RIT community gathers to break ground on Tiger Stadium

The path to obtaining a law degree typically requires at least seven years in higher education. However, students enrolled in RIT’s Accelerated 3+3 Law program are able to shave a year off of their journey and get a head start on establishing their career in law. This May, fourth-year students Megan Hartman, Kate Hickey, Kaitlin Sommer, and Ella Walton will simultaneously graduate from RIT and complete their first year of law school, making them the program’s first cohort to fully transition from their undergraduate studies at RIT to their legal studies Syracuse University College of Law. Hartman, from San Diego, Calif., pursued a double major in sociology and anthropology and public policy while at RIT. She explained that participating in the program gave her an advantage on her journey toward becoming an attorney. “This field is notoriously competitive, and there are issues surrounding artificial intelligence and a possible next-generation bar exam that are shaking things up, so you need that competitive edge to power you through,” said Hartman. “We’ll also have a head start when it comes to applying for jobs. It will take time to get up to the more prestigious job titles, but I’ll be starting that journey when I’m 24. Many people don’t complete their law degree until their early 30s.” Hickey, an international and global studies and public policy double major from Halifax, Mass., added that the guidance that came with enrolling in the program helped build her confidence prior to starting her first year of law school. “There were a lot of people in our class who struggled the first few months because they didn’t have experience reading cases or things like that. While at RIT, I attended some of the RIT Pre-Law Society events where alumni would come in and run mock law classes with us, so I had some idea of what to expect going into my first year at Syracuse,” said Hickey. “I think that the confidence I had knowing that I already sat through similar classes and was able to succeed really helped prepare me.” Looking beyond law school, Hickey and Hartman both have visions for their future careers. Hickey aims to work in the national security and counter-terrorism law sector, and Hartman is interested in becoming a litigator and working in the government sector. Both students extend their gratitude to Jennifer Gaylord, pre-professional studies coordinator and academic advisor, and the many RIT alumni who worked with the RIT Pre-Law Society and the 3+3 program students and helped them succeed in their studies. As the program celebrates the first cohort of graduates, leadership in the College of Liberal Arts, where the program is housed, also announced that the 3+3 program is expanding through a new partnership with University at Buffalo School of Law. Qualified undergraduate students at RIT will have the opportunity to choose between pursuing their law degree at Syracuse University or at the University at Buffalo starting in fall 2024. “Accelerated degree pathways can be invaluable for students who are hoping to streamline their education. Partnering with the University at Buffalo School of Law will provide more options for our students as they work toward law school,” said Kelly Norris Martin, interim dean of RIT’s College of Liberal Arts. “Having a plan in place that can save students both time and money is a clear benefit, but participating in the program can also provide some guidance as they navigate the world of higher education and ensure that they have the foundation they need to succeed in their career goals.” To be eligible to apply to University at Buffalo School of Law, undergraduate students at RIT must have completed a minimum of 90 credits by the end of their third year of undergraduate studies; earned a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or higher; and successfully completed the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) with an LSAT score at or above the median LSAT score for the School of Law’s previous year’s enrolled class, or a GRE score at or above the 70th percentile on Verbal Reasoning and 40th percentile on Quantitative Reasoning.   For more information, go to the 3+3 law program webpage or contact Jennifer Gaylord at jmggla@rit.edu.

Matt Hranek ’90 (professional photographic illustration), founder and editor of WM Brown magazine and The William Brown Project, likes to spend his time exploring and embracing the diversity of life. By producing his own magazine, he’s made a career out of sharing his life experiences with others. The beginnings of WM Brown, a men’s print magazine, can be traced back to Hranek’s time working as a freelance photographer in New York City after graduating from RIT. “I was able to refine my style of photo­graphy and found that I really loved magazine photography,” said Hranek. “I wanted to be around all those amazing people that were producing print material for publications like Vanity Fair and Vogue.” Hranek, originally from Binghamton, N.Y., worked for several popular magazines—including GQ and Condé Nast Traveler—where he honed his skills as a photographer, writer, and editor. When digital photography was first introduced, Hranek knew the field would be permanently altered. He believed the evolution was for the better, but as someone trained on film, he needed to change his course to better match his skills and ambitions. “As far as a career at that point, I thought it would be interesting to shift gears and become an ideas guy instead of an execution guy,” said Hranek. “I wasn’t just a photographer. I was somebody who really had a grasp on editorial ideas and how to be a storyteller.” Hranek made a gamble not just to create a new, exclusively print publication, but to also take a different approach to content curation. Instead of settling on one niche, WM Brown readers can find articles about cars, travel, style, food, drinks, and more, all in one glossy package. “Starting my own magazine meant I could include all the topics I was interested in under one title. It was being shaped as an overall curation of an aesthetic point of view,” said Hranek. “We had no idea where this was going to go. I just knew, selfishly, that I wanted to create something like this.” WM Brown is now on its 15th issue. In addition to his work with WM Brown, Hranek has authored several books, including A Man & His Watch, A Man & His Car, The Negroni, and The Martini. In 2023, Hranek published a new book, A Man & His Kitchen, and was invited to appear on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to promote the book and share the story behind The William Brown Project.

