Photo Spotlights

Donna Sevensma, who is joining RIT's First Year Enrichment program, meets with colleagues during New Faculty Orientation on Aug. 25. She is among 27 tenure-track faculty members joining the university this year. The two-day orientation provides newcomers with insights on navigating their academic responsibilities and the campus.

Peter Parts, president of Peter Parts Electronics, discusses the impact of offshore labor outsoucing during a panel discussion at RIT on August 19. The forum, Offshoring--Making Informed Decisions, focused on the pros and cons of this controversial business practice. Joining Parts as panalists were (left to right) Daniel Tessoni, RIT assistant professor of accounting; Ron Hira, RIT assistant professor of public policy; and Ted McNeff, vice president at Eastman Kodak Co.

Thirty-five members of the incoming Executive MBA class learn how to "play ball" at RIT's Red Barn Interactive Adventures. The College of Business offers the orientation program to encourage critical thinking, communication and teamwork among these students, all local professionals eager to enhance their careers. This is the inaugural year for RIT's new 15-month EMBA program.

Contestant Ryan Walvoord discusses his summer research project with judge Tim Holahan during RIT's 14th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium on August 12. The event recognized the outstanding research of students in numerous colleges at RIT, and presentations were made in fields ranging from polymer chemistry and material science to microelectronics and imaging science. Students worked with faculty members to develop and execute their projects and will use the results for future studies in their fields.

John Shehan, program manager of the CyberTipline for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), speaks at a crime conference held at RIT on August 10. The conference focused on protecting children and adolescents from violence and exploitation and was sponsored by NCMEC, the U.S. Attorney's Office, the U.S. Secret Service and RIT Campus Safety. Presentations were also made by George Ann Rooney of the U.S. Secret Service and Samuel McQuade, professor of criminal justice at RIT.

RIT President Albert Simone addresses guests at the groundbreaking for the New York Wine & Culinary Center on Aug. 10. RIT joins Constellation Brands, Wegmans and the New York Wine & Grape Foundation as partners in the $7 million venture. The center, scheduled to open in Canandaigua next summer, will showcase the state's wine and agricultural products while attracting tourists. New York Gov. George Pataki, left, and State Sen. Michael Nozzolio were among those taking part in the ceremony.

Nabil Nasr, director of RIT's Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies, and his research team are embarking a new program to enhance the performance of America's public transportation fleet. CIMS is receiving $4 million in federal funding to study alternative fuel sources and issues related to life-cycle engineering. U.S. Senators Hillary Clinton and Charles Schumer secured the funding as part of the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill.

Art supplies at RIT's book store, Campus Connections, are restocked in preparation for a new school year. Many of the text books required for fall instruction are currently being organized and shelved on the stores upper level. Classes for the 2005-06 academic year will kick off on Monday, Sept. 6.

Antonio Torrence from Buffalo tests his flexibility during physical training at the 2005 North Star Academy. Torrence is among 60 incoming RIT AALANA (African American, Latino American and Native American) students taking part in the 3-week summer program. The Academy is designed to acclimate students to the challenges of college life while providing them the opportunity to generate academic credit, experience faculty mentorship and develop lasting friendships.

Participants in RIT's Colleges and Careers program listen to a student representative during a tour of campus. College and Careers is a comprehensive academic and social orientation program for incoming high school seniors and their parents. It includes over 60 seminars on different courses and majors and also offers a chance to spend a night in the residence halls and interact with current students in a number of social activities. The first of two sessions were held July 22 and 23.

Rochester dignitaries and neighborhood leaders participate in the groundbreaking of Sector 10's Urban Agricultural Center. The facility is sponsored by the Northeast Neighborhood Alliance (NENA) and the Greater Rochester Urban Bounty (GRUB) and will serve as a nutrition education center and headquarters for GRUB's 2.7 acre urban farm located on Sanders Street in the heart of Sector 10. RIT students will work in the center assisting neighborhood volunteers through a partnership with NENA.

Associated Press president and CEO Thomas Curley, left, accepts the 2005 NRS Award for his contributions to the advancement of RIT. The award was presented at the Nathaniel Rochester Society's annual summer gala by awards committee chairman John Carver. Curley earned his MBA in 1977 from RIT's College of Business, and he joined the university's Board of Trustees in 1988. He currently serves the board as a vice chairman.