Class Notes

Tim Wicks

Name: Timothy Wicks

Class Year(s): 2005

Note: Tim Wicks ’05 (CIAS) is the founder of Managed IT & consulting firm, Hyopsys, which has been awarded The Philadelphia100® and has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Fastest-Growing Companies in Philadelphia for the third year in a row.

Submitted on: January 22, 2023

SprawlyWalls - the Dollhouse You Build Yourself. In a SNAP!

Name: Robert Schott

Class Year(s): 1981

Note: Robert Schott ’81 (FAA) is celebrating the launch of his toy invention called SprawlyWalls - the Dollhouse You Build Yourself! (www.SprawlyWalls.com). He is also celebrating 17 years since launch of my decoration invention for Halloween/Christmas/other called WOWindow Posters - Bring Your House to Life! (WOWindows.com) and eight years with Schwab Retirement Plan Services as the Director Communication Consulting. Robert recently earned two Pensions & Investments 1st place Eddy Awards for outstanding employee communication programs for retirement readiness and financial wellness..

Submitted on: January 20, 2023

Photo taken by Jill Studio

Name: Alexandra LaLonde

Class Year(s): 2016

Note: Alexandra LaLonde ’16 (KGCOE) and Nathan Corr ’16 (KGCOE) got married in August of 2022 surrounded by lots of friends, family, and RIT Tigers.

Submitted on: January 17, 2023

See more about them at www.factoryent.com

Name: Jeremy Sniatecki

Class Year(s): 1995

Note: Jeremy Sniatecki ’95 (CIAS) was chosen by Factory Entertainment/Universal Studios to design and illustrate retro metal lunchbox collectibles, most recent releases based on Dune (1984) and An American Werewolf in London, with more to come.

Submitted on: January 12, 2023

Rebecca moved from Chief Executive of the US Chamber of Commerce in Oman to Communications Director at TAISM in August 2022

Name: Rebecca Olson

Class Year(s): 2005, 2007

Note: The American International School of Muscat (TAISM) has appointed Rebecca Olson 07, MS ’09 (CLA, CAST) (pictured) as its new Communications Director. The new position is responsible for supporting community engagement and sharing the TAISM story in Oman and abroad. Olson is familiar to many in the local community, having led the U.S. Chamber of Commerce affiliate in Oman (OABC) as its chief executive for the past 5 years. Hailing from Upstate New York, Rebecca brings to TAISM more than 17 years of experience serving nonprofit and for-profit organizations in Rochester, Boston, Nairobi, Ramallah, and Muscat. "I am proud to join TAISM both as a communications professional and as a parent myself,” says Olson. “With the lifting of COVID restrictions, we’re entering a brand new season of in-person events and community engagement, with new activities and incredible programs to highlight. I’m honored to help share stories of the impactful work happening on the TAISM campus in the lives of students every day.” "From kindergarten teachers to music directors, the staff’s deep expertise and steadfast devotion to students has created a healthy environment where children thrive,” says Kevin Schafer, School Director at TAISM. “When we highlight the successes of TAISM students and alumni who now reside all around the world, Oman shines too as a wonderful, safe place to reside as a family. Rebecca will help us shine this light farther and brighter, and we warmly welcome her to the TAISM community.” When we highlight the successes of TAISM students and alumni who now reside all around the world, Oman shines too as a wonderful, safe place to reside as a family. Rebecca will be responsible for event planning, volunteer coordination, social media, public relations, community partnerships, and a diverse mix of internal and external communications for TAISM. The American International School Muscat is the leading American curriculum international school in Muscat, Oman, serving early childhood through high school.

Submitted on: January 10, 2023

'Plays of Our Own', cover photo by Willy Conley

Name: Willy (Perry L) Conley (Jr.)

