RIT and Kodak Commemorate “A Shared Commitment to Excellence,” Oct. 9

Daylong celebration features series of Kodak-sponsored activities across campus

With a bond dating back more than 100 years, Eastman Kodak Co. and Rochester Institute of Technology are taking time to publicly celebrate their long-lasting partnership. RIT/Kodak: A Shared Commitment to Excellence, will feature a variety of entertaining and informative activities throughout the RIT campus on Thursday, Oct. 9.

The relationship between Kodak and RIT, initiated through a mutual emphasis on photography, now represents a multi-faceted exchange of resources and expertise. To highlight this evolution, Kodak is sponsoring events that encourage participation by the entire RIT community.

RIT president Albert Simone welcomes Antonio Perez, Kodak’s president and chief operating officer, as the featured speaker during an invitation-only, collaborative luncheon. In addition, Carl Gustin, Kodak’s chief marketing officer and senior vice president, will deliver an open presentation on the future of the Kodak brand in the digital marketplace at 10 a.m. in Webb Auditorium, James E. Booth Building.

Other highlights include tours of the Kodak Picture Planet, a 1,000 square-foot mobile venue designed to educate and entertain consumers about photographic products and solutions. Kodak’s NASCAR “show car” will also be on display, and there will be plenty of gift giveaways. At noon, free hot dogs will be provided next to the Picture Planet to the first 1,000 students.

Simone says hosting this celebration helps assure that the RIT/Kodak relationship remains cohesive. “Kodak is extremely committed to its partnership with RIT, and we support the company’s efforts to get that message out to the widest possible audience on campus,” he states. “It’s something that we vow to never take for granted.”

In the early days, Kodak recognized the benefits of having a top-notch educational program in its backyard. The company’s ongoing support helped RIT’s School of Photographic Arts and Sciences become the most respected program of its kind in the country. The opportunities for collaboration between Kodak and RIT now extend into other areas such as imaging science and information technology.