Photo Spotlights

The sun cooperated for the students from the Solar Thermal Design Engineering Technology class as they conducted final experiments during finals week.

Students work on projects in Java Wally’s Cafe, located in the Wallace Library.

Members of the RIT Singers and Orchestra rehearsed recently with conductor Michael Ruhling, associate professor of music and director of the RIT Orchestra.

Fifth-year engineering students showcased their design projects, from auto systems control to energy and sustainable systems, on Feb. 20. More than 30 projects were presented to students, faculty and staff.

An invitational exhibit featuring work from students and faculty in middle and high schools in the Rochester and Finger Lakes region is in the Bevier Gallery through Feb. 25.

Richard Santana, associate professor and chair of RIT’s Department of English, is exploring how religion and morality are expressed in popular culture and the impact this has on the development of religious themes in American life. Santana’s newest work in this area is Religion and Popular Culture: Rescripting the Sacred, co-authored with New York University professor Gregory Erickson.

Rhea Sanchez came to RIT from Honolulu five years ago “on a leap of faith.” Pictures of the campus, student reviews and her own curiosity about a genetic engineering class offered through the bioinformatics program convinced her to apply to RIT. Sanchez will graduate this spring with a BS/MS degree in bioinformatics, and looks forward to pursuing her Ph.D. in reproductive biology.

Jackie Sergi, a mechanical engineering graduate student, at work recently in a new fuel-cell lab in the Kate Gleason College of Engineering.

Nathan Green ’10 is among 648 RIT undergraduates majoring in computer science, making it the hottest academic program on campus based on total enrollment. A native of Fresno, Calif., Green says adjusting to winters in Rochester is a minor obstacle compared with the challenges presented by his computer science curriculum. “Every project is a puzzle to be solved,” explains Green, “and it’s a lot of fun.”

RIT hosted its annual salute to faculty and staff engaged in sponsored research on Feb. 12. The 2008 PI Reception recognized principal investigators who submitted grant proposals last year, helping the university achieve a record level of research funding. Dr. James DeCaro gave the keynote address at the event.

A performance by “The Magic Guy” was part of “Love Day” Feb. 12, as RIT’s Community Service Center and Center for Campus Life teamed with student organizations to present a day filled with educational activities with RIT clubs and presentations by the Wegmans ZooMobile. Rasheen Martin, 10, from School #4, volunteered to assist “The Magic Guy.”

Len Hawley, violinist, serenaded RIT students at a special Valentine dinner Feb. 12 at Gracie’s. Students were treated to heart shaped cheese ravioli, prime rib, salmon with salsa, stuffed chicken breasts and a variety of desserts. Dining Services started this tradition more than 30 years ago.