News

Dwight M. “Kip” Palmer, a fifth-generation CEO of Palmer Food Services and the Palmer Family of Companies, has been named the 2023 recipient of the Herbert W. Vanden Brul Entrepreneurial Award, given annually to a successful individual or individuals who developed a business that improved the Rochester economy or whose innovative management skills changed the course of an existing business or industry.

A former top NASA administrator told graduates of RIT that their futures may seem as ambiguous as outer space. But by daring to do mighty things with hope instead of fear, untold possibilities will come into focus. Thomas Zurbuchen, astrophysicist and the longest continually serving associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate in NASA’s history, addressed the crowd during today's Academic Convocation ceremony in the Gordon Field House. More than 4,800 RIT graduates, including those attending RIT’s global campuses in China, Croatia, Dubai, and Kosovo, were recognized.

Thousands of RIT students are graduating this week with majors including engineering, computer science, cybersecurity, business, and fine arts. But more than 250 graduates are also receiving customized bachelor’s and master’s degrees from RIT’s School of Individualized Study, which allows students a flexible education pathway of their choosing.

A career in community health inspired Maricela Marquez ’18, ’22 MS to grow in her profession as an advocate for Latino patients. For Marquez, this meant advancing her career at Rochester Regional Health by enrolling in RIT’s health systems management Master of Science program.

Fox Rochester features applied arts and sciences student Janessa Steenberg, whose company Panacheeza is part of RIT's Venture Creations business incubator.

A new student agency called Technically Speaking is providing a valuable opportunity for RIT students to get first-hand experience in marketing and public relations. The group’s first major client was RIT’s Division of Marketing and Communications, and one of their projects was to capture the behind-the-scenes work of students getting ready for Imagine RIT.

Artificial intelligence, robots, glass blowing, drones, cybersecurity tours, and performing arts are just a sampling of what lies in store for the thousands of visitors expected at this year’s Imagine RIT: Creativity and Innovation Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 29.

Saunders College of Business drew hundreds of attendees to the RIT campus Feb. 17 and 18 for the college’s inaugural Women’s Leadership Weekend, hosting the 13th annual Power Your Potential Women’s Conference and 3rd annual Women’s Leadership Summit on consecutive days for the first time ever.

Three RIT students involved in last semester’s production of Everybody brought home awards from the Region II Kennedy Center College Theatre Fest, held Jan. 17-22.

Student Janessa Steenberg’s plant-based Parmesan-style cheese start-up company, Panacheeza, has earned her a spot in Venture Creations’ Ignite initiative, which gives promising entrepreneurs the power they need to become successful business owners.

The RIT Student Veterans Club is partnering with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program to collect donated, new, unwrapped toys that will be shared with area children who are less fortunate during the holiday season.

Joe Beard, a legendary blues guitarist and vocalist from Rochester, is scheduled to perform with students from RIT’s “Harmonica and the Blues” class from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 17 at University Gallery in Booth Hall.