Sentinel Society Member Newsletter: September 2022
Sentinel Society
Member Newsletter
September 2022
The fall semester of 2022-2023 academic year is well underway! The RIT campus is vibrant and alive with creative talent, bold thinking, and the promise of exciting opportunities to come.
In mid-August, new students were welcomed to the RIT community during Convocation, preceded by the annual Tiger Walk. President Munson’s inspiring Address to the Community expressed anticipation for the university to return to increased, in-person collaboration and included an extensive list of developments in progress and successes across RIT.
A strong beginning makes a powerful impact. With your support, the Sentinel Society has established a solid cornerstone of critical scholarship resources as well as funds to meet RIT’s most pressing and immediate needs. We’re looking forward to an exhilarating year of providing even more life-changing experiences for our students and to reaching a milestone of 500 Sentinel Society Founding Members.
Your commitment and leadership continue to shape the university and enhance the RIT educational experience. Thank you for investing in student success!
Welcome, new members
- Christopher J. Adams BS ’06
- Anika Aftab BS ’20
- Eva C. Ames BS ’09 and Spencer R. Wasilewski BS ’14
- Andrew J. BT ’80 and Anita Avrick
- Lisa P ’23, David P ’23, and Grayson Barnes BS ’23
- David A. Blonski BS ’07 MS ’07
- Jonathan M. Cabrera BS ’20
- Arnold A. BS ’74 and Anneka Cole BS ’76
- William J. Collins III BT ’83
- Taylor J. Copie BS ’15
- Tara K. DeLeo MS ’01
- Biagio BFA ’19 and Katherine E. MS ’18 Dell’Aiera
- Dr. Mary L. Dombovy MS ’01
- Maria P. Falaschi BS ’04, MBA ‘06
- Oreoluwa O. Fatimilehin BS ’05, MBA ’07 and Aniekeme S. Udofia BS ’04
- Emily A. Gambino BS ’12 and Evan J. Moreshead BS ’13
- Philip II BS ’86, MS ’18, P ’25 and Beverly L. Gelsomino P ’25
- Adam T. Histed BS ’00
- Erik W. Hoppin BS ’00
- Matt Huenerfauth, Ph.D. and Julian Huenerfauth
- Amanda Jackson-Jacobson MBA ’09
- Alok Kumar Kapoor BS ’93
- Timothy J. Kennery MS ’03
- Liang G. Khaw, CPA BS ’94, MBA ’95 and Myat Lwin BS ’91, ME ’93
- Brad W. MS ’88, P ’12, P ’17 and Dolores K. Kruchten BT ’87, P ’12, P ’17
- Kyle J. LaBuff BS ’06
- Stacy M. Lake BS ’05, MBA ’07
- Robert E. Loud BS ’17
- Darren R. Mass BS ’03, CT ’04
- Paul T. Metzger BS ’64
- Andrew L. BS ’98 and Elissa Oransky
- Marcus BS ’98, MS ’02 and Meta Parker
- Anonymous
- Dr. Thomas F. Pray
- Lucas Randrianarivelo BS ’22
- Sari A. Rapkin BS ’76
- Karen E. Roth BS ’06
- Kevin M. and Stephanie Sackett
- Melissa J. Scrimo BS ’90
- Ryan J. BFA ’94 and Michelle Shafer
- Samuel M. Sherman BS ’12 and Elise Del Rio
- Victor Silva BS ’03
- Malik Simmonds BS ’96, MS ’98
- Braden R. Smith BS ’96
- Todd P ’26 and Ruth Sokalzuk P ’26
- Harvey B. Stern BS ’84
- John C. MBA ’94, P’24 and Stacey D. P’24 Vander Linden
- Steven E. Warner, Esq. BS ’82
- Chester N. BS ’74 and Francine Watson
- Reuben Zielinski BS ’85, MBA ’96
Member News
Jeffrey Harris BS '75 and Joyce Pratt
Two new endowed professorships in the College of Science have been established thanks to Jeffrey Harris BS ’75 and his partner, Joyce Pratt. RIT matched their donation as part of a $20 million challenge to encourage the support of faculty recruitment, retention, and research critical to RIT’s priorities and trajectory.
Karuna Mukherjea MS '97 and Deepak Sharma MBA '97
It didn’t take long for Karuna Mukherjea MS ’97 and Deepak Sharma MBA ’97 to realize there was a strong connection between them; they were international students on RIT’s campus in 1996 who kindled a friendship during class. The relationship quickly evolved into more.
Before the days of online courses and obtaining a degree virtually, opportunities for attending the college of one’s choice were more limited. Many students would make life-changing decisions to travel abroad in pursuit of higher education. Both Karuna and Deepak made that choice. Twenty-six years later, they are married with two daughters, have successful careers, and have joined the Sentinel Society in support of the university that launched their future together.
