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RIT grads advised to use their skills to help people deal with new technology

Former FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler
rit.edu
Former FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler

RIT is holding commencement ceremonies Friday and Saturday.

Former Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Tom Wheeler, was the keynote speaker on Friday. He said it’s important for graduates to work on figuring out how new technology can benefit humanity.

“We have not evolved from the industrial era, created by the railroad and the telegraph, to the information era, and we need a new set of rules. That’s the challenge you graduates inherit today.”

He also noted that many people struggle to understand the effects of new technology and the new economy, and RIT grads should be able to help society understand those trends.

“And because you’re graduating from an institution that blends technology and enlightenment, you are better equipped than most to lead in developing these new rules,” Wheeler told the grads who were gathered at the Gordon Field House and Activities Center.

Wheeler was FCC Chairman from 2013 to 2017, and led the efforts that resulted in the adoption of ‘net neutrality,’  which consists of regulations that bar internet providers from blocking or slowing down access to content or charging consumers more money for certain kinds of content.

Those regulations are set to expire on June 11th

Also at the Friday commencement, RIT President David Munson told the graduates to become good citizens of the world.

“Now is the time for neighbors and other citizens to come together; so it is my hope, graduates of class of 2018, that you wake up tomorrow , not solely focused on how to earn a living, rather that you go out and do your best to enrich the world.”

This was also the first graduation ceremony for Munson, who took office in July of last year.

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Randy Gorbman is WXXI's director of news and public affairs. Randy manages the day-to-day operations of WXXI News on radio, television, and online.