Alumni Highlights

Learn about alumni achievements and stories

Alumni Highlights

Alumnus Honored by Miami Marlins

Tim Sylvester ’12, ’14MBA was honored by the Miami Marlins organization as the 2025 Jackie Robinson Award Winner. He serves the Marlins as coordinator of Minor League video and operations.

Sylvester was recognized for demonstrating Jackie Robinson’s Nine Values and was nominated by Marlins leadership and selected by peers. This annual award highlights staff who go above and beyond their daily duties to contribute to the organization in a meaningful way, aligning with the values that define Robinson’s life and career. He was honored in a pregame ceremony at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida.

Sylvester has been a member of the organization since 2019, and previously worked for the Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers. At Fisher, he was a four-year member of the Cardinals baseball team. 

Making Fisher HERstory: First Alumna Board Chair

Rebecca Pelino had her sights set on another institution when her father convinced her to attend a St. John Fisher Open House. Fisher had been on her parents’ list, so her mom joined the visit too. That day, Pelino reset her plans and chose Fisher.

“I’m glad I went to that Open House, I immediately felt at home and knew I was going to Fisher,” she said.

She was an economics major with a minor in finance and remembers close relationships with her professors. From a young age, she had the entrepreneurial bug and knew she wanted to own her own business. In her senior year at Fisher, she was asked to be the institution’s first economics tutor, an experience she says shaped her the most during her time in college.

“Being asked to be a tutor was a very big deal for me, it was a very proud moment. It gave me the opportunity to be a leader. I always liked to take on tasks and projects; I didn’t mind being the one to lead the task. I used to conduct my tutoring business in one of the small study rooms in Lavery Library using a chalkboard,” she recalled, smiling ear to ear. 
After graduating in 1986, Pelino pursued her entrepreneurial path, beginning in the large asset sales department of a national commercial real estate firm. That role led to a position as managing partner in a land development firm that developed, owned, and sold more than $140 million of residential land. Today, she is co-founding partner and managing partner of Capital Investment Advisors (CIA), leading acquisitions, deal origination, capital sourcing, project management, contract management, leasing, and sales. She “lost track of Fisher” for a time while building her career and business.

“I always thought about Fisher, and it was always close to my heart. It was one of the best experiences of my life; I would go back and do it all over again. Fisher always felt like a second home, felt like family,” she said.

After two decades of professional growth, she reconnected with Fisher in 2008 during a campus tour with one of Fisher’s development staff members. “That was when I fell in love with Fisher all over again.”

She soon became involved with the School of Business and established a scholarship in her parents’ name. Before long, she was invited to join the Board of Trustees. In 2021, her philanthropy established the Rebecca Pelino ’86 Entrepreneur in Residence Program, funding a new faculty position to help build a robust entrepreneurship program. By 2024, an entrepreneurship minor launched, an Entrepreneurship Club formed, and student interest in competitions and conferences grew rapidly.

“I was beyond honored to join the Board and even more inspired by the level of dedication and commitment each member brings to the institution.  Seeing how thoughtfully and tirelessly the Board works on behalf of the University is incredibly motivating and makes you want to contribute in any way possible,” she said.

For Pelino, the significance of Board service isn’t tied to one moment. It is reaffirmed at every meeting.

“There is always something to be proud of. Seeing what the library was and what it is today, becoming a University, the endowment growing leaps and bounds, fundraising efforts - the list goes on. There is always a milestone that makes me say, ‘Wow, this is amazing!’ This is why I’m so glad I do this,” she said.

As she steps into her role as the first alumna to chair the Board — a milestone she didn’t fully realize until it was noted by fellow Trustees — Pelino remains focused on listening, understanding, encouraging thoughtful dialogue, and asking hard questions. She hopes to foster collaboration, engagement, and involvement, while helping advance the University’s Strategic Plan, Fisher 2030: Pathways to Purpose, as a key priority.