“RIT is more than just a university to us,” explained Karuna and Deepak. “Our time there gave us the foundation and building blocks to make a professional life in the U.S. We felt a sense of community with both the faculty and students. As immigrants, it was important to have that extra support.”
In honor of Karuna’s father, the couple has recently established the Joy Mukherjea Sentinel Scholarship to provide funding to students within Saunders College of Business. Karuna reflected, “My father was a great believer in education. He encouraged his daughters to take bold steps. We want to continue to support other brave students by enhancing their experience and giving them a chance to excel inside and outside of the classroom.”
The sense of inclusion that Deepak and Karuna felt at RIT has remained at the forefront of their personal ideologies. Karuna, currently a vice president of enterprise marketing at Workato, is a champion for bringing equality and diversity into the workforce. She mentors young women as they start their journey in the world of technology. Deepak is a senior vice president of strategy consulting and customer success at Photon; he is devoted to helping others and volunteering his time with local non-profit organizations.
Karuna and Deepak are excited to help students with their scholarship gift. “Our favorite thing about RIT is the vibrant community. We are very passionate about helping to ensure that every student has that amazing experience—as we had—and that they can thrive,” they commented. “We found the Sentinel Society is a great way to give back to the university that gave so much to us.”
Norm Wironen BS ’71
When his 11-year-old grandson, Will, asked him to go on a special road trip this summer and see his alma mater, Norm Wironen BS ’71 decided it was time to visit the RIT campus and see what was new and exciting.
The Gardner, M.A. native and Will journeyed to Rochester, spending quality time together and stopping to see special sites—including Niagara Falls—along the way. Norm was happy to return to Rochester, as the city holds sentimental value for him from his time living there while in college. He was also eager to share a day at RIT with Will.
Stepping foot onto campus after many years was somewhat surreal for the 1971 alum. “It took me a while to get oriented,” commented Norm. “So many things look different than how they were. I like the designs of the newer buildings. Things have changed a lot, but in a good way.”
Norm and Will explored most of the campus, visiting both older structures to reminisce about Norm’s time as a student, as well as new buildings to experience the university’s growth. While studying at RIT, Norm had supplemented his scholarship aid to pay for school by working about 35 hours per week with a catering team housed in the Student Union. He also had his initial concert experiences at RIT and recalled packing into the gym with his friends to see bands perform. Passing through the familiar areas was nostalgic for Norm; Will enjoyed the athletics facilities and the ESL Global Cybersecurity Institute most.
Norm, and his wife Christine, both long-time RIT donors, joined the Sentinel Society last December. They chose to allocate their gift to the RIT Fund (formerly RIT’s Area of Greatest Need Fund) to help pay forward the support that Norm received while he was an undergraduate student. “I loved my time at RIT. I’m forever grateful for the support I received while I was in school. I feel strongly that the people who are there on campus know best how to utilize the funds and continue the viability of the university,” says Norm.
Norm’s father also attended RIT, earning a graphic arts and photography associate’s degree in 1950 under the G.I. Bill.
The road trip was a success, and new adventures await Norm and Will. Now retired from a 26-year career with his family’s furniture photography business, followed by 20 years as a financial advisor, Norm enjoys learning to play golf with Will and traveling. He will be jetting to Europe this fall with his long-time friend, Paul, who has remained a close friend since their days together at RIT. As for Will, it’s not yet clear if he will be a future Tiger. He plans to tackle sixth grade for now but has assured his grandfather that RIT is in the running for where he would like to go to college.
Ellen Myers BS ’88
As a fundraiser for many years, Ellen Myers BS ’88 understands the importance of giving back to organizations that have made a significant difference in her life. She and her husband, Doug, joined the Sentinel Society in January of this year with the desire to support the RIT community in its growth and transformation.
“Honestly, if there is a way to help students, that is a great use of philanthropy,” says Ellen. “We wanted to help in whatever way would be the most impactful. Having had a career in development, I’ve seen how giving can make a significant difference in people’s lives across the board. My husband and I have been fortunate to do well and give back. We’re picky about where we give to. We feel that we get a lot out of what we give—seeing the effect of a gift is more powerful than missing the money.”
Ellen’s family has a long history of attending RIT, so it’s no surprise that RIT is one of the select places she holds near and dear to her heart and gives to. The full list of family members to attend RIT includes Louis Nealon DIP ’29 (her father’s cousin), Jack Finnerty BS ’70 (her father, who was also an RIT adjunct professor), Dick Finnerty BS ’72 (her uncle), Garrett Traver BS ’82 (her cousin’s husband), Colleen Peterson BS ’91, MS ’94, P ’22, P ’23 (her sister and also current RIT staff member), Kevin Peterson BS ’96, MS ’04, P ’22, P ’23 (her brother-in-law), Mackenzie Peterson BS ’22, MS ’22 (her niece), Jack Peterson BS ’23 (her nephew), Ansleigh Myers BS ’26 (her daughter), and Michelle Doppler BS ’26 (her cousin’s daughter.)
