Mark Ellingson (1905 – 1993) was the 5th president of the Rochester Institute of Technology, succeeding John A. Randall, from 1936–1969.[1] He rose from a teacher at the institute to the presidency, which he held for longer than anyone before or since, and in many ways he brought the institute into its modern form. During Ellingson's tenure in office from 1936 to 1969,[2][3] enrollment in day and evening classes rose from 2,250 to 16,000. He also oversaw a major expansion of the RIT endowment; a 1937 merger with the Empire School of Printing; the 1944 renaming to "Rochester Institute of Technology" (formerly, Rochester Athenaeum and Mechanics Institute); the planning, construction, and 1968 transfer to the current campus in Henrietta. He also spearheaded the drive to have RIT selected as the location for the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, which admitted its first students in 1968.

Mark W. Ellingson
Ellingson c. 1966
5th President of the
Rochester Institute of Technology
In office
1936–1969
Preceded byJohn A. Randall
Succeeded byPaul A. Miller
Personal details
Born(1904-06-05)June 5, 1904
Magrath, Alberta
DiedFebruary 12, 1993(1993-02-12) (aged 88)
Rochester, New York
NationalityAmerican
SpouseMarcia Cooke Randall
Children4
Alma materGooding College
University of Rochester
Ohio State University
ProfessionAdministrator

The tallest building on the Henrietta campus, a residence hall nicknamed "Tower A", is named for Ellingson.

References edit

  1. ^ Saffran, Michael (March 8, 2007). "RIT's presidential history". www.rit.edu. news & events. Henrietta, New York: Rochester Institute of Technology. Retrieved July 2, 2017.
  2. ^ "RIT to Hunt President To Succeed Ellingson". Democrat and Chronicle. Rochester, New York. December 12, 1968. p. 1B.
  3. ^ "N. Carolina Educator New RIT President". Democrat and Chronicle. Rochester, New York. June 26, 1969. p. 1B.
Academic offices
Preceded by President of the Rochester Athenæum and Mechanics Institute
1936–1944
Name change
New title President of the Rochester Institute of Technology
1944 – September 30, 1969
Succeeded by