Alumni in Action | Today at ��Ƶ | ��Ƶ

Christian Seitz ’16 tackles global vaccine research

Katelyn Snyder — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 16:36:26 +0000

Christian Seitz ’16 did not enroll at ��Ƶ as a chemist but rather found this passion through a recommendation from Associate Professor of Chemistry Dan Wright, who recognized his connection and excellence in the subject.

“I wasn’t really interested in chemistry whatsoever when I enrolled. I was a lot more interested in sports. That’s really where my heart was at the time,” Seitz said.

Pursuing his current major in exercise science as a freshman, Seitz was enrolled in a required chemistry course when his professor called him to meet in his office.

“He wanted to have a one-on-one meeting, which, as a freshman only two months into college, was a little bit intimidating.”

Unsure of what his professor wanted to discuss, Seitz recalls, “He thought I had a lot of talent and potential in chemistry. He wanted me to take it seriously, and also to think about taking more chemistry classes that weren’t required, just to explore and see if I enjoyed it more than I thought I did.”

Having his potential recognized led him to take his professors’ advice. It was halfway through his second chemistry course that Seitz decided to change his major to chemistry.

“I got into chemistry with the broader goal of trying to help people in some way,” Seitz expressed.

During his time at ��Ƶ, he took full advantage of the opportunities presented to him. He studied abroad in Europe during Winter Term, conducted research through the Lumen Scholars program, completed two internships and immersed himself in service learning, where he taught children who were struggling to read.

Striving to gain experience in his field, Seitz dove right into his internship abroad. He attended RWTH Aachen University in Aachen, Germany, for the summer, contributing to their research efforts.

“This was my first real research experience, and it made me realize that I enjoy research so much that I’m still a researcher today,” he expressed.

The following fall, he started his research with the Lumen Scholars. Alongside his mentor, Sydney F. & Kathleen E. Jackson Professor of Chemistry and Chair of the Department of Chemistry Joel Karty, Seitz conducted a project that earned the 2014 Lumen Prize. Focused on expanding research on the reaction preferences of an enolate anion, in both gas and aqueous environments, he aimed to understand why it behaves differently in different environments, with the end goal of other scientists further optimizing the usage of this molecule when they need it.

Seitz with President Emeritus Leo Lambert for a Lumen Scholars ceremony.

Seitz’s passion for chemistry research continued the next summer when he was selected to participate in an internship at the California Institute of Technology. This further learning encouraged his eagerness to contribute to research.

“Going to Caltech, I was intimidated by being around so many geniuses. This internship was a good confidence-building exercise. It proved that even though I come from a small school with a tiny science program, I can fit in with these types of people and communicate and share ideas with them. That internship gave me the confidence to go to graduate school and then beyond,” he said.

Seitz sitting at his desk at the University of California, San Diego during his time working for his PhD.

Right after graduating from ��Ƶ, Seitz went to the University of California, San Diego, and completed his Ph.D. He then went to the University of Chicago and the Argonne National Lab to work on a project where researchers work with the World Health Organization to create a list of ten viral diseases with the greatest potential to cause a global pandemic.

The virus that would later mutate into COVID-19 was on this list, which became a global pandemic just a year later. Due to this, there was more interest from foreign governments to fund this type of work to make vaccines for the remaining viruses on the list and distribute them to prevent the next pandemic.

Joining this team in 2023, Seitz’s work is focused on two viruses: Lassa Fever, which affects people in West Africa, and the Nipah Virus, which affects a few countries in Southeast Asia. The Lassa Fever is very transmissible, but often non-lethal; Nipah is the opposite. Not many people get sick with Nipah; however, when they do, it is often lethal.

Both viruses are concerns for a possible pandemic and require preventative research to fully understand, for a vaccine to be created.

“Those countries in West Africa and Southeast Asia do not have the healthcare capabilities or biotechnology to develop these vaccines themselves,” he said. It’s private U.S. foundations and Western European governments that put money into this non-profit, which is funding my research through the University of Chicago to develop these vaccines. Once the vaccine is successfully developed, they will go to these countries and give them out for free.”

Connecting his current work back to his time at ��Ƶ, Seitz noticed that his ability to work with diverse groups of people and social connection skills that he strengthened at ��Ƶ served him in his current role. He notes, “Because I talk with different types of people who don’t have the experience that I have, I have to accurately communicate what I’m doing, why I need to do this, and so on. So that’s certainly something that helped quite a lot from ��Ƶ, being able to communicate what I’m doing.”

Seitz at Argonne National Laboratory, presenting research

Seitz’s published chemistry research is available online; he hopes other chemists can read these manuscripts and learn something from them, and hopefully build off of that.

“I’m contributing to advancing science in small steps. Even though I’m doing more of the basic research of trying to find stuff, the overall goal is that people are going to use these to discover stuff that will directly help people,” he added.

Seitz hopes the future of his career holds opportunities to take up a leadership and mentor role for other chemists.

“I really enjoy mentoring and teaching people, I want to have my own research group where I have some people working below me so I can mentor them and help them advance science as well,” Seitz said.

In May, Seitz will be awarded the Top 10 Under 10 Award. This award is given to 10 Alumni from the past decade who have bettered their community and serve as alumni role models.

Della Marie Vickers McKinnon ’62 and her family story that helped shape the university

Caitlin Fish — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 20:01:49 +0000

Della Marie Vickers McKinnon ’62 in her senior year portrait.

Della Marie Vickers McKinnon ’62 remains deeply rooted in ��Ƶ, a place that defines her family’s legacy and her upbringing.

“Not only did my grandparents, my parents, my husband, and I attend ��Ƶ, but also my brother, his wife (who was a librarian for over 30 years at the college), and their two boys,” McKinnon explained.

Growing up in the town of ��Ƶ, she saw the college not just as an institution, but as her neighborhood, her backyard and her daily reality. Her neighbors were often professors and staff of the college. The people who taught classes during the day were the same people she would see on her street later that night.

