VOX: Voices of Expression

photograph by Robert Luessen

JAYADEV ALAPATI NEW MEDIA PUBLISHING FOURTH YEAR

What is your greatest fear?

Driving a formula one car at top speed. It is

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

What is something that people hate about you?

my greatest fear but it is something I really

Nurburg, Germany. I want go to the

I don’t think people hate me for this but I have

want to do someday.

Nurburgring and race on the track. It is

managed to annoy a lot of people with my

the toughest, most dangerous and most

crazy driving. I am that guy with a blue sports

demanding purpose-built racing circuit in the

car who drives like crazy on campus.

world.

What is your most memorable moment at RIT?

What are you most passionate about?

The RIT vs UNH NCAA East Reagional final

Cars and racing them.

hockey game in Albany, NY.

photograph by Robert Luessen

SHERISE ALEXIS ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRST YEAR

If you had 10 seconds to impress someone, what would you do or say?

What was the most memorable class you’ve had?

I don’t remember…

With 10 seconds to impress someone, I would

If you had to choose between burning to death or freezing to death, which would you choose?

Even though I’m from Miami, I pick freezing to death! I figure that I’ll at least go numb after

can speak Portuguese. It always makes me

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

sound exotic.

Europe. I’ve always wanted to take the train

people in history being punished by being

and go from country to country in Europe.

frozen to the stake!

start talking about how I lived in Brazil and

What is your greatest aspiration after graduation?

I want to work for an international company that will allow me to travel. I still haven’t decided what I want to be when I grow up, but I definitely want to travel.

awhile. Besides, burning hurts! You don’t see

photograph by Robert Luessen

SOMARA ATKINSON FIRST YEAR GAME DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT

What was your most embarrassing moment in college?

What is your greatest aspiration after graduation?

What is something that people love about you?

Probably when I fell asleep in programming

To start my own game development company

The sexy dred locks. You can’t tell me you

and broke my chair. For anyone who has used

and NOT get bought out by Electronic Arts or

haven’t looked at my hair and thought, “Man, I

the chair in the back of the game design lab

Activision. I’d hate to do all that work only for

need to talk to him for some tips to get myself

since then, my bad.

one of them to come along and say, “Hey, we

some sexy dred locks!”

own you now, kthxbai.”

What brought you to RIT? school. That, and I was told this school was

What do you think needs improvement at RIT?

very prestigious by my SAT Prep teacher, and

You know when you go into Gracie’s and ask

she was always right about everything.

for chicken nuggets or something and they

Game Design major + wrestling team = perfect

give you like three? Seriously, why would anyone walk all that way for three chicken nuggets? I mean, really.

photograph by Robert Luessen

BRITTANY AUSTIN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY SECOND YEAR

What is your greatest aspiration after graduation?

How do you feel about your major?

I feel that it’s incredibly versatile and will help

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

My greatest aspiration is to ultimately find a

me succeed, but there are days when I feel like

London! I adore those British accents, and am

job that I enjoy going to every day. I want to

I can’t handle another psychology course! For

bit of a Harry Potter and Skins nerd, so I think

either work in the corrections system or work

the most part, I do enjoy it, though.

I’d really love it there.

with juvenile delinquents/runaways.

What is your greatest fear?

What was the most memorable class you’ve had?

My greatest fear is losing my independence

Film Arts with Professor Dupre. I had always

and having to listen to someone else for the

wanted to learn how to analyze films, and he’s

rest of my life. I hated life as a teenager!

been able to teach me that and much more! I will always have more appreciation for the art of film because of him.

photograph by Robert Luessen

AYOMIDE BALOGUN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY FIRST YEAR

If you had 10 seconds to impress someone, what would you do or say?

eaten actual food since the night before, my

most people immediately conclude I’m smart

phone fell on the floor, and I leaned over to

once they hear my major. Technology is an

pick it up because I was too lazy to circle

aspect of our society that will continue to

I would just sit there and smile. That always

around my desk. The result? I got lightheaded

expand, and I look forward to be a being a

does it, usually.

and tipped over but was too weak to hold

part of that. Most of the time, the progress

myself up. I fell over along with the chair.

of technology and the results of my projects

What is your greatest fear?

Everyone turned around at the sound and were

blow my mind away and really get me excited.

I don’t have many fears; I guess my greatest

all like, “Are you okay?” I asked for permission

Other times when I’m lost in the course, I’m

fear would be disappointing myself, because

and left the class. Later, I figured out why

that kid in the back going, “whaaaat???!!!”.

I have to live with who I am at the end of the

my professor had looked puzzled; not many

day.

students ask for permission to leave class in college.

What is something that people love about you?

What was your most embarrassing moment in college?

How do you feel about your major?

can take a joke, most of the time.

This happened in class a while back. I hadn’t

I mostly love it because it is challenging and

I would hope that it is my sense of humor; I

photograph by Robert Luessen

RAJ BHALA MANUFACTURING AND MECHANICAL SYSTEMS INTEGRATION SIXTH YEAR

What is something that people love about you?

What is your greatest fear?

Snakes. I am freaking scared of them.

My smile. I smile almost entire day. Everyone sees me smiling, and many have commented that I have a great smile.

What is something that people hate about you?

People think that I show off a lot. I am a bit rude and have a bit of arrogance. They also think that I boast a bit.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

I would go to French Polynesia. I love the

What is your most impressive accomplishment so far?

islands of French Polynesia (especially Bora

I am a director of several iron and steel

have. The rooms of the hotel are on the water

companies in India whose annual revenue is

and it’s like you can jump into the water

near about 100 million U.S. dollars.

with your partner anytime of the day. Truly

Bora and Tahiti) and the pure blue water they

romantic.

photograph by Robert Luessen

ALI BIRD ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS FOURTH YEAR

What is something that people love about you?

What is your greatest fear?

course load is so rough that boys with no

My greatest fear is E.T. He is wrinkly, has no

social skills barely have time to develop any.

My sense of humor is so offensive and dirty. I

legs, has an expanding neck, HUGE eyes, and

Cut the poor kids some slack!

mostly make jokes that involve dead babies,

screams like an old lady being hit by a car.

disgusting sex moves, or I just walk around

Also, he turns white when he’s sick, and that’s

saying, “that’s what SHE said.” I can always

just freaky. I first saw the movie when I was 5

make someone laugh, even if they’re in the

and it still haunts my dreams.

worst mood.

If you had to choose between burning to death or freezing to death, which would you choose?

I would definitely choose freezing to death

What do you think needs improvement at RIT?

because you go numb before you die. Burning

I think they should offer etiquette classes

And freezing to death may be slower, but it’s

That my hair is red. I’m not sure if they’re

for men. Although I have come across some

less painful because you simply can’t feel

jealous or think I might eat their soul, but I get

amazing guys while here, many of them

anything! Plus then you can take my frozen

a lot of crap for being a ginger.

simply don’t know how to communicate with

body home and put it in the corner of your

women or anyone in general. I feel that the

living room.

What is something that people hate about you?

to death would also be too cliché for a ginger.

photograph by Robert Luessen

CASEY BITZBERGER NEW MEDIA PUBLISHING THIRD YEAR

Something that people love about you?

What is your most impressive accomplishment so far?

What are you passionate about?

Simply put, people love my hair. I have been

For some it might be getting that job offer or

and solve puzzles and to do yoga and to

growing it out for years now and received

being accepted into college, but my greatest

color in coloring books (yes, I still do!). Books

many nice compliments about it. The summer

achievement will always be the day when I

provide me with endless information; some

after my freshman year at RIT I was a camp

bought my first car. I was 16-years-old and had

offer pages to color on while others can offer

counselor at an overnight boys and girls

been saving since I was 12. She was a ‘98 Ford

escape. Dance and yoga offer me a way to

camp in the Poconos of Pennsylvania. I had a

Explorer and she was the most beautiful thing

move my body and feel invigorated. And

group of about 10 7-year-old little girls. Every

I had seen in my entire life. I named her Bianca

I am endlessly trying to figure things out;

morning they would fight over who got to hold

and loved her until the day she died. Not

whether it’s a person or a concept, puzzles are

my hand to breakfast. Those that weren’t fast

many people can say that at the age of 16 they

everywhere.

enough to get a hand grabbed a lock of my

bought their own car and paid the insurance

hair, which they could actually reach.

for a year, but I can.

I love to read. I love to learn. I love to dance

photograph by Robert Luessen

YASMINE BOUDHAOUIA INTERNATIONAL STUDIES THIRD YEAR

What brought you to RIT? A song I heard while I was on a tour here. My

What is your greatest aspiration after Graduation?

If you could travel anywhere where would you go and why?

mom and I came for a visit to see my cousin

Getting accepted into Peace Corps. I’ve heard

I would go to Micronesia, unless the time

and we decided why not look at RIT. We

it’s pretty hard to get in though!

frame is this summer. If it is this summer

were touring the dorms in the Grace Watson

then South Africa for the World Cup, if not

building and the song “Lover I Don’t Have to

How do you feel about your major?

