Saunders College of Business - Brick City Weekend

Saunders College of Business hosted several Brick City Homecoming & Family Weekend events. Brick City is a long-standing RIT tradition of celebrating the University's families, students, alums, staff, and friends. View all photos from Brick City Homecoming & Family Weekend, taken by Myers Creative Imaging.

International Hospitality and Service Innovation (IHSI) Sponsored Events

Beer Tasting with Saunders College

RIT lecturer Ted Ganster led the session while attendees learned more about locally produced beer. View photos from Beer Tasting, taken by Yuna Kang.

Whiskey Tasting with Saunders College

RIT lecturer Ted Ganster educated attendees on “neat” whiskey facts. View photos from Whiskey Tasting, taken by Yuna Kang. and Gabrielle Plucknette Photography.

Sip & Savor

Senior Lecturer and Sommelier Lorraine Hems, Senior Manager of Talent Development for Constellation Brands and alum Terry Steele entertained and provided practical tips on pairings. View photos from Sip & Savor, taken by Yuna Kang.

Recommence - Saunders College of Business Alumni Awards Ceremony

Saunders College of Business holds Recommence annually to honor the college's exceptional alumni. For additional information about these awards and nomination processes, visit the Saunders awards page. View photos from Recommence, taken by Julia Pham.

Outstanding Business Leader Award

Description: The Business Leader Award recognizes individuals who personify the mission of Saunders College of Business. Alumni are chosen annually to represent three college departments, the MBA program, and the EMBA program. Through outstanding achievements and civic, cultural, and charitable contributions, these individuals bring honor to Saunders College of Business, their respective departments, Rochester Institute of Technology, and over 25,000 alumni the college represents. Ideal candidates have made a significant impact on their field and/or contributed to the success of their respective departments.

Award Recipients: 

• Department of finance and accounting, Alicia M. Andre ’83 (business administration and management), ’85 (MBA)
• Department of MIS, marketing, and analytics, Terrelle Carswell ’99 (management information systems)
• Department of management, Kristin Russell ’02 (international business)
• MBA program, Jeffrey C. Fasoldt, Sr. ’01 (MBA)
• EMBA program, Reuben Q. Zielinski ’85, ’96 (EMBA)

The Sarah Margaret Gillam Award

Description: The most prestigious alumni award given by the department of international hospitality and service innovation to an alumnus/alumna who has distinguished themselves in a significant way in a hospitality career. Criteria for the award are based on the recipient's outstanding contribution to hospitality services and excellence within the industry and community.

The Sarah Margaret Gillam Award is named for the 1916 graduate of the Mechanics Institute. Sarah Margaret Gillam taught and developed new courses in food service, consulted for both the Veterans Administration and the New York Hospital-Cornell medical center, was a dietitian at Rochester General Hospital, and was former president and member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She was named RIT's 1967 Outstanding Alumna.

Award Recipient: Robert Dandrea ’81 (food service administration), Executive Leader, Former CMO at TracFone Wireless.

Outstanding Community Partner Award

Description: This award is given to an exemplary business, corporation, foundation, or non-profit partner of the Saunders College of Business. Eligible candidates have shown a long-standing commitment to the employment of our students and alumni, have engaged in various academic research/sponsorship collaborations, and/or have philanthropically supported the college to help foster innovation and student success

Award Recipient: Jewish Senior Life, a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) offering all levels of care from independent living to skilled nursing care on a single campus.

Phil Saunders Cornerstone of Philanthropy Award

Description: This award is presented to a graduate, faculty, staff, or friend who exemplifies a groundbreaking spirit and gives selflessly to Saunders College of Business and RIT through philanthropic support. The awardee has impacted Saunders College of Business students, alumni, faculty, staff, and the RIT community.

Award Recipients: Klaus Gueldenpfennig ’74 (engineering), ’77 (MBA), Brigitte Gueldenpfennig '81 (MBA), and Dinah Gueldenpfennig '97 (software development and management), '03 (EMBA). Read their inspiring story about the success of REDCOM Laboratories.

Distinguished Alumni Awards

RIT’s Alumni Association honored 11 exceptional alumni who have brought distinction at the highest level to their college and RIT through professional, community, or philanthropic achievements.

The Alumni Awards is an annual celebration of a diverse community of extraordinary individuals who have contributed significantly to the advancement and leadership of noteworthy civic, philanthropic, or service organizations. These events bring together alumni, students, faculty, and staff to honor those receiving the RIT Distinguished Alumni award and the RIT Outstanding Alumnus award.

Award Recipient for Saunders College of Business: James G. Gould, CPA ’85 (accounting), president and co-founder of Alesco Advisors LLC.

Learn more about Alumni Stories and Notable Alumni. Contact communications@saunders.rit.edu for a chance to be featured on our 2022-23 Alumni News and Recognitions.