Class Notes

Name: SCOTT RUMMLER

Class Year(s): 1990

Note: Congratulations to Scott Rummler MFA ’90, who published an article called, Scalar Wave Paintings, in the latest edition of Leonardo / MIT Press that might be of interest. The paintings appear white to the naked eye, but emit frequencies that disrupt digital cameras, transforming them into rainbow hues when photographed. As each photograph looks different, the work transforms the relationship between object and representation that is at the heart of much of art and technology theory. https://direct.mit.edu/leon/article-abstract/58/1/50/124508/Scalar-Wave-Paintings-A-New-Approach-to?redirectedFrom=PDF -Scott

Submitted on: March 24, 2025

Influence Your Luck: An Employee’s Guide to Building a Successful Career cover

Name: Fred DeBolt

Class Year(s): 1991

Note: Fred DeBolt MS ’91 just published a career guidebook entitled, Influence Your Luck: An Employee’s Guide to Building a Successful Career. Over the last 25 years of Fred’s working life, Fred began counseling colleagues who sought advice to help them with their careers. Over that time, Fred kept a journal of notes, phrases, quotes, anecdotes, strategies, and messages, not knowing what to do with them one day. With encouragement from Fred’s wife, Fred finally pulled all that mess together in a published book. Influence Your Luck was a phrase Fred used constantly with people to help them understand all the things they could do to positively impact their career growth and trajectory. Fred thinks it can help anyone regardless of what phase of their career they are in, whether just starting out, or in the sunset, of an already successful career.

Submitted on: March 10, 2025

Megan Charland, executive director, Strand Center for the Arts

Name: Megan Charland

Class Year(s): 2008

Note: The Board of Trustees of the Strand Center for the Arts (Plattsburgh, NY) has announced the appointment of Megan Charland BFA ’08 to the position of executive director of the organization. Charland has been with the SCA as the artistic programming director since 2022 and has been instrumental in strengthening the SCA’s connection to the community and advancing its mission. Charland is a 2008 graduate of the College of Art and Design (formerly CIAS) where she earned her BFA with a major in fine art photography and minor in art history. Charland went on to graduate from Visual Studies Workshop in 2013 with a MFA in visual studies and has spent nearly 18 years working in the visual arts field with a focus in community arts. To learn more: Megan Charland appointed as Strand’s executive director: https://suncommunitynews.com/news/115017/megan-charland-appointed-as-strands-executive-director/. The Art of Leadership: https://www.calameo.com/read/000257732c187e340daed.

Submitted on: February 26, 2025

Name: Erin Maher-Moran

Class Year(s): 98, 04

Note: Erin (Maher) Moran BFA ’98 had quite a year in 2024. She was named Higher Ed AV Media’s AV Professional of the Year: https://higheredav.com/2024-higher-ed-av-awards-winners/ and also took over as Chair of the Higher Education Technology Managers Alliance (HETMA). She was also selected by EdTech Magazine as one of the 30 Higher Ed IT Influencers to Follow in 2024: https://edtechmagazine.com/higher/article/2024/09/30-higher-ed-it-influencers-follow-2024. Erin capped off the year by finishing her master’s degree in Engineering from Johns Hopkins University. This is shaping up to be another great year for Erin since she has been called one of the Top 50 voices to follow in higher education for 2025 by: vevox.com https://www.vevox.com/blog/top-50-voices-to-follow-in-higher-education-for-2025.

Submitted on: February 26, 2025

Name: Helaina & Sean Kolonay

Class Year(s): 2014

Note: Helaina (Hummel) Kolonay BS ’14, MS ’16 and Sean Kolonay BFA ’14 welcomed their son, Quintin in January 2024.

Submitted on: January 22, 2025

Eric Rakov BFA ’96 with one of his award winning collages

Name: Eric Rakov

Class Year(s): 1996

Note: St. Augustine’s Butterfield Garage Art Gallery will present work from Eric Rakov BFA ’96, their February 2025 featured artist. His exhibit opens on the first Friday Artwalk, February 7 from 5-9 p.m. Eric will give a short artist talk at 6 p.m. to share his journey and discuss his technique. Eric Rakov is an award-winning collage artist who primarily uses recycled magazines as his palette to create vibrant impressionistic artwork. He applies the media in a painterly style, building colors in layers, creating dark shadows and bright highlights. Eric’s subjects range from tabletop still-life scenes to vignettes from his international travels.

Submitted on: January 12, 2025

Kelly Cheatle BFA ’99 speaking at a post-2024 election organizing meeting

Name: Kelly Cheatle

Class Year(s): 1999

Note: Kelly Cheatle BFA ’99 is excited to announce her candidacy for Rochester City Council in 2025! With over two decades of experience as artistic director at Airigami (www.airigami.com), Kelly has led large-scale community artistic installations worldwide, showcasing the power of collaborative creation. The foundation of her skills was formed as a graphic design undergrad at RIT, giving her a unique perspective as an artist and problem-solver. After years of advocating for equitable arts funding and leading a successful David vs. Goliath campaign to prevent the privatization of public space in downtown Rochester, Kelly is ready to bring her collaborative approach to local government. Supporters can follow and support her campaign by visiting her official website: www.VoteforKelly.com.

Submitted on: January 10, 2025

Outside St. Alphonsus Church, Tupper Lake, NY

Name: Branden Jaquays

Class Year(s): 95, 12

Note: Branden Jaquays BFA ’12 became a NYS licensed Funeral Director, Fall 2024, and works at Frary Funeral Home in Tupper Lake, NY.

Submitted on: January 1, 2025

Name: Mehwish Nasir

Class Year(s): 2008, 2010

Note: Mehwish Nasir MBA ’10 was recognized for Expertise in Business Technology and Consulting on July 15, 2024. (Ref: https://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/513832/mehwish-nasir-mba-recognized-for-expertise-in-business-technology-and-consulting). Mehwish, an executive board member at OPEN (Organization of Pakistani Entrepreneurs) Global (San Jose, CA) is a Pakistani Canadian American and a former Fulbright Scholar (2008-2010) to the U.S.A. Mehwish was inducted as Marquis Who’s Who-Honored Listee in America (2024-2025); and as Marquis Who’s Who of Professional Women, Professional Women Honoree (October 2024) and Honoree, Distinguished Worldwide Humanitarian (August 2024). Ref: https://whoswhoofprofessionalwomen.com/mehwish-nasir/ and https://worldwidehumanitarian.com/2024/08/28/mehwish-nasir/

Submitted on: January 1, 2025

Name: Taylor Rakocy

Class Year(s): 2018

Note: Conor McKaig BS ’19 and Taylor Rakocy BFA ’18 met at RIT in April 2016 and were married in Rochester in April 2024. They were surrounded by incredible friends from school as they celebrated their long awaited union at the Harro East Ballroom.

Submitted on: December 29, 2024