“When I graduated, I never would have thought that I would be on the Board, much less asked to be chair. While someone would eventually become the first alumna to serve in this role, I never imagined I would have the privilege of being that person,” she said. “There is a lot of change in higher education right now, it will be crucial for the Board to both support and align with the priorities set forth in the Strategic Plan. I’m going to work hard. I’ve got massive shoes to fill, but I am prepared, happy, excited for it. I hope I can make some good contributions, and I couldn’t have asked for a better board. This will not be a job, it’s an honor.”

Looking ahead for Fisher, Pelino is optimistic.

“We have every opportunity to excel because of who we are and how we’re defined, we will continue to grow. We have everything we need - great leadership, we try new things, and we are always evolving. We are in a great spot and will continue to grow while still being Fisher,” she said.

To today’s female students who aspire to lead in their fields and communities, Pelino offers four words of advice: you can do it.

“You can do anything you can put your mind to. Don’t think there is any reason you can’t. Whatever you set out to do, don’t let anyone tell you differently. It’s how I’ve lived my life, it was ingrained in me as a child. If it’s important enough to you, you’ll do it,” she said.

Cardinal Connections Near and Far

Not once, but twice in a week, Dr. Michael Maguire ’07, associate program director of the Combined Internal Medicine and Pediatrics residency at ChristianaCare/Nemours Children’s Hospital in Delaware, had serendipitous meetings with fellow Fisher alumni, thousands of miles apart.

This past January, Maguire was working on an internal medicine floor when he met Dr. Allen Murphy ’20, a new intern.

“I ask every resident I work with who their undergraduate mascot is and then attempt to guess where they went,” said Maguire. “I think Allen was as surprised as I was when I narrowed it down. In all the hundreds of students and residents I’ve interacted with, this was the first time finding a fellow Cardinal.”

Murphy, a combined emergency/internal medicine resident at ChristianaCare, and Maguire, both biology graduates, connected over shared professors, classes, and of course the dining hall.

“Moving several times for medical training it was comforting to work with someone who had shared experiences,” said Murphy. “It was also motivating to see an attending from a similar background model a dedication to education, learning, and care for patients I want to emulate as I progress through training.”

Less than a week later, Maguire traveled from Delaware to the Dominican Republic where he was volunteering, something he has been doing for nearly two decades. While there, he was working with a care team that included a Spanish interpreter, Ivan Lopez ’23, ’25MBA, working with the Somos Amigos organization. Maguire and Lopez were chatting about their hometowns when they realized they were both from Rochester. They then discovered they were both Fisher alumni.

“It was a shocking moment for both of us,” said Maguire. “Ivan was an awesome addition to the clinic team and an asset to the care of our patients. He embodied many of Fisher’s core aspirational values.”

These two connections in very different corners of the world may feel like a “lightning strikes twice” kind of moment, but also serves as a reminder that the Fisher family is doing great things all over the world. (Photo: Maguire with Allen (left) and Lopez (right).

Showing Pride in a Cardinal Legacy

Jim Henderson ’65 is a proud legacy grandfather to Alexis (Lexi) Henderson ’22, a Wegmans School of Nursing graduate. A pediatric emergency nurse at Golisano Children’s Hospital, Lexi first traveled to Lwanyonyi, Uganda, in 2023 as a medical mission volunteer. Inspired by her work there, she, along with several family members, created Project Seka (www.projectseka.org) to raise money to build a medical facility in the town. 

From Fisher Football to Faith in Action

For Dan O’Connor, a member of the Class of 1973 and a founding member of Fisher football, commitment to others has shaped a lifetime of work grounded in compassion, faith, and a deep belief in the power of education to transform lives.

As a Fisher sophomore in 1971, Dan met Irma, a Peruvian student on full scholarship at Daemen College in Buffalo. As they spent time together, his interest in Peru grew, and shortly after earning his sociology degree, Dan joined the Maryknoll Fathers in Peru as a mission volunteer. The experience was life-changing.

