Sentinel Society Member Newsletter: September 2023 | Giving to RIT

Students discussing around on whiteboard

We did it!

As of June 30, 2023, RIT’s Sentinel Society reached 517 founding memberships, exceeding our goal of 500. That number is steadily increasing, as more alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students, and friends of the university are choosing to show their Tiger support by joining this leadership group of annual donors.

When sudden circumstances create immediate financial needs, Sentinel Society dollars provide financial relief for our students to stay on track academically, the flexibility for our college deans and administrators to allocate critical resources for their departments, and funding for vital student life activities and initiatives.

Thank you for being a part of our philanthropic community. Sentinel gifts touch every area of the university and help advance our mission of leveraging the power of technology, the arts, and design for the greater good.

Welcome, new members

John C. Andres AAS ’78 and Tama Andres
Rachel M. Arfa, Esq.
Rosa Arnone MS ’17 and Jesse Spears
Lucas Barber MS ’14, MS ’20 and Lisa Barber MS ’14
Thomas Baxley BS ’13
Kenneth H. Becker AAS ’72 and Arlene F. Becker
Bruce E. Beston AAS ’93
John Bliss BS ’76
Parris J. Bryant, II BS ’14, MS ’24
David T. Cardenas BS ’15
Dr. Rebecca S. Carlin BS ’92
Jeffrey M. Cohen BS ’80 and Susan D. Cohen BS ’80
Barbara Inserra Cortese MBA ’84
John P. Dahms BS ’71 and Debbie Dahms
Dr. Prabu David and Jacqueline David
Dr. Robert R. Davila
Nicole J. DelVesco AAS ’88
Meredith Dillman BS ’92
Lindsey A. Donohue BS ’14 and Christopher J. Dunn BS ’16
Reuben C. Ferguson ME ’95
Christopher M. Ferrari
Timothy E. Frey BS ’18, ME ’18
Philip E. Frigm, Jr. MS ’02
Hannah Gallagher BS ’23
Nicholas T. Gawreluk BS ’13
Howard C. Green BS ’60
Belinda S. Hahn P’25 and Ivan H. El-Sayed P’25
Christopher R. Harris BFA ’69
Carol L. Harlow and Richard Harlow
Verna J. Hazen MBA ’99, P’10 and Logan R. Hazen, III P’10
Brittney Herrera BFA ’03
Emily A. Heyman
Richard M. Hoffmeister BS ’87 and Theresa Mui
John T. Horner BS ’84
Kelly S. Kalka BS ’88 and Robert A. Kalka, Jr. BS ’89
Bruce Kiracofe P’26 and Elizabeth P. Torrey ‘26
Richard Laudisi BS ’82 and Joanne Laudisi
Dr. Christopher Lehfeldt
Xinbei Liu BS ’20
Karl G. Marchessault BS ’98
Theresa M. Marconi BS ’99 and Matthew D. Wilson BS ’99
Dr. James G. Miller
Rohaan Nadeem MS ’24
Gabrielle A. Nicciolino BS ’09, MS ’11 and Russell West
Angela Officer BFA ’88 and David Officer AS ’87
Greg Penoyer BS ’06 and Taylor Patti
Colleen F. Peterson BS ’91, MS ’94, P’22, P’23 and Kevin Peterson BS ’96, MS ’04, P’22, P’23
Donna J. Pogroszewski MS ’99
Michael S. Posner BS ’04, MS ’06 and Rachel A. Posner BS ’04
Paul A. Ripka BS ’89, P’20, P’24 and Sharon Ripka P’20, P’24
Angela and Graydon Ripley
Angel R Rivera BS ’16 and Katelyn Rivera
Michael J. Rizzolo BS ’78, MS ’86, P’18 and Kathleen Rizzolo BS ’81, P’18
JoAnne M. Ryan MS ’04
Thomasine Sarchet BS ’03, MS ’09 and Michael Maher BFA ’03
Kathryn Sarcione BS ’79 and Michael G. Sarcione BS ’79
Scott S. Schneider BS ’05
Victory Schoennagel BS ’05
Ian Scott BS ’16
Ravindra K. Simhambhatla
Diane C. Slusarski
Patrick J. Talty BS ’92, MBA ’02, P ’24 and Lisa Talty BS ’91, MBA ’97, P ’24
Matthew E. Taylor BFA ’02 and Rebekah L. Walls BFA ’02
Stephen A. Tyler BS ’88 and Margaret J. Tyler AS ’86
Sara E. Vinch
Garret C. Wampole BS ’03
Melinda Ward P’24
Paul M. Whalen BS ’86, MS ’92 and Anne Whalen
Ernest S. Wilson BS ’87, MS ’90, P’24, P’25 and Leslie D. Wilson BS ’89, MS ’92, P’24, P’25
Marissa Woodruff BS ’18 and Chad B. Cummings BS ’20
Daphne Wyse and Zachary Straub
Dr. Ersin Uzun and Hande E. Uzun

A complete member listing can be found by visiting the online Sentinel Honor Roll.

Member News

Remembering Nancy Evans Hargrave AS ’86

For David Hargrave, being a Sentinel Society member is about recognizing RIT/NTID students' accomplishments and the people who help them succeed.

It’s different for every student. Those significant people who help change lives are often faculty mentors; other times, university staff members become like family to students as they pursue their studies.

In David’s case, the latter scenario motivated him to establish the Nancy Evans Hargrave Sentinel Scholarship in October 2022 to honor his late wife. Nancy Evans Hargrave worked as the area director for Ellingson, Peterson, and Bell Halls from 1980-1983 and then spent five more years as a health specialist for NTID, interpreting for deaf athletes at their games.

“Nancy was an extraordinary human being. She had a passion for education, was serene by nature, humble, and had an outstanding work ethic. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. We all miss her very much,” says David.