She watched the university evolve from her back window, witnessing its transformation over the years. One example is the property behind her house that was once used as the college farm, which later became a place that housed different families as the university expanded.

McKinnon was a part of ��Ƶ life and tradition from a very early age.

“I was in the College May Day as a flower girl when I was very young,” McKinnon recalled.

May Day is the celebration of the return to spring, and at ��Ƶ, the festival was always held on the first Saturday in May and consisted of dancing and other entertainment.

“There was a court selected by the student body which had a May King and May Queen along with their attendants and escorts, and they would ask different children in the community to be younger attendants,” she shareed.

When McKinnon looks back on those who shaped some of these early memories growing up, she notes the influence of professors at ��Ƶ, particularly the late president emeritus, Dr. J. Earl Danieley. In her younger years, she babysat Danieley’s son when Danieley was still a chemistry professor at the university. He later became president of ��Ƶ and held that position during McKinnon’s time as a student at ��Ƶ.

Her ��Ƶ experiences were very different from most because of her close connections to campus from a young age. She recalls even small memories like going to watch movies on Saturday nights with her mother in Whitley Auditorium.

��Ƶ has seen many changes throughout the years, and McKinnon was there for all of it. But of those early years, she holds fond memories of the way ��Ƶ once was.

“The ��Ƶ Community Church met in Whitley Auditorium for church, and I attended Sunday School in classrooms in the Mooney Building. My boyfriend and I would go downtown to Garrison’s Soda Shop on the days we didn’t have chapel and buy a Coke in the small bottle for 10 cents. The Student Union was also in the Mooney Building, and we would gather there between classes, and on the weekends, my sorority would have social occasions with our fraternity brothers,” she recalls.

Della Marie McKinnon representing ��Ƶ at Leas McRea College inauguration of their new President, October 2018.

McKinnon’s family is forever woven into the very fabric of ��Ƶ’s history.

“I learned from my mom, Gladys Simpson Vickers, that her dad, Henry Simpson, helped finish building the wall around the campus and was one of the students in the very first graduating class,” she said. “My great-grandmother on my mom’s side and her whole family moved from Graham to build a house on the west side of the campus so that my grandmother, Mary Crawford, could go to ��Ƶ. It came full circle that when I became a student at ��Ƶ, that same house was then the Student Health Center.”

But it was her father, Earl Wright Vickers, Sr., who solidified ��Ƶ’s continued influence in McKinnon’s life. Her father dedicated much of his time to the town of ��Ƶ and the college, forever leaving his mark. He served as a member of the Board of Aldermen for ��Ƶ College, held the position of Town Clerk for several years and also worked as Deputy Sheriff for a period of time. But at the time of his passing, he was employed as the superintendent of the college power plant.

Earl Wright Vickers Sr. and Gladys Simpson on ��Ƶ’s campus in 1926.

“Early in the 1940’s, ��Ƶ was designated as the location of the 325th College Training Detachment of the Army Air Corps, and since the college did not have a lot of finances, someone from Virginia offered to give the college a station wagon to provide transportation for the recruiters,” she said. “My dad offered to go to Virginia after work to obtain the vehicle and drive it back. He was on the way to Virginia when a truck hit the vehicle. He was the only one who died in the accident. After my father’s accident, ��Ƶ came to my mother and told her that her children’s education would be taken care of by the college. They honored that for my brother and me.”

During her first year as a student at ��Ƶ, McKinnon had the benefit of her former ties to the town and college that most of her peers did not have, and where she lived on campus was no different.

“Both my mother and her sister had lived in West Dormitory, and when I decided to stay on campus my first year, I also lived in West,” she said. “We even lived on the same floor, but at opposite ends of the same hall some 30 years later!”

Della Marie Vickers McKinnon ’62, fourth from the left, pictured here with fellow ��Ƶ cheerleaders.

��Ƶ was there for so many important moments of her life, even the naming of her own daughter.

“We could not decide on a name until we were on campus at the O’Kelly Monument, and both my husband and I agreed on Kelly as her name,” says McKinnon.

Five generations of her family have attended ��Ƶ, each leaving their mark on the campus and the surrounding community. Today, McKinnon is proud to be an alum of ��Ƶ.

“I am especially proud of the latest visionary investment in the Robert’s Academy for children with dyslexia,” she said. “I cherish the lifelong friends made while at ��Ƶ. I have enjoyed going back to ball games, homecomings, and participating on committees. I am so proud of ��Ƶ and the school it has become.”

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Yasmine Arrington Brooks ’15 expands ScholarCHIPS’ national reach after earning 2025 L’Oréal Paris Woman of Worth honor

Joshua Renza — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 21:59:37 +0000

When Yasmine Arrington Brooks ’15 learned she had been selected as a 2025 L’Oréal Paris Woman of Worth, she couldn’t quite believe what she was hearing.

“I was in complete shock,” she said. “Elated, ecstatic, excited; it’s a big deal. Especially for girls and women, we’ve all had at least one L’Oréal Paris product in our purses or bathrooms. I grew up watching their commercials. Their tagline is ‘Because You’re Worth It.’ For a brand like that to see my worth, and the worth of ScholarCHIPS, means so much.”

The recognition follows her recent honor as a Top 10 CNN Hero in 2023, another milestone in the journey that began when she founded ScholarCHIPS, a nonprofit providing college scholarships and community support for students with incarcerated parents. Over the past year, her organization has undergone its most significant transformation yet.

After CNN Heroes aired, ScholarCHIPS expanded its eligibility beyond the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia region and began accepting applications from students across the United States. The results were immediate, as more than 120 applications from students nationwide, many of whom learned about the program because of a new partnership with Securus Technologies. The company’s 500,000+ tablets in jails and prisons helped spread the word to incarcerated parents, who then contacted their children to encourage them to apply.

