William Sanders, dean of Carnegie Mellon’s College of Engineering, has been named RIT’s next president.

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — William H. Sanders has been named Rochester Institute of Technology‘s 11th president. The current dean of Carnegie Mellon University’s College of Engineering was introduced to the RIT community on Jan. 28.

The RIT Board of Trustees selected Sanders from a national pool of candidates. He will assume RIT’s top post July 1, succeeding David Munson who will retire after serving eight years as RIT’s president.

Sanders will lead one of the nation’s leading research universities that enrolls more than 21,300 students in more than 200 career-oriented and professional programs. With 150,000 alumni worldwide, RIT is internationally recognized and ranked for its leadership in technology, the arts, and design.

“It is clear to me that Rochester Institute of Technology is a very special place,” said Sanders. “RIT has taken a unique approach on its path to excellence, working at the intersection of technology, the arts, and design. RIT’s acceleration in excellence has been due to charting its own way—being strategic in picking the intellectual areas that it focuses on and creating an identity that does not seek to replicate what others are doing.”

Sanders added: “The entire RIT family should be proud of what they have created—a university that is relentlessly forward looking. This is RIT’s time.”

A 25-member search committee composed of students, faculty, staff, alumni, administration, and trustees narrowed the pool of candidates before the final selection by the Board of Trustees.

“Dr. Sanders has been instrumental in advancing Carnegie Mellon’s reputation as a leader in transformative education and interdisciplinary and impactful research with an eye on doing good around the world,” said Susan Puglia, chair of the RIT Board of Trustees who also oversaw the Search Committee. “Bill is the right leader at the right time to take the baton from President Munson and continue the acceleration of our university’s amazing trajectory. He demonstrates a deep understanding of and appreciation for RIT and its history. Bill also articulates a compelling vision for RIT that will continue to drive RIT forward as a distinguished university both nationally and globally. This is an exciting time for RIT.”

Sanders is the current Dr. William D. and Nancy W. Strecker Dean of the College of Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. He joined Carnegie Mellon in 2020 and led the creation of a new strategic plan to further position its renowned College of Engineering as a research powerhouse to address societal challenges with global reach. Prior to his time at Carnegie Mellon, he spent 25 years as a tenured professor and held the Herman M. Dieckamp Endowed Chair in Engineering at the University of Illinois, where he also held several leadership positions.

Sanders’ research interests include secure, dependable, and resilient computing systems with a focus on critical infrastructures. He has directed work at the forefront of national efforts to make the U.S. power grid smart and resilient. His significant scholarly record includes publishing more than 300 technical papers in this field.

A recognized leader in his field, Sanders was elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) in 2023, one of the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer, for his contributions to cybersecurity and resiliency technologies for critical infrastructures.

Sanders is also an elected fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Among many honors, he was the 2016 recipient of the IEEE Technical Field Award, Innovation in Societal Infrastructure, for “assessment-driven design of trustworthy cyber infrastructures for societal-scale systems.”

This record of accomplishments drew praise from the Board of Trustees, Puglia, and Munson, who will retire June 30 after serving more than 40 years in higher education.

“On behalf of RIT and the Greater Rochester-Finger Lakes region, I welcome Bill Sanders and his wife, Emily, to our community,” said Munson. “Bill and I were faculty colleagues at the University of Illinois. I have watched Bill’s career soar to impressive heights—from a pioneering researcher and successful entrepreneur to a collaborative and strategic leader. I am thrilled to have Bill as my successor because his appointment ensures that the future of RIT is secure, and the university’s upward trajectory will continue.”

To learn more: Read more about William Sanders’ credentials and the search process.

Media Contact

Carl Langsenkamp, www.rit.edu, 5852618632, carl.langsenkamp@rit.edu

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SOURCE Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)

WOBURN, Mass., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Arborjet, Inc., a leader in plant health care, has acquired the remaining shares of Ecologel Solutions, LLC, effective December 31, 2024. Arborjet purchased a majority interest in Ecologel in 2018, and after seven successful years of partnership, the brands are now fully unified under Arborjet | Ecologel.

“By fully integrating Arborjet and Ecologel, we make it easier for customers to work with us—especially those purchasing products from both brands,” said President and CEO Russ Davis. “Together, we can create comprehensive programs that leverage the strengths of each product line, enhancing efficiency, customer support, and overall service quality.”

This unification reinforces Arborjet | Ecologel’s industry leadership, providing a comprehensive suite of plant and turf health solutions while expanding market reach. “Given the parallels between our strategies, philosophies, and markets, now is the right time to consolidate our leadership and provide one unified voice,” said Ecologel President Rick Irwin.

“The additional Arborjet resources for research, development, and marketing will enable the expansion and enhancement of Ecologel’s product line,” added Jim Spindler, Director of Agronomy. “Innovation has always driven our growth, and Arborjet’s team will build on that foundation.”

A Legacy of Innovation

Founded in 2000, Arborjet began with tree injection solutions to combat the hemlock woolly adelgid pest outbreak. Over the past 25 years, its team of Ph.Ds., certified arborists, agronomists, and soil scientists has continued to develop cutting-edge technologies for the green industry.

Established in the early 1990s, Ecologel transformed an industrial dust suppressant into Hydretain®, a revolutionary moisture management solution that remains its flagship product. The addition of Spindler’s BioPro line in 2008 further expanded Ecologel’s offerings, including micronutrients, biostimulants, and soil amendments. Today, the company serves the landscape, sports turf, nursery, and agriculture markets with environmentally friendly solutions.

“We are extremely grateful for Rick, Jim, and the entire Ecologel team,” said Davis. “Their hard work brought us to this milestone, and their continued guidance will be invaluable moving forward.”

About Arborjet | Ecologel
Arborjet | Ecologel provides innovative plant health care solutions that promote sustainable landscapes, agriculture, turf, and tree care while ensuring responsible resource management.

For press inquiries, contact jmay@arborjet.com.

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SOURCE Arborjet | Ecologel

BETHESDA, Md., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT) board of directors has authorized a first quarter 2025 dividend of $3.30 per share. The dividend is payable on March 28, 2025, to holders of record as of the close of business on March 3, 2025.

About Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security® vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready. More information at Lockheedmartin.com. 

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SOURCE Lockheed Martin Corporation