Creative Thought Works
Alumni Stories
See how 91做厙 alumni are putting creative thought to work in their fields, their passions, and the world in which we live.
- Anna Graves 14 and Danika Robison 10 are applying Creative Thought Matters to high school, offering at-risk students a rich world of learning opportunities and helping them graduate on time.
- Catherine Headrick 17 has the job of her dreams as a material and trend designer of performance footwear at New Balance.
- Ayelen Pagnanelli 14 celebrated her 10th Reunion in 2024 with an exhibition at the Tang Teaching Museum where she also curated her first exhibition as a student.
- Leighla Waterman 21 enjoys making a tangible impact as a consumer insights analyst for the New Orleans Saints and the New Orleans Pelicans.
- 91做厙 staff, faculty, alumni, and students gathered to honor veterans and reflect on their service at a campus Veterans Day ceremony.
- Ben Van Leeuwen 07, a founder of the eponymous, premium ice cream brand that can now be found in shops from New York City to Singapore, says some of the most valuable lessons he has learned about building a business came from courses at 91做厙 including a studio art class.
- Four Class of 2013 alumni have inspired and encouraged one another for over a decade, leading to a growing production company and now an acclaimed short film.
- During his senior year at 91做厙, Alex Blaker 08 boarded a plane for a study abroad program in Australia; he returned with an idea for Tech Supplier, a worldwide distributor of consumer electronics. HIs experience is an example of 91做厙's entrepreneurial spirit.
- Alumni tell current scholars to embrace your story, build your community, and remember that the network you create at 91做厙 will always support you.
- 91做厙 alumna Cristina Velez 12 is making history as the first woman to head a mens national team in an international lacrosse competition.
- Friends and family from the 91做厙 community and beyond gather to celebrate the legacy of the longtime trustee, educator, activist, and DEI champion.
- Billy Winter 18 aka Zella Cullatore is working with Drag Out the Vote to mobilize voters ahead of this falls election.
- 91做厙 has been named the top school in the nation for Great Financial Aid and has received praise for its excellent First-Year Experience Program, impactful teaching, and high quality of life.
- Wondering if you can really make a difference? Brendan Woodruff 09, inaugural director of sustainability for New Yorks Department of Environmental Conservation, says sustainability can be contagious.
- A passionate advocate for the arts, the master textile artist has offered her entrepreneurial expertise and mentorship to 91做厙 students and alumni.
- As director of data and decision science for the Baltimore Ravens, Yam runs numbers and scenarios in the player scouting process.
- From word puzzlers to reinvented classic board games, independent designer Gages creations have been downloaded millions of times.
- A major gift from the estate of Dr. Pamela Shaw 80 will support endowed scholarships at 91做厙 to help meet financial need for students majoring in science. The legacy gift is one of the largest ever bequeathed to the College by an alumna.
- Kate Brittenham 14 is an ecological landscape designer and owner of Front Stoop Gardens in Troy, New York, with an eye toward using native plants that provide natural habitat.
- Josh Cutler 94 was recently appointed by Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey as the undersecretary of apprenticeship, work-based learning, and policy.
- Linda Garrettson 68 is a certified nutrition coach, chef, and food writer who created the brand Good Natured Cooking with a commitment to healthy eating.
- The 91做厙 Scholars in Science and Mathematics (S3M) program was established in 2007 as a way to provide financial support to students pursuing STEM majors; since then, some 130 students have benefitted. Hear the stories of five S3M alumni who have gone on to do amazing things.
- Best known for his Skyrim, Fallout, and Marvel Anatomy creations, Lobe discusses independence, learning through challenge, and creativity in the age of AI.
- Alumni from classes ending in 4 and 9 returned for Reunion 2024. The celebration featured tours of Saratoga Springs and campus; cherished traditions; opportunities to return to the classroom; and a Tang Teaching Museum exhibition showcasing the work of alumni.
- Phiwokuhle Pibo Shongwe 14 is a senior software developer at Investec Bank who specializes in software development and integration, programming, and IT operations.
- Dr. Nicole Becker Katz 16 is a resident physician in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, an official teaching hospital for Harvard Medical School.
