ETC Alumni

Everything You Missed At The ETC25 Alumni Weekend

By Hannah Kinney-Kobre Email Hannah Kinney-Kobre

On April 17-18, 2026, Carnegie Mellon University’s Entertainment Technology Center (ETC) celebrated 25 years of creativity, collaboration, and innovation with the ETC25 Alumni Weekend. Bringing together alumni, faculty, and students in Pittsburgh, the two-day event highlighted the program’s impact at the intersection of art, technology, and storytelling while fostering reconnection within its global community.

The weekend began with campus tours, a lunch reception, and the ETC Spring Project Showcase, where alumni got a chance to preview this semester’s projects and provide current students with constructive feedback before final presentations. Evening festivities continued with a lively reception featuring food, music, and a special retro game lounge.

Saturday emphasized community and nostalgia, offering activities like an improv workshop led by Teaching Professor Brenda Bakker Harger and the RPIS reimagined as a retro gaming lounge featuring games and consoles from ETC Director of Information Technology Steve Audia’s own personal collection. The celebration culminated in a special anniversary dinner at the The Distillery Complex on the South Side, featuring remarks from Helen and Henry Posner, Jr. Dean of the University Libraries Keith Webster and ETC Director Derek Ham and a special presentation by 2003 ETC graduate Shawn Patton.

Current ETC students pose for a selfie at the Friday evening reception
Current ETC students pose for a selfie at the Friday evening reception
ETC alumni look back at 25 years of Building Virtual Worlds (BVW) class logos
ETC alumni look back at 25 years of Building Virtual Worlds (BVW) class logos
ETC alumni catch up with Teaching Professor Brenda Bakker Harger with 2018 ETC graduates Julian K. Korzeniowsky, Mims Harries, and Melissa Schoeller at the Friday night reception
ETC alumni catch up with Teaching Professor Brenda Bakker Harger with 2018 ETC graduates Julian K. Korzeniowsky, Mims Harries, and Melissa Schoeller at the Friday night reception
Current ETC students Riya Kanani and Libby Egan get a crash course in DJing from DJ Todd Keebler
Current ETC students Riya Kanani and Libby Egan get a crash course in DJing from DJ Todd Keebler
Teaching Professor Ralph Vituccio and Distinguished Professor of the Practice Carl Rosendahl talk with Director of Admission Rebecca Lombardi
Teaching Professor Ralph Vituccio and Distinguished Professor of the Practice Carl Rosendahl talk with Director of Admission Rebecca Lombardi
ETC students Moe Aguilar and Grace Rodriguez-Gomez hold an impromptu art sale Saturday morning
ETC students Moe Aguilar and Grace Rodriguez-Gomez hold an impromptu art sale Saturday morning
Current ETC students and alumni gather together to play “Uh-Oh, Dino!”, a board game created by Dave (ETC 2006) and Sabrina Culyba (ETC 2005)
Current ETC students and alumni gather together to play “Uh-Oh, Dino!”, a board game created by Dave (ETC 2006) and Sabrina Culyba (ETC 2005)
ETC alumni from the class of 2023 pose for a photo at the Saturday evening dinner
ETC alumni from the class of 2023 pose for a photo at the Saturday evening dinner
ETC Associate Dean of Advancement Robin Mitchell poses with Cort Stratton (ETC 2003) and Shawn Patton (ETC 2003)
ETC Associate Dean of Advancement Robin Mitchell poses with Cort Stratton (ETC 2003) and Shawn Patton (ETC 2003)
ETC alumni Zibo Ye (ETC 2021) and Melissa Schoeller (ETC 2018) reconnecting over drinks
ETC alumni Zibo Ye (ETC 2021) and Melissa Schoeller (ETC 2018) reconnecting over drinks
2003 ETC alumnus Shawn Patton narrates a slideshow of photos from his time at the ETC
2003 ETC alumnus Shawn Patton narrates a slideshow of photos from his time at the ETC
ETC Director Derek Ham gives a speech before the dinner concludes
ETC Director Derek Ham gives a speech before the dinner concludes