A Purrfect Blend: “Cats and Coffee” Showcases Student Creativity

As finals week approached at St. John Fisher University, students had a new way to relax and unwind, thanks to their classmates in the Media Relations course who organized a calming, community-centered event, “Cats and Coffee,” inviting the entire University to take a break from the pressures of exam season.

The event took place on Dec. 4 and brought together two East Rochester small businesses, Luigis Coffee and East Rochester Meow-scue in a collaborative effort to help students relax. While Luigis Coffee offered samples of their well-loved, Italian-style coffee, East Rochester Meow-scue introduced attendees to adoptable cats and shared information about animal welfare.

Taught by Dr. Melissa Greco Lopes, adjunct professor, the class challenged students to spend the entire semester planning the event from the ground up. The project served as both a hands-on learning experience and an opportunity to strengthen ties between the University and the surrounding community.

According to Kris Weltman, owner of Luigis Coffee, the collaboration was especially impactful. She noted that the class gave Luigis and East Rochester Meow-scue great information on social media, business, and interviews. The event drew more than 300 attendees, making it a standout success. Tracy Niemynski, owner of East Rochester Meow-scue, expressed her gratitude for the students’ work. “It was really nice to trust someone else completely and know they were going to do an amazing job,” she said.

Beyond offering coffee and cuddles, “Cats and Coffee” highlighted the power of student-driven leadership. Organizers hope the event will inspire continued and future partnerships between Fisher students and Rochester-area organizations.

This article was written by Aimei Hall, a student in Comm 377: Media Relations.