Micronesia because I have a had a weird

Love” by Bright Eyes was coming from one of

International Studies was definitely a good

fascination with it ever since middle school

the rooms. Bright Eyes was my favorite band at

choice. The major’s requirements could use

when I was in a Geography Bee.

the time and it was the first song of theirs that

some working out, it’s a new major here. The

I had heard. RIT also happened to have my

content is what is most attractive about it.

major. Things happen for a reason. I believe in

It probably wont be useful at all without a

What is your most memorable moment at RIT?

fate and signs, it was a huge sign.

Masters degree or higher though.

Meeting my freshmen for the first time as an Orientation Assistant!

photograph by Robert Luessen

SCOTT BUREAU ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS THIRD YEAR

What was the most memorable class you’ve had?

because I did well on the test and have hearing aids. The thing is, I hear fine and don’t know

“Peoples’ knees. Cover your knees up if

Internet Marketing with Professor Neil Hair.

any sign. My friends say I’m the worst deaf

you’re gonna be walking around everywhere.”

Between the consultancy project in which I

person ever. Sweet!

- Charlie Kelly of It’s Always Sunny in

created a professional marketing plan for a

What is your greatest fear?

Philadelphia.

But seriously, I don’t like people’s knees.

was always learning and having fun. He is one

What is your most impressive accomplishment so far?

of the toughest teachers I’ve ever had here at

I’m an ADK 46er. That means that I climbed

RIT, but the all-nighters were definitely worth

the 46 highest peaks in New York State that

What is your most memorable moment at RIT?

it.

are over 4,000 feet above sea level. Hiking is

Makin’ whoopee in the Wallace Library (4th

definitely one of my favorite things to do and I

Floor). Best Thursday night study session ever!

real client and his British accent and humor, I

What brought you to RIT? I took the ACTs in my senior year. I was called down to the guidance office one day and told that RIT wanted me to go to their school

can’t wait to finish my Winter 46.

photograph by Robert Luessen

MALIKA BUTLER NEW MEDIA DESIGN & IMAGING FIRST YEAR

What brought you to RIT? I love zodiac signs. After I narrowed colleges to

What was the most memorable class you’ve had?

What do you think needs improvement at RIT?

my final five, I choose the tiger – Ritchie.

Drawing with Cliff Wun; inspiration, life, and

The lack of hygiene in the bathrooms, but I

art all in a single class.

don’t think that’s going to change.

It would probably the classic “changing in

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?

my room and having a floormate opening the

Singapore, to meet up with my favorite

A sheep, because they’re adorable, cute, and

door.”

photographer.

fluffy. All of which are things I love.

What was your most embarrassing moment in college?

photograph by Robert Luessen

EMMA BUYNISKI ILLUSTRATION THIRD YEAR

What is something that people love about you?

How do you feel about your major?

I give great hugs.

worth it.

What is your greatest aspiration after graduation?

What do you think needs improvement at RIT?

I’d like to own and run my own tattoo/piercing

Last year I saw a guy in a fish suit pass one of

shop.

my classrooms. I think we need more of him.

I love it. It’s a lot of hard work, but definitely

If you could be any inanimate object/animal/indigenous plant variety, what would you be and why?

I would be a giant squid. They have all the fun.

photograph by Robert Luessen

DANIEL CIRILIO NEW MEDIA MARKETING FOURTH YEAR

If you had 10 seconds to impress someone, what would you do or say?

What is your most memorable moment at RIT?

Has anyone at RIT inspired you?

How and why?

Most memorable moment was hurling tequila

Bill Destler. He has a vision and seems to

I would speak softly and carry a big stick. Tell

and salad back into a toilet bowl my freshman

be able to realize it while working with the

them that there is surely a purpose for them

year on a dorm floor I didn’t live on. The RA

students and faculty as opposed to against

on this earth.

was female and couldn’t really get me out of

them. Business leaders could take a page from

there.

him.

How do you feel about your major?

What brought you to RIT?

What is your greatest aspiration after graduation?

and made very little sense. I stayed in it only

If you could be any inanimate object, what would you be and why?

for the name. I should have switched back to a

Floor Lamp. I’m decorative, Taller than I am

To teach.

business management or marketing major.

now, and provide illumination to people. “It’s a

The promise of top notch weather.

My major was rotten. It was poorly planned out

good thing”

photograph by Robert Luessen

MEGAN CLEGG GRAPHIC DESIGN FOURTH YEAR

If you had 10 seconds to impress someone, what would you do or say?

What is something that people love about you?

What is your most impressive accomplishment so far?

I’m pretty eccentric. I can be really quiet or

I’ve managed to become kind of campus-

I’d steal their soul and keep it in a jar by my

I can be impossible to shut up. I curse like a

famous for how white I am. And by that, I

bed to use as a nightlight.

sailor and have been told I have an evil laugh.

mean physically pale – white hair, white skin.

If you could be any inanimate object/animal/indigenous plant variety, what would you be and why?

What is your most memorable moment at RIT?

on the top floor of buildings telling me they

All-nighter graphic-design-and-Joss-Whedon

And everyone seems to remember me.

I’ve gotten texts, on sunny days, from people

A six-legged robot unicorn. ‘Cause, c’mon. Sixlegged robot unicorn!

parties. Ah, I love this school.

can see me walking down the quarter mile.

photograph by Robert Luessen

ZACHARY COHN MULTIDISCIPLINARY STUDIES FOURTH YEAR

If you had 10 seconds to impress someone, what would you do or say?

What are you most passionate about?

and figure they did their part. Students need

This thing I do called parkour. Running,

– they need to get off their computers,

I would do a backflip!

jumping, climbing, crawling – moving

get outside, and engage people to make a

creatively from one place to another. I like to

difference.

What is your greatest aspiration after graduation?

vault, spin, slide, flip, play, and teach people

I want to go somewhere and do something

impossible.

how to do things that they thought were

good for the world. I’m tired of people using

to schedule meetings, events, demonstrations

If you had to choose between burning to death or freezing to death, which would you choose?

What do you think needs improvement at RIT?

From what I’ve tasted of desire, I hold with

that don’t improve the world. Whatever I do in life, I don’t want my contribution to humanity

People need to remember that they CAN

twice, I think I know enough of hate to say that

to be adding a few 0s to someone’s bank

make a difference, and that they can change

for destruction ice is also great.

account.

anything. Too often people hear something

their knowledge to make or promote things

they don’t like, then join a Facebook group

those who favor fire. But if I had to perish

photograph by Robert Luessen

JULIANA CULBERT NEW MEDIA PUBLISHING SECOND YEAR

What brought you to RIT?

How do you feel about your major?

I know a lot of people say the co-op program,

I love it. Some classes are better than others,

What are you most passionate about?

but that really is one of the major reasons

but I can’t see myself studying anything else.

Identifying typefaces. And print.

experienced people in the industry and they

What was the most memorable class you’ve had?

If you could be any object, what would you be and why?

all love what they do. It’s hard for many people

My Film Arts class was marvelous. We

I would be a sea turtle. They are some of the

to say that. Plus, since I’m from Florida, I had

watched movies each week and got to learn

coolest creatures on earth and they live a long,

never lived in the Northeast, and I figured that

about all the different symbolism in each

long time. Anyone seen Finding Nemo? Isn’t

college would be a good chance to try. It’s only

movie. Also, Mark Dupré is awesome.

that explanation enough?

I decided to pick RIT. The professors in my major are some of the most interesting and

four years, right?

photograph by Robert Luessen

DAVID CZARNIAK INFORMATION SECURITY AND FORENSICS FIRST YEAR

What is something that people hate about you?

What are you most passionate about?

Damn near everything. I’m a cynical bastard

If you had 10 seconds to impress someone, what would you do or say?

who finds ways to justify how horrible human

“Remember the guy dressed as Raptor jesus

time. I’ve been wearing it for 6 years and I tend

tragedies are actually good things. Some of

carrying the life-sized cross this halloween...

to get VERY protective over it.

my better rants include topics such as “I hope

Yeah that was me.”

My hat, I wear a black soviet ushanka all the

“Well Haiti is known mostly for kidnapping

What was the most memorable class you’ve had?

and drugs so who the hell cares?” And let’s

My math professor walks into class with her

If you could be any inanimate object/animal/indigenous plant variety, what would you be and why?

not forget The porn nation incident, that way

hair a mess & no make-up. Then I notice she’s

The video game “I wanna be the guy” That

a grrreaat daaayy, and whenever people try to

wearing the same clothes as the day before so

way I would know how to beat myself & would

make me feel bad about it, I just scoff & shrug

I turn to my friends & mutter “Walk of shame”

laugh myself to an infinite loop every time

New Orleans gets hit with another hurricane so the stupid people who MOVED BACK die”,

them off.

someone nerd-raged over me.

photograph by Robert Luessen

LAURA DAVIES FILM AND ANIMATION SECOND YEAR

If you had 10 seconds to impress someone, what would you do or say?

What is your most impressive accomplishment so far?

