Presidential Inauguration Congratulatory Messages
Messages from colleagues, friends, and community members honoring the installation of Bill Sanders as RIT’s president on September 26, 2025.
Jaime Saunders
Beyond excited to welcome President Sanders and Emily to our region! The power of partnership with RIT and United Way fosters great things in service to our community. Looking forward to doing great things - Go Tigers!
Puru Purushotham ’81, MS ’82
Hello Bill,
As an alumnus and a long-time supporter of RIT, the last two days on campus were truly inspiring for me, to be part of the various events, culminating in the inauguration of you as the 11th President of the University. At the 'RIT in Conversation' program, presentations by some of the faculty, followed by the Leadership Panel discussion among accomplished academic leaders, highlighted RIT's world-class excellence in innovation and creativity across wide-ranging disciplines. It demonstrated its unique strength at the intersection of technology, arts, and design, with fundamental science as the foundation. Yet, as a young and emerging world-class research University, RIT still has enormous potential to have even greater impact for the common societal good on a global scale.
As a member of the President's Roundtable for a number of years, I have had the privilege of closely watching the last three Presidents - each with a unique vision and leadership. During their respective tenures, they each elevated the scope, composition, and quality of higher education and scholarship at RIT. Their leadership collectively transformed RIT from a regional University to a renowned National University with a growing global footprint.
I am excited that you have chosen to enthusiastically accept the mantle of the Presidency of RIT. Your extraordinary background–as an accomplished researcher, entrepreneur, educator, leader, and community builder with global reach–will no doubt catapult RIT to even greater heights. In addition, I bet that your personal traits - warmth, modesty, humility, accessibility, etc. will bring sustained positive energy across the RIT community, which will further fuel progress.
Thank you, and my sincere congratulations to you!
With very best wishes,
Puru Purushotham BS ’81, MS ’82
President’s Round Table
COS National Council
Toby Stroud MBA ’04, Executive Director, RIT Sponsored Programs Accounting
Hello Dr. Sanders,
Welcome to RIT! I look forward to working with you in the future, and welcome any opportunity we have to collaborate.
Anonymous
I wish you every success as you embark on the journey of leading RIT through challenging and exciting times!
Shirley Murphy BS ’81, MS ’95
Congratulations to you, President Sanders, on your new journey at RIT as our President.
Cathy and Jeff Cunningham
Congratulations Bill! We have watched your star rise first as a professor, then department chair, then dean and now president! No surprise at your achievements - you are truly a bright light. We know you bring many talents and experiences to the presidency of RIT and we wish you well. Celebrating you and Emily from afar!
William W. Moehle
As Supervisor of the Town of Brighton, I welcome you to your new position. RIT is such an important part of the greater Rochester community, and as your neighbors on the north side of Jefferson Road in Brighton, I look forward to continuing to work with RIT under your leadership as we move Brighton and RIT forward.
Bob Wagner, MBA ’93
Dear President Sanders,
As a proud RIT Tiger and Sentinel Society member, I offer my congratulations and best wishes as you embark on this amazing journey. Our vibrant community knows you will do great things in your service to RIT. Thank you. Go Tigers!
Phillippa Thiuri, Ph.D, Division of Access, Engagement and Success
Congratulations, President Sanders, on your inauguration as the new president of RIT. As you begin this important chapter of leadership, may you be guided by vision, compassion, and courage. RIT stands at a moment of great opportunity, and your tenure will help shape the university’s future in profound ways.
Your commitment to innovation, inclusion, and academic excellence will inspire students, faculty, and staff alike. I wish you wisdom in decision-making, strength in moments of challenge, and joy in the community you will continue to nurture.
May your leadership open new pathways for discovery and ensure that every member of the RIT family feels valued, seen, and empowered to thrive.
Lynne Mazadoorian, Assistant VP, Undergraduate Success & Director, UAO
Welcome to RIT! I’m excited you’ve joined our wonderful community of students, faculty, and staff. I look forward to your leadership. Go Tigers!
Mike Cahill
Dr. Sanders,
I wish you the best as you begin your tenure as RIT’s 11th president. I am a Rochester native and have been with L3Harris Communication Systems in Rochester for 30 years. I am currently a SW Engineering Director leading our Tactical Communications Software Engineering team. I continue to be impressed with the talent that we continue to recruit from at RIT to meet our intern and new college hire needs! Congratulations again!
Karen Chance Mercurius, Ph.D
Dear President Sanders,
Congratulations on your inauguration as the 11th president of the Rochester Institute of Technology. Welcome to the Rochester community!