Yasmine Arrington Brooks ’15 smiling and celebrating at a ScholarCHIPS event.

“What we saw was incredible,” Arrington Brooks said. “That year, we welcomed our largest cohort of 24 students. We’re now serving 45 scholars. Since 2012, ScholarCHIPS has awarded over $600,000 in scholarships to more than 120 students, and we’ve had 54 graduates. Opening our doors to the country has been amazing, and it’s only the beginning.”

The heart of ScholarCHIPS has always been its community. Alumni return to mentor new scholars. Students bond through karaoke nights, game nights, advocacy trips and shared celebrations. Last year, she took several scholars and alumni to Arizona State University for the National Children of Incarcerated Parents Conference, where she moderated a panel featuring ScholarCHIPS students sharing their experiences.

“It’s a community where we uplift one another,” she said. “We laugh together, we cry together, we grow together. So many friendships have formed here. So many mentorships. I want to replicate this on college campuses across the country.”

Among the many students who remind her why the work matters is Temya Jackson, a biomedical engineering student from Arizona who has excelled academically while supporting her family. ScholarCHIPS has provided her with mentorship, technology support and a place to feel understood and encouraged.

“Temya is brilliant,” she said. “A straight-A student doing advanced research. She feels seen here. She feels celebrated. And now she’s working toward becoming a Jack Kent Cooke Scholar, a program I’m also an alum of. That’s what ScholarCHIPS does.”

Arrington Brooks’ commitment to her organization is deeply tied to her own lived experiences. Raised by her grandmother while her father was incarcerated, she learned resilience, creativity and the value of education by watching the woman who held her family together.

Yasmine Arrington Brooks ’15 poses at the ScholarCHIPS 13th Awards ceremony.

“I wouldn’t be where I am without my grandmother,” she said. “She taught me what faith looks like, what sacrifice looks like, what it means to love family no matter what you’re going through. I refused to allow my dad’s circumstances, or growing up in poverty, to be the end of my story. Those experiences were my beginning, but not my final destination.”

Her time at ��Ƶ shaped her leadership philosophy in lasting ways. As an undergraduate, she participated in ��Ƶ LEADS, alternative service trips with the gospel choir and study-abroad programs, became an ��Ƶ College Fellow (Arts & Sciences), a Ghana Periclean Scholar, and even organized a benefit concert on campus to raise money for ScholarCHIPS, bringing together a cappella groups, fraternities and sororities.

“All of my ��Ƶ experiences helped form who I am,” she said. “I developed lifelong relationships with professors, some of whom I’m still close with ten years later.” She shared special gratitude for President Emeritus Leo M. Lambert, President Connie Book, Randy Williams, Dean Kenn Gaither, Anthony Hatcher, Rodney Clare, Marnia McIntyre, and Marilyn Slade, all of whom played meaningful roles in her time at ��Ƶ.

Her advice for students hoping to create something that helps others is simple: “Start it now. Find a social issue you care about. Be creative about how you want to help. Share it with classmates, professors and people in the ��Ƶ community. You’d be surprised how many will want to support you.”

Looking ahead, her dream is to establish ScholarCHIPS chapters on college campuses, expand donor support and reach more of the nearly five million children of incarcerated parents in the United States.

“There’s so much work to be done,” she said. “We want to keep growing our family; new scholars, new donors, new volunteers. We want to scale our impact so even more young people know they’re worthy and they’re not alone.”

She encourages ��Ƶ alumni and community members to learn more or get involved by visiting or reaching out through ScholarCHIPS’ social media channels on and .

From national stages like CNN Heroes to being honored as a Woman of Worth, Arrington Brooks continues to rise and brings her scholars with her. Her mission remains to turn pain into purpose, to build community and to help young people believe in their own worth.

Are you enjoying our Alumni in Action series? Do you know an alum who has an interesting story to tell, maybe even yourself? Please feel free to share your feedback or those stories online, here:

Arron Jones-Williams ’13 turns foster-care resilience into a company helping rescue dogs

Joshua Renza — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 21:34:09 +0000

Arron Jones-Williams ’13 has built a business grounded in compassion, optimism and the belief that every life deserves a chance. As the founder of Rescue Treats, an all-natural dog treat company that donates part of every sale to rescue organizations, he often describes himself in a simple phrase that describes his purpose: “I’m a former foster kid helping foster dogs.”

Arron grew up in Ohio’s foster-care system before being adopted as a pre-teen. He remembers the moves, the uncertainty and the mix of great and not-so-great foster homes. What stayed with him was his determination not to let his circumstances define him. “Foster care made me a glass-half-full person,” he said. “Things could always be worse, so just be happy.”

Arron Jones-Williams ’13 giving a speech at ��Ƶ.

When it came time for college, he looked for somewhere far enough away to feel like a fresh start but close enough to reach on a Greyhound bus from Cleveland. ��Ƶ fit. He enrolled in 2009 and majored in political science, quickly becoming involved across campus. He served as president of the College Democrats, participated in Model UN, became a Civic Engagement Scholar and joined Pi Gamma Mu, the international social sciences honor society.

“��Ƶ had the most beautiful campus I’d ever seen,” he said. “It just felt like the right place.”

He pieced together his education through federal grants, financial aid and on-campus work, including serving as a resident assistant. But his time at ��Ƶ was also shaped by people who stepped in when he needed help.

“A huge shoutout to Phil Smith, he paid for my books every year,” he said. “My best friend since freshman year, Danny, and his mom, Lisa, realized I didn’t have a laptop or meal plan. She sponsored me. She’s been my second mom ever since.”

After graduation, Arron moved into finance and consulting. Even while working full-time, he found himself sketching an idea for a company that blended his love for dogs with his desire to make an impact. When his department learned it was being eliminated, he took the severance offer and decided to pursue his idea fully.

“There were other roles I could’ve taken,” he said. “But I figured if there was ever a moment to take the leap, that was it.”