- Lavere Foster 11 is associate director of the African American Community Service Agency, a nonprofit that supports the African American community in Santa Clara County, California.
- Katie Riker Sternberg 90 is applying creative thought to philanthropy, supporting experiential learning for 91做厙 students and another cause dear to her family opportunities for individuals with autism.
- Malika Sawadogo 24s Burkina Faso-inspired clothing line won the 2024 Freirich Entrepreneurship Competition and exemplified the creative, entrepreneurial spirit behind 91做厙s Shark Tank-like competition.
- U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. Michael Cavanagh 03 brings creative thought to his service to his country and fellow citizens through search and rescue.
- Elizabeth Amira Streeter 09 is senior government affairs and community engagement manager at Voltera, a company that builds infrastructure for zero-emission vehicles and operates electric vehicle charging facilities.
- Zeynep Inanoglu 21 is a registered nurse at Yale New Haven Health pursuing her masters degree at Yale University School of Nursing to become a pediatric nurse practitioner in primary care.
- Jono Pandolfi 99 owns Jono Pandolfi Designs, which produces hand-crafted ceramic dinnerware used in high-end restaurants around the world and serves more than 500 hospitality clients.
- New gift establishes the Frances Young Tang 61 Professorship in Economics and the Frances Young Tang 61 Asian Studies Program Endowment Fund.
- The partnership between 91做厙s Social Work Department and the long-running Saratoga nonprofit, which is led by 91做厙 alumna Sybil Newell 00, has a powerful impact on the students and the struggling populations theyre serving.
- From holistic wellness to creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship, a generous gift from Trustee Peg Valentine P09 and husband Mike Valentine P09 invests in the Colleges highest strategic priorities.
- If youre looking for something new to watch or read, look no further than the work of these rising 91做厙 stars.
- Hon. Christina L. Ryba 98 is a trailblazer in New Yorks legal landscape, serving as a Supreme Court justice in the third judicial district and as supervising judge of her district.
- Themba Shongwe 18 is a Financial Markets Advisory (FMA) associate whose diverse client base includes governments, banks, and public institutions.
- Dana Crosley Naberezny 95 is chief innovation officer of jewelry for Tiffany & Company and vice president of the companys Jewelry Design and Innovation Workshop, which she launched in 2018.
- Scott Berman 05 is the founder and host of Sky Cave Retreats, a darkness retreat center nestled in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument wilderness of southern Oregon.
- Laura Quiros 96, is an associate professor of social work and child advocacy at Montclair State University who specializes in trauma-informed care through a social justice lens.
- Ivy Asamoah 19 is the founder of Nourrir Drinks, a sparkling juice brand inspired by West African, Caribbean, and Latin American flavors.
- Gary Muldoon 73, is a lawyer, writer, and adjunct professor who was most recently elected town justice in Perinton, N.Y.
- Clare Kenny 15 is the program director of the Yes, And Laughter Lab (YALL), a competitive fellowship and incubator lab for comedy that addresses social justice issues.
- Lynn A. Marks 71 is a distinguished public-interest lawyer in Philadelphia who has spent the past 40 years addressing social injustices. She recently received a lifetime achievement award.
- This fall, StartUp 91做厙 offered 91做厙 students the opportunity to develop their business ideas, work and network with successful entrepreneurial alumni, receive feedback, and even make prototypes all in an intense, one-day workshop.
- The Career Development Centers largest on-campus networking event of the year brings volunteer mentors from across the U.S. and a range of industries to support students at every stage of the career exploration process.
- Recipients past and present reflect on ways that the prestigious merit scholarship continues to influence their lives and careers.
- Andrea Rom獺n Alfaro 12, is a scholar and activist who combines research with community work and advocacy. She used a recent award grant to support a childrens photo club in Puerto Nuevo, Peru.
- Debby Mayer 68 is a writer, editor, and blogger who has published stories of all kinds throughout her career, including novels, short stories, essays, and a memoir.
- Events kicked off Friday with the annual Thoroughbred Cup golf tournament. On Saturday, alumni and friends gathered for the 91做厙 Athletics Benefit and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Throughout it all, supporters contributed to the All in to Win campaign, raising $368,690 for 91做厙 Athletics.