It is a joy and an honor to represent my alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania (UPENN), and participate in your inauguration ceremony. I look forward to watching you lead the university into its next great chapter of innovation and global distinction.
We wish you all the best as you formally begin your tenure.
Laura Failli, RIT Visiting Lecturer
The warmest wishes from Italy for a very successful Presidency to a Professor, a Scientist, and an Innovator, as well as to his spouse and family.
Anonymous
Bill,
Thanks for all your service to Engineering at CMU. RIT will benefit immensely from your leadership. Congratulations and Best wishes!
Anonymous
Congratulations - we're excited to have you lead RIT/NTID into the next chapter. RIT/NTID has always had a wonderful partnership. I look forward to collaborating with you as well as coming up with a new vision as we forge ahead - not allowing challenges to limit us but rather, make us stronger than ever! Go Tigers! :D
Dr. Vosjislav D. Kalanovic
Congratulations, President Sanders, on your inauguration. I look forward to seeing RIT’s continued leadership in innovation, industry partnerships, and applied research under your guidance.
Anonymous
Welcome to our university community! I hope you are finding our campus to be not only a place of innovation and excellence, but also one of warmth and connection. I look forward to meeting you and am here to support you in whatever way I can. Congratulations on this special day!
Rosalie Clemens, Executive Director, RIT Certified
“If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, then you are an excellent leader.” - Dolly Parton
Dear President Sanders,
Congratulations on your appointment. As you begin this new chapter at RIT, I’ve been thinking about what strong leadership really looks like. Dolly Parton’s words capture it well. Leadership isn’t about titles or status — it’s about creating the kind of impact that helps others grow.
At RIT Certified, that’s what we work toward every day. And it’s clear from your career that you have done the same. It means a lot to have someone at the helm of RIT who values both innovation and people, and who sees what’s possible for the future.
I look forward to seeing how your leadership shapes what’s next for RIT and our community.
Best wishes for a successful presidency
Alice Almer, RIT Croatia Marketing & Communication Manager
Congratulations on this milestone, Dr. Sanders! In Croatian, we say čestitamo (ches-tee-tah-moh – ‘congratulations’). We at RIT Croatia are eager to welcome you in person during your visit in October and show you our vibrant community!
Irving J. Van Slyke Jr. ’62
President Sanders, I wish you well as you serve RIT as its new President. Since my graduation in 1962, many years have passed, and RIT has grown significantly since I was a student in the downtown campus.
At the new campus, under the direction of James Campbell, VP, I established the Central Placement Services.
As it has grown over the years, I’m sure it must be a very active program.
I wish you well as you move forward in a very “significant position”.
At age 93 and retired, I often think of how the leadership of the school has been so successful.
Lisa Weeks SVP ’88, ’95
Dear Mr. William H. Sanders,
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to extend my heartfelt congratulations on your recent appointment as the President of the Rochester Institute of Technology. As a proud member of the SVP ’88, I graduated with a degree in Interior Design in 1995. Although I initially aspired to pursue a career in Architecture, which was not available at RIT at that time, I have always held a deep appreciation for my education at this esteemed institution.
Currently, I serve as a banquet server at the Buffalo Marriott at LECOM Harborcenter in Buffalo, New York. The Rochester Institute of Technology will always be considered my academic home, and I am grateful to remain affiliated with the institution for life.
Once again, congratulations on your new role. I wish you every success and fulfillment in your endeavors at RIT.
Anonymous
President Sanders - Welcome to RIT. As you embark on a new chapter at RIT, I know you will be very successful in taking RIT to the next level. Good luck and all the best. Go Tigers!
Anonymous
Welcome to RIT! As a proud alumna of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (’98) and Deaf Education (MS ’02) and now faculty in NTID's Science & Mathematics, I am thrilled to welcome you to the helm. Wishing you a successful and inspiring tenure as RIT's 11th President - we look forward to the journey ahead!
Anonymous
Congratulations on your appointment as the new President of RIT. As you enter this new chapter, I hope you’ll continue to be the beacon of innovation, diversity, and scholastic excellence. As President, we entrust you to be the living promise of every student, alumni, and faculty member who calls RIT home. I lift my voice, proud that you will carry the torch of Tiger power with esteemed pride for the community.
Anonymous
Best wishes on your tenure, President Sanders.
Continue and enhance the culture of inspiring innovation, growth, and positive change.
Encourage authenticity and freedom to question things so that your team goes beyond their comfort zone to inspire great advocates.
Anonymous
Congratulations, Dr. Sanders. Wishing you many years as the leader of a great school.
