Photo Spotlights

Geneticist, author and filmmaker, R. Spencer Wells visits RIT to talk about his groundbreaking research in population genetics that traces humanity back to a single ancestor. Wells’ work—the subject of a PBS National Geographic documentary—follows humanity’s migration from Africa to the far reaches of the world. Here, Wells (left) talks to students Rebecca Rigden, Chalonda Rolle, Jody Pape and Daniela Palacio.

Sparks fly as Erica Sacheli, a third year student from Rochester, works to complete the final project for her Welded Sculpture class in RIT's School of Art. During 10 weeks of training, Sacheli and her fellow students get to combine steel with their unique visions to create works of art. Mahany Welding Supply in Gates donates its facilities, which feature the latest in welding technology, to members of the class. Mahany's staff has been on hand throughout the period to help students turn their visions into reality.

Kelly Benjamin, fourth year environmental science student, takes in the festivities at RIT's Celebration of Scholarship. The annual event salutes scholarship donors while providing them an opportunity to interact with the students assisted by their generosity. More than 100 scholarship donors took part in this year's celebration. There are 478 scholarhsip programs that benefit RIT students.

RIT President Albert Simone (top, center) welcomes a delegation from Tianjin University of Technology in China. The student athletes, considered to be among China's top collegiate martial artists, join RIT's martial arts team for a pair of local presentations. The first show is today at 7 p.m. in NTID's Panara Theatre. An encore performance is scheduled for Saturday at 6 p.m. in the Ritter Ice Arena. Both presentations are open to the public, and admission is $5. Tickets are available at the door.

RIT’s School of Hospitality and Service Management hosted its 19th annual Puttin’ on the RITz dinner-dance on April 17 at the RIT Inn & Conference Center. Above, from left, Jennifer Matteson, Janina DeBellis, Jeff Haberbusch and Jillian Patterson prepare the salad, a bed of dandelions and arugula. The gala, attended by 276, was organized entirely by students.

In honor of Earth Day, RIT’s Facilities Management recycling department partnered with Delta Phi Epsilon fraternity and environmental sciences professor Karl Korfmacher’s honors class to conduct the second annual RIT Waste Audit. From left, students Taryn Kay, Alicja Bajorska and Kim Roberts weigh and measure trash. Auditors went through 335 lbs of RIT garbage of which they found 27 percent could be recycled—a big improvement over last year’s audit where 50 percent of trash on campus could be recycled but wasn’t.

Students enjoy a joust during the kickoff to RIT's Spring Festival 2004, sponsored by the College Activities Board. The weekend celebration got underway on Friday with the Student Government barbecue. Other activities include a carnival and an outdoor movie, but the featured event is a concert by Guster and Matt Nathanson.

Soaring temperatures are coaxing many RIT students outdoors for a well deserved study break. On Thursday, the mercury topped 80 degrees in Rochester for the first time this season. The warmer weather offers a welcome diversion from the students' mounting academic demands. Final exams get underway in just over two weeks. RIT's commencement weekend is scheduled for May 21-22.

Laura Hatch (center), executive director of the Gravure Education Foundation, shares career insights with print media students during RIT's Gravure Day. Joined here by Gravure Research Professor Robert Chung and Joan Stone, dean of RIT's College of Imaging Arts and Sciences, Hatch was among a half dozen presenters at the first-ever conference. Sponsored by RIT's School of Print Media, the event promoted understanding of the gravure printing and packaging industries and explored research and career opportunities.

RIT celebrated the opening of its newest campus addition on April 17—a state-of-the-art artificial-turf field, complete with lights, which will be used by several athletic teams throughout the sports season. Here, members of the men’s soccer team warm up during the dedication ceremony.

Scholar John Stauffer, second from right, discussed the power of abolition images at the Douglass Lecture, April 5. A Harvard University professor, Stauffer recently edited a new edition of Frederick Douglass’ My Bondage and My Freedom. Here, he chats with Rich Newman, associate professor of history, right, and two RIT students.

Emily Higgins, far right, from Pittsford Middle School, and Caitlin Maeder, far left, from Merton Williams Middle School in Hilton, experiment with Lego kits they programmed with help from RIT student Kira Mikels. The girls explored careers in engineering and used Lego kits to design and build amusement park rides at the "Park & Ride" workshop, April 15-17.