News

Aya Oki '14 MFA (Glass) is a globetrotting glass artist who has exhibited and taught all over.

Hassan Eissa has a life journey that reads like a Hollywood script – born in Chad, left home at an early age, traveled across the continent before making his way as a refugee to the United States. And he has a résumé to match – shepherd, transporter of camels – and now engineering technology student and standout cross country runner at RIT.

In an effort to help RIT develop the leading performing arts program in the nation for non-majors, nearly 150 first-year students interested in performing arts this year received partial scholarships.

USA Today talks to Evan Selinger, professor of philosophy, about regulation of facial recognition technology.

Members of RIT Esports and Public Safety are answering the “Call of Duty” to raise money for mental health awareness Nov. 23. The RIT Esports Call of Duty team will compete against members of RIT Public Safety in a two vs. two tournament of the video game. Ticket proceeds will support the office of Counseling and Psychological Services.

Tim Webber ’97 (civil engineering technology) helped design one of the largest YMCA facilities in the country: the Schottland Family YMCA, in Pittsford, N.Y. Webber is vice president and director of civil engineering at LaBella Associates, an international architecture, engineering, environmental, and planning firm in Rochester.

After years of working in commercial photography, Rob Goldman ’84 (professional photography) decided he needed to change his routine and focus on something new. Goldman quit commercial photography and embarked on several independent projects that focused on the reality, struggles, and beauty of life.

Patricia Moore ’74 (industrial design), an internationally renowned designer, gerontologist, and leading authority on consumer lifespan behaviors, received the prestigious Cooper Hewitt National Design Award in New York City in October.

Elliot Benitez ’07 (marketing) was eating dinner with his mother when he noticed that she kept getting up to warm tortillas over the stove. Benitez thought there had to be a better way. He searched Google and Amazon for a tortilla toaster and found nothing. Today, that same search points people toward the Nuni Toaster, patented by Benitez.

Fashionable boutique clothing usually comes with large price tags. However, at Shop Peppermint and Salty, two boutiques in Rochester owned by Tanvi Asher ’10 MFA (industrial design), customers can get a high-end experience at an accessible cost.

Mike Battle ’02 (film and animation) has been watching The Simpsons for almost 30 years. For about half of that time, he has had a behind-the-scenes view of new episodes.

When Joey Zeledón ’06 (industrial design) contributes to a new product design, he aims to design for a consumer’s feelings rather than solely focusing on aesthetics and functionality.