RIT Recognizes Penfield Resident for Outstanding Public Service

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Steven Morse

ROCHESTER, NY (01/26/2012)(readMedia)-- Steven Morse, assistant vice president of institute audit, compliance and advisement, is this year's recipient of Rochester Institute of Technology's Four Presidents Distinguished Public Service Award. Morse will be recognized at a ceremony at 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 20, in RIT's Ingle Auditorium, Student Alumni Union.

A Penfield resident and 1986 accounting graduate from RIT's E. Philip Saunders College of Business, Morse began his employment with the university in 2004. In the community, he has served 13 years as a member of the Rochester School for the Deaf Board of Directors, including two years as board president. He has been a volunteer at the Susan B. Anthony House for the past 20 years, and he also offers up his time in service to Shepherd Home and the New York Museum of Transportation.

On campus, Morse serves on the National Technical Institute for the Deaf Foundation Board, the PEPNet Northeast Advisory Board and the Saunders College of Business Accounting Advisory Board. He also volunteers for RIT K-12 preparatory programs and the Fund for RIT.

Gerard Buckley, president of NTID, nominated Morse for this year's honor.

"We have had numerous discussions on the status of deaf education," writes Buckley, "and I respect his perspectives as the parent of a deaf child. But Steve is far from an 'armchair quarterback' offering opinions. He is an active participant who sees areas where there is a need and offers his significant expertise and time. Additionally, Steve's record of services to the greater Rochester community is outstanding."

RIT vice president emeritus Alfred Davis started a $50,000 endowment to fund the awards program. Each year, the recipient receives the privilege of designating the endowment income to a beneficiary of his choice.

The Four Presidents Distinguished Public Service Award Fund was created by Davis on the occasion of the 65th year of his association with RIT to commemorate the dedication of the last four RIT presidents in their service to the Rochester community. The award is presented annually to a member of the RIT faculty or staff whose public service and commitment mirrors that of the four presidents who worked with Davis.