News
Denishea Ortiz

An executive director who leads a marketing team that supports RIT Housing and RIT Dining and a Marine Corps veteran who is receiving his mechanical engineering technology degree next month have been chosen to receive prestigious public service awards from Rochester Institute of Technology.

Denishea Ortiz, executive director of Strategic Marketing for RIT’s Auxiliary Services, has been named a recipient of Rochester Business Journal’s 27th annual Forty Under 40 award. The award recognizes young professionals and future leaders for giving back to the Rochester community.

Gracie’s, RIT’s largest dining facility which has fed students for decades in Grace Watson Hall, reopened this month after a five-month renovation project in its seating area. It was the second and final phase of renovation; the kitchen and serving areas were renovated in 2019.

Messenger Post Media features Denishea Ortiz, director of Strategic Marketing and Retail Product Management for Student Auxiliary Services, and Orlando Ortiz '04 (manufacturing engineering technology) '08 (MBA).

Made from an upcycled freight container, the new RIT Hydroponic Farm will provide fresh produce for the chefs who serve nearly 14,000 meals on campus every day. So far, the farm has produced roughly 40 pounds of greens since farm manager Dave Brault started harvesting in early August.