Class Notes

Name: Erin Maher-Moran

Class Year(s): 98, 04

Note: Erin (Maher) Moran BFA ’98 had quite a year in 2024. She was named Higher Ed AV Media’s AV Professional of the Year: https://higheredav.com/2024-higher-ed-av-awards-winners/ and also took over as Chair of the Higher Education Technology Managers Alliance (HETMA). She was also selected by EdTech Magazine as one of the 30 Higher Ed IT Influencers to Follow in 2024: https://edtechmagazine.com/higher/article/2024/09/30-higher-ed-it-influencers-follow-2024. Erin capped off the year by finishing her master’s degree in Engineering from Johns Hopkins University. This is shaping up to be another great year for Erin since she has been called one of the Top 50 voices to follow in higher education for 2025 by: vevox.com https://www.vevox.com/blog/top-50-voices-to-follow-in-higher-education-for-2025.

Submitted on: February 26, 2025

Name: Amy Bridger

Class Year(s): 1993

Note: Amy Bridger BS ’93 maintained her academic career and advised entrepreneurs for years. She decided to create a start-up company of her own. Farmstead Scattering Garden is a mail-in service for spreading cremated ashes on a working farm in northwestern Pennsylvania. They are a fourth-generation farming family who has owned and operated a farm on this site since 1963. Experiences can be customized by designating the timing of the scattering, weather conditions, or enhanced experience options. For example, clients can choose to have ashes scattered on a particular day, during a snowstorm, or on a trail ride via horseback. Clients and or their loved ones can keep up-to-date on farm events through their Facebook page, Farmstead Scattering Garden.

Submitted on: January 30, 2025

Name: Helaina & Sean Kolonay

Class Year(s): 2014

Note: Helaina (Hummel) Kolonay BS ’14, MS ’16 and Sean Kolonay BFA ’14 welcomed their son, Quintin in January 2024.

Submitted on: January 22, 2025

Name: Eric Rakov

Class Year(s): 1996

Note: St. Augustine’s Butterfield Garage Art Gallery will present work from Eric Rakov BFA ’96, their February 2025 featured artist. His exhibit opens on the first Friday Artwalk, February 7 from 5-9 p.m. Eric will give a short artist talk at 6 p.m. to share his journey and discuss his technique. Eric Rakov is an award-winning collage artist who primarily uses recycled magazines as his palette to create vibrant impressionistic artwork. He applies the media in a painterly style, building colors in layers, creating dark shadows and bright highlights. Eric’s subjects range from tabletop still-life scenes to vignettes from his international travels.

Submitted on: January 12, 2025

Name: Kelly Cheatle

Class Year(s): 1999

Note: Kelly Cheatle BFA ’99 is excited to announce her candidacy for Rochester City Council in 2025! With over two decades of experience as artistic director at Airigami (www.airigami.com), Kelly has led large-scale community artistic installations worldwide, showcasing the power of collaborative creation. The foundation of her skills was formed as a graphic design undergrad at RIT, giving her a unique perspective as an artist and problem-solver. After years of advocating for equitable arts funding and leading a successful David vs. Goliath campaign to prevent the privatization of public space in downtown Rochester, Kelly is ready to bring her collaborative approach to local government. Supporters can follow and support her campaign by visiting her official website: www.VoteforKelly.com.

Submitted on: January 10, 2025

Name: MIchael Sciotti

Class Year(s): 1988

Note: Michael Sciotti BS ’88 is practicing law at Barclay Damon LLP. In December 2024, Michael was awarded the Honorable George Lowe Pro Bono Service Award by the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York. This is only the second time the award has been given out in the history of the Court.

Submitted on: January 5, 2025

Name: Branden Jaquays

Class Year(s): 95, 12

Note: Branden Jaquays BFA ’12 became a NYS licensed Funeral Director, Fall 2024, and works at Frary Funeral Home in Tupper Lake, NY.

Submitted on: January 1, 2025

Name: Mehwish Nasir

Class Year(s): 2008, 2010

Note: Mehwish Nasir MBA ’10 was recognized for Expertise in Business Technology and Consulting on July 15, 2024. (Ref: https://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/513832/mehwish-nasir-mba-recognized-for-expertise-in-business-technology-and-consulting). Mehwish, an executive board member at OPEN (Organization of Pakistani Entrepreneurs) Global (San Jose, CA) is a Pakistani Canadian American and a former Fulbright Scholar (2008-2010) to the U.S.A. Mehwish was inducted as Marquis Who’s Who-Honored Listee in America (2024-2025); and as Marquis Who’s Who of Professional Women, Professional Women Honoree (October 2024) and Honoree, Distinguished Worldwide Humanitarian (August 2024). Ref: https://whoswhoofprofessionalwomen.com/mehwish-nasir/ and https://worldwidehumanitarian.com/2024/08/28/mehwish-nasir/

Submitted on: January 1, 2025

Name: Taylor Rakocy

Class Year(s): 2018

Note: Conor McKaig BS ’19 and Taylor Rakocy BFA ’18 met at RIT in April 2016 and were married in Rochester in April 2024. They were surrounded by incredible friends from school as they celebrated their long awaited union at the Harro East Ballroom.

Submitted on: December 29, 2024

Name: Kate Gunderson

Class Year(s): 2015

Note: Kate Gunderson BS ’16 graduated from the National Test Pilot School’s rigorous year-long Flight Test Engineer Professional course on December 13, 2024, as the only female student in her class. In addition to an EASA Cat I Lead FTE certification, she also earned an MS in Flight Test Engineering. In the new year, Kate will begin working as an FTE in developmental flight test at Northrop Grumman.

Submitted on: December 18, 2024