Class Notes
Name: McKenna Short
Class Year(s): 2024
Note: Mckenna Short ’24 (CET), MS ’24 (CET) and Benjamin Bremer ’27 (GCCIS) got engaged on Oct.11 2025! Go Tigers!
Submitted on: October 29, 2025
Name: Jay Ruzicka
Class Year(s): 2010
Note: Jay Ruzicka ’10 (CIAS) has been promoted to head of communications for Providence Public Library.
Submitted on: October 29, 2025
Name: John Lawrence
Class Year(s): 1992
Note: John Lawrence ’93 (CAST) recently sold his construction business. Both of John’s children attended RIT: Jared Lawrence ’24 (CET) and John Lawrence Jr. ’20 (GCCIS), MS ’20 (GGCIS). Currently, John is managing the family office, traveling, and planning to launch another business in a few years, luxeshade.com.
Submitted on: October 28, 2025
Name: Don McGrath
Class Year(s): 1986
Note: Don McGrath ’86 (KGCOE) has shifted his athletic focus from running to rock climbing since graduating from RIT. He recently won the gold medal in the 60-64 age group at the Huntsman World Senior Games in Saint George, Utah.
Submitted on: October 28, 2025
Name: Gerald Isobe
Class Year(s): 1976
Note: Gerald Isobe ’76 (SCB) is a member of the deaf community and a life-long trailblazer. Gerald Isobe and his son Brandon Isobe, co-founded the app, App MyEar, which helps the deaf and hard-of-hearing to fully converse with those around them. From RIT, to one of Ten Outstanding Young Americans (U.S Junior Chamber of Jaycees), to the U.S. Department of Defense, varsity golf coach and ASL teacher, Gerald has been inspiring for decades. To learn more about Gerald please visit: https://discovernikkei.org/en/journal/2025/9/1/gerald-isobe/
Submitted on: October 27, 2025
Name: Scott Ladin
Class Year(s): 1978,1987
Note: Scott Ladin ’78 (CAST), MBA ’87 (SCB) has retired and is now a small business mentor with SCORE, helping hundreds of entrepreneurs to start, run and grow small businesses. Scott also works with R-Community Bikes to distribute free bicycles to children and adults in Rochester, New York, who depend on bicycles for transportation. As an active cyclist Scott continues to support not-for-profit events such as Tour de Cure and Bike MS to promote research and programs.
Submitted on: October 27, 2025
Name: Nathan Reichert
Class Year(s): 2012
Note: Nathan Reichert ’12 (NTID) was recently promoted to finance manager at Duke University, where he supports faculty, student groups, and staff in managing funds to ensure accurate financial tracking, compliance, and effective resource allocation.
Submitted on: October 27, 2025
Name: Jennifer Hungate
Class Year(s): 2013
Note: Jennifer Hungate ’13 (CAST) is the president and CEO of Hungate Construction, recently certified as a New York State Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE). Passionate about empowering others, Jennifer continues to advocate for women in construction and is dedicated to creating opportunities for minority-and women-owned businesses. Through her leadership, she strives to build not only strong structures but also stronger communities across New York State.
Submitted on: October 27, 2025
Name: Collette V. Fournier
Class Year(s): 1979
Note: Collette V. Fournier ‘79 (GAP) presents Africa: 24/7: The Legacy of Black Visual Culture, a documentary series capturing photographic images in Ghana over four visits (2007, 2010, 2017, 2025). The work reflects the vibrancy, resilience, and energy of everyday life, highlighting a country that works day and night to remain strong and independent. The exhibition features 25–26 prints, including 20 recent images from March 2025 and earlier works from 2010 and 2017. Exhibition Dates: Nov. 3, 2025 – Dec. 19, 2025 at Finkelstein Memorial Library, Spring Valley, NY.
Submitted on: October 27, 2025
Name: William O’Such
Class Year(s): 1988
Note: William O’Such MS ’88 (KGCOE) is consulting on strategy and corporate development in embedded and edge computing. William has also found a passion for street photography in Paris and San Francisco.
Submitted on: October 26, 2025