Class Notes

Name: Phil Frandina

Class Year(s): 2011

Note: Phil Frandina ’11 (SCB) and Jessica Frandina ’11 (COS) celebrated the birth of their third child, Luke Alan, on September 14, 2022.

Submitted on: April 20, 2023

Name: Michael E. Pollock

Class Year(s): 1977

Note: Michael Pollock ’77 (GAP) recently received two National honors for his work to promote the needs of EMS workers and agencies on local, state, and national levels. In Washington, D.C., at the closing reception for the National Association of EMTs (NAEMT) EMS Day on the Hill, Michael received the 2023 EMS Advocate of the Year award. The award recognizes EMS professionals whose volunteer efforts advance EMS through educating and engaging elected government leaders, EMS and healthcare communities, and the public. A week earlier, Michael met with United States Congressman Joseph D. Morelle – 25th District, New York, with his EMS agency’s President and Chief to discuss concerns about federal funding and support for EMS. At the end of the meeting, the Congressman surprised Michael with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for his NAEMT Honor. In addition, Congressman Morelle acknowledged Michael’s long career of advocacy and advancement of the EMS profession. Congressman Morelle and Michael have worked together in county, state, and federal government for over thirty years to provide EMS workers with the tools they need to save lives. Michael serves as a Government Liaison and the Director of Intragovernmental Relations for Brighton Volunteer Ambulance in Rochester, NY, and the Ezras Nashim Volunteer Ambulance Service in Boro Park - Brooklyn, NY, respectively. The latter is the only all-women Orthodox Jewish ambulance service in the United States. Michael volunteers to Tikkum Olam in both instances, which translates to "repair the World."

Submitted on: April 12, 2023

Name: Jon Santer

Class Year(s): 2011

Note: Fredrick Redd MBA ’11 (SCB) was recognized as a Port Authority of NY & NJ (PA) Trailblazer during Black History Month (February) as the PA celebrated key black figures in the PA’s history of both current and former leaders. Fredrick blazed his trail when he joined the PA and created, implemented and operated the agency’s first-ever Project Management Office (PMO) becoming the Agency’s first Black PMO Director from 2009-2013. As PMO Director, Fredrick provided critical support for the Agency’s $29 Billion Capital Program which included iconic programs such as the World Trade Center, all Port Authority Airports (EWR, JFK, LGA, TET, SWF), George Washington Bridge, Lincoln and Holland Tunnels, Port Authority Bus Terminals and the PATH Rail System. Many of the initiatives implemented during his tenure are still in place today.

Submitted on: April 7, 2023

Name: Sal Pellingra

Class Year(s): 1998,2001

Note: Sal Pellingra BS ’98 (CAST), MBA ’01 (SCB) published a children’s book in March! "The Apple Doesn’t Fall Very Far From the Tree" a story about a clumsy boy whose grandfather, Poppi, helps him realize that it’s okay to laugh at himself and his uniqueness. Sometimes relating to others, especially when it’s family, can help put things into perspective. In this delightful story, a little boy who has a gift for being clumsy discovers that being himself is the best way to be. Link: https://www.amazon.com/Apple-Doesnt-Fall-Very-Tree/dp/1665739126

Submitted on: April 3, 2023

Name: William Dzialak

Class Year(s): 2020

Note: Nicole Cuello Wajdowicz ’20 (CET) and William Dzialak ’20 (KGCOE) got married in March 2023 in Punta Cana. They met in the HEOP summer program of 2015 and have been in a relationship ever since. They had family and friends in attendance, including friends from RIT pictured.

Submitted on: March 11, 2023

Name: David Frishkorn

Class Year(s): 1995

Note: David Frishkorn MBA ’95 (SCB) just published his second book, The Great Reimagination: In Pursuit of a More Perfect Union. This book is a follow-up to David’s first novel, The Great Divorce, originally published in 2018.

Submitted on: March 6, 2023

Name: Sam Remp

Class Year(s): 2014

Note: Since joining the United States Marine Corps in 2001, Sam Remp ’14 (KGCOE) has built a successful career in communications technology that has propelled him from the military to an RIT education and now to a leadership role at L3Harris Technologies. Sam currently serves as Director of Test Engineering for New Product Launches at L3Harris’ Jefferson Road Operations Center in Rochester. It was immediately following boot camp, during Ground Communications Maintenance school, that Sam first used an L3Harris radio, and he hasn’t put the technology down since. During his military service and multiple deployments oversees, Sam had the opportunity to field test L3Harris systems and even trained the Iraqi military to use the radios for combat operations. When Sam left the military as a Sergeant in 2007, he was hired by L3Harris as a manufacturing technician and simultaneously started his collegiate education. Sam was quickly promoted within L3Harris, becoming the first technician in his group to receive National Instruments Certification in LabVIEW graphical programming and performing the duties of an engineer as a technician. Upon graduation from RIT in May of 2014, Sam was promoted to an engineer and has since progressed through various roles of increasing responsibility including an international assignment in Algeria and radio launch for the United States Special Operations Command. He recently had the special opportunity to be featured in an L3Harris television advertisement for Senator Chuck Schumer.

Submitted on: February 28, 2023

Name: Robert Ripps

Class Year(s): 1983

Note: Robert A. Ripps ’83 (GAP) was named one of the top 200 digital artists worldwide, as ranked by Lürzer’s Archive! An image from his ongoing Negativityness series is running full page in their Lürzer’s Archive Edition 6, 200best [digital artists] issue, which is available Winter 2023. “I am delighted to receive this honor, and I am grateful to them for their recognition of my work," said Ripps. "Please follow my Instagram, @robertripps, to see some recent work, as well as an overview on my project website, www.negativityness.com.”

Submitted on: February 22, 2023

Name: Netanya Lerner

Class Year(s): 2016

Note: Netanya Lerner ’16 (CIAS) and Leo Kheyn-Kheyfets ’18 (KGCOE) got married on December 4, 2022 surrounded by their RIT friends.

Submitted on: February 14, 2023

Name: Joseph Stevens

Class Year(s): 1978

Note: Joseph Stevens ’78 (GAP) and his wife Janie recently retired and visited the Holy Lands! Joe has also been facilitating for the National Alliance for Mental Health and is on the Seattle Archdiocese Mental Health Ministry Board.

Submitted on: February 6, 2023