Arron Jones-Williams ’13, smiles as he holds his degree at his graduation from ��Ƶ.

Rescue Treats grew out of those first prototypes. Arron designed a checkout system where customers choose which rescue receives a donation from their purchase. The treats are baked with simple, all-natural ingredients, and customers can subscribe to receive recurring deliveries while continuing to support the rescue of their choice. He doesn’t take a salary, so more money can go back to the organizations they work with.

He remembers one moment when the impact of his work felt real. He was leaving the bakery, walking to the post office with a stack of orders, when it hit him how far the idea had come.

“The late nights, the rejections; it all felt worth it,” he said. “These bags were going into homes across the country. They were helping dogs I’d never even met. I went from being tired to thinking, ‘How do I scale this to help more?’”

Not every step along the way has been easy. Early on, he pitched to a major grocery chain and was told that “dog treats don’t sell well here.” He laughed, thinking back on it.

“Maybe theirs don’t,” he said. “Ours fly off the shelves and they support rescues.”

Rescue Treats has since been recognized by local and state leaders for its mission-driven model.

A rescue dog smiles, laying next to Rescue Treats.

One partnership that stayed with him was Strong Paws Rescue. After a particularly slow quarter, he called to apologize for what he thought was too small a donation.

“Meg, the founder, told me never to think like that,” he said. “She said $60 can save a dog’s life; that pays for worm pills. My mind exploded. Every order matters.”

Arron says ��Ƶ helped prepare him more than he realized at the time.

“I like to think I got a second major in studying people and making friends,” he said. “Running a business, you learn from your mistakes, you study others to avoid theirs and you build a network of support.”

He also reflects on how Southern manners stuck with him.

“As a northern kid at a southern school, I learned ‘yes ma’am’ and ‘yes sir.’ I can’t tell you how far manners go. A smile can start a conversation that teaches you a million things,” he said.

Rescue Treats has recently expanded into a no-cost fundraising program for schools, clubs and sports teams, allowing students to sell the treats while still supporting a rescue on the back end, what Arron calls a “double fundraiser.” The model has taken off. “Students are outselling traditional fundraisers,” he said. “And once a dog has a new favorite treat, families come back for more.”

When asked what advice he’d give to his 18-year-old self, or to current ��Ƶ students with a business idea of their own, he didn’t hesitate.

“Entrepreneurs find areas that need improvement,” he said. “That’s all it is. Find the thing that isn’t being done well or isn’t being done at all and start there.”

You can purchase all-natural Rescue Treats, as well as learn more information at Find them on and .

Rescue Treats employee holds fresh dog treats at a bakery.

Are you enjoying our Alumni in Action series? Do you know an alum who has an interesting story to tell, maybe even yourself? Please feel free to share your feedback or those stories online, here: http://www.elon.edu/u/advancement/alumni-in-action-feedback/.

‘We Love You ForAva’ alumni book event to honor LGBTQIA families

Luis Garay — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 14:07:31 +0000

The Gender & LGBTQIA Center, in partnership with the ��Ƶ LGBTQIA Alumni Network, invites the ��Ƶ community to a heartfelt evening celebrating alumni, storytelling and the beauty of diverse families. The event, “We Love You ForAva: Alumni Book Celebration,” will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 4, from 6 to 7 p.m. EST in McKinnon Hall, Moseley Center.

This special program honors Jeffrey Williamson-Rose ’13 G’14 and his spouse Corddarryl Williamson-Rose, co-authors of the moving children’s book “We Love You ForAva.” Through their story, the couple highlights the joy, love and challenges of LGBTQIA family-building, centering their own experiences as adoptive parents. The event will feature a moderated discussion, readings, and reflections on inclusive storytelling and representation in children’s literature.

Serving as moderator for the evening will be Annette Orbert ’90, a proud ��Ƶ alumna and advocate for inclusion. Orbert will guide a conversation that explores how stories like “We Love You ForAva” not only affirm diverse families but also expand understanding of what it means to build community, belonging and love beyond traditional narratives.

The event will also feature insights from the Carolina Adoption Center, which works to create more equitable pathways for adoption. Attendees will learn about the ongoing need for supportive, loving adoptive families—especially within the LGBTQIA community—and the ways that storytelling can inspire visibility and change.

“This event is more than a book celebration, it’s a celebration of love and family,” said Luis Garay, director of the Gender & LGBTQIA Center. “We’re thrilled to highlight Jeffrey and Corddarryl’s work and to bring attention to the power of inclusive narratives that reflect the lives of so many in our community.”

The evening promises to be both inspiring and educational, offering opportunities for dialogue, connection and celebration. Whether you are an alum, student, faculty member, or community friend, you are invited to join this affirming space honoring the stories that bring us together.

Event Details

Tuesday, November 4, 2025
6 to 7 p.m. EST
McKinnon Hall, Moseley Center, ��Ƶ
Featuring: Jeffrey Williamson-Rose ’13 G’14, Corddarryl Williamson-Rose and moderator Annette Orbert ’90
Partners: Gender & LGBTQIA Center, the ��Ƶ LGBTQIA Alumni Network, the Carolina Adoption Center, Carol Grotnes Belk Library and ��Ƶ Campus Bookstore

For questions or accommodations, please contact Luis Garay (lgaray@elon.edu) or La’Tonya Wiley (lwiley2@elon.edu).

Come celebrate the power of love, family, and storytelling alongside incredible alumni who remind us that every family’s story deserves to be told.

Carmencita Rosales ’20 turns sister’s recovery into a red carpet calling

Joshua Renza — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 14:13:14 +0000

When her older sister, Gabriela Rosales ’20, was recovering at WakeMed after being struck by a car in 2015, Carmencita Rosales ’20 improvised a bedside show to lift spirits. “I could see her mood change every time. I understood then: if I’m on camera, I want to transmit that energy to people who need it.”