Because of Nancy’s dedication to the students and the greater NTID community, David wanted to ensure her legacy endured. During her employment at NTID, Nancy worked closely with residents and other staff to help make student life and academic experiences the best they could be. She graduated from NTID in 1986 with an associate’s degree in educational interpreting. Prior to coming to NTID, she earned an undergraduate degree from Ithaca College, a master’s degree from Indiana University, and a master’s from Canisius University. Nancy enjoyed a rewarding career teaching American Sign Language, health, and CPR/First Aid education for 27 years at Erie Community College.

Equivalently with Nancy’s priorities, David’s goal for the Sentinel scholarship is to help support NTID students however he can. His desire to provide financial assistance to them on their academic journey is a meaningful way to pay tribute to his wife, who cared so deeply.

Jackie Nicholson

Congratulations to Sentinel member Jackie Nicholson, RIT’s executive director of Intercollegiate Athletics since 2021. Jackie has been appointed to the NCAA Division III Men’s and Women’s Track and Field and Cross Country Committee.

Learn more about Jackie

Jef Amado BS ’83

Jef Amado BS ’83 has a simple philosophy: “People matter. Learning matters. RIT matters.”

Jef’s passion for enterprise and diversity education prompted the business administration alumnus to join the Sentinel Society and allocate his gifts to these respective funds.

“My connection to RIT is strengthened by becoming a Sentinel member. Even after decades since graduation, I truly enjoy maintaining and developing relationships with classmates and other alumni,” Jef shares. “The Saunders College of Business helps drive our understanding of economy and commerce. We need innovation to remain competitive and create the best use of resources. Additionally, I support groups at RIT that increase awareness of students’ cultures.”

Jef recalls that as a student, he learned the value of diversity in interacting with different types of people, including local, international, deaf, and hard-of-hearing students.

“These encounters encouraged me to see the value of various thoughts, backgrounds, and perspectives.”

Jef continued to learn more about diversity as a member of a professional business fraternity and was instrumental in garnering RIT’s participation in the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. as an undergraduate. Both experiences and a positive co-op at IBM helped him embrace specific principles and aspirations for the future.

After serving in the Army Reserves during the Gulf War, Jef worked in the railroad industry for 32 years within the management, IT, and customer service realms. He practiced the importance of safety in terminal operations and the service metrics of intermodal trains.

Now retired, he spends his time making a difference in education. He serves on the advisory board for a STEM high school in Atlanta, Ga., and seeks opportunities for Georgia-based companies to partner with RIT for co-ops and employment. He’s a strong proponent of alumni engagement and the importance of mentorship between alums and students.

“I’ve discovered it’s the connection with others that I desire,” Jef says. “These relationships can extend beyond family, friends, and church. Returning to my roots at RIT helps strengthen who I am, and I believe it can do the same for others. People should want to establish a ‘win-win’ association in any relationship. I feel that’s what RIT provides to its community.”

Brendyn Alexander BS ’06

Brendyn Alexander BS ’06 is using his information technology degree to help students in the field realize their goals and to strengthen the RIT brand. He joined the Sentinel Society this year in hopes of creating a rewarding experience for current and future Tigers.

“It would be amazing if my contribution plays even a small part in enabling students to realize their personal and professional potential,” Brendyn shares. “My goal is to leave every situation as good—or better—than I found it. I’m energized by giving my time to people through transferring industry knowledge, helping those around me realize their potential, and continuous learning.”

While he was an undergraduate student, Brendyn recalls being able to find his “true self” with support from RIT professors and fellow students. He explains that his passion for helping others find a sense of belonging and ensuring diverse representation in technology stems from the foundation he gained at RIT and the co-op experience he completed.

As a self-identifying member of the LGBTQIA+ and Neuro-diverse communities, Brendyn cares deeply about inclusivity. Professionally, he creates products that empower its users. He has succeeded in building efficient software platforms and creating meaningful developer experiences. Brendyn’s achievements span some of the most distinguished software companies, including Microsoft Corporation, Amazon Web Services, Inc., and DocuSign, Inc. He hopes to positively influence his peers, colleagues, RIT students, alums, and anyone working on finding themselves.

“Diverse representation in the technology and software fields is very critical. Products work best for everyone when the people making them reflect the various audiences that will use them.”

Brendyn lives in Seattle, Wash., with his partner and their dog. A current events and sports enthusiast, he enjoys various outdoor activities and mentoring others in technology.

Vanessa Herman

Congratulations to Sentinel member Vanessa J. Herman, Vice President for Government and Community Relations, who was named to the 2023 Who’s Who in Government Relations list by City & State magazine.

Dr. André Hudson

Sentinel member Dr. André Hudson, Dean of the College of Science, has joined the Editorial Board of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) as senior editor. With over 30,000 members, ASM is a leader in scientific publishing and is the home for microbial scientists from around the globe to connect, learn, and discover.

NTID 55th Anniversary Reunion

Friday, October 13, 2023 – Sunday, October 15, 2023
RIT/NTID Campus
Visit the official NTID 55th Anniversary Reunion website for details!
Register now

Brick City Homecoming & Family Weekend

Saturday, October 14, 2023
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Campus Center
2nd Floor Lounge
Join us for a Sentinel-exclusive student panel Q&A lunch!
RSVP by September 29 to sentinelsociety@rit.edu with your
number of attendees for lunch and for preferred seating at Jeff Green
Learn more about Brick City Weekend

MAGIC Spell Studios Tour for Sentinel Society

Thursday, November 2, 2023
RIT Campus
More details to come!

View all RIT Events

Visit the events calendar for more information.

two students playing a guitar and ukulele

Sentinel members create unlimited possibilities.

Thank you for your support and leadership.