RIT and NTID mourn the passing of Trustee Emeritus Jane Ratcliffe Pulver

Jane Ratcliffe Pulver, RIT Trustee Emeritus and former member of NTID’s National Advisory Group, passed away March 31 at age 89.

A Rochester native, Pulver attended Rochester School for the Deaf, the Harley School, and Green Mountain Junior College before graduating from Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs with a degree in home economics and education.

Active as a community volunteer in fundraising, education, and deaf adult literacy programs, Pulver served as a member of the NTID Foundation Board of Directors and the NTID National Advisory Group before joining the RIT Board of Trustees.

Pulver was an educator for all of her adult life, and remained a tireless advocate for deaf youth, most notably establishing the Pulver Family Endowed Scholarship Fund at NTID to support deaf and hard-of-hearing students enrolled in programs in the other colleges of RIT.

In a 2001 NTID interview, Pulver noted, “The best part of my work lies in the area of education. Being involved in the academic world is always a thrill, and even more thrilling when I discover that there is something I can do to support…or enhance the lives of the students and faculty members.

“Without NTID, many talented students would not have the academic environment they need to develop their skills and confidence to the fullest, and they would miss opportunities to fully participate in the rapidly advancing world of engineering and technology.”

In addition to scholarship support, Pulver provided funding for a named space in NTID’s Sebastian and Lenore Rosica Hall.

“Jane had a unique understanding of deaf and hard-of-hearing students,” said Gerry Buckley, NTID president and RIT vice president and dean. “She was a passionate supporter of our students and was committed to help provide them the resources they need to achieve their educational goals. She will be missed.”

Arrangements have not been publicized at this time, and the RIT flag will be lowered to half-staff in her memory at a later date.