Class Notes

Name: Bill Truran

Class Year(s): 1975

Note: Bill Truran ’75 (GAP) writes: So I turned 67 today and I have a great hint for all RIT photo students. When I turned 40, I had left 15 years in NYC for a corporate job with Nabisco. I realized that if I loved what I did, and wanted to continue doing it, I would need to have clients that were younger than I was. In 2004, I left corporate life and went back to the freelance life where I still am today. I still have a good number of clients and corporations that want to hire me... all are about 10 years younger than me. Even with the pandemic I am still shooting food. Sometimes I have to food-style myself but after years of working with the best, it’s not a problem. Over time you can really pick your clients. Honest! If you love what you do (like I do) and want to keep doing it, make sure you clients are younger than you. They all work for agencies and corporations and will most likely retire @ 65 or so. But I will be at least 70 when they do. maybe I’ll be ready to slow down by then.

Submitted on: December 21, 2020

Name: Jennifer Stanton

Class Year(s): 2015

Note: Jennifer Stanton ’15 (GCCIS) was recently promoted to Advanced Software Engineer and is also celebrating 2 years at Niantic Inc. She assumed the role of lead engineer for Pokemon GO’s Mega Evolutions feature, released in August 2020.

Submitted on: December 21, 2020

Name: Scott Pfanstiel

Class Year(s): 1981

Note: Scott Pfanstiel ’81 (GAP) retired as the Environmental Coordinator for the Solid Waste Department at the County of Tulare, California.

Submitted on: December 21, 2020

Name: Ric Schmeelk

Class Year(s): 2011

Note: Ric Schmeelk ’11 (KGCOE) writes: I recently celebrated 1 year at L3Harris Technologies. I am now working as a component engineer for the Space and Airborne Systems division. Earlier in my career, I had spent 10 years in the RF division (now Communication Systems). I am happy to be back with the company and enjoying the work, even though I’ve now spent more time working from home than at the office.

Submitted on: December 21, 2020

Name: Jim Cain

Class Year(s): 1986

Note: In the past 20 years Dr. Jim Cain ’86 (KGCOE) has written 22 books, but this year, he published his first novel. Rise Again is the story of Stan Rogers’ epic folk song, The Mary Ellen Carter. Filled with hardship, friendship, tragedy, triumph, music, love...and most of all, hope. Just what the world needs in the middle of a global pandemic. Available at Amazon.com.

Submitted on: December 21, 2020

Name: Daniel Holmes

Class Year(s): 1982

Note: Daniel Holmes ’82 (GAP) writes: I recently moved to New Mexico where I returned to a career as a Deputy District Attorney in Clayton, New Mexico. After a 15 year hiatus I sold everything and returned to the practice of law. Here I spend a lot of time outdoors hiking and using my photography degree sharing my experiences in photos with family and friends. I would love to hear from former classmates at DanielE.Holmes@Yahoo.com. Here is a link to a story on my adventure. https://www.susquehannalife.com/2019/03/17/190735/tell-us-your-story-an-impetus-for-life-change No more bitterly cold Rochester winters!

Submitted on: December 21, 2020

Name: Shail (Mithani) Rajan

Class Year(s): 1995

Note: After working for over a decade in the client services industry (first at Arthur Andersen and then at Ernst & Young), Shail Rajan MBA ’95 (SCB) took some time off to focus on her family. Now that her children are older, she has made time to serve as the president of a non-profit and chase her dream of becoming a novelist. Shail is excited to announce that she recently published her first novel, The Summer Breeze (https://bit.ly/TheSummerBreezebyShailRajan).

Submitted on: December 21, 2020

Name: Tom Klinkowstein

Class Year(s): 1971

Note: Tom Klinkowstein ’71 (GAP), Professor, Hofstra University, Adj., Professor, Pratt Institute, President, Media A (New York), presented a lecture and workshop in the Digital Media Design program at the National Yun-Lin University of Science and Technology in Taiwan, entitled, "The Future Frame of Reference".

Submitted on: December 21, 2020

Name: Bruce Thompson

Class Year(s): 1980

Note: Bruce Thompson, ’80 (KGCOE) retired in December 2017 from Xerox Corp.

Submitted on: December 21, 2020

Name: Thomas A. Ethington

Class Year(s): 1977,1981

Note: Thomas Ethington, ’81 (GAP" writes: After 30+ years at Independent Commercial Studio, 7+ years as a staff photographer, 3+ years as an intern and lab tech at Eastman (while at RIT and just after), and "dabbling" in Photography from 1971 until enrolling at RIT. It’s time to let somebody else have all the fun! Photo By Ethington...Hangin’ it up 12/31/2020. see ya! TAE

Submitted on: December 21, 2020