For Ellen, paying homage to the family’s RIT legacy—both past and present—is a priority. She is also grateful for the real-world experience she accumulated while she was a student at RIT, which helped shape her professional path. She spent more than 20 years in executive leadership capacities with the Carroll Hospital, working on the frontlines of advancement to grow many important programs and facilities. Ellen currently is involved with The Kahlert Foundation and is revered as an authority on fundraising in Rochester, N.Y.
Alicia Scott BS ’97
Alicia Scott BS ’97 has spent the past 20+ years working her way up the engineering—and now human resources—career ladders to build a best-in-class organization. Her time is spent developing comprehensive workforce diversity and inclusion strategies where she works at ON Semiconductor (onsemi) and providing leadership guidance for RIT’s Kate Gleason College of Engineering (KGCOE) as a member of the College’s National Council.
Remaining involved with the RIT community has been very important to Alicia. “The connections I have made from my relationships as a student and the new ones I have made as an alum have been invaluable,” states Alicia. “I have been able to use my RIT education for my entire career. I was a microelectronic engineering major and have been utilizing those skills for many years. I wanted to join the National Council to connect with alumni and help build the partnership between RIT and onsemi.”
As a National Council member, Alicia joins a group of other talented individuals to advise Dean Doreen Edwards on initiatives of major significance and to help shape the plans for KGCOE’s future. She recently visited campus to participate in the fall career fair and engage with students and faculty.
Alicia also joined the Sentinel Society in the spring to further support students and critical university initiatives. While studying at RIT, she participated with the Multicultural Center for Academic Success (MCAS), a community providing a wide array of educational, leadership development, community building, and advocacy resources and programming for RIT’s AALANA (African, Latinx, and Native American) students.
“I give to RIT because RIT gave me so much toward my career,” reflects Alicia.
Alicia is currently the Senior Director of People, Culture, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at onsemi. She has been a featured guest and speaker on many podcasts and at events to discuss the importance of mentorship, sponsorship, and creating a culture of support in the semiconductor industry.
Russ Schwartzbeck BS ’97
Russ Schwartzbeck BS ’97, founder and CEO of SFG Wealth Management, was recently nominated in the small business category for the 39th annual Business Person of the Year Awards by the Small Business Council of Rochester, an affiliate of the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce.
Read the full article from rbj.net
(may require subscription services to Rochester Business Journal)
What's New on Campus
Doug May Field Dedication
On August 27, the new athletics field at Tiger Stadium was named in memory of late soccer coach Doug May. During the ceremony, colleagues and former athletes paid tribute to Coach May’s legacy and his profound impact on the lives of students and the soccer community overall. Coach May is acknowledged as the most successful men’s soccer coach in RIT history; his tenure was chronicled with record-breaking wins and multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. Doug May Field will house the Men’s and Women’s Soccer and Lacrosse teams. We are so grateful for all the donor support and generous gifts that have made this project possible!
View photo gallery from the Doug May Field Dedication
Read the full article from RIT News
Saunders College of Business Expansion
The Saunders College of Business expansion and renovation project has commenced at Lowenthal Hall. The new building will feature an array of ultramodern spaces and updated classrooms designed to enhance the student experience and promote creativity, innovation, and collaboration.
Read the full article from RIT News
Watch a video message from Dean Jacqueline Mozrall
Transforming RIT: The Campaign for Greatness
At $922 million and counting, Transforming RIT: The Campaign for Greatness has reached 92% of the $1 billion goal. This accomplishment wouldn’t be possible without our incredible donors—your support fosters student learning and leadership. Every gift helps accelerate the university’s continued and strategic growth so that we can best serve our students. We are in the homestretch and look forward to celebrating the campaign’s success with you.
Save the Dates
Don’t forget to RSVP to sentinelsociety@rit.edu by September 30 for exclusive Brick City Homecoming and Family Weekend activities on October 15, 2022, including SHED tours (limited availability) and preferred seating at A Conversation with Seth Meyers. We hope to see you that day at the Sentinel Society Lounge in the Student Alumni Union (second floor) from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Virtual Town Halls with the Deans
Watch your inbox - details coming soon!
ROAR Day
RIT’s most philanthropic 24 hours
12:00 p.m. October 27 - 12:00 p.m. October 28, 2022
Take a Look at All Upcoming RIT Events
Visit the events website for more information
The next Sentinel Society member newsletter and annual impact reports will be shared in early 2023.
Sentinel members create unlimited possibilities.
Thank you for your support and partnership.