Celebrating the Class of 2023
We are proud of each of our #NazGrad23 graduates!
They are headed into careers, on for graduate degrees, and devoting time to service work such as disaster relief. They look forward to making the world better as cancer researchers, teachers, financial advisors, museum professionals, data analysts, performers, music composers, creators of sustainable systems, designers, child protective investigators, professors, myriad medical and health professionals, and more.
Julia Merzig ‘23
Studied: communication sciences & disorders major with minors in the honors program and developing children & families
What's next: master's in speech-language pathology at Nazareth
Looking forward to: "...helping people in any way that I can. I love interacting with others and I can't wait to meet new people as a future SLP."
Biggest lesson I take: "It's okay to be on your own path! We tend to compare ourselves to others, but I've learned that everyone has different ways of achieving their personal goals and that's a great thing to celebrate."
Best experiences: "... traveling to South Dakota for an Alternative Break and to Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee for the Civil Rights Journey. I've also made some of my best friends at Naz; I have had so many wonderful memories with them over the years! I feel so blessed for the opportunities I've been provided through Naz and to have these friends in my life."
Nick Orion Brown '23
Studied: BFA, musical theatre
What's next: "I'm planning to move to New York City (within the year) and hope to be auditioning and performing in so many ways. I've signed with an agent for theatrical representation."
Looking forward to: "I'm most looking forward to finding new opportunities to perform and finding chances to form great bonds with new people in life. It's also going to be great to adjust to life fully on my own and hopefully be busy most of the time with auditions or rehearsals."
Lesson I take: "Putting in an extreme amount of work will definitely pay off in the long run. I started out at Naz with almost no experience with theatre, basically what I just learned from high school shows, but I worked hard to make sure I ended up on the same level as my friends."
Best experiences at Naz: "Here at Naz, some of the best times came from the times outside of classes where I'm hanging out with friends — in rehearsals for shows or hanging out off campus with people."
Kevin Leysath II ‘23
Studied: B.M., Music Composition
What's next: master's in screen scoring at New York University
Looking forward to: "I am looking forward to growing my craft in writing music for media such as film, TV, video games, and more, while also taking part in the endless collaboration and networking opportunities within and outside the program at NYU.
Biggest lesson I take: "Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. You never know where it could lead you!
Best experiences: "Throughout these four years, a big experience that I will cherish was getting to create amazing music with my friends, peers, and professors. In addition to going with the Nazareth College Wind Symphony to Ireland in May 2022, getting the chance to conduct the premiere of my band piece, Yasuke, in March 2023 was also one of the best and special experiences I had here at Nazareth."
Madison Dobbertin ‘23
Studied: public health, with minors in business leadership and psychology
What's next: Americorps National Civilian Community Corps FEMA in Sacramento, California, and any states and territories needing disaster response. This nationally competitive program has only a 15% acceptance rate.
Looking forward to: "Traveling the country to help with disaster response and mitigation. As well as being able to train under the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency."
Lesson I take: "Don't be afraid of change. I changed my major to public health without knowing exactly what I'd end up doing. Also, take a moment to look around. Four years goes fast."
Best experiences: "Some of the best experiences I had at Naz came from the activities I participated in — from volunteering to help give COVID tests, to being an orientation leader, student ambassador, and working on national Public Health Week. I met a lot of people that I wouldn't have any other way. I made a lot of memories by trying new things and putting myself out there."
Mackenzie Sweet ’23
Studied: social work major, studio art minor
What's next: "Just a few days after graduation, I will be traveling with a group of Nazareth students to South Africa and Eswatini. As for my future career plans, I have accepted a position with the Monroe County Department of Human Services. I will be beginning my role as a child protective service investigator this summer. In the fall, I will continue at Nazareth through the part-time advanced standing MSW program."
Looking forward to: "...growing as a professional through my career and continuing my education at Nazareth. I hope to take advantage of more study abroad opportunities through the Master's Program.
Biggest lesson I take: "...how important it is to surround yourself with a sense of community. I have grown so close to my social work cohort, my travel friends, and the professors who have supported my journey. These connections will always be there and it's comforting to know that we can continue to support each other in our future careers."
Best experiences: "...my Center for Spirituality retreats and study abroad opportunities. In 2020, I attended the SSJ Retreat to El Paso, Texas, and Juarez, Mexico. In 2022, I traveled with Nazareth to Kingston, Jamaica. My senior year, I attended the Civil Rights Journey retreat to Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. Words can not describe how I've grown personally, professionally, and spiritually through these experiences. Take every opportunity that you can to see the world through the programs that Nazareth offers!