“My eyes were opened to the stark realities faced by millions,” said Dan. “No running water or electricity; rampant illness with limited medical care; fragile one- or two-room shacks; and little access to technical education or university.”

Dan and Irma married and returned to Buffalo where they built a life and a family. Through the decades, their shared commitment to their faith and community led them to serving their church and other community organizations. They stayed connected to Peru through the Maryknoll Fathers and regular trips to visit family.

On one such trip in 2005, they were connected with a teen living at an orphanage. He was a gifted and hard-working student who had dreams of becoming a nurse, but would never be able to afford tuition to a technical school. Inspired, Dan and Irma decided to fund his education. Each year they repeated the gesture, funding three-year technical school or one or two students.

Then came the COVID-19 pandemic. With extra time to reflect on their work, they began to think about broadening their impact beyond a handful of students, and they decided to start a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to education for impoverished students and orphans in Peru and they called it The Last Shall Be First Scholarships.

The mission reflects the O’Connors’ belief that an individual’s education can create opportunity for the wider community.

Through the foundation, they partner with local organizations and schools in Peru to identify those who lack the financial means to continue their education. The Last Shall be First Scholarships have been able to fund three-year technical school education for more than 30 students each year. This work has impacted lives across several regions including Lurin, Chaclacayo, Piura, and Moyobamba. The O’Connors cover all administrative costs of the foundation to ensure all donations directly support students in Peru.

For the O’Connors, the work is both personal and purposeful. The students who receive scholarships earn technical degrees and return to their communities with new skills, strengthening local economies and inspiring others to follow similar paths.

Dan’s journey, from a young graduate volunteering abroad to a founder helping transform lives, embodies the University’s mission of service to others.

“What we do running our foundation is a small part of a much larger story. The true heroes are the orphans, students, and families who overcome doubt, extreme poverty, scarce resources, and the many temptations to quit,” said Dan. “Through their determination, drive, and discipline, they are breaking the cycle of poverty, helping their families, and transforming their communities. Our kids are extremely resilient and dedicated to complete their degrees and get to work at a decent-paying job.”

Learn more about the transformative work of The Last Shall be First Scholarships at thelastshallbefirstscholarships.org. 

Alumni Back at the Nest

Alumni Chris Keyes ’10, ’20MBA, Jason Byam ’06, Matt Lake ’03, and Marykate Edmunds ’14 started new positions at their alma mater.

Keyes is director of student engagement and leadership. He previously served as football coach and advisor for the Teddi Dance for Love. In his new role, he will lead the efforts to support student clubs and organizations, student leadership development, and campus traditions. 

Byam is leading both the men’s and women’s tennis programs. Previously head tennis professional for Mendon Racquet Club, he is a 2017 Fisher Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, recording the most wins (81) by a men’s tennis player in school history and earning All-Empire 8 honors six times in singles and doubles. 

Lake is director of retention and student success, a new position at Fisher. He has previously worked in several roles at Fisher, including associate director of academic advising. Most recently, he has served as associate director of student success and retention at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Edmunds is head women’s lacrosse coach following four years at the helm for SUNY Geneseo’s program. She has also coached at SUNY Fredonia and SUNY Polytechnic. She was a member of the Fisher women’s team from 2011-2014 earning second-team All-Empire 8 honors as a defender.

Jen Granger ’95 Becomes First Woman to Lead Athletics

Jennifer Granger has been named director of athletics and recreation at Fisher. Granger has served as interim director for the past year, and has been part of the University’s intercollegiate athletics program for more than two decades.

A 1995 graduate of Fisher, Granger becomes the fourth director of athletics in the University’s history, and is the first woman to earn the role. She has compiled several notable accomplishments during her career at the University, including the establishment of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. Granger has been essential in the development of new athletics programs, including men’s and women’s ice hockey, men’s wrestling, men’s volleyball, and women’s rowing.

Granger has also been instrumental in hosting multiple NCAA championship events in the Rochester area, including the 2025 NCAA Division III Men’s Golf Championships and the 2023 NCAA Division III Track and Field Championships.