Photo Spotlights

Hossein Shahmohamad, associate professor and director of graduate programs at RIT’s School of Mathematical Sciences in the College of Science, received a 2009 Eisenhart Outstanding Teaching Award on May 7. Since 1965, RIT’s Eisenhart Awards for Outstanding Teaching have honored and celebrated faculty excellence. Winners are chosen through rigorous peer review of student nominations.

Frank Murray, president of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, and Nabil Nasr, director of the Golisano Institute for Sustainability, unveiled the hydrogen fueling station at RIT on May 26. The event included a demonstration of the fueling station with hydrogen test vehicles currently in operation on the RIT campus.

Students from the B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences head over to their commencement ceremony on May 23.

Ursula Burns, a veteran Xerox Corp. executive, served as the keynote speaker for RIT’s 124th annual commencement. RIT conferred degrees on more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate students during two days of commencement activities.

Students from East High School’s Academy of Hospitality and Tourism planned, prepared and served a Mardi Gras meal at Henry’s on May 19. The event was the culmination of yearlong partnership between the local high school and RIT’s School of Hospitality and Service Management.

Andrew Herbert, College of Liberal Arts, received a 2008-2009 Eisenhart Outstanding Teaching Award on May 7. Since 1965, RIT’s Eisenhart Awards for Outstanding Teaching have honored and celebrated faculty excellence. Winners are chosen through rigorous peer review of student nominations.

Twenty RIT students, faculty and staff members took the RIT Health/Fitness Challenge over the past 126 days. Combined, the group lost 138.5 pounds, 161 inches and 33.8 percent body fat. The group, including Alicia Tejada Abreu, focused on nutrition, fitness and wellness.

Linwei Wang is set to become one of the first two graduates of the Computing and Information Sciences Ph.D. program in the B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences. Wang came to RIT to work with her mentor, Pengchang Shi, who serves as the college’s Ph.D. program director for graduate studies and research. Wang will join the program’s faculty after she graduates.

RIT’s English Language Center celebrated its 30th anniversary during an open house May 14. The celebration featured a variety of international foods and a number of exhibits prepared by RIT international students to teach the community about the students’ home countries. Here, Rhona Genzel, director of the English Language Center, greeted some of the guests.

RIT’s School of Film and Animation hosted a pre-reception for filmmakers participating in the Rochester High Falls International Film Festival. Actress CCH Pounder attended the May 15 event and toured the facility. RIT is among the venues for this year’s film festival.

Scott Franklin, a physics professor, won the first Gender Diversity Award. The award was presented by Vice President for Student Affairs Mary-Beth Cooper at the annual Women’s Career Achievement Dinner April 27.

Lindsay Berkebile, a third-year RIT film and animation student, is the recipient of the inaugural X-Factor Filmmakers Award. Berkebile was honored at a May 14 ceremony for the Rochester High Falls International Film Festival. The award was established by Lauren Tracy, a fourth-year RIT film and animation student. Tracy’s goal is to help women filmmakers advance in the industry.