Photo Spotlights

Vincent F.A. Golphin, assistant professor of English, recently published “10 Stories Down,” his collection of poems written during his time in China.

Gallery r opened on Dec. 1 with the exhibition “Prologues,” followed by an open house from 7 to 10 p.m. Dec. 2. First Friday is the monthly citywide gallery night that encourages gallery hopping, in collaboration with regional nonprofit, university and commercial venues. The exhibit runs through Jan. 4 and features works by three recognized artists: Robin Cass, faculty member in the glass program at RIT’s School for American Crafts; Elizabeth Kronfield, associate professor in RIT’s Department of Fine Arts; and Karen Sardisco, assistant professor of fine arts at Monroe Community College (and formerly of RIT).

Lorraine Justice, who previously led the School of Design at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, was appointed dean of College of Imaging Arts and Sciences in January and assumed the role in August. She hopes to use her experience to propel the college as a world leader in arts and imaging.

RIT’s Reporter magazine has been awarded its first-ever Pacemaker Award for its 2011 Imagine RIT issue. The National Pacemaker Awards are given annually by Associated Collegiate Press for excellence in student journalism since 1927. The awards are considered to be the highest national honors in its field and are unofficially known as the Pulitzer Prize of student journalism. Judging was based on content, writing and editing, photography, art and graphics, layout and design and overall concept and theme.

Watch for deer, fox and other wildlife in the woods and trails surrounding the RIT campus. Drive carefully, slow down and scan the forested areas near roads to avoid any collisions.

Gabriella Martinez ’08 shows off her specialty dog treats to her Labrador, Andrea. For more information about her store at 30 North Ave. in Webster, go to www.abarkersdozen.com or read her story in RIT: The University Magazine.

Construction is moving along on the Golisano Institute for Sustainability. The facility was made possible through a $13.1 million grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology and $10 million from New York state.

Steve Shapiro, center, who graduated in 2004 with a degree in information technology, developed the idea for Digsby in a graduate entrepreneurship class at RIT in the fall of 2005. He launched the company in March 2006 and all seven employees are RIT graduates. The company was acquired by Tagged, the leading social network for meeting new people, and all employees moved to San Francisco.

Jake Torcello, who graduated from the E. Philip Saunders College of Business in 2009, opened Nathan’s Soup and Salad in the Student Alumni Union in November 2010. It is a second location for the restaurant that features homemade soups, breads and sandwiches. The main site is on Park Avenue in Rochester.

Researchers in the Kate Gleason College of Engineering are working to develop a modified electrocardiogram device making use of wireless technology and a reduction in leads, or wires. The prototype being developed by Gill Tsouri, assistant professor of electrical engineering, is showing comparable accuracy when compared to traditional ECG system equipment. While intended for use in hospitals, medical facilities or in a patient’s home by on-site care givers, the application may be used to remotely assess soldiers in the battlefield.

The RIT Quidditch Club practices weekly next to Gordon Field House. The Dark Marks, the competitive arm of the club, came in 2nd place against 100 other teams in the 5th Quidditch World Cup, Nov. 12-13, in New York City.

In a Nov. 11 announcement during the men’s hockey game, RIT President Bill Destler revealed that the university’s future hockey arena will be known as the Gene Polisseni Center. The naming results from a $4.5 million partnership between the Polisseni Foundation and B. Thomas Golisano, founder and chairman of Paychex Inc. and an RIT trustee. Gene Polisseni’s widow, Wanda, and son Gary were on hand for the announcement at the RIT-Air Force game at Frank Ritter Arena.