That spark, born in a hospital room and cultivated at ��Ƶ, now powers Rosales’ work as a bilingual journalist, TV host and content creator traveling to red carpets and fashion weeks across Latin America and the U.S.

Carmencita Rosales, poses while walking the red carpet at the 37th Lo Nuestro Awards.

In early 2025, she checked off two vision-board moments: New York Fashion Week and Premio Lo Nuestro, an awards show honoring the best of Latin music. “Stepping out of the car and seeing the cameras, the fans, I thought, this is real,” she said.

��Ƶ felt like home from the start, Rosales says, even before she enrolled, when her family visited campus during her sister’s recovery. The support continued when she arrived as a student. “El Centro was my support system,” she said, adding that staff like Sylvia Muñoz and Diana Prieto were family. She also credits the Center for Race, Ethnicity & Diversity Education (CREDE) and the daily kindness of dining staff who “checked on me, cheered me on, and made campus feel like home.”

She entered as a cinema and television arts major but quickly gravitated toward being on-air. A friend encouraged her to try ETalk, the student-run TV show. “There was a spark when I saw the host,” she said. “They brought so much magic to the table. I thought, ‘Why don’t I do that?’.”

Another nudge led her to WSOE, where she launched the station’s first Spanish-language radio program, Tu Cita Favorita, a weekly hour of entertainment news and music. “It was just me, myself and I, talking about what I loved,” Rosales said. “I wanted the Burlington community to hear Spanish on air.”

Carmencita Rosales, left, and Kristina Piersanti ’19, right, pictured smiling while working for ETalk in 2018.

Faculty mentors helped her embrace bilingual storytelling. Professor Anthony Hatcher “showed me not to be afraid of speaking Spanish in journalism, or of my accent,” she said.

Professor Kelly Furnas remembers the purpose behind her early assignments.

“Beyond energy, engagement and work ethic, she brought a sense of purpose to her writing,” Furnas said.

Professor Alex Luchsinger also noticed a “lightbulb moment” as Rosales leaned into reporting on Nicaragua and Latin America. “Her background and skillset put her in a good position to do this,” Luchsinger said.

A pivotal moment came when Maity Interiano ’07, a Univision host and ��Ƶ alumna, returned to campus. While on campus, Rosales asked her for advice.

“Maity says people come to TV for three things: fame, a voice or to do what they love,” Rosales recalled. “I realized I want to entertain and inform, to be that spark for someone having a hard day.”

After four years of storytelling and growth, she was ready to take that energy into the professional world. Graduating into the 2020 pandemic, however, meant rescinded offers and a frozen job market. Rosales returned to Managua and pitched a morning segment to the national station, VosTV. The show, Tu Cita con Carmencita, began as a 15-minute feature twice a week. “I had no professional camera, just my phone and a lot of ganas (enthusiasm),” she said.

Carmencita Rosales poses inside of a live television set.

Then came a turning point. In February 2022, as her grandmother’s health declined, sponsors abruptly pulled out of the show.

“Within two days, about 15 brands said they couldn’t continue,” Rosales said. That same weekend, an international fashion invitation landed in her inbox. “It felt like a sign,” she said.

After her grandmother passed on Feb. 14, “her favorite date,” Rosales thanked viewers on live TV and announced it would be her last episode on the channel. “I took the invitation and went independent.”

Since then, Rosales has covered Miss Nicaragua and Latin American fashion weeks, and booked U.S. commercial work, all while growing Tu Cita con Carmencita as her own platform. She has also explored acting, including a role on a Telemundo project titled Velvet: El Nuevo Imperio.

“Being on set felt like home,” she said.

She took acting and special-effects classes at ��Ƶ and hopes to keep that door open. Rosales is passionate about creating greater visibility for Hispanic journalists and TV hosts in the U.S. entertainment industry. She hopes her work helps open doors for others who share her background.

“I want young viewers, especially girls across Latin America, to see that their dreams are possible,” she said. “You have to believe in yourself and follow your heart.”

She also measures success differently now.

“Before ��Ƶ, I thought success was just making it,” she said. “Today, success is being at peace with where you are on the journey. As a Phoenix, we rise, no matter how many times we fall.”

Carmencita Rosales ’20 smiles on set while filming the Telemundo series “Velvet: Nuevo Imperio.”

Rosales keeps ��Ƶ close to her heart. As a student, she often walked through the School of Communications’ ‘Wall of Fame’ for inspiration, reminding herself that the people on those walls once stood where she was.

“I used to look at those photos and think, one day, I want a Latina student to see my picture and believe it’s possible,” she said. Now, she hopes current students do the same, finding motivation in the stories of those who came before them.

She hopes to return to campus to speak with students and partner with Latin organizations.

Her advice to current Phoenix: “You don’t have to know your path as a first-year. Try everything. Walk the ‘Wall of Fame’ and see yourself there. Those four years are hard, and they shape you,” she said.

And for anyone navigating setbacks, she offers the same encouragement she once gave her sister from a hospital bedside: “Keep going. Little signs will tell you you’re on the right track, and the yeses always come.”

Do you know an alum who has an interesting story to tell, maybe even yourself? Please feel free to share those stories online.

Lillian Engel ’19 cuts her path from ��Ƶ to Hollywood’s editing suites

Joshua Renza — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 18:48:50 +0000

The first time Lillian Engel ’19 stepped into ��Ƶ University’s School of Communications, her attention went straight to the editing suites, not the cameras or soundstages.

“Something about seeing those editing rooms was just really intriguing,” she says. “By the time I arrived at ��Ƶ, I knew I wanted to be a cinema major. Specifically, within that, I had become interested in becoming an editor.”

That curiosity has since guided Engel through the cutting rooms of major studio projects, from “Extraction” on Netflix to “Joker: Folie à Deux” with Warner Bros. Today, she lives in Los Angeles, cutting out her place in Hollywood’s fast-moving post-production world, one frame at a time.

