Four Presidents Past Winners

Man with glasses and a suit giving a presentation
 

Four Presidents Past Winners

Annually the Four Presidents Distinguished Public Service Award is presented to a current member of the faculty or staff who, through his/her public service, mirrors the lives of the four presidents - who have been not only outstanding professionals but also caring members of the community.

Denishea R. Ortiz

Denishea R. Ortiz

Executive Director, Marketing & Communication
Finance & Administration

Gifts were made in Denishea Ortiz's name to the following organization:

  • Rochester Area Community Foundation, Racial Equity Fund
  • Causewave Community Partners
  • IBERO American Action League
  • Urban League of Rochester
Susan Fox, 2023

Susan Fox, 2023

Prospect Researcher, Advancement Services and Administration 
University Advancement

Gifts were made in Susan Fox's name to the following organization:

  • East Avenue Grocery Run
Portrait Matthew Reynell

Matthew Reynell, 2022

Assistant Director, Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships
Division of Enrollment Management

Gifts were made in Matthew Reynell's name to the following organizations:

  • Center for Youth
  • Children Awaiting Parents

Portrait of Luane Haggerty

Dr. Luane Davis Haggerty, 2021

Principal Lecturer, Department for Performing Arts
National Technical School for the Deaf

Gifts were made in Luane Davis Haggerty's name to the following organizations:

  • IRT Theater
  • Off-Monroe Players
  • PUSH Physical Theatre
  • Rochester Community Players
  • Rochester Latino Theatre Company RLTC
Portrait of Thomas Warfield

Thomas Warfield, 2020

Director of Dance, Department of Performing Arts
National Technical Institute of the Deaf

Gifts were made in Thomas Warfield's name to the following organizations:

  • The Avenue Blackbox Theatre
  • WOC Art Collaborative
Portrait of James A. Myers

James A. Myers, 2019

Associate Provost, International Education and Global Programs
Office of the Provost

Gifts were made in James A. Myers’ name to the following organizations:

  • Haiti Outreach Pwoje Espwa (H.O.P.E.)
  • Cancer Wellness Connections
  • Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Portrait of Twyla J. Cummings

Twyla J. Cummings, 2018

Dean of Graduate Education
Office of the Provost

Gifts were made in Twyla J. Cummings’ name to the following organizations:

  • AKOMA
  • Rochester Area Business Ethics Foundation
  • Rochester Women’s Network
  • YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County
Portrait of James H. Watters

James H. Watters, 2017

Senior Vice President and Treasurer
Finance & Administration

A gift was made in James Watters’ name to the following organization:

  • New York Wine and Culinary Center.
Portrait of Cynthia S. Gray

Cynthia S. Gray, 2016

Assistant Vice President
RIT & Rochester Regional Health Alliance and
Institute of Health Sciences and Technology

Gifts were made in Cynthia S. Gray’s name to the following organizations:

  • Bivona Child Advocacy Center
  • Heritage Christian Services
  • Leadership Rochester
  • Rochester Community Robotics
  • United Way of Greater Rochester
Portrait of Sarah Brownell

Sarah Brownell, 2015

Lecturer, Design, Development & Manufacturing
Kate Gleason College of Engineering

Gifts were made in Sarah Brownell’s name to the following organizations:

  • Friends of Borgne
  • House of Mercy
  • St. Joseph's House of Hospitality
Portrait of Rose Marie Toscano

Rose Marie Toscano, 2014

Professor, Department of Liberal Studies
National Technical Institute for the Deaf

Gifts were made in Rose Marie Toscano’s name to the following organizations:

  • The Advocacy Center
  • Muscular Dystrophy Association
  • SKIP of NY
Portrait of Stephanie Polowe

Stephanie Polowe, 2013

Professor, Cultural and Creative Studies
National Technical Institute for the Deaf

Gifts were made in Dr. Stephanie Polowe’s name to the following organizations:

  • Caring Hearts for RIT Cats
  • Irondequoit Community Cupboard
  • Irondequoit Rotary
  • Irondequoit Volunteer Ambulance
  • NTID Theater Program
  • Rochester Area Humane Society at Lollipop Farm
  • Rochester Contemporary Art Gallery
  • Summerville Presbyterian Church Mission Program
  • Sunset House
Portrait of Steven Morse

Steven Morse, 2012

Assistant Vice President, Institute Audit, Compliance and Advisement

Gifts were made in Steven Morse's name to the following organizations:

  • Rochester School for the Deaf
  • Susan B. Anthony House
  • Shepard Home
  • New York Museum of Transportation
  • NTID Student Interpreters Club
Portrait of Dr. Mary-Beth Cooper

Dr. Mary-Beth Cooper, 2011

Senior Vice President, Student Affairs

Gifts were made in Mary-Beth Cooper's name to the following organizations:

  • YMCA of Greater Rochester
  • Angela Buckley Scholarship at RIT
Portrait of John Klofas

John Klofas, 2010

Professor, Criminal Justice
College of Liberal Arts

Gifts were made in John Klofas' name to the following organizations:

  • House of Mercy
  • Teen Empowerment
  • Determined Divas
Portrait of M. Ann Howard

M. Ann Howard, 2009

Professor, Science, Technology & Society/Public Policy
College of Liberal Arts

Gifts were made in Ann Howard’s name to the following organizations:

  • NeighborWorks Rochester
  • Greater Rochester Urban Bounty
  • Anthony L. Jordan Health Center
Portrait of Dr. James J. DeCaro

Dr. James J. DeCaro, 2008

Director, Postsecondary Education Network-International
National Technical Institute for the Deaf

Gifts were made in Dr. DeCaro’s name to the following organizations:

  • Rochester Hearing and Speech Center
  • Al Sigl Center
  • Rochester School for the Deaf Archives
  • Hearing Loss Association of America Rochester New York Chapter
Portrait of Dr. D. Robert Frisina

Dr. D. Robert Frisina, 2007

Director, International Center for Hearing and Speech Research
National Technical Institute for the Deaf

Gifts were made in Dr. D. Robert Frisina’s name to the following organizations:

  • Rochester Rehabilitation Center
  • Rochester Hearing and Speech Center
  • Rochester School for the Deaf
Portrait of Deborah M. Stendardi

Deborah M. Stendardi, 2006

Vice President, Government and Community Relations
Office of the President

Gifts were made in Deborah M. Stendardi’s name to the following organization:

  • United Way of Greater Rochester’s Women United Youth Advocate Model
Portrait of William C. Larsen

William C. Larsen, 2005

Associate Professor Civil Engineering Technology
College of Applied Science and Technology

Gifts were made in William C. Larsen’s name to the following organizations:

  • Haiti Outreach – Pwoje Espwa (H.O.P.E.)
  • RIT Civil Engineering Technology Environmental Management Building Fund
Portrait of Dr. Barry R. Culhane

Dr. Barry R. Culhane, 2004

Executive Assistant to the President

Gifts were made in Dr. Barry Culhane’s name to the following organizations:

  • Junior Achievement of Greater Rochester
  • Vietnam Veterans Memorial of Greater Rochester Inc.
  • Rochester Rotary Charitable Trust
  • Al Sigl Center
Portrait of Dr. Fred W. Smith

Dr. Fred W. Smith, 2003

Secretary of the Institute
Assistant to the President

Gifts were made in Dr. Fred W. Smith’s name to the following organizations:

  • Institute of Fellows
  • RIT Women’s Council
  • Nathaniel Rochester Society scholarship
  • Family Service of Rochester
  • Strong Children’s Museum