Photo Spotlights

RIT history professor Richard Newman, center, makes a stop at the historic home of Susan B. Anthony during his conference, “Abolitionism, Women’s Rights and Religion on the Rochester Reform Trail,” which continues through July 23. Eighty schoolteachers from around the country came to Rochester to learn about our place in American history. Other tour stops include Mount Hope Cemetery, National Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, the Erie Canal Aqueduct and The Strong. Newman discusses the tour with Kevin Brenner, right, a teacher in Greensboro, N.C., and a Rochester native.

RIT’s Nathaniel Rochester Society has given its highest honor to E. Philip Saunders, founder of TravelCenters of America, chairman and founder of Genesee Regional Bank, owner of Saunders Management Co. and a member of the RIT Board of Trustees. The 2011 NRS Award will be presented July 14 during a ceremony at RIT’s Robert F. Panara Theatre in the Dyer Arts Center. The annual honor recognizes individuals who have contributed to the university’s advancement in an outstanding and significant manner. In 2006, Saunders made a $13 million gift to the university to boost the visionary plans of RIT’s business college which now bears his name. In 2010, he enhanced his support with an additional $5 million and a challenge to all Saunders College alumni and friends to raise $15 million to support future endeavors.

RIT history professor Richard Newman is spearheading a summer workshop series that will better educate history teachers on the influence of 19th century social reform movements on modern politics, culture and society.

Marshall Goldsmith, best-selling author and thought leader in leadership development and life coaching, gave the keynote address at the RIT Women’s Leadership Conference, “Finding Your Mojo,” on June 28.

High school teachers attending RIT’s Summer Math Institute Teachers’ Workshop had the opportunity to attend computer science presentations offered through the CS4HS workshop. Both programs ran June 27-30. Here, Alex Canter leads the App Inventor Workshop, along with Lindsey Ellis (seated to his right).

Mayur Thakur, a software engineer with Google, was the keynote presenter for the second annual Computer Science for High School at RIT program on June 28. The three-day workshop is for area science, technology, engineering and mathematics high school teachers to upgrade skills and to build new course modules for courses. Thakur led a full slate of speakers in fields from robotics to game design.

Marshall Goldsmith, best-selling author and thought leader in leadership development and life coaching, gave the keynote address at the RIT Women’s Leadership Conference, “Finding Your Mojo,” on June 28.

Beverly Gough is among nearly 250 RIT staff members who make up Facilities Management Services. With 5 million square feet of building space on campus, nearly half of the FMS team is devoted to custodial services. Gough works in the Gordon Field House and Activities Center.

RIT President Bill Destler joined university researchers and representatives from General Motors at a seminar on June 22 at RIT. Destler discussed the research and development done at RIT that contributed to the most fuel-efficient compact car on the market, the Chevy Volt.

Nereida Vargas is among nearly 250 RIT staff members who make up Facilities Management Services. With 5 million square feet of building space on campus, nearly half of the FMS team is devoted to custodial services. Vargas, senior custodian, operates a floor cleaner in the Gordon Field House and Activities Center.

Sandy Nealon was recently named an Outstanding Adult Scholar by the Rochester Area Colleges Continuing Education Association. She is part of the RIT-Xerox Degree Program, working toward her bachelor of science degree. She was on campus recently as part of the new cohort of student-professionals from Xerox Corp. studying to complete the multidisciplinary degree that combines print industry trends with service management and leadership. Nealon is the manager of technical solutions and support with Xerox, based in the Albany area.

The 13th Annual RITirees Picnic took place in the Gordon Field House and Activities Center on June 8. Two retirees, Stan Witmeyer and Dave Calman, received the RITirees Award. Here, Calman, center, gathers his family for a group photo.