Growing up in Connecticut, Engel didn’t initially know that cinema and television could be a field of study. But after visiting ��Ƶ, she was drawn to the university’s approach.

“I’m a very hands-on person, other schools I visited talked about doing theory for the first few years,” she said. “At ��Ƶ, they encouraged filmmaking from day one.

Lillian Engel ’19 smiles while on set with FreshTV in 2015.

That approach gave Engel a creative outlet and community. She joined Cinelon Productions, the student-run film organization, where she eventually served as a writing executive.

“Editing is part technical and part storytelling,” she says, “Knowing how to tell a story, and being able to teach that, is integral to what I do. You need a big-picture understanding so you’re not just putting shots together.”

By the time she graduated, her professors knew exactly where her passion was. “If we were doing a project, they knew I wanted to be the editor,” Engel says. “They let me tailor my time at ��Ƶ toward that focus.”

Engel credits several ��Ƶ faculty members for helping her build that focus. Cinema & Television Arts faculty Nicole Triche and Youssef Osman, she says, helped refine her technical skills and explore new editing software. Director of Student Engagement and Special Projects and Assistant Professor of Journalism Colin Donohue, who served as her academic advisor, provided constant encouragement.

“He was always championing me toward my goals and helping me figure out where to position myself,” she said.

Lillian Engel ’19, working on-set for a Coca-Cola commercial competition in 2017. (Photo credit: Tommy Kopetskie)

Donohue recalls her as “one of the finest students I’ve had in 18 years.”

“Lillian exhibited tremendous leadership and empathy. She was thoughtful, creative and curious — the kind of student who inspired everyone around her to be better,” he said.

That drive carried her beyond campus. Engel interned in both New York and Los Angeles, gaining early exposure to production and post-production environments. She also studied abroad in Paris through ��Ƶ’s French program, an experience that deepened her love of global storytelling.

In 2018, she nearly missed the deadline for the American Cinema Editors’ (ACE) Student Editing Competition, but managed to submit her entry just in time. A few months later, she received an email that changed her path — she was named a finalist and invited to the ACE Eddie Awards in Beverly Hills. “It was surreal,” she says. “I was meeting people whose names I’d only ever seen in movie credits.”

Lillian Engel, left, smiles at the 2018 ACE Eddie Awards in Beverly Hills. From left to right: her mother Melissa, Jenny Stringfellow ’15 and Ben Stringfellow ’15.

The event became her first glimpse into the professional editing world and her first encounter with ��Ƶ’s vast alumni network.

“There was another ��Ƶ alumnus there, and he later referred me for what became my first job. ��Ƶ pulled through and got me my start in Hollywood,” she explained.

After graduating, Engel moved to Los Angeles without a job or apartment.

“I was couch-hopping and networking, but within weeks, two ��Ƶ connections reached out at the same time with opportunities,” she said.

One of those connections led her to her first project: Netflix’s “Extraction,” where she joined the team as an office assistant.

“It was a really good take-off point, I was learning the back end of how a professional post-production office runs,” said Engel.

She has since worked on high-profile projects, including “Vacation Friends” for Hulu, “Peter Pan & Wendy” for Disney+, and “Joker: Folie à Deux” for Warner Bros. As an assistant editor on “Joker: Folie à Deux,” she helped manage footage organization, sound and music coordination and communication between departments.

Lillian Engel poses beside the Joker 2 film poster in 2024, where she served as assistant editor.

“I was in charge of liaising with the music department, sending and receiving cuts, and integrating the composers’ work,” she explained. “It was a good way for me to learn the process without being totally overwhelmed.”

Despite the differences between genres, Engel says the essence of editing remains the same. “The process doesn’t necessarily change, you still screen, cut, and refine scene by scene with the director. What changes is the scale, but the collaboration and creativity stay constant.”

Now an editor for an independent feature film, she reflects on the challenges of working in an industry that thrives on connections.

“There are no job boards in editing; everything is word of mouth. You can’t force the network, it happens organically,” she said.

She’s also quick to note that setbacks are part of the process: “Mistakes happen, and the key is staying calm and finding a solution. If I’m confident I can fix it — the world isn’t ending. It reflects better to take responsibility, communicate, and move forward.”

Her mentors and collaborators have continued to inspire her growth, including “Joker” editor Jeff Groth.

“Jeff would have us assistants come in and ask our opinions,” she said. “He made the cutting room collaborative. That taught me a lot about leadership and trust.”

Engel remains connected to ��Ƶ’s film community, seeking to mentor students who want to enter post-production.

“When I first moved to LA, I didn’t know anyone except some other ��Ƶ connections; that network has been everything,” she said. “I always want to be a resource for students interested in editing; it’s not as shiny as directing, but it’s vital to storytelling.”

Lillian Engel sits down at her editing desk in Los Angeles in 2023.

Her advice for students: practice constantly, “Editing is like a muscle; the more you do it, the stronger your eye and timing get. Get involved with projects, apply for competitions, and reach out to professionals. It’s all about staying curious and connecting with people.”

As for her own future, Engel hopes to keep exploring new genres. “I’d love to edit a musical one day, or maybe a period piece, something with a lot of emotion and texture. Right now, success means working on stories I care about and being part of great teams,” she explained.

For those who knew her at ��Ƶ, Engel’s story comes as no surprise. Donohue remembers presenting her “Outstanding Senior in Cinema and Television Arts’” award at the end-of-year ceremony.

“We didn’t need prepared remarks to celebrate Lillian,” he said, “She inspired people around her to be better. She left an imprint on this place.”

From the editing suites that first caught her eye to the cutting rooms of Hollywood, Engel’s path reflects the importance of curiosity and perseverance; the same values that continue to shape ��Ƶ storytellers today.

Do you know an alum who has an interesting story to tell, maybe even yourself? Please feel free to share those stories online.

