Photo Spotlights

Dyer Arts Center at RIT’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf presents an exhibition, The Signs of Nature, The Nature of Signs; Paintings and Prints by Susan Dupor, which will be on view through April 20. Dupor, a deaf artist and teacher at the Wisconsin School for the Deaf, is an alumna of NTID’s Master of Science in Secondary Education Program.

RIT students Matthew Mosesohn and Chris Rowoth of RIT’s coed service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega Xi Zeta, pass time in their cardboard shanty with the help of technology. The annual “Shantytown” event is held to raise awareness of the reality of homelessness during which members gave up the warmth of their dorms to man the shelter day and night. A Salvation Army collection bucket was kept alongside the shanty, encouraging the RIT community to help the homeless.

Fritz Yambrach, associate professor of packaging science, recently opened up the kitchen of his Pittsford home to students in his Food Preservation and Packaging course. Thirty students received hands-on instruction in fermentation and bottling of beer. The course, offered twice yearly, examines various food products, processing and preservation methods, impact on quality and nutritional value, packaging methods and distribution practices.

Jazz lovers take note of a concert not to miss: "New Music for Jazz Ensemble, Featuring Original Works and Arrangements by Carl Atkins, Jonathan Kruger and Dave Gibson” will begin at 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 5, in Ingle Auditorium in the Student Alumni Union. Led by RIT music professors Carl Atkins and Jonathan Kruger, the 18-piece band will feature local professional musicians.

More than 30 EMBA alumni from RIT were ready to jump right in to Advanced Leadership 101 during Sharpen the Saw Day on March 2. Daniel Tessoni, assistant professor of accounting in the College of Business, invited RIT trustee Richard Sands to discuss his business acumen as chairman and CEO of Constellation Brands, Inc. Earlier in the day was CEO of Greater Rochester Enterprise, Dennis Mullen, who spoke about his former position as CEO of Bird’s Eye Foods Inc.

Helen Gormont, coordinator of volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Rochester, describes opportunities with the agency as part of RIT's Community Service Fair on March 15. Representatives from 20 organizations met with students, faculty and staff to share information on services provided and ways in which people can volunteer. Big Brothers Big Sisters recently initiated a campus-based program at RIT, providing student mentors an opportunity to interact with "little brothers and sisters."

Will these chickens run in the first episode of ABC's American Inventor tonight? Aaron Foss, an RIT alumnus, was one of 4,000 geeky inventors who auditioned for a new primetime reality show that follows the format of American Idol—complete with the cynical Simon Cowell as executive producer. Foss designed The WingDipper, a plastic cup holder "to dip both chicken wings and legs into bleu cheese without the mess." Foss received his undergraduate degree in information technology ('00) and his MBA ('01) from RIT. Foss reached the show's semi-finals, but it's not known whether he'll be featured as part of tonight's casting call highlights.

The Monroe County Math League All-Star Competition drew students from 34 area high schools March 9. In total, 578 students and proctors participated in what has become an annual event hosted by RIT’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

Eliot Spitzer, New York attorney general, speaks with local media during a visit to RIT's Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies on March 2. Spitzer, a democrat who is running for governor, delivered his first major economic development address to local business and government leaders, focusing plans to revitalize the upstate New York economy. He noted that an emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship offers the best opportunity for improving the economic landscape, and he commended President Albert Simone for his vision and leadership of RIT.

Students from Joseph C. Wilson Magnet High School in Rochester cheer on their team at the FIRST Robotics Competition, held at RIT March 9-11. The Wilson Magnet squad, named the X-Cats, was among 30 teams from the Northeast U.S. and Canada who took part in the sports-style contest. The event offered participants an opportunity to vie for a slot at next month's national competition in Atlanta.

Team T-Rx, representing high schools in Norwich, Sherburne and New Berlin, N.Y., compete in the FIRST Robotics Competition at RIT. The regional event, March 9-11, pits 30 student teams from the Northeast U.S. and Canada in a challenging, sports-style contest. Participants are vying for the opportunity to compete in next month's national competition in Atlanta.

“Wall Writing 101” showcased student work from professor Anne Coon’s advanced creative writing class. The exhibit lined the walls of the main corridor in the College of Liberal Arts Building with three-by-four-foot posters featuring one page each from students’ winter quarter-long projects.