Photo Spotlights

The "Wizard" of RIT, President Albert Simone, reminds guests at the Nathaniel Rochester Society Summer Gala that "there's no place like home." The event, which took place July 14 in RIT's Student Alumni Union, is traditionally held off campus. NRS members attending this year's gala were treated to an adaptation of The Wizard of Oz, featuring third-year communication student Jessica Ginnan as Dorothy and Dr. Simone as the Wizard.

High school interns in RIT's Center for Imaging Science tour Melles Griot, a precision optics manufacturing lab located in Rochester. The students, entering their senior years, were selected for a seven week summer program to assist CIS faculty in various research projects. The Melles Griot tour is one of three field trips to area businesses and laboratories that the students will undertake during the course of the program.

R. Thomas Flynn, president of Monroe Community College, congratulates local scholars during the inaugural White Coat Ceremony on July 14. The event welcomed 12 minority students into the Rochester Biomedical Experience, a joint academic venture by MCC and RIT. Funded by the National Institutes of Health, the program seeks to increase minority participation in biomedical related professions. Chaz Francis (right) from Wilson Magnet High School and Derik Grant from Charles Finney High School are among those taking part.

High school educators get a lesson in engineering technology as part of Project Lead the Way's Summer Training Institute at RIT. The goal is to enhance pre-engineering courses for middle and high school students in order to encourage young people to consider careers in engineering. More than 875 schools in 39 states now take part in Project Lead the Way. Summer Training Institute sessions continue through July.

Aspiring young basketball players take instructions from a counselor during the Ben D'Alessandro Basketball Camp at RIT. The camp focuses on individual and team skill development in a large group setting over five days.  Dozens of local youngsters, ranging from 7th to 12th graders, are taking part in the camp through July 9.

A staple of British society came to “the colonies” as RIT hosted the Ellingson Tea. This traditional tea service, including finger sandwiches and a variety of English-style pastries, was held to recognize members of the Ellingson Society. Named after RIT’s fifth president and first lady, Mark and Marcia Ellingson, the society encourages alumni and friends to consider bequests and life-income gifts to help ensure the university’s continued vitality.

In recognition of his four decades of service to deaf and hard-of-hearing students, Bob Frisina (right) the founding director of NTID, is being honored with the creation of a garden. Plans for the garden were unveiled on June 14 at a ceremony with Alan Hurwitz, vice president of RIT and dean of NTID.

The Best of Show award in RIT’s 175th anniversary parade went to the Kate Gleason College of Engineering for its “cool and hip” Harley Davidson motorcycle entry. Jeremy Rank, left, one of the engineering senior design students involved in the project, shows off the custom chopper.

Earl Fuller and Mary Sullivan were honored at the 2005 RITiree picnic held June 15 in the Gordon Field House. Combined, the two enjoyed nearly 80 years of experience at RIT. Sullivan served on numerous departmental, college and Institute committees. She served as dean of College of Liberal Arts from 1977 to 1987 and chaired the Academic Senate from 1996 to 1999. Fuller started coaching wrestling and golf in 1947. He was inducted into RIT’s Sport’s Hall of Fame in 1979 and won an Eisenhart Teaching award in 1983.

Jonathan Judge from Paychex Inc. greets guests following the Alumni Breakfast Briefing, sponsored by RIT's College of Business. Judge succeeded the company's founder, B. Thomas Golisano, as president and CEO last October. During his presentation on June 16, Judge predicted continued success for the Rochester-based payroll company. "As long as we keep it on track, this company is going to do well for almost forever," he states.

The steel frame of the IT Collaboratory building is now in place with work scheduled to be completed by the end of this year. The IT Collaboratory is an RIT-led research collaboration with University of Buffalo and Alfred University, which was created in 2001 through a $14 million state grant. Research conducted though the IT Collaboratory focuses on activities related to microsystems, photonics, nanomaterials, and remote sensing sytems.

An early summer heatwave means booming business for RIT's Outdoor Cafe. Faculty, staff and students have been taking advantage of the opportunity to enjoy a sunny alternative to their traditional lunch breaks. The cafe is open 11 a.m to 1:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, weather permitting, and is located near the administration circle, alongside the Clark Gymnasium.