Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Members of the HWS Hillel executive board Matthew Fox '19, Jill Crow '21, Sarah Walters '19, Meg Quint '21, Elana Rose '22 and Director of the Abbe Center for Jewish Life and Hillel Adviser Julianne Miller pose for a photo during Shabbat dinner in the Vandervort room.

Representing all four judges, Caroline Ross Galdabini ’89, head of marketing at Citi Private Bank, announces the winner of the 2019 Pitch contest. Galdabini described Zibitsker’s idea as one that will, “connect with the consumer, is viable and innovative.”

The judges, including (l to r) HWS Trustee Michael Rawlins ’80, P’16, principal user experience design architect for the Walt Disney Company; Philip Yawman ’87, president at the Colley Group, Inc.; Caroline Ross Galdabini ’89, head of marketing at Citi Private Bank; and Eric Cohler ’81, interior designer, present Maxim Zibitsker ’19 with a check for $10,000 to launch “Aqua Salutem Technologies.”

Finalists pose with the judges. After deliberating to select a winner, the judges reported that initially, each judge selected a different team to win. Caroline Ross Galdabini ’89 (second, right) said that this spoke to the overall preparedness and strength of the evening’s presentations.

Winner of the 2019 Pitch Contest Maxim Zibitsker ’19 answers the judges’ questions after his presentation. Zibitsker’s proposal was for “Aqua Salutem Technologies,” a product that uses artificial intelligence and the computer-based echolocation system to help maximize rescue response times for drowning victims.

Garrett Brzozowiec ’19 and Michael Harris ’19 present TouchTab, an integrated software application that enables customers at drinking establishments to display, track and close their tabs from their smartphone.

While the judges deliberate, four students present their “Flash Pitch,” a 90-second pitch for a product or service. In the photo above, the audience-selected winner Cort Williams ’19 presents “SkyHigh.”

Pitch winner Maxim Zibitsker ’19 poses with the $10,000 check. Zibitsker was mentored by Daniel L. Rosensweig ’83, president and CEO of Chegg and former HWS Trustee.

Visiting Professor of Writing and Rhetoric Amy Howard Green introduces Nassir Whitley '22 at the Writing Colleagues Welcome Reception.

Members of the Writing Colleagues Program gather for a photo with Assistant Professor of Writing and Rhetoric Ben Ristow (back row, left).

Students hang artwork in preparation for the upcoming exhibit “Now What?! Advocacy, Activism & Alliances in American Architecture Since 1968” in the Davis Gallery at Houghton House.

Students walk to class on Tuesday.

Professor of History Chip Capraro introduces Drew Blanchard '21 during the Writing Colleagues Welcome Reception, held at the home of Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations and Legislative Affairs Jerry and Anne Buckley P’15.

Assistant Professor of Political Science Rene Rojas introduces Maya Struili ‘22 during the annual Writing College Reception.

Alexandria Knipper ’21 presents “UVA,” an online cancer connection community that uses a unique identification questionnaire to strategically connect patients, survivors and caregivers. A standing-room-only crowd gathered in the Vandervort on Thursday to watch four teams present their ideas.

Bjorn Antell '21 works on a landscape design for the City of Geneva as part of Architecture Design Studio” with Assistant Professor of Art and Architecture Gabriella D'Angelo.