By Michael Schiavetta (M.A. '07)

In the colorful history of pickup lines, there are winners and there are groaners. 

But if Bob Marcinka’s (B.F.A. ’84) approach is any indication, “Do you want to go to a computer graphics show?” may be a grand slam, at least for an NYIT fine arts student in the fall of 1982. He and his wife, Barbara Genova-Marcinka (B.F.A. ’84)—the recipient of that line—celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary on Sept. 21.

It was in the parking lot of Midge Karr Fine Arts Center, near the front stairs of the main entrance, when Bob posed that question to Barbara.

Never mind that Barbara’s immediate response was, “Who are you?”

Bob, a Monroe, Conn., native who studied computer graphics at NYIT because of the university’s reputation in that field, walked up to Barbara in the parking lot and acted as if it was a casual question, though he had spied her from afar. 

“We both worked in the fine arts center,” recalls Bob. “I was an assistant in the photography department.”

Though Barbara acted as if she did not know him, she did in fact recognize Bob. “I remembered hearing his name around the department,” she says. “Actually, everyone knew him. I didn’t think he’d be interested in me. I didn’t think I stood a chance.” 

After attending the computer graphics show at Midge Karr, Bob did some investigating to learn more about Barbara’s schedule. “I’d know if she was at the 500 building or Education Hall,” he said. “And I would conveniently be around.”

It helped that Bob didn’t have a car and was living off campus. “I had no ride,” he says. So he constantly asked for rides in Barbara’s green 1976 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am.

A week after the computer graphics show, the couple went on their first date off campus to see the Dustin Hoffman classic, Tootsie. Their relationship soon blossomed. 

“We set up two drafting tables in my apartment where we would do our homework,” says Bob. 

From doing homework together came much more. The pair got engaged while still students at NYIT and were married in 1985. And in 1987, they celebrated the birth of their first son, Robert. Four years later, little brother Steven followed. Today, the couple lives in Brookfield, Conn., and Bob is now enjoying his lifelong dream of working in the computer graphics field.

As a 3-D computer graphics manager for Schawk Inc. in Stamford, Conn., Bob has spent the past 23 years creating global imaging resources for clients such as Unilever, Pepsico, Kellogg’s, Proctor & Gamble, and Nestle. A typical day involves re-creating physical objects in 3-D computer programs such as Lightwave and Maya to create photorealistic products. 

“We help skip expensive photography,” says Bob. “If Unilever comes up with a new product, for example, we educate the consumer on its functionality.” He works closely with Schawk’s sales team to promote products as well as offer his services to potential clients worldwide. Their son, Robert, works as a color technician for the company. 

Their other son, Steven, is studying IT at a technical school. Barbara works as a medical receptionist and spends time gardening. Together, they enjoy vacationing in the FloridaKeys.

The couple often visits Barbara’s family, who still lives near NYIT-Old Westbury in Glen Cove, N.Y.

“When we go to Long Island, we occasionally go back to the Old Westbury campus to relive some old memories,” says Bob.

One of those memories takes them back to a 1982 ride in Barbara’s Firebird, traveling from Midge Karr to Anna Rubin Hall, when Bob reached over to the driver’s side and shared his first kiss with Barbara. 

“I thought he liked me just for my car,” recalls Barbara.

“She swerved while driving away,” adds Bob with a smile. 

More Alumni Notes

Vol. 10 No. 3 Table of Contents