Five new members join ��Ƶ Alumni Board

Kendra Haskins — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 15:14:21 +0000

The ��Ƶ Alumni Board (EAB) acts as a key link between the University administration and the alumni body. On an individual basis and collectively as a Board, the EAB provides advice, counsel and perspective to staff and leadership on a wide range of strategic issues facing the University.

New members’ first meeting with the full board was held on Friday, Oct. 10 as part of Homecoming & Reunion Weekend.

Whitney Butcher ’09 L’12
Whitney is a practicing attorney with more than ten years of experience in complex civil litigation. She is a partner with the multi-state law firm Ketterer, Browne & Associates, PLLC. While at ��Ƶ, Whitney was a member of the Women’s Tennis Team and while at ��Ƶ Law, was a part of the moot court board and argued at national competitions her 2L and 3L years.

Whitney lives in Raleigh with her husband, Nick, and her handsome goldendoodle, Shep.

Stephen Dahlem ’07
Stephen is the president and founder of Steele Commercial and Steele Property Management of Raleigh, NC. Together with Steele Residential, the three companies provide comprehensive real estate solutions throughout the great Triangle area.

Stephen earned his BA from ��Ƶ and has a MBA from UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School. In his free time, Stephen serves as Treasurer on the Board of Directors for the Triangle Area Office Building Association (TRAOBA). He can otherwise be found on the tennis or pickleball courts or enjoying a glass of wine with friends and family.

Kristyn Green ’95 P’29
Kristyn was born and raised in South Jersey. She graduated from ��Ƶ in 1995, with a degree in History and Philosophy and went on to get her Certification in Business Management from The Wharton School in 2004. Her career has been focused on technology services, and she is currently the Global Lead for Customer Feedback and Reporting at EY LLP where she has been for over 25 years.

Kristyn lives in New Jersey with her family and her daughter, Sara, is currently a freshman at ��Ƶ.

Scott Rehnert ’12
Scott earned his BA in Business Administration (Management and Economics) from ��Ƶ and is a member of the Sigma Iota Epsilon Management Fraternity. He is currently a Manager on the Business Solutions team at Audax Group, where he drives operational efficiency and manages CRM platforms across the firm. He previously spent more than five years on Audax Group’s Investor Relations team, supporting fundraising, client communications, and strategic relationship management.

He and his wife, Kate (also a 2012 alum), live in Wellesley, MA with their two daughters, Reese (3) and Blair (1), and their dogs, Watson and Millie.

Peter Walpole ’15
Peter graduated with a degree in media arts and entertainment. Following a decade-long PR agency experience at Golin, he joined the networking and cybersecurity company Infoblox to lead their social media and digital strategy. As part of his commitment to serving students and young people, Peter has been an adjunct professor for the City College of New York Branding + Integrated Communications master’s program since 2022.

Peter lives with his wife Sarah in Brooklyn, NY, and can usually be found picking up litter around his beloved Bushwick neighborhood.

Alum Bill Troutman’s unexpected path to ��Ƶ and the arts

Caitlin Fish — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 19:05:12 +0000

Bill Troutman ’61 carved his own path to ��Ƶ. Unlike many of his classmates, he didn’t go on college tours or have a parent who was an alumnus, he found ��Ƶ through a chance encounter.

In November 1953, while serving in the military aboard of ship of over 5,000 other U.S. Army servicemen, Troutman recalls hearing about ��Ƶ for the first time. Below deck with the other soldiers, he was enjoying a movie when intermission arrived and Troutman stood up to stretch his legs and chat with those around him. It was during this moment that he encountered someone who would profoundly impact his life: an unknown solider who shared his love for baseball.

“It was during my brief conversation with this soldier, whose name I don’t remember and who I never saw again, who first spoke the words ‘��Ƶ College’ to me. He casually referenced this revered small college in North Carolina, that just happened to have a strong baseball program,” said Troutman.

N. Richard Nash’s “The Rainmaker” performed in 1961 by Tony Mankosky, Bill Troutman, Carter Nate, John Williams

Little did Troutman know ��Ƶ would become a central part of his life. Six years later, in 1959, Troutman was able to transfer credits from Penn State University to attend ��Ƶ. Having received financial assistance through the GI Bill, Troutman was able to afford the college of his dreams. He recalls feeling gracious for the opportunity to attend college, as many people he knew couldn’t afford it.

“As a small-town farm boy, growing up in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania and one of seven children, financial assistance was the difference between a college education or not,” he said.

Troutman remembers feeling genuinely accepted from the moment he stepped foot on campus to unpack his belongings on the second floor of Carolina residence hall. Even being a few years older than his classmates, Troutman still felt the kindness and support of his peers.

“These relationships served as my family away from home and opened the door for a place in the campus community. Classmates, professors, and campus employees offered me an opportunity ‘to belong’, and I accepted it,” he said.

To pay for college, Troutman worked in the school cafeteria. He learned many useful skills there, like responsibility and hard work, but his biggest takeaway was the people that he met along the way.

“I was privileged to encounter one of the most remarkable, endearing, one-in-a-million individuals I have ever met,” said Troutman, about a woman he referred to as Miss Mary. “A hug from her would fuel my energy tank for the whole day. For those at ��Ƶ who write its history, she deserves more than a paragraph.”

At the time, Troutman recalls Miss Mary being one of the few African American personnel working at the school. She was largely responsible for the smooth running of the school cafeteria that served an all-white student body. Troutman remembers her larger-than-life presence and personality, which he describes as having, “an enormously positive impact on my collegiate career.”

While at ��Ƶ, Troutman had many interests and passions such as history, English, and competitive athletics. It wasn’t until another cafeteria worker, Sharon Glew, introduced him to the arts that he found his real calling. His first experience with the arts was in an oral interpretation class taught by husband and wife, Mel and Betty Wooten.