Michael Rizzolo ’78 (social work), ’86 MS (human services management) didn’t plan on learning American Sign Language when he came to RIT as a student, but he grew interested and eventually became an interpreter. Today, he is founder and CEO of the interpreting agency Interpretek. Over 30 years, the company has grown to serve the entire U.S. Still, Rizzolo has prioritized the close-knit, family feel of the agency. He’s also kept his focus on supporting the development of new interpreters by funding scholarships at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf. Rizzolo became a student interpreter in 1976, when NTID offered a 10-week basic interpreter training program. He went on to work as an interpreter manager at NTID for 12 years and completed his master’s degree in 1986. He noticed that Rochester needed a more comprehensive interpreting agency and started his company in 1993. “It’s not a very complex formula,” Rizzolo said about the agency’s work philosophy. “It’s simply being supportive of the interpreters and supportive of the Deaf community. We try to create a respectful, warm, and caring culture.” In the early 2000s, Interpretek added ‘tek’ to the end of its name. Rizzolo said they could see that technology was going to play a huge role in ASL communication. Consequently, Interpretek expanded its services to provide remote and virtual interpreting in addition to in-person interpreting. This became especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We quickly determined that sign language interpreters were essential personnel,” Rizzolo said. Today, the agency has 130 employees in 28 states and more than 500 contractors across the country. Interpretek still maintains its corporate headquarters out of a small office in Henrietta, N.Y., just a short distance from RIT’s campus. Fostering connections with RIT and NTID remains important to Rizzolo. Interpretek has funded an endowed scholarship since 2008 to support several students every year in the ASL-English Interpretation Program. “We have a wall of photographs of all the students that we’ve supported while pursuing their interpreting degrees, and many of them come to work for us. We see them flourish and go off to do other things too,” Rizzolo said. “It’s just great to see that over the years.” In March of 2021, Rizzolo and his wife, Kate, who is also a sign language interpreter, provided a $25,000 gift for the Randelman Endowment for Interpreter Certification. The Randelman program supports interpreters of color to better serve and reflect the diversity within the Deaf community. In recognition of his contributions to the interpreting profession and his consistent support of NTID, Rizzolo also received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2019. Rizzolo said his most cherished memories come from the people he works with. “I love what I do. I love the people I do it with. It’s just fun to see the evolution of your teammates and to provide an environment of growth, and to know you’ve played a meaningful role in the team’s journey.”

An important space for RIT students who are military-affiliated, veterans, and their families, now has a name and a refresh thanks to benefactors who want to support members of the U.S. armed forces. The William A. and Laurel A. Eckholm Veterans Lounge at the office of Veteran Student Success was dedicated Friday, attended by the couple, who traveled to Rochester from their home in Arizona. The space, above Global Village, has undergone a complete facelift, with new paint and carpeting, new furniture, a refrigerator, coffee pot, popcorn machine, microwave, a television, and two computers for students to use. More importantly, it’s a haven where student veterans may find resources, a peer to talk with, or just a safe place to unwind. In the past year, it has seen a 75 percent increase in office use and event attendance. “When I found out that RIT was seeking funding to renovate the veteran’s lounge and for student military-related support, I thought, ‘How could I say no?’” Bill Eckholm said. “My wife and I wanted to give back to RIT in return for what I learned about becoming a businessman. The biggest gift we could ever ask for is seeing students succeed. There’s enormous satisfaction in finding success, and I want to help students reach for the stars.” Chad Van Gorder, director for RIT’s Veteran Student Success, said the Eckholms’ gift has made a tremendous impact for support for veteran-affiliated students. “Their generosity has created a space for veterans to connect with fellow students, a safe space for students to be themselves, a collaborative space to do the work required for their degree programs, and a place to connect with staff members who are able to assist them in areas of academic, professional, and personal growth as they transition from military service, into college, and on to their next journey in life,” Van Gorder said. In addition, some of the students may also receive financial support as part of the gift. Eckholm, originally from Chicago, was drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War. After the war, he lived in Rochester and got a job that supplied products to electrical engineers and contractors. In 1976 and 1977, he took night classes at RIT to learn effective business management and strategic marketing skills. “I was running a business at the time, and I needed (practical) training on how to run a business, and it was suggested that I go to RIT night school, and I did,” Eckholm said at the dedication. “And they delivered.” He said he never had any intention of getting a degree from RIT and left to pursue his own successful businesses. He started a fire protection equipment business, sold it, and ran a worldwide fire protection and suppression agency. He holds numerous patents for developing life-saving fire suppression mechanisms in law enforcement cars and military vehicles. He also volunteers, most notably as a board member for Childhelp, a national charity that works to fight child abuse, and he is a staunch supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. His donation wasn’t the only reconnection with RIT. On Friday, just prior to the dedication, Eckholm received his associate degree in applied arts and sciences through the Completer Program at RIT’s School of Individualized Study. The Eckholms said they are happy to help RIT’s students, particularly veterans. “There are two things in the world I have a great deal of time for: children’s charities and veterans,” Eckholm said. “When I learned it was for a veterans’ lounge, and that it was really needed, that sold it. We’re just honored to be able to do our little piece.” He handed out collectable Challenge Coins to all of the veterans in attendance as a keepsake. “Anyone who is not a veteran, there’s a thing that’s called “Peace through Power,” he said. “And veterans are the power. And every one of you who served, you are the power. And that’s why we’re able to enjoy the lifestyle we have today.”

