Giving to RIT News

Spectrum News features George Zheng ’15 (mechanical engineering technology), co-founder of Leep Foods.

The Division of Development and Alumni Relations will become the Division of University Advancement, highlighting its focus on advancing the university’s mission.

Two companies associated with RIT’s Venture Creations technology business incubator have advanced to the round two finals of the Grow-NY competition. Grow-NY is a food innovation and agriculture technology business challenge focused on enhancing the emerging food, beverage and agriculture innovation cluster in Central New York, the Finger Lakes, and Southern Tier regions.

RIT alumnus Susan Foley ’73 ’79 (business administration, MBA) used her decades-long experience to compile a book of blog articles, Intrapreneurs: Who, What, How and Why, that explores who intrapreneurs are and why they are often considered to be the “squeaky wheels” in organizations. 

The RIT graduate behind the popular card game Exploding Kittens will be the RIT Alumni Association Distinguished Speaker next month. Elan Lee ’98 (computer science) will lead a Zoom webinar at 1 p.m. on Oct. 24 during Tiger Alumni Week on Oct. 19-25. The week allows alumni to participate virtually in Brick City events, including interactive programs and reunions.

WYPR.org features scientist Jenn Kotler ’14 (medical illustration), who is leading a team that is making music from space telescope data.

Over the past 50 years, Bruce Bates has worked with seven RIT presidents behind the scenes. He witnessed RIT move a campus from downtown to Henrietta. And he’s made strategic decisions that have helped propel RIT to the global university it is today. For his dedication and passion to RIT, Bates will receive RIT’s inaugural Lifetime Achievement in Philanthropy Award during a virtual celebration on Sept. 24.

ArtNews features work by artist Christine Sun Kim ’02 (applied arts and sciences).

Cosimo X invests in businesses that use digital assets and blockchain protocols to advance the digital economy. According to industry experts, the investment by RIT marks the first time that any university in the United States has directly invested in a tokenized venture fund. The fund’s parent company, Cosimo Ventures, was co-founded six years ago by RIT alumnus Robert Frasca ’88 (mechanical engineering).

Design Milk features Wendy Maruyama '80 MFA (woodworking and furniture design).

Niantic has donated $400,000 to create a new research lab at RIT that’s focused on location-based games. In the Niantic x RIT Geo Games and Media Research Lab, researchers will work to better understand how people interact with location-based games and how they can be used for good.

RIT’s newest Frederick H. Minett Professor is an engaged alumnus, successful professional in the manufacturing industry, and highly active community volunteer. Orlando Ortiz ’04 (manufacturing engineering technology), ’08 (MBA) is the 29th person appointed to the prestigious position, established in 1991.