Kayleigh Hegerle '23
Studied: majors in history and in museums, archives, and public history; minor in French
What's next: master's in museum studies at the University of Glasgow
Looking forward to: "I am most looking forward to developing my skills in working with historical artifacts in a manner that will help them best serve their community, as museums continue to modernize into a more inclusive environment for education. Additionally, I look forward to the international connections I will make in my field allowing me to grow moving forward."
Lesson I take: "Your friends and professors can be your greatest allies. You learn from one another, support each other, and lift one another up. From their support, I have learned to never downplay my achievements and use any and all resources I can to continue to build my education and career."
Best experiences: "My best experiences during my Naz education were when we got to work and learn hands-on in the real world — from my internships, to museums and public history field trips, and study abroad. There is so much you can learn from the classroom but working and living experiences are irreplaceable. Experiences like these will stick in your mind forever, grant you practical knowledge, and help build lasting relationships."
Austin Ralph-Charriez ‘23
Studied: finance, with a minor in economics
What's next: Hired by Goldman Sachs Private Wealth Management (PWM) in Albany, New York
Looking forward to: "...the opportunity to meet new people and to grow and learn as both an individual and in my professional career."
Biggest lesson I take: "...the importance of being able to connect and build relationships with others."
Best experiences: "As a member of the men's lacrosse team, I have had a ton of great experiences with my teammates and my coaches and I will carry those memories with me for the rest of my life."
Elena Baugh ‘23
Studied: biology, minor in psychology
What's next: "BRIGHT Program at University at Buffalo, and graduate studies in genetics, genomics, and bioinformatics at University at Buffalo. I will be working under the program director to advance my understanding of coding and genetics!"
Looking forward to: "My life's work will be devoted to researching genetic diseases and cancers. I will always have equitable healthcare and science at the forefront of my mind — and will always advocate for it."
Biggest lesson I take: "The lesson that I take away from Nazareth is a quote we are all familiar with, from Ferris Bueller's Day Off: 'Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.' After the pandemic, I was suddenly halfway done with my undergraduate degree. My last two years, I have done as much as I could to be engaged all around the campus. Getting to meet new people and regularly have life-changing conversations and experiences definitely helped me realize the importance of appreciating the peace and the pauses."
Best experiences: "My best experiences during my Nazareth education were with the Office for Diversity & Inclusive Excellence Education (ODIEE) and the Alternative Breaks program. I was an inclusive excellence assistant in our Diversity and LGBTQ+ offices, and I led an Alternative Break to Washington, D.C in January 2023. These experiences have made me a more open minded and educated individual, and I met the most incredible people through them."
Laura LaCara '23
Studied: occupational therapy
What's next: Continuing at Naz for a master's in occupational therapy! "Up next, I will be completing my clinical OT fieldwork at Highland Hospital and in early intervention."
Looking forward to: "...working in a creative and challenging field where I get to use my skills to help people."
Biggest lesson I take: "Being adaptable."
Best experiences: "Working in our on-campus occupational therapy clinic. It was an amazing learning experience to work and engage with real clients and have the opportunity to begin to hone my clinical judgment and skills as an occupational therapist."
Virginia Kukaj-Hartman ‘22 (December grad)
Studied: French and inclusive adolescence, with a minor in Italian
What are you doing now: French teacher at Honeoye-Falls Lima Senior High School (New York)
What I'm excited about: "I am SO excited to live my dream and I am excited about the fact that I got to show my 3 sons — Sebastian, Nate and Christian — that you are never too old and it's never too late to do ANYTHING!"
Lessons I take: "There are so many lessons I have learned at Naz as a 40-year-old wife and mom of 3 teenagers who decided to return to school! But I have to pick two, I would say 1. You are NEVER too old to follow your dreams. 2. This new generation that is graduating from Naz this year is going to CHANGE THE WORLD! They are the most accepting, loving, caring generation. They never judged me for being twice their age or for having to run after class to pick up my boys at school. They embraced me and my family fully and for that I am so extremely grateful.
Best experiences: "Oh my gosh, SO SO SO many! As someone who grew up in Belgium, I never really had any of these typical American college experiences. I attended my first ball ever, I stayed up past midnight (way past my bedtime) for fun on campus, met AMAZING professors, have been the 'school mom' to a bunch of teenagers/young adults, learning Italian and falling in love with Italian culture, and SO much more!"