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

Writing, producing, directing and starring in a

Every corner of the world, every color in the

Ever had breakfast in Paris, lunch in London

theater production made in 7 weeks with little

spectrum and every cloud in the sky. There’s

and dinner back home in the US in one day?

to no resources and no background skill for

so much magic in this world that I want to see,

Consider me a Time Lord.

Tora-Con. And no, it wasn’t for college credit,

so many hues I want to taste and cultures I

we weren’t high nor did we get paid. We just

want to learn.

What is your greatest aspiration after graduation?

wanted to do this based on a whim I got early

To establish my own animation studio and

What are you most passionate about?

compete with the big leagues for my shot at a

Life and all of its quirky intricacies, even the

collection of little golden men and globes.

bad and the ugly.

in my freshman year of RIT.

photograph by Robert Luessen

KATHRYN DEFEO ILLUSTRATION FOURTH YEAR

If you had 10 seconds to impress someone, what would you do or say?

What is something that people hate about you?

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

(See previous answer.)

Bowser’s Castle from the original Super Mario

“I have the Nintendo Seal of Approval stamped on my ass.” Then, I would show them.

Bros. It’s warm as Hell in there and that theme

What brought you to RIT? The plentiful herds of neckbeards. They

What is something that people love about you?

The fact that I have the Nintendo Seal of Approval stamped on my ass.

have given my crossbow some much-needed practice.

song still blows my mind.

photograph by Robert Luessen

MICHAEL DELLES COMPUTER ENGINEERING FOURTH YEAR

What is your most memorable moment at RIT?

stolen my heart. I love her very much and

How do you feel about your major?

hope to see her soon, and yes, I’m just like a

I love my major. It gives me a complete view

My most memorable moment at RIT is easily

maple in the springtime.... Sappy.

of the computer from top to bottom. It is also

when I was caught climbing halfway up the

is full of the craziest and most entertaining

a pleasant conversation with them while

What do you think needs improvement at RIT?

waiting for the other officer to arrive. Coolest

We don’t need apartments. Yes, they’re

public safety guy ever.

great but we have more apartments than any

Sentinel by public safety and then having

people I know. We just need to find a way to get rid of our bad publicity.

campus our size that I’ve seen. We need a set

What is something that people love about you?

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

of upper classmen dorms set up away from

I have no idea. I am an arrogant, self, absorbed

the freshmen. The only restriction is that you

jerk who tends to be loud mouthed and speaks

Hmmm, this has me caught between Vienna,

have to be at least a 2nd year to get in them,

before he thinks. If anyone can figure out why

Austria and Cazenovia, NY. While, Vienna is

and if you’re over 21 you can have a limited

so many people love me please let me know.

hands down the best and most fun city I have

amount of alcohol in your room. Now get on it!

ever been in, Cazenovia has this girl that has

photograph by Robert Luessen

ELIZABETH DEL VALLE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AND MARKETING FOURTH YEAR

How do you feel about your major?

business/marketing. It has been the most

Scholars Program and a true mentor) and Dr.

It is my biggest passion and I simply love it!

complete class I’ve taken, since it combines

Deborah Colton (Marketing Professor) Why?

The faculty, the courses and all the support at

everything from basics of the business

Words cant describe how and why ... but when

the College of Business have been invaluable.

world with new trends of the global business

I’ll get my Ph.D. will be because of both of

The International Business program has

environment. Loved the writing projects :)

them ... Essie: Thank you! You have no idea

allowed me to pursue interdisciplinary

how much you’ve change my life and how much you’ve shaped my career interests.

international issues with courses in marketing

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

and management.

Everywhere in South East Asia! The greatest

If you could be any inanimate object/animal/indigenous plant variety, what would you be and why?

interests by combining my fascination with

discovery of my senior year was a great love

What was the most memorable class you’ve had?

and respect for Asian cultures....

Marketing in a Global Environment with John Ward ... I think that class truly allowed

Has anyone at RIT inspired you?

How and why?

me to discover my passion for international

Ms. Essie Sierra-Torres (director of the McNair

A tiger ... I am a territorial person, fearless and loyal.

photograph by Robert Luessen

JOSH DIETRICH APPLIED NETWORKING & SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATION FOURTH YEAR

What is something that people love about you?

What is your most memorable moment at RIT?

What was the most memorable class you’ve had?

Giving amazing massages.

Making E-House’s elevator arrow point up,

Rich Newman’s Modern America History class.

even though they’re on the top floor of NRH.

There aren’t many professors who stand up on desks and deliciously drop the f-bomb when describing the American Revolution.

What is your greatest aspiration after graduation?

What was your most embarrassing moment in college?

Getting a job to pay off my college education.

I asked the girl I rear-ended with my car on a date.

photograph by Robert Luessen

HEATHER DRAKE BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES FIFTH YEAR

If you had 10 seconds to impress someone, what would you do or say?

me to complete my 2nd degree of Biomedical

I would tell them that its still possible, within

Dr. Richard Doolittle for teaching me that it

5 years, to graduate with 2 degrees and see

What is your greatest aspiration after graduation?

the world after being kicked out of school ...

Finish my Captain’s licensing for sailing 200

and it doesn’t matter how many incredibly

Or I would tell them about white-water rafting

ton vessels, then attend Medical School.

impossible/terrible a situation may be - there

Science.

Has anyone at RIT inspired you?

How and why?

Two people more than anyone, but equally:

down the Nile. That was scary as hell.

doesn’t matter how badly you do in school,

is ALWAYS a solution, and you ALWAYS have options. It’s what you do from there.

What brought you to RIT?

What is your most memorable moment at RIT?

I had a grant from National Geographic to

The first day of Gross Anatomy class, and

always a way to make something you want to

continue studying photography, but when a

getting to know my ridiculously obnoxious lab

happen actually happen. But furthermore, that

friend almost died, I joined the RIT ambulance

partner (who I came to adore. But I’ll never tell

more times than you think, you will have to be

and became an EMT. I took Gross Anatomy

him).

the one to pave the road; and not to be afraid

and traveled to Uganda, which motivated

Dr Ian Gatley for teaching me that there is

of that.

photograph by Robert Luessen

KATE DUBUISSON COMPUTER SCIENCE SECOND YEAR

What brought you to RIT?

to bike to class (a bright yellow cruiser bike, at

How do you feel about your major?

Mainly I wanted a change of scene. I’ve lived

that). If I’m wearing pants, it’s either a laundry

I love being in CS. It’s such a diverse field that

in the south my whole life and I had no

day or I’m seriously ill.

there’s pretty much something for everyone;

intention of staying there for college when

you’re not shuttled down one path and, contrary to popular belief, you’re not destined

wanted snow, shoulders on the roads, and of

What is your greatest aspiration after graduation?

course H&M! I was also attracted by Division

I want to be involved in the “next big thing” in

interest in artificial intelligence, which is what

III athletics, since I’m a diehard runner and

computing. My dream is actually to work for a

drew me to CS in the first place. Plus, there’s

wanted to continue at the college level.

small start-up company with the potential to

the possibility of having a huge influence on

be something that people will truly enjoy and

everyday life - computer scientists have a

What is something that people love about you?

use in their everyday lives. Maybe the next

hand in everything from security systems to

Pandora! And if that fails, well, I can still aim

traffic lights. CS majors may be thought of as

I like to think people appreciate my sense of

to become a Pokemon master.

pasty, antisocial uber-gamers, but we’re to

it was my first chance to see other places - I

to end up a code monkey. I personally have an

style. I’m known for wearing poofy dresses,

thank for a lot of the modern amenities people

heels, and crazy headbands year-round, even

take for granted.

photograph by Robert Luessen

JOANNA EBERTS ILLUSTRATION THIRD YEAR

What brought you to RIT?

How do you feel about your major?

A desire to draw medical anatomy. RIT was

I love Illustration. It’s perfect for me. I’m

What was the most memorable class you’ve had?

one of the few universities I found that offered

blessed to have found such an intelligent

Drawing with Cliff Wun. It was... an

medical illustration. So I saddled up all ready

art school. However, I wish we were better

experience. He’s infamous amongst most of

for a career drawing cardiovascular surgeries,

prepared (i.e. internships) before graduation.

the art kids for his attitude and tattoos. Some

only to discover that I puke watching live

I’ve watched a lot of my friends hit winter or

of my closest friends were made in that class,

surgeries. So I became a regular illustrator.

spring quarter their senior year and scramble

despite differences in majors. We bonded

to duel impending reality. A lot of people

through what seemed like insurmountable

What is your greatest fear?

I knew back home were surprised when I

projects at the time. It was there that I first

Definitely losing my hands or losing my mind.

didn’t go off to become a doctor or some sort

put more than eight hours into a piece of art,

I do art, so I guess I could continue that if I lost

of biological engineer, but I honestly believe I

something that I do all the time now. That

my marbles. Losing my hands however, would

have made the right choice. I’d be doodling all

professor was the person who has kicked my

put a damper on doing everything I love.

over my lab reports otherwise.

ass the most and also set me free. He’s a great guy; listen to him, and don’t let him scare you too much.

photograph by Robert Luessen

ERIK ELLINGSON PHOTOJOURNALISM FIRST YEAR

What is your most memorable moment at RIT?