Class Year(s): 1981

Note: Willy Conley Jr. ’81 (GAP) is thrilled to announce the release of his newest book, Plays of Our Own – An Anthology of Scripts by Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Writers – a part of the Routledge Series in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Theatre and Performance. This has been his result of over twenty years of researching and collecting the works of these unique writers who have made major, positive contributions to world drama or Deaf theatre arts. Directors, producers, Deaf and hearing students, professors, and researchers will be able to pick up this one-of-a-kind book of "Deaf plays" for production consideration, Deaf culture or multicultural analysis, or the simple pleasure of reading. Routledge: Taylor & Francis: https://www.routledge.com/Plays-of-Our-Own-An-Anthology-of-Scripts-by-Deaf-and-Hard--of/Conley/p/book/9780367632373 The book is also listed on www.amazon.com. As another option, people may order a paperback copy directly from him, especially if they wish to receive an inscription and/or autograph: www.willyconley.com. Here is a short promo video that gives insight into the book: https://youtu.be/29U2A1JXDr4

Submitted on: January 9, 2023

Images by www.andreabibeault.com

Name: Madison Cardone

Class Year(s): 2019

Note: Maddie Mitchell ’19 (CAD) and Mike Cardone ’19 (COS) were married in Omaha, NE on September 10, 2022. They met at RIT where they dated for 3 years, then 2 years long-distance in separate states, before finally tying the knot. They made sure to incorporate orange into their wedding decor to show their tiger pride!

Submitted on: January 7, 2023

Day of presentation at ALS/MND (virtual)

Name: Therese Dane

Class Year(s): 2011

Note: Therese Dane ’11 (COS) was invited to be a guest speaker at the International Symposium on ALS/MND 2022 and presented her research on C9orf72 in iPSC-derived motor neurons.

Submitted on: January 4, 2023

Nam Nguyen

Name: Nam Nguyen

Class Year(s): 88

Note: Nam Nguyen ’88 (SCB) is currently the M365/Power Platform Solution Architect for FPT/Intellinet and an eBook Author with the 30 best education book titles with 2400 eBooks in 105 Languages. The eBooks are available on Google Play. Protect Earth Today – starts with you at namhnguyen.org

Submitted on: January 4, 2023

Beyond thrilled to be recognized for two of the most important projects of my career. ‘Eyewitness to 9/11: Behind the Lens’ won best ‘News Special’ and our first episode of ‘Missing: Leanne Marie Hausberg’ won best ‘Crime - News’.

Name: Emily Hartmann

Class Year(s): 2012

Note: Emily (Sowa) Hartmann ’12 (CIAS) was recently recognized with two Emmy Awards. Currently, Emily is the Senior Producer at New York’s #1 News Station WABC-TV. Emily produces, shoots, and edits premium content for ABC7NY, Hulu, and ABC Owned Television’s streaming platforms. Emily is the lead videographer and editor for the Emmy-winning investigative series ’Missing’ -- now streaming on Hulu. She has a passion for documentary-style storytelling and true crime and a record of success producing innovative, high-impact content for digital, social, broadcast, and marketing. 2022 was a huge year for Emily - both personally and professionally. After getting engaged in Japan in 2019, postponing her wedding because of the coronavirus pandemic, Emily finally got to marry fellow videographer Josh Hartmann, who she met at WABC in 2017. Their marriage took place in Kingston, NY on May 21, 2022, with a special addition to their guest list - baby girl Charlotte Hartmann, who was born on October 6, 2022. While in the hospital recovering from the birth of her daughter, Emily missed the ceremony where her colleagues accepted two Emmy awards on her behalf. An Emmy for her work on the documentary ’Eyewitness to 9/11: Behind the Lens’ and the true crime series ‘Missing: Leanne Marie Hausberg’ - both available on Hulu. In the past two years, Emily was also awarded a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award winner for Large Television Market News Documentary for her work on the documentary ’Eyewitness to the Death of John Lennon’ and a Sigma Delta Chi Award winner for Excellence in Journalism for Large-Market Station Documentary ’Eyewitness to 9/11: Behind the Lens’. After her maternity leave, Emily looks forward to creating more ground-breaking, innovative content and connecting with other SOFA and RIT alumni students.

Submitted on: January 3, 2023