The Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is poised to make significant strides in artificial intelligence thanks to a substantial donation from alumni Jeff Harris and Joyce Pratt. The couple, known for their longstanding commitment to the university, has pledged $24 million to support the institution’s AI initiatives.
This generous contribution will be instrumental in establishing the AI Institute at RIT, which is expected to launch in early 2027. The institute will focus on AI education, research, and responsible application across various disciplines, aiming to develop talent capable of guiding and improving emerging technologies.
Leadership and Faculty Support
The donation will fund several key initiatives, including the creation of the Harris-Pratt Directorship. This endowed position, with a $5 million allocation, will provide permanent leadership support for the AI Institute. The search for a founding director is set to begin this summer.
Additionally, $18 million of the donation will be used to establish three endowed professorships named after Harris and his parents: the Jeffrey K. Harris, Jane King, and Gerald W. Harris professorships. These positions will support distinguished faculty whose teaching, research, and mentorship advance RIT’s mission. There are currently more than 50 endowed professorships at the university.
Student Scholarships and Mentorship
The couple is also adding $1 million to the J.K. Harris Endowed Scholarship, established in 2015 to support the Destler/Johnson Rochester City Scholars program. This program provides full-time first-year students from public and charter schools within the Rochester City School District and the Urban-Suburban Interdistrict Transfer Program with low socioeconomic status. Over 350 students have participated in the program to date.
“Through scholarships, mentorship, and research experiences, our investments at RIT extend far beyond the classroom,” said Pratt. “We are proud to support the students and faculty who will shape the future.”
The Vision Behind the Donation
Jeff Harris, a 1975 graduate in photographic science and instrumentation, has had a distinguished career in national security and aerospace. He has held leadership positions at Lockheed Martin, Space Imaging, the Air Force office for Space Acquisition and Integration, and the National Reconnaissance Office.
“Through my career, I have seen new technologies transform industries and processes, improving understanding and creating opportunities that people could scarcely imagine,” said Harris. “What remains constant through technological change is the importance of people and their expertise, judgment, creativity, and ability to apply their knowledge to address real-world challenges.”
Joyce Pratt, a member of the President’s Roundtable and chair of the College of Liberal Arts National Council, has also had a notable career. She began as a Russian analyst at the Central Intelligence Agency and later worked at Lockheed Martin.
“One of the greatest rewards of our involvement with RIT has been seeing the impact that educational opportunity can have on students’ lives,” said Pratt.
RIT President Bill Sanders expressed gratitude for the couple’s commitment. “Jeff and Joyce have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to RIT through their leadership, service, and generosity over many years,” he said. “This gift invests in the people who shape the future of our university: our students, faculty, and academic leaders.”
This donation brings the couple’s total giving to RIT to more than $30 million, reflecting their enduring support for the university’s mission and vision.