What was the most memorable class you’ve had?

What do you think needs improvement at RIT?

The most memorable moment so far has been

The most memorable class I’ve had so far was

I think the food could use some improvement,

building the box castle in the EPB quad in fall

“Modern American History: Learning Through

Gracie’s isn’t the worst but it could be much

quarter.

Las Vegas” with Professor Nystrom.

better.

How do you feel about your major?

I’m really enjoying my major so far, we haven’t

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

really gotten into any major specific classes

If I could travel anywhere I’d probably go back

yet, so I’ll see.

to Tanzania, because I really miss the culture there.

photograph by Robert Luessen

SARAH WOOLF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING SECOND YEAR

What is something that people love about you?

I do hurt another’s feelings. I like to people

shots of the wedding, I want to cover the

watch, and because of that, often observations

wedding as a journalist and write their love

I have been told time and time again since

just kind of stream from my mouth without

story as it evolves from engagement to the

I arrived here at RIT that I am “too nice.” I

being filtered. .

exchange of vows.

Seeing smiling faces makes my day and I

What is your greatest aspiration after graduation?

What are you most passionate about?

love helping people! Though I get teased

I aspire to open a truly ironic business, a

I am most passionate about making a

relentlessly about it, I think most find it a

photo studio called, “War and Weddings,”

difference. Photography, writing, engineering,

refreshing dissimilarity in character.

covering two classic parts of humanity; love

mission work, teaching; the majority of

and war. The objective of the company will be

my hobbies are born out of my desire to

What is something that people hate about you?

to spend one month out of every year in war

make a difference in the life of others or the

torn places, documenting the tragedy and pain

perception of others. I try to live by Gandhi’s

I am honest to a fault. I have a tendency to be

through freelancing war-photography. For the

quote “Be the change you wish to see in the

brutally honest, in a nice, non-spiteful way. It

rest of the year, I intend to cover weddings in

world.”

is entirely unintentional half of the time when

a whole new way, rather than just snapping

keep telling [people], it’s a little southern/ midwestern hospitality shining through.

photograph by Robert Luessen

JEREMY FREY MECHANICAL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY FIFTH YEAR

What is your most memorable moment at RIT?

What was your most embarrassing moment in college?

What are you most passionate about?

The most appropriate way for me to answer

My roommate waking up while I was in the

Enjoying my college experience to the fullest.

this is, the nights I can’t remember, with the

room having sex, and then proceeding to get

friends I’ll never forget.

up and get our other two housemates and his

What is something that people hate about you?

My honesty and my ability to speak without a filter.

brother who was visiting for the weekend and

What do you think needs improvement at RIT?

all four of them cheering me on while I was

Campus safety needs to be less uptight.

still inside of her.

photograph by Robert Luessen

KAYLA GARRET BIOTECHNOLOGY FOURTH YEAR

What is your most impressive accomplishment so far?

To pick one thing that people love about me

loudly. If I wasn’t a science major, I would

is an impossible task. I can’t name one thing

probably be a film editor.

I recently won the Baldwin Scholarship for

people don’t love about me. But if I were to

the College of Science. It’s only granted to

narrow it down to one, my sense of humor

5 graduating students and it’s for those that

is the clear winner. My humor is it’s dry yet

excel not just academically, but as citizens

colorful; subtle, yet cocky; it’s in your face and

If you had to choose between burning to death or freezing to death, which would you choose?

within the RIT community. To be selected

unabashed.

Dying in a fire is more bad-ass than freezing

shows how highly regarded I am by all of my

especially in the frozen tundra that is Rochester. BUT, it’s also considerably more

keeping my head down. Now that I am looking

What are you most passionate about?

up I am seeing what I have accomplished and

I am very passionate about films. It’s really

bits of bacon. When it comes to facing an icy

it hasn’t gone unnoticed. Winning this award

my second calling. I have no problem sitting

end, I can’t help but envision Southpark’s and

made me not want to change one thing from

for hours on end in front of a screen. One of

Futurama’s bout with time travel and hope for

the past four years. I got it right the first time.

the things that come easily to me is my ability

a chance at similar adventures. Is it weird I

to recall plotlines, actors’ names, directors’

have a thing for Leela?

mentors. I spent 4 years working hard and

What is something that people love about you?

names, and whatnot. Unfortunately for my friends, I also love analyzing films, somewhat

painful even if I were to console myself with

photograph by Robert Luessen

SAMANTHA GEFFEN ASL INTERPRETING THIRD YEAR

What is your great aspiration after graduation?

What is your most impressive accomplishment so far?

How do you feel about your major?

I’ve loved theatre ever since I was little. I’ve

I’ve been roller-skating since I was 5

like crying, but you learn so much from

been interested in interpreting since freshman

and competing since I was 10. I joined a

interpreting that it’s nothing but beneficial.

year of high school, so I’d love to be able to

synchronized skating team in 2004 and skated

As one friend told me, it’s about “performing.”

combine those two passions and become

with them until I transferred to RIT in 2008.

Some days you’ll have good days and others

a performing arts interpreter. Who knows,

My most impressive accomplishment was

you won’t; you just need to know how to take

maybe you’ll see me on Broadway one day.

having the chance to go to Italy and Australia

your frustration and make yourself a better

with my team for the World Competition, the

person. Interpreting is a versatile profession

What is your most memorable moment at RIT?

roller-skating equivalent to the Olympics. I

with the ability to travel anywhere and

was able to travel to – and make friends from

interpret for anyone.

Having the chance to watch the men’s hockey

– another country. Not many people can say

team make history when they beat Denver and

that they’re competitive roller skaters, but how

then beat UNH. I wasn’t a hockey fan until I got

many people are also able to say that they’ve

to RIT, but I’m glad that I was able to be a part

represented their country?

of RIT history, even if it was just as a fan.

Honestly, there are some days when I feel

photograph by Robert Luessen

KATIE HAUGH NEW MEDIA PUBLISHING FOURTH YEAR

What brought you to RIT? First the hot guys playing WoW on their

What is something that people hate about you?

computers all day that are super pasty, but

I’m pasty white.

then probably the awesome printing program.

What is something that people love about you?

I’m pasty white.

If you had to choose between burning to death or freezing to death, which would you choose?

Burning cause I’d at least die with a tan.

What do you think needs improvement at RIT? The amount of pasty kids at the school. They need to encourage outside activities instead of LAN parties.

photograph by Robert Luessen

ARIANA INFOZINO INDUSTRIAL DESIGN THIRD YEAR

What is something that people love about you?

What is your greatest aspiration after graduation?

What is your most impressive accomplishment so far?

Probably my ability to be spontaneous. I’m

I’d like to invent a pair of shoes that will allow

My most impressive accomplishment would

very dedicated to this school-I love RIT-but on

me to fly out west so I can hike some 14,000

be running two half-marathons last year. I’m

any given weekend I’ll pick up and go to the

footers, and also run an ultra-marathon or

really proud to have accomplished balancing

Adirondacks or New York City for some type of

two with the Tarahumara, while creating time

life here while training for my first big race.

climbing, hiking, or social event. This January,

to allow for creating my newest product-of

I took up running after my freshman year

I went to Tampa Bay’s Annual Gasparilla

course while climbing El Cap at the same time.

because I wanted to be healthier and also to

Festival. It’s basically like a Pirate themed

So I guess that makes my greatest aspiration

see what I could handle as an athlete. Once I

Mardi Gras, where thousands of Pirates take

to have Superfeet.

ran the first, I trained throughout summer and

over the town. The following weekend I

fall to improve my time by 15 minutes. That

went skiing up at Wildcat Mountain across

was awesome. Everyone should run.

from Mount Washington. I’m always doing something adventurous.

photograph by Robert Luessen

KERSTIN JAKIELA VISUAL MEDIA SECOND YEAR

What brought you to RIT?

What is your greatest fear?

All of these bricks. yeah I love bricks.

Objects with lots of holes in them. Damn things make me squirm.

If you could be any inanimate object/animal/indigenous plant variety, what would you be and why?

A giraffe, they’ve got long tongues. Good for snogging.

What is something that people love about you?

How do you feel about your major?

My can do attitude!

and get forgotten about. Then we get the short

We’re thrown in with all of the photo majors end of the stick when we decide to concentrate in graphic design or print media.

photograph by Robert Luessen

KATIE KASARDA GRAPHIC DESIGN FOURTH YEAR

If you had 10 seconds to impress someone, what would you do or say?

How do you feel about your major?

Graphic Design since changing my major to

If you had to choose between burning to death or freezing to death, which would you choose?

I would just make out with them. Is that okay

it. I used to be New Media Design and that

If I’ve learned anything while living in

to say? I hear I’m a great kisser, so there’s

sucked, so I made the big switch. I’m much

Rochester, I’d rather have a quick, painful

really no better way. Let’s do this.

happier now.

fiery death than have to think, “HOLY FUCK

What is your most impressive accomplishment so far? award. I’m not really sure for what. I remember

If you could be any inanimate object/animal/indigenous plant variety, what would you be and why?

getting a book for it, and thinking, “A book?

