SAN LUIS OBISPO — A Rochester Institute of Technology professor emeritus joined the Cal Poly Graphic Communication Department as the research professor from industry for winter quarter 2015. 

This is Frank Romano’s fourth time serving as the research professor from industry. He is teaching Management Topics in Graphic Communication, in which he will emphasize the changes and future directions of the graphic communication industry.

“Having Frank Romano mentor our students is extremely beneficial,” said Ken Macro, chair of the Graphic Communication Department. “Because of Frank’s distinguished reputation, our students lined up to register for his class. We appreciate his presence and the wealth of knowledge he brings from the industry.”

Over the past eight years, Romano has staggered his Cal Poly visits with world lecture tours on international developments and how companies can thrive in light of changing economies and new media.

“The Cal Poly Graphic Communication Department faculty, students and staff are like family,” Romano said. “They make teaching and learning a wonderful experience.”

Romano has written more than 50 books and hundreds of articles on the graphic communication industry. He recently released the book “History of the Phototypesetting Era,” published by the Graphic Communication Institute at Cal Poly and produced by the department’s University Graphics Systems, an experiential student-run, faculty-advised printing, publishing and imaging company.