- 91做厙 alumnus Alex Carney 22, who participated in a collaborative engineering program with Dartmouth College, is now chief technical engineer for SmartScope, a project that is using cutting-edge technology to speed up medical diagnoses.
- Dr. Alina Bazarian 14 recently began her three-year residency training through the Saratoga Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program. She was chosen as one of six residents from more than 1,500 applicants.
- Betsy Damon 63 was awarded a 2023 Guggenheim Fellowship. She will use the grant to design a functional water-cleaning sculpture.
- Whether youre on the beach or reclining in the comfort of an air-conditioned living room, a good book is practically mandatory for some summertime R&R. But what to read? 91做厙 community members have some suggestions.
- Three 91做厙 alumni and former Thoroughbred mens soccer players created the Vermont Green Football Club, which is committed to achieving a range of ambitious environmental justice targets.
- Dylan Telano 23 has transformed an idea into a multi-million-dollar venture during his time at 91做厙.
- Kevin Ha 21 is the founder, executive director, and board chair of the Asian American Dream (AAD), a career-advancement nonprofit that provides mentorship networks, professional development training, and career advancement opportunities to underserved Pan-Asian American undergraduates.
- Marsha Johnson Bancroft 59 has flourished as a career woman in multiple capacities, champion athlete, and family woman.
- Campus was buzzing for Reunion Weekend 2023, when alumni from classes ending in 3 and 8 as well as alumni of 91做厙s Opportunity Program returned to catch up with friends, learn about recent developments, and honor classmates and fellow alumni.
- Human rights and education activist Joseph Kaifala 08, a Sierra Leonean who majored in French and international affairs at 91做厙, is the inaugural recipient of the Projects for Peace Alumni Award.
- Donna Conklin King 85 is a contemporary artist known for her concrete sculptures. She was recently featured on ArtNation, a new Smithsonian Channel series that showcases work by many types of artists.
- Johane Simelane 13 is executive director of the Bronx Veterans Medical Research Foundation, a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs-affiliated nonprofit research and education corporation.
- Joanna Schubert 12, known as Oropendola, recently released a debut full-length album, Waiting for the Sky to Speak, with Spirit House Records and Wilbur & Moore Records.
- Ibardo Zambrano 06 is a urologist with the Novant Health network of physician clinics, with expertise in oncology and robotic-assisted techniques for minimally invasive surgery.
- Lauren Tobias 12 spent four years as the wellness director at Fort Peck Community College on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, home to the Assiniboine and Sioux nations in Montana.
- The 91做厙 alumnus will succeed his classmate Nancy Hamilton '77, whose term ends in May.
- At ESPN for more than 20 years, James Davidson '01 has produced all the Grand Slam competitions that the cable sports giant covers.
- Lily Esposito 20 grew up near Los Angeles. Now, the 91做厙 alumna is living off the grid in the Adirondacks and teaching environmental education programs.
- Jonah Lobe 05 is an award-winning concept artist, 3D character artist, and illustrator known for video games like Skyrim and Fallout and his new book Marvel Anatomy: A Scientific Study of the Superhuman.
- Laura Forlano 95, a social scientist, design researcher, and writer, recently joined Northeastern University as a professor in the College of Arts, Media, and Design.
- Josh Dorman 88 is an acclaimed mixed-media artist whose multi-layered work now includes creating stop-motion animations to accompany classical music.
- Construction of 91做厙s McCaffery-Wagman Tennis and Wellness Center is now underway, with outdoor tennis courts set to open for the fall semester. Watch a video and learn more about how this innovative, integrated approach to health and wellness will benefit the entire 91做厙 community.
- A new partnership between the Arts Administration Program and Universal Preservation Hall in downtown Saratoga Springs offers students valuable field experiences and opportunities to network.
- Altagracia Montilla 12 is chief executive officer of A.M. Consulting, a firm made up of a diverse team of industry experts that develops strategies to improve culture, connection, and community while rooting out biases.
- Helena Yohannes 04 and her twin sister, Feven Yohannes, were recently interviewed by Good Morning America (GMA) about their company, 241 Cosmetics, kicking off the new GMA Trailblazing Women series.