A microphone so I can be oh so close to your

What is this garbage?”

luscious lips. Oh baby, oh baby.

I absolutely love it. I’ve learned so much about

I’M COLD” over and over again ‘til I died. Then

In 5th grade I got the John James Audubon

again, I’m a big baby whenever I burn my ear with my straightener. I’m gonna have to man up!

photograph by Robert Luessen

JACQUELINE KERN FILM AND ANIMATION FOURTH YEAR

What is your greatest aspiration after graduation?

What was the most memorable class you’ve had?

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

To be a teller of great stories.

AE: Writing for Sociology. I wrote a paper

If I could travel anywhere I would go into orbit

exploring the society of geeks, and found out I

around earth. A couple laps around the planet

What is your most memorable moment at RIT?

wanted to be one in the process!

would be awesome!

When I fell in love

What do you think needs improvement at RIT? The winter. It’s too long!

photograph by Robert Luessen

TREVOR KEY COMPUTER ENGINEERING – SOFTWARE OPTION FIFTH YEAR

How do you feel about your major?

I have always been fascinated by computers,

What do you think needs improvement at RIT?

What is your most impressive accomplishment so far?

and now I can design, build, and program one

There needs to be more interaction between

I count convincing the Christian and GLBT

from scratch. Truly there is no better way to

the great number of unique groups on

communities on campus to sit through a

spend your money than towards learning how

campus. People don’t venture outside of

lecture together (and interact afterward) and

to make a career out of enslaving computers.

their comfort zones much when it comes to

convincing RIT to pay for it all as my greatest.

It is empowering to realize that I am one of the

social interaction at RIT. I am impressed by

I did not do so single-handedly, but I doubt it

factors leading to the impending robot revolt.

how little time it takes people to switch from

would have happened without me.

being accepting of some very strange things

What was the most memorable class you’ve had?

to spewing vitriolic comments involving stereotypes.

What is your greatest aspiration after graduation?

Maybe it was Circuits I with Prof. Cliver, which

I hope to someday be able to say that I have

met in a conference room, with homemade

played capture the flag in a Wal-Mart. Then I

cookies every Wednesday, a bonfire at the end

shall run for president of something.

of the quarter, and lectures about being an “eng-a-neer.”

photograph by Robert Luessen

DAE-KUN KIM SECONDARY EDUCATION GRADUATE STUDENT

How do you feel about your major? about deaf education. Apparently there’s much

What RIT needs to work on is weather – oh

If you had to choose between burning to death or freezing to death, which would you choose?

more to it than having my own classroom and

wait, you need to be God to do that! I guess

I think I’ll go with burning to death. I plan

having students worship me. It’s different

second on the list would be more Asian and

to be cremated when I die, so I might as well

though - I graduated from RIT with an IT

Deaf influence around the campus. Compared

as hit two birds with one stone – die and be

degree, and it’s definitely some big change I

to other groups, I think we’re the most

cremated at the same time.

chose. I don’t regret it though.

underrated group.

What is your greatest fear?

To die alone. I suffer from mild monophobia

What are you most passionate about?

(not diagnosed though!); I’d rather be around

If it wasn’t obvious enough in my previous

the people I like, or I freak out. Oh, and the

statement, I’m passionate about spreading the

flying spaghetti.

Asian love.

It’s challenging, yet I’m learning so much

What do you think needs improvement at RIT?

photograph by Robert Luessen

MARY KOLBER INDUSTRIAL DESIGN THIRD YEAR

If you had 10 seconds to impress someone, what would you do or say?

What is your greatest aspiration after graduation?

What was your most embarrassing moment in college?

My greatest aspiration after graduation is to

My most embarrassing moment in college was

If I had ten seconds to impress someone, I

have my own line of faucets or lighting.

during a recent critique, when I showed my

would play the beginning of the “Inspector Gadget” theme song on a tuba.

project ideas to the rest of the class and people

How do you feel about your major?

I think Industrial Design covers a lot of ground

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

and really makes you think about every

If I could travel anywhere, I would go to

make a product functional and out-of-the-box

Belgium. I imagine Belgium is beautiful and

thinking to make a product appealing. It’s like

full of top notch chocolate.

answering a question that has no specifically

detail. Design combines rational thinking to

correct answer.

started making poop jokes.

photograph by Robert Luessen

MARLANA YACCI ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS FOURTH YEAR

How do you feel about your major?

I love it. My department has the best events,

What is your most impressive accomplishment so far?

and our classes and really interesting

I conducted research on the concept of

If you could be an inanimate object/ plant/animal what would you be and why?

and involved. Our professors know how

credibility on Facebook marketing for my

I’d be a hydrangea. They are really pretty and

to keep class work entertaining and fun

senior thesis in communications. Oh and my

change colors based on the pH level of their

while challenging us. I feel like I’m giving

family trained our cats to use the toilets.

soil.

a testimonial for my department in an infomercial. (Very fitting with my major being Advertising)

If you had ten seconds to impress someone what would you do or say?

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

I would make them one of my awesome ice

I would go to Australia. It looks gorgeous and

would probably be a mess because I would

the wildlife there is fascinating.

have to make it in 10 seconds.

cream sundaes with all of the fixings but it

photograph by Robert Luessen

CHAD T. KROHN PACKAGING SCIENCE FIRST YEAR

What brought you to RIT? The diversity of people — you have different

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

cultures and background — and its good work

If I could travel anywhere, I would travel up to

to see what you will be dealing with in years to

the top of the sentinel. I mean, who else do you

If you could be any inanimate object/animal/indigenous plant variety, what would you be and why?

come in the workplace.

know who has been to the top of the Sentinel?

I would want to be the Sentinel. I mean why

Why would I go there? It’s one of the highest

wouldn’t I? Who wouldn’t want to be a guy

points on campus, and it’s pretty much in the

riding a horse statue? The Sentinel is just

middle of campus.

freaking awesome.

What is your most memorable moment at RIT? Being able to stuff a futon, three dressers and three desks into a double dorm room

What is your greatest fear?

and having it all work out. Good thing my

EGS LAN Tournaments.

roommate isn’t mad.

photograph by Robert Luessen

EMILY LEVINE GRAPHIC DESIGN FIRST YEAR

What are you most passionate about?

What brought you to RIT?

Most of my passions revolve around food. I

was and that all the buildings had similar

If you had to choose between burning to death or freezing to death, which would you choose?

love cooking it, eating it, and looking at it. I get

architecture. The graphic design program is

The holocaust is something near and dear to

really excited when I go to mega-Wegs, walk

really impressive. The campus is not in the

my heart, so I would have to say freezing to

up and down the aisles, and look at all of the

city but close to one. It’s easy to get home, and

death. I mean is a Rochester winter really that

options.

the food selection has enough variety.

different from freezing to death?

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

What is your most memorable moment at RIT?

I plan to go backpacking in Europe with my

My most recent memorable moment at RIT is

siblings. Experiencing the culture all around

when the hockey team returned from Albany

Europe would be an incredible experience. I

and a throng was waiting for them at the

also want to go to Egypt and Australia one day.

Sentinel at 2 a.m. Everyone was beaming that

When I visited, I liked how organized RIT

night.

photograph by Robert Luessen

PETE LOWRY INDUSTRIAL ENGINEER FIFTH YEAR

What is your most memorable moment at RIT?

really close to my dorm room!) I had to just

in 2 to 3 years) who joke around with everyone

stand there in a towel and pretend it wasn’t

who comes in, the random people who call the

Running out of a packed RIT hockey game,

anything out of the ordinary, which is hard to

Northside NRH elevator from time to time to

which we won, with my buddy John on my

do when you have an Austin Powers chest.

chat with students, the janitor who used to

back yelling, “go RIT!” I carried him past the

bring us ‘Bum Fight’ videos, the people who censor the RIT Rings with hilarious non-

out the back door by the old Reporter office,

Has anyone at RIT inspired you?

How and why?

before falling over from a combination of

Much of the Industrial Engineering

lovin’cup for allowing me to get a $2 PBR on

school spirit and exhaustion. I’m not a big guy,

department, several of my philosophy

campus before lunch, EH for holding SIH

so that was quite a feat for me!

professors, all the kids brave enough to

traditions strong, and yes, I am even inspired

express their inner nerd with any assortment

by that kid who doesn’t wear shoes, I mean,

What was your most embarrassing moment in college?

of video game and comic book apparel, the

have you seen his feet in the winter? It’s a

people who put on that Ritchie mascot outfit

sight to see!

The time someone’s mom caught me shaving

and walk campus regardless of the weather,

in the girls’ bathroom during move-in. (It was

the ladies at Gracie’s (which I haven’t been to

Sentinel, through the SAU, past the RITz and

dirty words, Destler for getting rid of Simone,

photograph by Robert Luessen

ROBERT LUESSEN ADVERTISING PHOTOGRAPHY FOURTH YEAR

What is your greatest fear?

Losing my eyesight. And spiders. So the

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

greatest fear would really be losing my

France. I wish I was a fly-ass French dude.

eyesight from a giant spider.

How do you feel about your major?

What are you most passionate about?

