Class Notes

Name: Sal Pellingra

Class Year(s): 1998,2001

Note: Sal Pellingra BS ’98 (CAST), MBA ’01 (SCB) published a children’s book in March! "The Apple Doesn’t Fall Very Far From the Tree" a story about a clumsy boy whose grandfather, Poppi, helps him realize that it’s okay to laugh at himself and his uniqueness. Sometimes relating to others, especially when it’s family, can help put things into perspective. In this delightful story, a little boy who has a gift for being clumsy discovers that being himself is the best way to be. Link: https://www.amazon.com/Apple-Doesnt-Fall-Very-Tree/dp/1665739126

Submitted on: April 3, 2023

Name: William Dzialak

Class Year(s): 2020

Note: Nicole Cuello Wajdowicz ’20 (CET) and William Dzialak ’20 (KGCOE) got married in March 2023 in Punta Cana. They met in the HEOP summer program of 2015 and have been in a relationship ever since. They had family and friends in attendance, including friends from RIT pictured.

Submitted on: March 11, 2023

Name: David Frishkorn

Class Year(s): 1995

Note: David Frishkorn MBA ’95 (SCB) just published his second book, The Great Reimagination: In Pursuit of a More Perfect Union. This book is a follow-up to David’s first novel, The Great Divorce, originally published in 2018.

Submitted on: March 6, 2023

Name: Sam Remp

Class Year(s): 2014

Note: Since joining the United States Marine Corps in 2001, Sam Remp ’14 (KGCOE) has built a successful career in communications technology that has propelled him from the military to an RIT education and now to a leadership role at L3Harris Technologies. Sam currently serves as Director of Test Engineering for New Product Launches at L3Harris’ Jefferson Road Operations Center in Rochester. It was immediately following boot camp, during Ground Communications Maintenance school, that Sam first used an L3Harris radio, and he hasn’t put the technology down since. During his military service and multiple deployments oversees, Sam had the opportunity to field test L3Harris systems and even trained the Iraqi military to use the radios for combat operations. When Sam left the military as a Sergeant in 2007, he was hired by L3Harris as a manufacturing technician and simultaneously started his collegiate education. Sam was quickly promoted within L3Harris, becoming the first technician in his group to receive National Instruments Certification in LabVIEW graphical programming and performing the duties of an engineer as a technician. Upon graduation from RIT in May of 2014, Sam was promoted to an engineer and has since progressed through various roles of increasing responsibility including an international assignment in Algeria and radio launch for the United States Special Operations Command. He recently had the special opportunity to be featured in an L3Harris television advertisement for Senator Chuck Schumer.

Submitted on: February 28, 2023

Name: Robert Ripps

Class Year(s): 1983

Note: Robert A. Ripps ’83 (GAP) was named one of the top 200 digital artists worldwide, as ranked by Lürzer’s Archive! An image from his ongoing Negativityness series is running full page in their Lürzer’s Archive Edition 6, 200best [digital artists] issue, which is available Winter 2023. “I am delighted to receive this honor, and I am grateful to them for their recognition of my work," said Ripps. "Please follow my Instagram, @robertripps, to see some recent work, as well as an overview on my project website, www.negativityness.com.”

Submitted on: February 22, 2023

Name: Netanya Lerner

Class Year(s): 2016

Note: Netanya Lerner ’16 (CIAS) and Leo Kheyn-Kheyfets ’18 (KGCOE) got married on December 4, 2022 surrounded by their RIT friends.

Submitted on: February 14, 2023

Name: Joseph Stevens

Class Year(s): 1978

Note: Joseph Stevens ’78 (GAP) and his wife Janie recently retired and visited the Holy Lands! Joe has also been facilitating for the National Alliance for Mental Health and is on the Seattle Archdiocese Mental Health Ministry Board.

Submitted on: February 6, 2023

Name: Roxanne Hoover

Class Year(s): 2005

Note: Roxanne Hoover ’03 (CIAS) is the proud recipient of the Red Hat 2023 General H. Hugh Shelton Chairman’s Award. The General H. Hugh Shelton Chairman’s Award recognizes the exceptional work Red Hatters do around the world. The award celebrates associates who exemplify our core values, create a positive customer experience, promote collaboration, showcase open management practices, and demonstrate expertise in their fields.

Submitted on: January 30, 2023

Name: Ben Hunt

Class Year(s): 2000

Note: Ben Hunt ’00 (CAST) was awarded the Gerald J. Carroll Exemplary Coaching Award by USA Lacrosse for 2022. The Gerald J. Carroll, Jr. Exemplary Coaching Award, is given annually to one boys’ high school coach nationwide who reflects the attributes of the award’s namesake and his commitment to give back to young people some of the lifetime of lessons he himself took from the game. Ben was nominated for this award by parents and players from his team who believe strongly that Ben is well-deserving of this honor. Ben has been head coach of the men’s varsity Auburn High School Lacrosse Club in Auburn, AL team since its start-up in 2011. He has been instrumental in growing the sport here in Auburn and received Coach of the Year for the Greater Birmingham Youth Lacrosse Association in 2021 when he brought the team to their first undefeated record during their regular season. Ben and his wife, Jennifer, recently celebrated their 20 year wedding anniversary and currently reside in Auburn, AL with their three children.

Submitted on: January 30, 2023

Name: Anthony Macri

Class Year(s): 2008

Note: Anthony Macri ’08 (KGCOE) and his wife, Alisha, celebrated the birth of their third child, Nicolas Simon, in July 2022. Big sister Maggie, 3.5, and big brother Bennett, 2, are in love with their baby brother!

Submitted on: January 30, 2023