To help draw attention to the thriving Filipino community in Austin, Texas, Joi Conti ’11 (photographic illustration) created a new magazine guide called TAYO NA: Austin Filipino Artists & Makers Guide in October 2023. As a professional editorial and commercial photographer, Conti wanted to use her skills to promote other Filipino artisans and makers in Austin. She shared that promotional support like this can be invaluable, particularly for those who are still growing their businesses. “I want people to know there is a vibrant Filipino community in Austin, and to make it easier for people to patron these awesome artists and makers,” said Conti. “The guide is really a way for me to feature my fellow Filipino artists and makers. I want them to succeed because that’s something that’s really close to my heart.” Conti shared that her biggest takeaway from the project was the value of community connections. She said TAYO NA couldn’t have come together without leaning into and growing those connections. “I met a soap maker named Emlyn and she was the one who opened up the door for me to meet more Filipino artists and makers, which really helped to get my mind going on this project,” said Conti. “And when I started contacting people for the magazine, they kept giving me names of other artists and makers who I could include and it grew from there.” Conti anticipates publishing a second issue of TAYO NA in October 2024, and the first issue is currently available online and in print. The 2023 issue was created, in part, through funding from the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce. Conti and her team are currently seeking sponsorship for the second issue.

As a child, Shakierah Smith ’18 (criminal justice and communication), ’19 MS (criminal justice) loved spending time with her grandmother watching Law & Order. She recalls feeling inspired as she watched the fictional attorneys advocating for their clients. “They were so smart and eloquent. You could tell that they knew their stuff and were passionate about seeking justice. I found that profound at a young age, and intriguing,” said Smith. “I didn’t know exactly who I was going to become, but I thought maybe I could be a criminal prosecutor.” Today—after passing the New York state bar exam on her first try—Smith is a real estate associate at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson, a law firm in New York City known nationally for its prestigious real estate practice group. While she didn’t follow the exact path of the attorneys that inspired her, Smith found her niche in property law while pursuing her Juris Doctor at University at Buffalo School of Law, where she graduated in 2022. Smith shared that her success in law school and beyond was thanks, in part, to her support system and positive experiences at RIT. “Things may have turned out differently for me if I went to another university. I really felt welcomed at RIT, and I felt supported,” said Smith. “There was a point when I was ready to drop out of law school, but I got on a three-way call with RIT professors O. Nicholas Robertson and John McCluskey and we talked through it. They said they would support me either way, but they encouraged me to keep going, and I did.” Her support system reminded Smith that she had the tools to succeed in her back pocket. She said her research with RIT’s Center for Public Safety Initiatives was one of the most valuable experiences from her time at the university. “Prior to that, I really hadn’t done any research. So they walked me through the process and sharpened all of those important skills I ended up utilizing in law school,” said Smith. “My research experience and the relationships I developed with my professors in the criminal justice and communication programs really set me up to be successful.” Smith is currently writing a book, scheduled to publish in early 2025, that shares her journey to becoming a lawyer. As she reflected on that journey, and looks toward her ultimate goal of becoming a judge, she offered valuable advice for students looking to find their own place in the world. “One of my biggest struggles throughout my academic career was being my own worst enemy,” said Smith. “It may seem tough sometimes, and you may question yourself and your capabilities, but I promise it’s going to pass. Once you’re at commencement and you’re walking across the stage, and you’re celebrating with your family and your professors, you’re going to see it was all worth it and that moment of doubt was just a hiccup in your story.”