Class Notes
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
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
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