“In retrospect, it was their patience, instruction, guidance, positive attitude, encouragement, and supportive friendship that led me to become excited and interested in performing arts,” he explains.

Moliere’s “The Doctor In Spite of Himself” The ��Ƶ Players in 1961(L-R) Tony Markosky, Carol Tragesor, Richard Milteer, Rosalie Radcliff, Sam White, Bill Troutman, Judy Elliot and Frank Cismelli

The arts were where Troutman thrived, he was able to play several lead roles and showcase his talents. He notes that the most demanding role of Sganerelle in Moliere’s “The Doctor in Spite of Himself” was also the most rewarding. The director, Ray Day, created an amazing show Troutman was proud to be a part of. In February of 1961, all of his hard work paid off when he won the Jerry Dalton Strader Award ‘Eppie’ for his outstanding performance as Sganerelle. This award helped him solidify his passion for the arts as well as validate the sacrifices and hard work he put in to succeed in the theater.

“The impact of my relationships with professors Mel and Betty Wooten, director Ray Day and the student members of the ��Ƶ Players cannot be measured. They will remain as life-altering treasures,” he says.

Moliere’s “The Doctor in Spite of Himself” by The ��Ƶ Players in 1961Left to right: Biddle plays “Valere”, Troutman plays “Sganorelle” and Markosky plays “Lucas”

A memory Troutman reflects on fondly during his time at ��Ƶ is that of his Spanish professor, Francis Muldrow. She pushed him to succeed and never gave up on him during his time at ��Ƶ.

“Her message was that if I was capable of memorizing so many pages of dialogue, there was no excuse for me being a ‘C’ grade Spanish student. She expressed her disappointment and challenged me to better myself. She arranged for a study partner in Alan Foster and thanks to them I raised my grade to a responsible ‘B’,” he said.

Eugene O’Neill’s “AH, Wilderness.” Pictured are Peggy Roach Parker and Bill Troutman

Troutman built himself a home at ��Ƶ and found role models, friends, and mentors.

“Now in 2025, at the age of 92, retired but forever an ��Ƶ graduate, I salute and acknowledge members of the ��Ƶ faculty who served as positive role models who encouraged me to be the best that I could be, and convinced me that I belonged as a vital member of the ��Ƶ community,” he said.

Bill Troutman’s journey to ��Ƶ exemplifies the power of unexpected encounters, the transformative nature of higher education, and the importance of the people you meet along the way. From his military service to meeting the unknown soldier who introduced him to the possibilities at ��Ƶ, his path was unconventional.

At ��Ƶ, he not only found lifelong friends but also discovered a newfound passion for acting—one that would forever shape his personal and professional life. The impact of ��Ƶ on Troutman is profound, proving that sometimes the most meaningful chapters of our lives are written through the connections we make and the passions we uncover along the way.

Alumni in Action: Marisa Moody ’15 transitions from industry to ministry

Tommy Kopetskie — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 20:04:49 +0000

journey, shaped by her time at ��Ƶ and her early career success, highlights how a strong sense of purpose can lead to meaningful transformation.

Guided by faith and a renewed sense of mission, Marisa Moody ’15 combines her strategic communication expertise with her calling in student ministry to inspire others across Europe.

As a Communications Fellow and strategic communications major, Moody thrived at ��Ƶ, excelling in academics and leaving her mark through extracurricular activities. She was integral to Live Oak Communications, leading the student-run agency to its first Gold ADDY Award. Beyond that, she was actively involved in Catholic Campus Ministry and the university’s American Advertising Federation chapter. Recognized as the school’s top strategic communications student, Moody also completed six impressive internships, including stints with BBDO, Wieden + Kennedy and Pace Communications.

After graduating, Moody began her career in New York City through Ogilvy’s prestigious Associates Program and spent four years working on IBM’s global business initiatives. Her journey then took her to Berlin, where she collaborated with Publicis on high-profile projects for Mercedes-Benz and Nivea. These early career achievements earned her the university’s Top 10 Under 10 Alumni Award in 2023.

In her role as communications director for the Revive Europe movement, Moody (middle) oversees several communications needs. These responsibilities include conducting interviews for a documentary series.

However, that same year, Moody made a bold decision, and she elected to step away from the advertising industry to pursue a new path.

“��Ƶ really nurtured my excitement for the power and potential of advertising to impact culture,” Moody said. “I genuinely enjoyed learning about different industries and shaping creative strategies to approach business challenges. But I reached a point where I questioned where the ladder I was climbing was leading, and if that’s where I wanted to land.”

Shortly after resigning, Moody attended a retreat in Herrnhut, Germany, where she discovered a way to meld her talents and passions. Immersed in the legacy of the Moravian Revival and inspired by student ministry leaders, she felt a renewed sense of purpose. When she learned about an opening for a communications director with the Revive Europe movement, the timing and opportunity felt like a perfect fit.

Today, Moody is a missionary with Revive Europe, a ministry dedicated to empowering young adults across Europe to seek spiritual renewal. Based in Berlin, Moody is part of the inaugural class of Revive’s Discipleship Training School, created in collaboration with Youth with a Mission Berlin.

Moody (kneeling, third from left) gathers with members of her Revive Europe team during the organization’s conference in Poland to kick off the new year.

Over the past year, Revive Europe has hosted student retreats in Denmark, London and Budapest, connecting hundreds of young adults with a shared vision of revival. Moody played a key role in organizing a New Year’s Eve conference in Krakow, Poland, which attracted nearly 1,500 students from across Europe. Her work with a 50-member volunteer team spans mobile app launches, social media campaigns, video production, merchandise design, and public relations.

“When I first felt called into missions, I honestly thought my communications career was over,” Moody said. “But letting God take the lead has been so much fun, and He doesn’t waste a thing. It’s a dream I didn’t know I had – building a creative community of Jesus lovers committed to seeing the church healthier and more alive than ever amongst the next generation of leaders in Europe.”

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