Anonymous
Dr. Sanders, I’m looking forward to collaborating with you as we explore the many areas of RIT and the Rochester community that we’re committed to strengthening, all to help our students feel truly at home—supported, inspired, and rooted in a place that welcomes them fully. While challenges may arise, I believe we are well prepared to meet them with clarity and purpose. I also have a feeling Emily has already started to connect with the Rochester area. I’m grateful for the opportunity to play a part in helping to make her experience both welcoming and enjoyable.
Anonymous
Welcome from a former Techmila yearbook Editor-in-Chief
Anonymous
Greetings and a warm welcome to President Sanders! I am confident that you will be able to help cultivate a vibrant community here at RIT.
Jill Frushour McGrath ’84
Hi Dr. Sanders, we are delighted to welcome you to RIT. I graduated 40 years ago, and remember RIT fondly and appreciate the transformation.
Anonymous
Congratulations and welcome to the family! We look forward to your leadership and collaborating with you over the next many years to continue to bring the vision and mission of RIT to life. Go Tigers!
Tim Gordon, Associate Vice President, RIT Student Development, Access and Support
Dr. Sanders,
I am excited to begin my journey at RIT under your leadership! I hope that you and your family continue to receive a warm welcome and support as you lead the campus. Best wishes!
Angelique Armstrong ’24, Project Coordinator, AWARE-AI Traineeship Program
Dear Dr. Sanders, I'm traveling to Cleveland with members of the AWARE-AI Traineeship Program for a Summit and will be missing your Inauguration, but I want to extend a hearty welcome! I enjoyed seeing photos of you helping with Move In Day and jumping into RIT Life with both feet! I wish you the very best of success during your time with us, and hope our paths cross so that I can welcome you in person!
Anonymous
Based on everything you did for the CMU College of Engineering, I know you're going to do a fantastic job as President of RIT.
Anonymous
Welcome to RIT, Dr. Sanders. We are excited to have you and your family here.
Anonymous
Your positive presence on campus has been felt from day one, and we can't wait to keep feeling that!
Anonymous
Welcome to RIT! Thanks for taking the time to meet everyone and learn–I'm excited about collaborating to build our future.
Jay Lala
Dear Bill,
Congratulations on this awesome achievement!
Given your passion, talent, and hard work, I'm not at all surprised to see you succeed and reach the rarefied air of university presidency.
I still remember the first time we met. It was the IFIP WG10.4 meeting in Grand Canyon Lodge, and you were still a student at the University of Arizona.
It has been a great pleasure to have worked with you for over 30+ years in the WG10.4, DSN, and, of course, as a PI on my DARPA programs and to develop great affection and friendship.
Best wishes to you and Emily for continued success in this role and in life!
Anonymous
Sending warm wishes to you as you begin your presidency here at RIT. I just know the university is in good hands and you will drive the university to even higher levels of recognition of all that is special about RIT. As the 6th president I have had the pleasure to work under, I am always ready to assist you as you make your way through your initial days as a Tiger. This is going to be a great year!
Anonymous
Welcome! I look forward to your leadership role at a time when higher education faces challenges both nationally and globally. Yet with challenge also comes opportunity.
Your vision will make a difference—not only in shaping the future of the college, but in the lives of the students, faculty, and community who look to you for leadership. Please remember you are not carrying this alone. You have students, staff, and faculty who believe in the mission of the college and in your ability to guide it with wisdom and courage.
Anonymous
Congratulations, President Sanders! As you begin this new chapter, may your leadership continue to inspire innovation, inclusion, and community. RIT is excited to move forward under your guidance, and we look forward to the great impact you will make.
Anonymous
It is a pleasure to work with you. Congratulations today and all days!
Anonymous
Congratulations and thank you for stepping into the role of President. My Tiger entered 5 years ago and changed majors from Computer Science to the SOIS program last year, with plans to graduate this year. Her journey has been a personally challenging one, and I am grateful for the opportunity that the culture of this campus and the administrators provided, enabling her to find her authentic self. I wish you all the best and hope your leadership provides continued opportunities for students’ self-discovery and growth.
Bob Finnerty, Associate Vice President, University Communications
Dear Bill,
It is wonderful to welcome you and Emily (and Ollie) to the RIT family. Each RIT president seems to pass the baton beautifully to the next. RIT is always on to something amazing and perpetually creating the future.
Anonymous
Hi Bill
Just a personal note from Pam, the girls, and I, wishing Emily and you all the best in this new adventure, indeed what a wonderful adventure it has been. We are glad that you were at Illinois for one of the best times.