Jennifer Cesare ‘05, ‘08G, ‘23
Studied: B.A. in Music, vocal major, after previously earning a bachelor's in English literature and a master's in inclusive education at Nazareth.
What's next: master's in music performance and pedagogy at Naz
Looking forward to: "I hope to one day be teaching at the college level, researching and performing music by underrepresented or forgotten composers, and develop my music composition skills."
Lesson I take: "As an adult student who has children, I valued having a support system from family and faculty as well as the opportunities that were presented to students for performance."
Best experiences at Naz: "I am so grateful for the camaraderie and collaboration that I have experienced with my fellow students and faculty."
Caitlyn Scully ‘22 (December grad)
Studied: visual communication design major, marketing minor
What's next: Designer at an advertising agency called Crowley Webb, in Buffalo, NY
Looking forward to: "applying all of the skills and knowledge I have learned at Naz to real-world projects. It's exciting to see how much I have grown as a designer, marketer, and overall person in the last four years at Naz."
Lesson I take: Don't be afraid to speak up.
Best experiences at Naz: "I have had a few amazing experiences at Naz, like being honored with a trip to NYC with the Art and Design Department and winning a silver and gold Addy at the American Advertising Awards. However, the best experience for me was creating meaningful relationships with my professors. Without their encouragement and wisdom, I would not be where I am today."
Nathan Bowers ‘23
Studied: majors in environmental science and sustainability and global sustainability; minors in toxicology and studio art
What's next: Pursuing a masters degree in education at Nazareth
Looking forward to: "...continuing to learn and meet new people, to help improve the lives of others."
Lessons I take: "Work hard, but don't take it too seriously. Spend the time you have with the people important to you."
Best experiences: "Traveling abroad to Cambodia, and all the experiences I've had with the friends I've met here. I value my education but the most meaningful moments were ones shared with the people around me."
Angie Marie Gonzalez '23
Studied: psychology with inclusive early childhood education
What's next: "I am going back home to New York City to teach and to get my master's. I was hired in April to work as an elementary teacher in a charter school."
Looking forward to: "...having my own classroom. Nazareth has shown me and provided me opportunities to observe and shadow teachers so I can have a feeling of what being a teacher will be like."
Biggest lesson I take: "Enjoy the moments you have. Be in the moment you are in right now. As much as the world continues to go day by day, what we have left are the memories and moments we have. Four years seems long but they go by so fast."
Best experiences: "My best Naz experience would be Summer Start. It's a program for HEOP, first-generation students and Young Scholars. We all came right out of high school and Nazareth made the transition easier to college by creating this program letting us start classes in the summer and showing us around Rochester. I met my friends who I've spent the past 4 years with creating memories we will forever cherish."
Hannah Sertl '23
Studied: biology major, toxicology minor, and environmental science minor
What's next: "I will be working in the toxicology field in Rochester to figure out exactly what division of research I want to go into. Then, I will pursue a master's in sustainable systems."
Looking forward to: "...improving the health of others by working for cause-based organizations that use science to combat toxicants and pollutants and promote sustainable living and health. I'm particularly interested in the industrial environmental impact on water, soil, air, and overall human health."
Biggest lesson I take: "... is how to live a life that is joy-driven. In high school, I was achievement oriented, but at Nazareth there were countless events and various clubs, so I tried different experiences. Through this, I met several people and figured out what I truly enjoyed and was passionate about while being balanced. Now, I will live life being joy-driven."
Best experiences: "...spending time with the Naz women's soccer team, laughs in the dining hall, and making meaningful relationships with professors and especially lifelong friends."
Grace Decker '23
Studied: toxicology/biology major; pre-med, clinical laboratory sciences, and environmental science minors
What's next: master's in forensic science at The George Washington University
Looking forward to: "exploring my interest with more depth in a new environment and being open to opportunities that may come knocking on my door."
Biggest lesson I take: Bob Marley's quote, "You never know how strong you are, until being strong is your only choice," resonates with me and emphasizes the struggles that have come with my academic career, such as COVID-19 and the passing of my mother during sophomore year. I learned to never give up, to persevere, and to put in the hard work because it will all be worth it in the end."
Best experiences: "While at Naz, some of my best experiences were becoming at RA, making unforgettable connections with peers and professors, and presenting research at CARS."