Class Notes

Name: Bruce Rubin

Class Year(s): 1976

Note: Bruce Rubin BS ’76 has just retired after finishing as a leader in the Mediterranean Foods category. Bruce became CEO of Tribe Mediterranean Foods in the late 90s and led the company to national prominence as the Hummus category leader before selling the company to Osem Foods, a subsidiary of Nestle. Bruce is enjoying life with his wife, Kathy Mahony and their 2 Goldens, Buoy and Beacon.

Submitted on: November 26, 2024

Patrick Applegate BS ’04 is ready for the transition

Name: Patrick Applegate

Class Year(s): 2004

Note: Patrick Applegate BS ’04 will be retiring from military active duty effective August 1, 2025. After 21 years as an air force officer, and B-52H aviator, it is time to transition to the next phase of life and career. During Patrick’s career there was the opportunity to successfully lead working groups and teams of teams comprised of 20-500+ personnel across diverse disciplines to solve the Department of Defenses’ toughest challenges in peacetime, humanitarian assistance, crisis operations, and combat operations. It has been a rewarding career that has taken Patrick all over the globe to six continents, and numerous countries. From Patrick’s time at RIT, CO-OP, and the military, Patrick gained experience in project and program management, classified environments, advanced programs, six-sigma, lean manufacturing, and material science. Patrick looks forward to an opportunity to apply these skills in a challenging and rewarding career in the civilian or defense industries in the next phase of life.

Submitted on: November 26, 2024

Andy Warhol for Resident Aliens 1980

Name: ROBERT (BOB) KISS

Class Year(s): 1969, 1974

Note: Robert Kiss AAS ’71 has a new website comprised of over 50 years of photography from Robert’s earliest creative efforts to two decades as a fashion, celebrity, and advertising photographer, and continuing with the past 30 years of fine art and personal photography in Barbados! Visit: www.bobkiss.com.

Submitted on: November 26, 2024

Name: Jennifer Walkowski

Class Year(s): 2001

Note: Jennifer Walkowski BFA ’01 accepted a new position at the NY Office of General Services, Design & Construction as capital restoration coordinator. In this role, Ms. Walkowski will oversee historic preservation of the NY State Capitol, the Empire State Plaza, and the Executive Mansion, as well as other resources in the OGS portfolio of properties. Ms. Walkowski earned a master’s degree in Architectural History from the University of Virginia.

Submitted on: November 26, 2024

Vikas Motwan MBA ’23 profile photo

Name: Vikas Motwani

Class Year(s): 2023

Note: Vikas Motwan MBA ’23 recently joined Zycus, the US Delivery, as a program director. Zycus has offices all across the globe, headquartered in USA.

Submitted on: November 25, 2024

Name: Ethan Feldman

Class Year(s): 2007

Note: Ethan Feldman BS ’07 was recently promoted to engineering manager at Northwestern Mutual.

Submitted on: November 25, 2024

Cognition Chronicles: Destiny’s Orphans

Name: J.R. Bale

Class Year(s): 1981

Note: J.R. Bale BS ’81 published his third novel, Cognition Chronicles: Destiny’s Orphans.

Submitted on: November 25, 2024

Book to help end the pandemic of loneliness

Name: Lynne Damianos

Class Year(s): 1981

Note: Lynne Damianos BS ’81 recently published the book: Solitude, Community, Hope: An Anthology. It is a collection of poetry, prose, and images. From the pain of loneliness to the joy of voluntary solitude, to the building of community and the hope for a better future, the contributors to this compilation explore a diversity of emotions and perspectives. The personal stories, artwork, and creative expressions offer a unique and authentic perspective on loneliness. It is a collection that helps us recognize and appreciate that despite our differences, we all have a common need for human contact and connection. All proceeds earned for book sales will be donated to First Parish Framingham, a Unitarian Universalist congregation, as it seeks to offer programming to end the epidemic of loneliness. Books may be ordered from SilverStreetMedia.com Edited by Brett Peruzzi Cover illustration © Marianne Orlando Designed by Joanne Sarkar Published by Damianos Publishing, November 2024

Submitted on: November 25, 2024

assistant town manager, John Letteney BS ’83

Name: John Letteney

Class Year(s): 1983

Note: After 43 years in law enforcement in New York, Georgia and North Carolina, John Letteney BS ’83 retired from the policing profession and accepted a position as assistant town manager for the Town of Morrisville, North Carolina. In this role, Jon has the responsibility for several municipal departments and serves as a member of the senior leadership team, working with department heads and the Town Council to advance their vision and enhance the quality of life in Morrisville.

Submitted on: November 25, 2024

Guest’s line up to congratulate the newlyweds

Name: Velvet Howland

Class Year(s): 2023

Note: Velvet Howland BS ’23 married Nathan Holtby at Fair Haven Beach State Park on September 1, 2024. It was a lovely day and many members of the RIT Women’s Rowing team came out to support! RIT alum, Michael DeFranco BFA ’24 captured their day via video.

Submitted on: November 25, 2024