Anyone who doesn’t believe art/photo majors

Photography. And drinking. So really, drunken

work hard should come visit building 7 around

photography.

midnight on a Sunday night. We’re all working harder than any of you other assholes playing World of Warcraft.

If you could be any inanimate object/animal/indigenous plant variety, what would you be and why?

Easy. I’d be pterodactyl. That shit is hot.

photograph by Robert Luessen

RANDY MAPPUS 3D DIGITAL GRAPHICS SECOND YEAR

What brought you to RIT?

out to designing for interiors, fashion, or for

thing of all though would be attaining Eagle

I found RIT in Dallas viewing people’s

industrial purposes.

rank. Now that is an accomplishment.

School, but I went to see prospective schools

How do you feel about your major?

and RIT was the one college with Game Design

It wasn’t actually my first choice, but it’s a

What are you most passionate about?

and 3D Graphics. Knowing I wanted to be in

great major with students who aren’t so cut-

This is an easy one; art. I love all forms of art

one of those majors, I entered the college.

throat that they’ll leave you high and dry. In

from design to photography and definitely

fact, we all work very well together and learn

music. I’ve been trying to compose some music

What is your greatest aspiration after graduation?

much more that way.

utilizing different sound patterns lately, and

I would like to have a steady job in design, preferably designing characters for games or

What is your most impressive accomplishment so far?

animations. Eventually, I’d like to have my

I would say that becoming an OA is pretty

own design studio where I do commissions

impressive as is helping put on a performance

for many companies and begin branching

for a convention. I’d say the most impressive

portfolios. I didn’t have one as a junior in High

I find this combined with imagery definitely fulfills the artistic side of me.

photograph by Robert Luessen

CRAIG MARTEK COMPUTER SCIENCE SIXTH YEAR

If you had 10 seconds to impress someone, what would you do or say?

What is your most memorable moment at RIT?

How do you feel about your major?

Freshman year, my a cappella group brought

“typical CS student”. I suppose it’s true to

Hopefully I would be with a quartet so that

Jonathan Coulton and Paul and Storm to RIT

some extent, although it’s certainly not a

I could sing a barbershop tag. People love

for a concert. Not only did we get to meet

blanket statement. Some of us do bathe daily

chordy goodness.

them, we got to open for them. They’re all

and like to go outside.

even funnier in person than you would expect.

What are you most passionate about?

Music. Up until last year I was in Surround

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

Sound, one of RIT’s all-male a cappella groups.

Australia! From what I’ve seen and heard,

Then at the end of last year I co-founded RIT’s

it’s a beautiful country. Plus they gave us the

first co-ed a cappella group, Proof of Purchase.

Tim-Tam.

It’s a great creative outlet and a lot of fun at the same time.

I love my major, but I hate the notion of the

photograph by Robert Luessen

MARIANA MAZZONI ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS THIRD YEAR

If you had 10 seconds to impress someone, what would you do or say?

five years since his stay, but we continue our

“professionals” whom I have no respect for can

friendship via Facebook, Skype and occasional

deem me good or bad or tone deaf.

Rarely, I am successful at doing a stall, or

through a bad connection. Although he’s been

freeze, which is a form of breakdancing (for all

back a few times, I have yet to make the trip to

you un-hip folk). If given 10 seconds, I would

his roots.

calls where I struggle to understand his accent

try my luck and hope for the best.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

If you could be any inanimate object/animal/indigenous plant variety, what would you be and why?

What are you most passionate about?

Sunglasses, preferably a pair of Ray Ban’s. I

Music. I recently became a member of WITR

worry about melanoma.

Australia! Rob, an exchange student from

89.7 to foster this passion and am training to

Melbourne, spent a semester at my high school

be a DJ. I’d like to learn piano, hopefully this

during my sophomore year. We had a class

summer. I write songs and sing, and maybe

together and became really close within the

someday, something will come of that. And

five months he was in the states. It’s been

no, I will not go on American Idol so that

could soak up the sun without ever having to

photograph by Robert Luessen

RYAN MCKNIGHT INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT (BS/ME) FOURTH YEAR

If you had 10 seconds to impress someone, what would you do or say?

What is your greatest aspiration after graduation?

What was the most memorable class you’ve had?

To work for John Deere of course!

I won’t say the class or the professor, but

Do you think my tractor’s sexy? Then let’s go

the professor wrote three white boards full

How do you feel about your major?

of notes then realized it was in permanent

It’s a small major that allows us to all be

marker. Luckily, we had someone in the class

What brought you to RIT?

connected. Everybody knows everybody

who knew how to get it off the board and

To start with, the warmer winters than what

and we have strong relationships amongst

saved the day.

I am used to being from the real upstate New

ourselves.

for a ride on my John Deere.

York. Then the co-op program and the fact that RIT has one of the only collegiate Model Railroad Clubs in the nation.

photograph by Robert Luessen

MATTHEW MISIASZEK MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, ENERGIES AND ENVIRONMENT OPTION FIRST YEAR

If you had 10 seconds to impress someone, what would you do or say?

What is your greatest fear?

Balance something on my foot. I’m not particularly athletic or strong, and I don’t

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

like being brainy as a means of impressing

England interests me, what with Top Gear,

someone.

Junk Yard Wars and Douglas Adams.

What brought you to RIT? Strong academics, the right distance from

What do you think needs improvement at RIT?

home, looked like somewhere I’d fit in well.

The nickel-and-diming. (See dining plan,

less painful. But I feel like I did that all winter.

Let’s just say the semen trees weren’t in bloom

wellness classes, and housing)

Burning would at least be a change of pace. I

at the time.

Back flips.

If you could be any inanimate object/animal/indigenous plant variety, what would you be and why?

I’d be a dog. They’re always happy.

If you had to choose between burning to death or freezing to death, which would you choose?

Freezing to death would probably be much

think I’ll go with fire.

photograph by Robert Luessen

ZACH MYROW ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS FOURTH YEAR

What is something that people love about you?

What is your greatest aspiration after graduation?

What is your most impressive accomplishment so far?

I sometimes say inappropriate things.

Self Actualization.

Career: Being nominated for a Webby.

What is something that people hate about you?

What is your greatest fear?

(Hopeful!) Personal: Learning to define myself.

I sometimes say inappropriate things.

Losing those who I love.

photograph by Robert Luessen

NATONYA NELSON ADVERTISING PHOTOGRAPHY FIRST YEAR

What is something that people love about you?

What is your greatest fear?

I am nice and very supportive, if you get on

anybody.

Not being good enough for anything or

my good side. =]

What is your greatest aspiration after graduation?

I want to be an audio engineer or work somewhere in the field of music.

If you had to choose between burning to death or freezing to death, which would you choose?

Neither one, but if I had to, I would choose to

What are you most passionate about?

Music and poetry.

freeze to death.

photograph by Robert Luessen

KYLE O’NEILL NEW MEDIA MARKETING FOURTH YEAR

What is something that people love about you?

close to art. “Graphic Media” sounded like art and “Marketing” sounded like money. A match

What is your most memorable moment at RIT?

I like to consider myself an optimist —

made in heaven, even today.

Realizing the success of RIT Improv after

someone who doesn’t let the little things drag

building it up from essentially nothing four years ago. Our now annual event,

There’s just so many exciting things to do and

What is your greatest aspiration after graduation?

learn and explore in this world, and I can’t get

I hope to complete my MBA in

this April, as well as featured five local college

enough of learning about people.

Entrepreneurship, and then hopefully move

improv groups performing on the same

on to receive a Ph.D. in either Marketing or

stage in what was possibly one of the largest

How do you feel about your major?

Entrepreneurship so that I may teach. Bonus

improv collaborative performances in the

To be honest, I had no idea what “Graphic

points for style. I’d also love to own a small

northwest New York state area was a huge

Media Marketing” meant when I came to RIT.

entertainment business or company, or at least

thrill. I’ve never been prouder of how far the

I was an art student from a technical school

remain close to the art and entertainment

BrainWreckers have come.

who knew he couldn’t really draw all that well,

industries.

him down.

wanted to make money, and wanted to stay

Improvamonium, drew a massive audience

photograph by Robert Luessen

SHAIL PATEL NEW MEDIA PUBLISHING SECOND YEAR

What is your greatest aspiration after graduation.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

To be a multi billion trillionaire.

India. Because it is home.

How do you feel about your major?

What happened to the major I chose? (Graphic

What are you most passionate about?

Media.)

Helping people and making money.

What is your greatest fear?

Fear of failure.

photograph by Robert Luessen

SUZAN PERO BIOTECHNOLOGY FOURTH YEAR

What brought you to RIT?

What are you most passionate about?

How do you feel about your major?

I came to RIT to get a good education so I can get a good job! I’ve had enough of food services

I am most passionate about my plants, which

large amounts of work it involves, but I learn

and working with teenagers!

can be clearly seen at the innovation center

lots of really interesting things — my favorite

as I am helping Tim Stephany keep a whole

being that if you eat candy while you’re

mess of plants alive for his vertical gardening

drinking, it heightens and lengthens your

project.

buzz because sugar runs up the same brain

What is something that people love about you?

