News Stories

RIT alumnus and trustee Brooks Bower ’74 (printing) has made a gift to the multi-use complex under construction that will showcase the university as a place for technology, the arts, and design.

Intersections: The RIT Podcast, Ep. 59: In July 2022, RIT opens a new School of Performing Arts to offer additional creative opportunities for thousands of students who wish to pursue their passions in performance while majoring in a range of other fields. College of Liberal Arts Dean Anna Stenport talks with Thomas Warfield, director of dance at NTID, and Assistant Professor Yunn-Shan Ma, director of the RIT Philharmonic Orchestra, on ways RIT is making dreams come true for students interested in performing arts.

RIT has named Erica Haskell professor and inaugural director of the university’s new School of Performing Arts. Haskell comes to RIT from the University of New Haven. She was selected as school director following a nationwide search and will begin her new role on July 1.

RIT’s unique blend of education at the intersection of technology, the arts, and design is in demand. Officials expect RIT to welcome the second largest class ever this fall and call it the most selective group of first-year students in the university’s history.

Construction on the Student Hall for Exploration and Development (the SHED) this summer will begin to move beyond the complex to the surrounding area.

From steel beams added to the RIT skyline to new fencing to mark the start of projects, here’s a rundown of what you might see on campus this summer.

INSIGHT into Diversity features NTID's Robert F. Panara Theatre and performing arts program.

While many colleges and universities require general education courses, RIT’s immersion requirement takes it a step further. Beyond the typical writing, math, science, social science, global studies, art, and ethics requirements, students are asked to fulfill an additional nine credits in a topic of interest. The intended result is to produce well-rounded students who have gained broader, more diverse perspectives.

Fellow RIT Tigers: Our university has so much to celebrate! This truly is an extraordinary time for RIT with our amazing community of creators and innovators. Yet our work to build a great student-centered research university perpetually continues.

Christine Sun Kim BS ’02 is an artist and is being honored by the National Technical Institute for the Deaf.

Ted Van Horne BS ’99 is chief operating officer of Global Medical Response and is being honored by the College of Health Sciences and Technology.

Kristine I. Simmons BS ’90 is vice president of government affairs for Partnership for Public Service and is being honored by the College of Liberal Arts.