Meet The Class of 2005!

By Cathy Offen

Lorinda Cagle was born in Texas, but raised in Farmersburg, Indiana. She received her bachelors' degree from Indiana University. Running is her favorite way to unwind. Deafness Certification-NTID, attracted Lorinda to RIT. She finds that having limited time to learn class material is quite demanding because, "There is a vast amount of information in the field of school psychology." She enjoys practicum as it provides her with the opportunity to use and see what she has learned in class.

Frank Coluccio is from Utica, NY, and did his undergraduate work at Syracuse University. To relax he enjoys watching TV and taking cat naps. Balancing both work and class time has proven to be the greatest challenge this far. Frank is quite pleased that "everyone has been extremely nice so far, making it easier to adjust." The program structure is what drew him to RIT.

Sarah Dash is locally from Rochester, but completed her undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University. Her best way to relax after extensive studying is to sleep. Time management and finding a parking space on campus can be quite frustrating as a graduate student. Sarah chose the RIT School Psychology program because she wanted to be "close to home".

Jason Dingman commutes from Canandaigua and graduated from SUNY Geneseo. He unwinds by exercising and spending time with family and friends. Since starting graduate school, he finds that he must really budget his time (especially when scoring the Woodcock Johnson Reading Mastery Test). Jason is pleased that all the first year students "have the same classes together." He was particularly attracted to RIT after working with several former graduates on an undergraduate internship project. Jason also said, that the RIT School Psychology Program appealed to him after learning that "many schools prefer to hire RIT graduates".

Elaine Fadgen calls Clinton, Massachusetts her home, but earned her undergraduate degree from Canisius College in Buffalo. Elaine likes to chill out after studying by watching "Trading Spaces," and goes bowling when she is really stressed out. The shear physical size of the RIT campus still amazes her, yet gives her a way to get her daily exercise. She was drawn to RIT for the School Psychology and Deafness Program and has really enjoyed the role playing exercises in her Intervention Skills class. "It allows us to use what we learn and apply it to real life."

Elizabeth Hepworth lives in Rochester and received her bachelors' degree from Nazareth College. She finds that the amount of reading for her classes and the quarter grading periods have been the most difficult adjustment. The best way for her to relax is by sleeping after studying. An important positive aspect of the program for her has been that she's "developed some incredible friendships." Another attractiveness of RIT for Elizabeth is that "I can pursue my education and professional goals in Rochester, where I can have the support of my family".

Katrina Johnson is from Lancaster, NY., and went to undergraduate school at SUNY Buffalo. To unwind, she enjoys going back home to Lancaster to see her fiancé. She says that she finds the workload overwhelming as a first year student, but enjoys being with the people she's met here. Among the factors that drew her to RIT are: "Faculty that aren't snobby, Ben & Jerry's on campus. and RIT's excellent academic reputation. "

Greta Johnston is a Rochester native, and was awarded her bachelors degree from Nazareth College. She chose RIT because of its local proximity and, more importantly its fine reputation. The fast pace of the program is what has been the most overwhelming to her thus far. Greta best sums up her experiences as "I'm learning so much, and that is going to be so beneficial in my career."

Brian Kurdzial is originally from Buffalo, NY. He went to Canisus college for undergraduate study. To unwind he likes to watch NFL football on Sundays and was interested in coming to RIT for its strong reputation and NASP certification. What he finds most overwhelming is adjusting to the quarter system, because, "everything seems to go twice as fast." Brain describes his RIT school psych. experiences so far as "I've enjoyed my practicum experience a lot. It's very interesting to hear about concepts and ideas in class and then see them in practice a few days later at my school site."

Amanda Landis is from Arcade, NY, and received her undergraduate degree at SUNY Geneseo. She finds that as a first year student, the vast amount of reading that is required from her classes can be most overwhelming. In her free time she likes to play with her pet prairie dogs. She was drawn to RIT for the Certificate of Advanced Study in Deafness and enjoys the closeness with her professors.

Erica Markovitz comes to us from Manhattan, and did her undergraduate work at Boston University. She finds sleeping is the best way to unwind after studying. As a fist year student, Erica finds "the prospect of the thesis assignment" to be the most intimidating. She was attracted to RIT's school psychology program for its school based practica experiences.

Jane Munt is from Byron, NY., and earned her bachelors degree from SUNY Oswego. She also holds a M.S. Ed. in Reading Education from SUNY Brockport. To unwind, she enjoys taking hot baths and settling in front of the fireplace to read. Jane has this to say about RIT, " I've worked here for 22 years. I wanted to pursue another degree and felt it would be a good 'fit' with my background, and a convenient way to pursue further education. I'm learning a lot!"

Megan Schlageter is from Pittsford, NY., and obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Rochester. To unwind, she likes to take long walks in the woods with her dogs. She finds that time management can be most overwhelming, but feels that the school psych professors are great because they are so knowledgeable and approachable. She was drawn to RIT because it was highly recommended to her by school psychologists. Megan says, "I had many people (some current school psychologists) recommend the program as exceptional. I also liked the idea of having experience (through practicum) in the schools right from the start."

Othniel St-Ulme was born in Brooklyn, and raised in the DC metro area in Maryland. He did his undergraduate work at the University of Maryland, College Park. He says that the very steady flow of major assignments and tests can be overwhelming as a first year student. In his free time he likes to go to the gym and play basketball. Othniel selected RIT as it was recommended by one of his professors, and had the practicum program experience. He says that what he enjoys most about RIT's program is "Being able to take a lot of what we learned in class and almost immediately seeing it applied in a real setting (practicum site)."

Kim Tucker is originally from Syracuse, NY., and received her bachelors degree from Syracuse University. To relax, she enjoys watching some TV. What drew her to RIT were the practicum experiences, the faculty, and living in the Rochester area. What she finds most overwhelming are the large amounts of reading, and trying to track down test kits. Kim says "I really like my classmates. They're all so nice!"