Something that people love about me is I am

I think my major is a pain in the ass given the

pathway. I don’t know about anyone else, but I always get the munchies when I’m drinking.

one that has to live with me, so anyone else

If you had to choose between burning to death or freezing to death, which would you choose?

can just stuff it.

If I had to choose between burning to death or

out too!

always me, no matter what anyone else’s opinion of how I act or dress is. I’m the only

freezing to death I’d freeze because then you just go to sleep. Also — it’s an easy death to find in New York, then, isn’t it. Lol

The best part is my friends heard me say it so many times they’ve started carrying candy

photograph by Robert Luessen

LEANN POMPONIO NEW MEDIA DESIGN & IMAGING FOURTH YEAR

What is something that people love about you?

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

What are you most passionate about?

I have been told that my aura can light up a

I want to travel to the Motherland, Korea. I was

I am a designer, so therefore I am passionate

room. I bring happiness wherever I go and give

born there but I am adopted. I want to return

about design. I always have been. I look

off a positive energy. I am a naturally very

to see where I came from, there are many

back at all the majors I wanted to do, and a

happy and “bubbly” person. I laugh easy and

programs that I can sign up for where I can

majority of them involved design. When I am

often, I bring positive feedback and give people

possibly see my orphanage and possibly birth

aggravated and want to quit, I just remind

the benefit of the doubt. My glass is usually

parents, although, I am undecided if I want to

myself I was born to design. I saved a fortune

3/4 of the way full; I sometimes go out of my

meet them or not. I know Korea is beautiful,

cookie fortune that said, “You make the world

way to make someone happy and I will drop

but I want to experience that first hand. I love

a beautiful place.” That’s what I want to do,

almost anything to help out a friend, such as,

the culture, music, and of course the food!

I want to make pretty things and make the

dropping off friend(s) at the airport and the

world beautiful. I am also very passionate

train station at 4am, on a Friday.

about cooking, my first choice was to go to culinary school; there is nothing quite more wonderful than making something incredibly delicious and making someone very happy.

photograph by Robert Luessen

GABRIELLE POTTS MECHANICAL ENGINEERING AEROSPACE OPTION FIRST YEAR

What are you most passionate about?

my saxophone, my section, the pep band and

against Denver, the game no one thought we

every chance I get to play.

would win. Which just grew after they won

I am passionate about Many things. I have

against UNH. There was so much excitement.

I play the tenor Saxophone. I have played the

What is your greatest aspiration after graduation?

sax since fourth grade, and it started out as

My goal is to work for NASA after graduation.

something I could do and like to do. Then I

I have had the dream since I was a little girl,

grew to love the sound and the atmosphere

especially after I saw October Sky. I was told to

and joy that music brought. I knew I wanted

reach for the stars and thats what I am trying

If you had 10 seconds to impress someone, what would you do or say?

to play the sax when I went off to college. So, I

to do... literally.

Well if they are not from RIT, I normally come

always loved music, and it has since grown.

joined the pep band. Pep band has become my

And I was there, to see it happen and to play my instrument

out with Hi, Im Gabi Potts and I go to RIT. If it is someone from RIT I normally say, Hi my

pep band and with music. I hum the songs

What is your most memorable moment at RIT?

and count down hours until I am due to play

My most memorable moment was when I was

and Jerry’s ice cream.

or be with pep band members. I am hooked to

sitting in Albany watching the Tigers win

passion. I surround myself with people from

name is Gabi and I have had every type of Ben

photograph by Robert Luessen

TYLER PUGLIESE ECONOMICS THIRD YEAR

What is your most memorable moment at RIT?

Has anyone at RIT inspired you?

How and why?

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

My first quarter I was in the fall 24 hour show

Dr. Jeff Wagner, undoubtedly. He’s like if Count

Barcelona, Spain. I’ve been there before when

for the RIT Players. My character was a doctor

Rugen from “The Princess Bride” was a soft

I was twelve, and it has been my favorite

and an old, cigar-loving crone. So between

southern farmer who taught Economics and

place in the world ever since. Tequila, Paella,

blackouts, I had to change between outfits:

refused to let his students fail. He is basically

Spanish women, and siestas. What more could

from scrubs and a stethoscope to a wig and a

the reason I came here as an undergraduate,

a college student want? Also, the architecture

fuzzy pink blouse. Well, when I ran across

and he’s the reason I’ve had such a positive

and history is fascinating.

the stage, my flip flop got caught in my wig,

experience here. He is fiery, brilliant and will

and the lights came up and I was sitting, in

make sure you discover your own passions

drag, on stage, my freshmen year, with a flip-

and determinations. There was one time I

flop in my wig. Needless to say, I just stared

was walking to get lunch, and he ambushed

straight ahead and smoked my cigar while the

me and wouldn’t let me go until I gave him an

audience howled.

answer on how I was doing on a paper.

photograph by Robert Luessen

MATTHEW REED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOURTH YEAR

How do you feel about your major?

If I could use one word to describe my major

What do you think needs improvement at RIT?

it would be interesting. My classes are

More free pizza, less Salvatore’s. No really, that

interesting, my professors are interesting, and

greasy cardboard that they call pizza is about

If you could be any inanimate object/animal/indigenous plant variety, what would you be and why?

my fellow IT students are … weird.

as appetizing as that crap they serve at Little

I would have to say a potato cannon. Potato

Vincent’s Pizzeria on Long Island.

cannons have brought a lot of joy to me during

What is your most memorable moment at RIT?

time at RIT and I would like to bring that joy to others. There is nothing like launching a

Most of my moments cannot be retold in a

What was the most memorable class you’ve had?

public forum so I’ll go with watching Jared

American Politics freshman year, the teacher

night sky. I love the smell of Aqua Net in the

Gero my friend fall down the Gordon Field

was crazy. On the first day of class he told us

morning.

House steps before the Snoop Dogg concert.

that it was the first time he had been out of bed in a year because he fell down a flight of stairs.

potato or Solanum tuberosum through the

photograph by Robert Luessen

JACK REICKEL ILLUSTRATION FOURTH YEAR

If you had 10 seconds to impress someone, what would you do or say?

with my passion-nearing-obsession for sports.

RIT’s lack of passion for athletics is magnified

What do you think needs improvement at RIT?

I’d impress someone in ten seconds by

in the illustration major and so I am further

I think everyone has a problem with the lack

removed than I would already be on this spirit-

touching the ceiling. It doesn’t matter how

of spirit, the lack of unity the campus feels.

desolate campus.

If the student body is united in any way,

high the ceiling is, or if I’m outside, I will

it’s by feeling oppressed by the institute. I

stretch higher and higher until my hand

How do you feel about your major?

know that different, more positive levels of

reaches something. The tallest I’ve ever

The Illustration department is the most

cohesion exist at other universities, and it is

reached in such a situation was a bit over 1.1

positive and encouraging environment I’ve

my sincerest hope RIT starts to head to that

million feet, the distance from sea level to

ever heard of coming from any program at

feeling.

outer space.

any school. There is the flexibility to focus on what matters to you, and the staff are very

What is something that people hate about you?

The illustration studio is frequently irritated

encouraging of upper-level students tailoring their assignments to fit in their portfolios.

photograph by Robert Luessen

ELISE REMEIKA VISUAL MEDIA FOURTH YEAR

What brought you to RIT? The snow and garbage plates, of course! Also,

What do you think needs improvement at RIT?

What is your greatest aspiration after graduation?

because RIT is one of the

Less separation between different colleges,

To be successful and happy, what more can

best schools for photography in the country,

more school spirit! Go Tigers!

you really ask for?

but mostly the snow and [garbage] plates.

What was your most embarrassing moment in college?

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

Oh there are so many. I’ve had some pretty

To the moon! Why? Because “space tourism” is

totally ungraceful, falls. You know, the ones

now an actual industry

where people around you

and people are legitimately doing it. Also, it’s

stop to stare and ask if you’re okay. I’m smooth

the moon. Does anyone

like that.

have a few million bucks I could borrow?

epic, really public,

photograph by Robert Luessen

NATHANIEL ROTUNNO COMPUTER ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY SIXTH YEAR

What brought you to RIT?

close friend. It was a tremendous undertaking

My mom’s minivan, a lot of money, and

that took us over a year to complete. We

something called project lead the way. It is

also directed %15-Minute Hamlet% by Tom

If you had to choose between burning to death or freezing to death, which would you choose?

(was?) a program in high school that was

Stoppard together. I was also Vice President

Definitely freeze - if you end up not dying you

focused on engineering. It even provided me

for RIT Player’s and have directed many other

just lose a limb. Burns are worse.

with RIT credits.

plays.

What is your greatest fear?

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

Life.

Space, the final frontier: to explore strange

What is your most impressive accomplishment so far?

new worlds, to seek out new life and new

The directing and acting I have done for RIT

gone before.

Player’s. I co-directed and co-stared in a play called %True West% by Sam Sheppard with a

civilizations, to boldly go where no man has

photograph by Robert Luessen

TRISH SALMON SERVICE MANAGEMENT SIXTH YEAR

If you had 10 seconds to impress someone, what would you do or say?