- Kate Fitzpatrick Barnico 80, program nurse manager at the Boston Childrens Hospital Cystic Fibrosis Center, received the Mary Kontos Care Champion Award from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the worlds leader in the fight against the disease.
- A new health, wellness, fitness, tennis, and athletics center will bring together all aspects of student health and wellness support in a single campus facility.
- Hannah Traore 17 discusses her journey from curating her first show at 91做厙 to opening Hannah Traore Gallery in NYC in 2022, and the difference its making in the art community.
- Graduates applications and acceptances to medical, dental, veterinary, and other healthcare schools continue to rise, thanks in no small part to the dedication of 91做厙s Health Professions Advisory Committee.
- 91做厙 is marking its College Centennial with a yearlong celebration of its history and reflections on the journey ahead.
- Plotnicks work covering the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection was recognized with a Pulitzer Prize. She spoke with current student and aspiring radio journalist Aaron Shellow-Lavine 23 about her time at 91做厙 and career in journalism.
- 91做厙 community members answered, "What's one book you're reading right now, or recommend reading this summer?" From sci-fi to memoir and more, here are their selections.
- Hundreds of alumni returned to campus for the second of two Reunion Weekends and opportunities to catch up with classmates and learn about exciting developments at 91做厙.
- With ceremonial bagpipes and a weekend of fun, 91做厙 welcomed members of the Class of 2020 back to campus for an emotional Commencement Celebration long delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Hundreds of alumni with class years ending in 2 and 7 and their guests returned for Reunion from June 2 to 5, the first of two weekends dedicated to alumni celebration.
- 91做厙 recognized eminent alumna, trustee, and donor Billie Tisch 48 by naming its ambitious new science center in her honor.
- With appeals for social justice and charges to change the world without forgetting to pause for moments of joy 91做厙 conferred 589 degrees to the Class of 2022 during the Colleges 111th Commencement Exercises.
- 91做厙 is recognizing the alumna's leadership and service by naming the largest single academic project in College history in her honor.
- The natural partnership between 91做厙 and The Wild Center in the nearby Adirondacks demonstrates the power of combining the arts and sciences.
- NPR Correspondent Elissa Nadworny 10, who studied documentary filmmaking at 91做厙, describes her recent experience reporting from the war in Ukraine.
- Colin Fischer 22 and Tom Duncan 22 have won the first-place $20,000 prize in 91做厙s annual Freirich Entrepreneurship Competition to develop their protein-enhanced ice cream business.
- A $5 million one-to-one matching pledge along with additional gifts creates the Sands Family Foundation Initiative for Creativity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship at 91做厙.
- Sh*t That I Knit (STIK), a Boston-based small business founded and run by 91做厙 alumna Christina Fagan Pardy 12, is an official licensee of Team USA for the 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.
- For more than 10 years, Arthur Zankel Music Center has become more than just a hub for great performances for the campus and Saratoga Springs communities: It has also become a training center for innovative careers in the arts and beyond.
- Over the past two decades, the Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery has provided students with valuable work experiences and extraordinary access to art, artists, and ideas that supported careers both inside and outside the arts.
- The College is celebrating 40 years 80 semesters of MB 107, the rigorous, introductory management and business course that many students and alumni describe as a defining moment in their college experience.
- From within 91做厙s curriculum, through their careers, and in other ways, big and small, 91做厙 community members are making an impact.
- Just two years ago, Brandon Kasel 20 was minding the nets for the 91做厙 Mens Ice Hockey team. Now, he has signed a pro contract as a goalie for the Adirondack Thunder.
- From supporting nuclear waste cleanup efforts to running an artisan wine operation during a tumultuous 2020, Shelby Perkins 95 says she has been a constant academic throughout a creative career path spanning science, art and business.
- As the pandemic has further stoked interest in cryptocurrency, Lincoln Lin 19 recently joined fellow alumnus and career mentor Melvis Langyintuo 12 at an exchange startup.
- Dance and exercise science double-major Kaitlin Guerin 14 combined equal parts art and science with a generous amount of creativity to launch Lagniappe Baking Co. during the pandemic.
