Class Notes
Name: Collette V. Fournier
Class Year(s): 1979
Note: Collette V. Fournier ‘79 (GAP) presents Africa: 24/7: The Legacy of Black Visual Culture, a documentary series capturing photographic images in Ghana over four visits (2007, 2010, 2017, 2025). The work reflects the vibrancy, resilience, and energy of everyday life, highlighting a country that works day and night to remain strong and independent. The exhibition features 25–26 prints, including 20 recent images from March 2025 and earlier works from 2010 and 2017. Exhibition Dates: Nov. 3, 2025 – Dec. 19, 2025 at Finkelstein Memorial Library, Spring Valley, NY.
Submitted on: October 27, 2025
Name: William O’Such
Class Year(s): 1988
Note: William O’Such MS ’88 (KGCOE) is consulting on strategy and corporate development in embedded and edge computing. William has also found a passion for street photography in Paris and San Francisco.
Submitted on: October 26, 2025
Name: Valerie O’Hara
Class Year(s): 1976
Note: Valerie O’Hara ’76 (FAA) was awarded The Leo Dodd Heritage Preservation award by Historic Brighton in November. The lifetime achievement award celebrates Valerie’s 60-year commitment to the art and preservation of architectural stained glass in Western New York.
Submitted on: October 26, 2025
Name: Jessica Brock-Schlageter
Class Year(s): 2022
Note: Jessica Brock-Schlageter ’22 (GCCIS) and Drake Busdiecker ’22 (GCCIS) got engaged in August 2025. The couple met freshman year at RIT, where they came for a better future, and left with a partner for life!
Submitted on: October 25, 2025
Name: Shqipe Neziri Vela
Class Year(s): 2007
Note: Shqipe Neziri Vela ’07 (CAST) has been included in the inaugural Women’s Sustainability Power List 2025 by the Lean In Network for her leadership in promoting transparency, energy governance, and sustainable development.
Submitted on: October 25, 2025
Name: Rick Iekel
Class Year(s): 1975
Note: Rick Iekel ’75 (CCE) attended RIT’s annual Golden Circle breakfast, honoring those celebrating 50 years or more as alumni. A graduate of the Transportation Management curriculum, he notes that his night-school experience was a valuable asset in his workplace roles, where he served as director of aviation at Rochester’s Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport. In retirement, he has written a book about the airport’s origin and development, The ROC: Journey Thru the 20th Century.
Submitted on: October 25, 2025
Name: Muhamad Hafizi Mohd Thahrir
Class Year(s): 2012
Note: Muhamad H. Mohd Thahrir ’12 (COS) took a leap of faith to grab a new opportunity as a takaful advisor (Great Eastern Takaful) to strengthen sales and relationship-building skills, while continuing to explore areas to make a bigger career impact.
Submitted on: October 25, 2025
Name: Daniel Dister
Class Year(s): 1980
Note: Dan Dister ’80 (GAP) retired after 37 years of federal service, including 7 years in the US Army, primarily in the field of cybersecurity, and 3 1/2 years as chief information security officer for the State of New Hampshire. Dan is happily back to practicing photography full-time.
Submitted on: October 24, 2025
Name: Don Gala
Class Year(s): 1978
Note: Don Gala, Ph.D., ’78 (CLA) returned to Judo training after a 49-year hiatus. In May 2025 he entered in the 2025 USA Judo Senior National Championships in Birmingham, Alabama and won first place (M9 100kg+). Recently, Dr. Gala was promoted to Nikyu/Brown Belt and continues his training toward Ikkyu. Dr. Gala hopes to become a certified Judo Referee (gratis) to help and serve younger students of Judo during competitions.
Submitted on: October 24, 2025
Name: Ruthanne Orth
Class Year(s): 1977
Note: Ruthanne Orth ’77 (CAST), Dennis Brannon ’77 (CAST), Don Stein ’77 (CAST), Jack Beadling ’77 (CAST) and their spouses gathered May 2025 in Brighton, NY, to reminisce and celebrate almost 50 years since their graduation.
Submitted on: October 24, 2025