Photo Spotlights

The cycle of higher learning at RIT culminated May 26-27 as thousands of family members and friends of RIT graduates gathered on campus for the university’s 121st annual commencement.

RIT graduating students nervously line up to enter their commencement ceremony on May 27 at the RIT campus. More than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate students received degrees over the commencement weekend.

Graduating RIT students (from left) Cory Hoffman, James Macchiano and Greg Smith wanted to let Mary-Beth Cooper, vice president of Student Affairs, know how much she's appreciated.

RIT President Albert Simone delivers his remarks in speech and American Sign Language at RIT's Academic Convocation on Friday, May 26. Convocation was part of the university's 121st Commencement.

Dean Kamen -- inventor, entrepreneur and an advocate for science and technology -- was the keynote speaker at RIT's 2006 Academic Convocation on Friday, May 26, as part of the university's 121st Commencement. For more, read the News & Events story.

One of RIT's faithful commencement volunteers, Melissa Answeeney, dons cap and gown this year as she escorts visitors to and from campus venues. Prior to noon on Saturday, May 27, she will park her golf cart and prepare to walk the stage of Ritter Arena. Answeeney, a financial coordinator at RIT, is accepting her MBA at the College of Business ceremony. About 3,500 graduates are participating in commencement activities for RIT's eight colleges.

Sarah Doret, RIT industrial design graduate student (far right), was one of the students who attended an international design workshop at Kadir Has University in Istanbul, Turkey. The workshop, led by Roberley Bell, professor of foundations in the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences, was comprised of students from the United States, the Netherlands and Turkey. Sponsored by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), it was geared towards new and future educators.

The annual School of Film and Animation Honors Show is 1-3 p.m. and 3:30-5:30 p.m., Sunday, May 28 at the Little Theatre, 240 East Avenue, Rochester, N.Y. The Honors Show offers productions ranging from short fiction and documentaries to experimental and computer animation in black-and-white and color. The 20 or so pieces represent the best work from the past academic year.The public is invited to attend. Admission is $5. Students with I.D. will be admitted for free.

Ryan Pancoast, a 2005 RIT graduate (illustration), signs his new book Coast to Coast: The Story of the 2004 Transcontinental Relay Run. The RIT cross country team ran a 2,730-mile continuous relay from the Pacific Ocean to the coast of the Atlantic in less than two weeks in 2004. The book documents the run and is is available for $14.94 (soft cover) or $25.42 (hardcover) at lulu.com and RIT's Campus Connections bookstore.

Zac Nsenga, the Rwandan ambassador to the United States, delivers a presentation to students and administrators during his visit to Rochester Institute of Technology May 11. Nsenga was visiting campus in hopes of forging an academic partnership between RIT and Kigali Institute of Technology, the leading technical institute in Rwanda.

Robert Bowman, department head of electrical engineering, left, chats with Barrie Gilbert on May 5 in The Gilbert Study. The study is named after the renowned circuit designer, who visited RIT for the dedication of the Analog Devices Integrated Microsystems Laboratory.

Chandra McKenzie, assistant provost and director, RIT Libraries, accepts the 2006 Excellence in Academic Libraries Award during a May 12 ceremony at Wallace Library. The honor is a first of its kind locally and only the second such award in New York state.