What brought you to RIT? I thought it was in New Rochelle, New York

What was your most embarrassing moment in college?

I would go up to the person and say “Hello,

and I wanted to stay closer to home (Bronx,

Drunk-dialing all my friends to tell them

NY). What a confusion I made but something I

your smile captivated my heart.” If they are

don’t regret either.

everything about myself and how I love them

not smiling- I would say “Your smile would brighten my day, (they smile) thank you.”

How do you feel about your major?

Has anyone at RIT inspired you?

How and why?

Nicole Ogden because she is the definition of perseverance

I wish it had a Co-Op requirements, so I can also gain experience in my field.

photograph by Robert Luessen

VICTOR SANTIAGO GRAPHIC DESIGN SECOND YEAR

If you had 10 seconds to impress someone, what would you do or say?

What is your greatest fear?

“I got no money but I got more to love!”

What was the most memorable class you’ve had?

(grabbing the “rolls”)

Losing someone..

My memorable class would be Arts of

What is something that people love about you?

The fact that I smile all the time and that I am always friendly and approachable.

ExpressionWriting Seminar, freshmen year, great times with great people.

If you had to choose between burning to death or freezing to death, which would you choose?

I would choose to freeze to death, I love the cold.

photograph by Robert Luessen

COURTNEY SCHRAML INTERNATIONAL STUDIES SECOND YEAR

What is your greatest aspiration after graduation?

Photo Arts One. I was a Photo major until this

love to see all the regular touristy places like

past winter quarter, and the very first college

Big Ben and the Taj Mahal, but I also want to

My greatest ambition after graduation is

professor I had was…interesting at best. My

visit spots where just the locals go. If I had the

to somehow work towards human rights. I

very first college class ever, the guy showed up

time and money to travel all over the world, I’d

have a great interest in fair trade and citizen

to class 10 minutes late and when he spoke, it

do it in a heartbeat.

activism.

was so quiet that no one could hear him. After about an hour, he gave us our first assignment

What is your most impressive accomplishment so far?

as college freshman and then said, “Now get the hell out.” All 18 of us booked it.

My most impressive accomplishment so far is

If you could be any inanimate object/animal/indigenous plant variety, what you be and why?

I would be a teddy bear or stuffed animal,

making the Dean’s list three times.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go, and why?

What was the most memorable class you’ve had?

I honestly cannot pick just one place. I live

The most memorable class I’ve had so far is

literally, want to travel most everywhere. I’d

vicariously through the Travel Channel, so I

because I love cuddling.

photograph by Robert Luessen

KYLE SHAY COMPUTER SCIENCE FOURTH YEAR

If you had 10 seconds to impress someone, what would you do or say?

What is your greatest fear?

Getting pooped on by a seagull is my only fear.

If you had to choose between burning to death or freezing to death, which would you choose?

Born in Germany, moved to Pakistan, back to

What brought you to RIT?

Freezing to death. I heard you get crazy

Germany, California, Malaysia, Australia, back

The Sentinel. I seriously love the hypocrisy.

hallucinations and such when it starts

to Malaysia, Florida, Texas, and now I live in

Square buildings filled with math and

to happen, so it seems like a bit more

Rochester.

science - places where gravity and structure

entertaining way to go.

makessense. Yet in the heart of the campus is

If you could be any inanimate object/animal/indigenous plant variety, what would you be and why?

Ground sloth – what’s more legit than a sloth that’s 5 meters tall?

a mesh of abstract metal and impossibility which is I guess why people hate it?

photograph by Robert Luessen

DANIEL TOBIN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING THIRD YEAR

What brought you to RIT? I came to RIT because it seemed right. I visited

What was the most memorable class you’ve had?

multiple times and when I came for the

That has to be Materials Processing my first

If you had to choose between burning to death or freezing to death, which would you choose?

College and Careers program my heart was set

quarter here. This isn’t because of the material

The only reason I have the answer to this

on it. I remember telling my mom when I got

but because of a very important lesson

question is because I talked about it in my

back into the car to leave “I’m coming here.”

Professor Scarborough taught us the first week

Materials Science Lab the other day as we were

of class. “If you think outside the box people

arguing if we would rather stick our finger in

die. You have to think on the edge of the box.”

hot oil or -60 degree C alcohol. I would rather

If you could be any inanimate object/animal/indigenous plant variety, what would you be and why?

I would be an eagle. So I could soar in the skies at a whim and look at everything below with great ease and power.

freeze to death because I would loose the feeling in my nerves.

photograph by Robert Luessen

MADELEINE VILLAVICENCIO NEW MEDIA INTERACTIVE DEVELOPMENT FOURTH YEAR

If you had 10 seconds to impress someone, what would you do or say?

How do you feel about your major?

In my time at RIT, New Media Interactive

Has anyone at RIT inspired you?

How and why?

Whip out my Taylor acoustic-electric, my

Development has undergone two or three

Every single person whose name appears on

name changes, and the name still doesn’t

the left-hand side of page 6. They’re the reason

loop pedal and an amp, and build a song from

accurately convey what we New Media (ID)

there’s a magazine every week.

scratch. That may take more than 10 seconds

Kids do. So, here’s a clarification: we are the

for the full effect though.

rejects of building 7 and building 70; we are

What is your greatest fear?

social media and internet enthusiasts; and

Clowns. And spiders. …spiders with clown

we make cool shit. (Shameless plug: check out

faces? *shudder*

If you could be any inanimate object/animal/indigenous plant variety, what would you be and why?

A hat. It could be a baseball cap, a fedora hat or beret. Or I’ll take a cowboy hat, a beanie, or a jester’s three-point cap.

Sketchbox at Imagine RIT! And all the other New Media Team Projects.)

photograph by Robert Luessen

ROBERT WATSON INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SECOND YEAR

What brought you to RIT?

game since the middle of my freshman year.

RIT never crossed my mind until around the

I sit in the Corner Crew every time I go and

fall of my senior year of high school. When

would hate to sit anywhere else. Watching

a friend recommended that I check out the

the Tigers win the AHA championship,

What do you think needs improvement at RIT?

campus, I made the trip up from Pennsylvania

beat Denver University, slaughter UNH, and

A lot of my friends are really involved on

and have been set on going here ever since.

advance to the Frozen Four in Detroit (of which

campus, and a lot of people I know like it

The fact that RIT had the first IT program in

I was in attendance) has made for some of the

here. However, there’s still a large number of

the country really appealed to me, and I also

greatest weekends ever.

students who don’t seem to ever do anything

liked that I would have nine months of co-op

at some point in my life.

and then complain that campus is boring.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

How can the campus improve so that more

I would love to go back to Australia – I went

really know how to answer that question, but

What is your most memorable moment at RIT?

after my sophomore year of high school and

it bothers me sometimes to see the lack of

absolutely loved the country. I love traveling,

school spirit and involvement here.

I’ve been going to almost every home hockey

so I would really like to go almost everywhere

experience before going out into the “real world

people actually like to be here? I guess I don’t

photograph by Robert Luessen

SHELLY WEGMAN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT FIFTH YEAR

What is something that people love about you?

What is your greatest fear?

I don’t like creepy crawly things, but my

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

My sarcastic sense of humor and ability to be

greatest fear would be never making anything

I would go to Paris to see the fashion and

nice at the same time

of my life after I graduate.

haute couture fashions shows.

Has anyone at RIT inspired you?

How and why?

What is your most impressive accomplishment so far?

I have been inspired by many people here at

My most impressive accomplishment so far is

RIT. My mentor Professor Miller has inspired

getting into college. I come from a family six

me to start thinking about the kind of career

and there isn’t much money to go around, and

I want and to go for it instead of hoping it will

my parents did not go to college. I am the first

come to me.

in my family to go to college.

photograph by Robert Luessen

BRETT WILSON FILM AND ANIMATION FOURTH YEAR

What brought you to RIT?

but if I could, I would go to somewhere scenic

A coin flip. It was either RIT or Emerson

and secluded in Japan. I love the pictures

College. I’m glad it landed on tails.

of their mountains, cherry blossoms, and

What is your most impressive accomplishment so far?

ancient shrines nestled in the wilderness. I

If you could be any inanimate object/animal/indigenous plant variety, what would you be and why?

feel it could free my mind from the fast-paced

I would love to be a Peregrine Falcon because

industry my career is geared towards.

they are extremely fast (they can achieve

I was able to stay up 12 consecutive days (with

speeds of around 200mph), and the can glide

few minimal naps) in order to complete an

How do you feel about your major?

high above Earth’s terrain so I can appreciate

ambitious two quarter animated film this past

I often consider it comparable to child birth

all the natural beauty below me. Plus, I think

Fall and Winter.

(although I know I will never know the feeling):

gliding would be a cool feeling to experience.

it requires a lot of effort, time, and loving care,

If I could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

and if you persevere through the pain, you’ll

I’m not exactly comfortable traveling to other

to me, is a labor of love.

countries where they don’t speak English,

end up with something beautiful. Animation