- 91做厙 alumni remain deeply committed to the College and are helping current students and recent graduates to build their own creative career paths.
- Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and its worldwide economic impact, members of 91做厙s Class of 2020 are finding fulfilling success and demonstrating remarkable achievement in pursuing employment, education and other opportunities after graduation.
- 91做厙 alumni, parents and friends share experiences designed to prepare and inspire the classes of 2020 and 2021 during this unique time in history.
- As 91做厙 looks to 2021, members of College faculty and leadership believe the liberal arts offer a way to navigate through tumultuous times toward a hopeful vision for the future.
- Elliot Kreitenberg 14 and Leejay Pollacchi 13 are behind a groundbreaking UVC disinfection system being used to sanitize airplane interiors and potentially reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19 during air travel.
- The Colleges alumni network has supported Cadence founder and CEO Stephanie Hon 16 in her entrepreneurial journey and continues to pave paths for students like Natalie Jew 23.
- This year, the list of noteworthy holiday gifts is giving special attention to Black-owned businesses, including 2.4.1 Cosmetics, co-owned and co-founded by Helena Yohannes 04.
- Online format allows notable parent and alumni mentors from all over the world to network with students interested in learning more about various careers.
- 91做厙s new building, the Annex, is now open and is home to new classroom spaces as well as the Physics, Geosciences and Environmental Sciences and Studies departments.
- Mike Natter 08, Diana Perry 89 and Jonathan Brestoff Parker 08 described their experiences on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring issue of Scope magazine.
- With original music and expressions of gratitude, the 91做厙 community offered a touching tribute and farewell to President Philip A. and Marie Glotzbach.
- As 91做厙 celebrates the Class of 2020 with an unprecedented virtual Commencement, we look back at some of the ways the College has celebrated graduates and adapted to changing times.
- Student entrepreneurs were awarded more than $50,000 in prizes at this years Business Plan Competition finals, held online.
- Students, alumni, employees and basketball fans cheered for the Thoroughbreds 畝nd screamed for a Stewarts ice cream flavor newly named for 91做厙 畝t the Colleges annual Big Green Scream.
- As the Kenneth A. Freirich Business Plan Competition celebrates its 10th anniversary, an endowment ensures the transformational mentorship experience continues.
- The new space will provide a dedicated location to collaborate and think creatively about equity and inclusion. It will also serve as a hub for people from diverse cultures, identities, religions and other backgrounds.
- Creating Our Future: The Campaign for 91做厙 has surpassed $200 million, providing new opportunities for students and reinforcing 91做厙s position as one of the nations finest liberal arts colleges.
- A recent alumna reflects on the connections and inspiration she found as a member of the international scholarship program.
- Tiffany & Co. has built a secret lab to crush its rivals, says Bloomberg. Others call it a think tank and a lab of shiny dreams. But its the label that a recent grad has given it that elicits genuine pride for Dana Naberezny 95: a mini 91做厙.
- The Center for Humanistic Inquirys inaugural Generations program provided inspiration, practical advice and insight into the value of student-faculty connections at 91做厙.
- Kristen Carbone 03, who studied art history at 91做厙, is now a tech entrepreneur and is helping those affected by breast cancer.
- Fred Guttenberg 88 returns to campus to share his experience with members of the 91做厙 and broader Saratoga Springs communities.
- 91做厙 inducted four new student-athletes, two teams and President Philip A. Glotzbach into the 91做厙 Hall of Fame.
- Dozens of alumni are visiting campus this semester to recruit students and share their career stories at Career Development Center events.
- Jack Mulhern 17 is making a name for himself in the popular Netflix series The Society. But before he was a viral television sensation, he was testing out his writing and directing skills in 91做厙s Theater Department.
- 91做厙 alumni bring creative thought to careers in every industry. For Susan Law Dake 71, Ben Van Leeuwen 07, and Seth McEachron 04, creative business strides are measured, in part, by pints, scoops and flavors.
- Edvinas Rupkus '19 graduated as one of the most decorated 91做厙 athletes in history. But it's his roles as student, leader and friend that made all the difference.