in encouraging citizen engagement with government.
 

Facilitator: Christine L. Ridarsky, Rochester & Monroe County Historian
 

Panelists:

  • Lorrie Frear, Professor, School of Design, College of Art & Design, RIT
  • William Schwappacher, Creative Director, City of Rochester
  • Roger Remington, Vignelli Distinguished Professor of Design Emeritus, RIT

11:45–1:00pm: Centering Citizens: Democratizing City Planning
Residents, city ocials, and historians discuss the role of neighborhood input
in shaping city planning.
 

Facilitator: Dr. Tamar Carroll, Professor and Chair, History Department, College of Liberal Arts, RIT
 

Panelists:

  • Shawn Dunwoody, Executive Director and Co-Founder, Hinge Neighbors
  • William A Johnson Jr., former Mayor of the City of Rochester
  • Dr. Timothy Kneeland, Professor, Department of History, Politics, and Law, Nazareth University
  • Kevin Kelley, Oce of City Planning Manager, City of Rochester
  • Suzanne Mayer, Board Chair and Co-Founders, Hinge Neighbors

1:00–1:45pm: Lunch (included with pre-registration)
2:00–4:00pm: Build a Better Rochester: Workshop on Advocating for Inclusive Housing
 

This interactive workshop builds on the legacy of Gene DePrez's work and his 1968 film, Think About It, empowering participants to advocate effectively for more inclusive and ample housing options across our city and region.

Facilitators:

  • Shane Wiegand, Co-Director, Our Local History, Coordinated Care Services, Inc.
  • Justin Murphy, Researcher and Communications Coordinator, Our Local History, Coordinated Care Services, Inc.
Contact
Tamar Carroll
tamar.carroll@rit.edu
5854756095
This event may be photographed/videoed by RIT. By attending, you grant Rochester Institute of Technology (“RIT”) permission to use photographs and/or audio-visual recordings in which you appear, now and in the future, for illustration, promotion, art, editorial, advertising, and trade, or any other purpose.
Event Snapshot
When and Where
January 30, 2026
4:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Room/Location: Wegman's Theatre
January 31, 2026
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Room/Location: Kate Gleason Auditorium (1st floor), Bausch & Lomb Building, Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County (115 South Ave)
Who

Open to the Public

CostFREE
Interpreter Requested?

No

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