Class Notes

Name: Stephen VanDeWater

Class Year(s): 1970

Note: Stephen Vandewater ’70 (CIAS), photojournalist, has been in contact with many famous people during his career. He has met and photographed, most notably, President John F. Kennedy shortly before his assassination. Other celebrities are George Jessel, Kenny Rogers, Charlton Heston and President George H. W. Bush. He was also in the Vietnam War as a photographic reconnaissance photographer. He was awarded The Commendation Medal and Conspicuous Service Medal for outstanding work there. He joined Eastman Kodak Company as a photojournalist and covered a wide range of assignments. One of interest was the making of a Gene Hackman movie, where one of the characters crashed through the Kodak Colorama display in Grand Central Terminal. Steve has received several awards from Eastman Kodak Company for his photography. Steve met his wife, Susan (Young) Vandewater AAS ’68, while at RIT and they were married in 1969. Sue is a 1968 graduate and his forever partner giving him much needed support. Steve retired in 2005 and they are currently enjoying life in Bristol, New York. Steve’s photographs and history are archived at Rochester Institute of Technology and The University of Rochester.

Submitted on: December 6, 2024

Name: Emily Bogle

Class Year(s): 2011

Note: Emily Bogle BFA ’11 and Tom Sciotto BS, ME ’11 welcomed their son, Alexander, in the summer of 2024.

Submitted on: December 5, 2024

Name: Ayriona Winston

Class Year(s): 2020

Note: Ayriona Winston BS ’20 majored in public policy. She spent ten years working with the City of Rochester and Monroe County. In under a year at her new company, she was promoted from project analyst to business development analyst for a federal government contractor, where she has contributed to securing $1.2 million in awards.

Submitted on: December 3, 2024

Name: Jason Rakowsky

Class Year(s): 2023

Note: Jason Rakowsky BS, MS ’23 started a career at Savannah River National Lab. Jason will be working on projects involving hydrogen storage and fusion energy.

Submitted on: December 3, 2024

Name: Andrew Schall

Class Year(s): 2003

Note: Andrew Schall BS ’03 recently published his new book, The Persona and Journey Map Playbook. While serving as senior director of experience design research at Mayo Clinic, he pioneered a new strategy for creating personas and journey maps to deeply understand user needs and guide product and service experience roadmaps.

Submitted on: November 30, 2024

Name: Ilir Beqiri

Class Year(s): 2010

Note: Ilir Beqiri BS ’10 is an Infantry Regiment Commander with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, one of the first appointed in this position. Ilir graduated from CUS and AUK/RIT.

Submitted on: November 28, 2024

Name: Eric McPhatter

Class Year(s): 2023

Note: Eric McPhatter AAS ’23 started a new job at Gleason back in late September 2024. Eric is currently working as a manufacturing assistant.

Submitted on: November 27, 2024

Name: James Rowe

Class Year(s): 2008

Note: James Rowe BS ’08 published thoughts on AI. AI Primer for Business Leaders is a quick read. Check it out. Thanks RIT. https://www.amazon.com/Primer-Business-Leaders-Demystifying-Generative-ebook/dp/B0DKQSV5H4/

Submitted on: November 26, 2024

Name: Derrick Lee

Class Year(s): 2016

Note: Derrick Lee AAS ’16 was fortunate to gain a Bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University. He was offered a position as a Cottage Counselor, which he has been fulfilling for three years now. He is also pursuing a Master’s degree in Deaf Education. He has been fortunate to travel to different countries to gain a broader perspective and experience. A huge thank you to RIT for everything!

Submitted on: November 26, 2024

Name: Young Kim

Class Year(s): 1992

Note: Congratulations to Kim Young BS ’92, who will retire December 6, 2025.

Submitted on: November 26, 2024