Sara Falcone, PhD, assistant professor of computer science at Pace University’s Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems, has been awarded a grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, one of the most competitive and respected research funding organizations in the world.

The award recognizes Falcone’s innovative work at the intersection of human-centered AI, robotics, and immersive technologies—fields that examine not just how systems function, but how people experience and interact with them. Her Sloan-funded project will focus on making hybrid and remote environments more accessible, collaborative, and human.

The goal is to support things like attention management, timing and turn-taking, navigation and awareness in physical spaces, and to smooth social coordination in busy hybrid settings.

Redefining Hybrid Participation

Drawing on her multidisciplinary background in computer science, robotics, and cognitive science with a focus on human–computer and human–robot interactions, Falcone is developing new ways for remote participants to engage more naturally in academic settings such as conferences, lab visits, and invited talks. At the core of the project is the idea of co-embodied hybrid attendance—a model where remote attendees and on-site hosts work together in real time, allowing the remote attendee to participate more naturally rather than merely observing through a screen.

“We’re building lightweight wearable haptic prototypes worn on the forearms and shoulders that deliver haptic cues as a low-disruption, private communication channel alongside audio/video,” Falcone said. “The goal is to support things like attention management, timing and turn-taking, navigation and awareness in physical spaces, and to smooth social coordination in busy hybrid settings.”

By integrating multisensory wearable technology with virtual and physical interaction, her research aims to close the gap between being there and truly participating, particularly for those unable to travel.

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Falcone is collaborating with leading researchers to advance the project. “This work is being carried out in collaboration with research partners at Cornell University and Cornell Tech, combining expertise in human-computer interaction, accessibility, and embodied telepresence,” she added. “Through iterative prototyping and user studies/pilot deployments, we’ll evaluate how these cues affect engagement, social presence and connection, workload, and overall quality of the hybrid experience, and we’ll translate the findings into practical design guidance for more inclusive hybrid participation.”

This is a massive achievement for any faculty member, and we are incredibly proud to have Professor Falcone in the department.

A Mark of Excellence

Miguel Mostero, PhD, professor of computer science and chair of the computer science department at Seidenberg, noted that the “Sloan Foundation is known for backing only the most high-impact, innovative researchers, and receiving this grant is a major stamp of approval on the caliber of Professor Falcone’s work.”

He emphasized that “this is a massive achievement for any faculty member, and we are incredibly proud to have Professor Falcone in the department. I look forward to seeing the project unfold!”

Through the continuation of her groundbreaking work, Falcone demonstrates Pace University’s commitment to advancing technology that centers human connection, accessibility, and real-world impact.

Did you know Fred Kelley, brother to Gene, taught dance at Pace? Or that the public speaking requirement was a passionate value of founder Homer Pace? Or that Pace used to have a championship fencing team?

If there’s a niche fact about Pace history, chances are Ellen Sowchek knows it.

For 42 years, Ellen Sowchek has been keeper of Pace University’s archives. “I have a number of responsibilities, but to give a very glib answer, it’s my job to care about Pace history and make other people care about Pace history,” she explains.

It’s my job to care about Pace history and make other people care about Pace history.

When she started in April 1981, Pace did not have an archive. Boxes of items related to Pace history were awaiting an enthusiastic custodian to rescue them from basement storage in 41 Park Row, and Sowchek was thrilled for the challenge. “I knew nothing about Pace before I started here,” she said. “It was the ideal situation for me because everything I learned came from reading through documents and processing the collections.”

On a day-to-day basis, Sowchek is managing curiosity—from the curiosities within the archives, to the curious inquiries of those reaching out to solve a mystery. She gets requests from everything to alumni looking to confirm a course they took decades earlier, to tourists who want to know the history behind a statue on campus.

After 42 years of being the person charged with being curious about Pace’s history, she’s naturally discovered some favorites over the years. Here are five interesting points in Pace’s history:

Dr. Mortola’s First Day at Pace Recording

Capturing an oral history of Pace has been an ongoing project, so you can find recordings in just about every format in the Pace archives, from reel-to-reel tape to digital files. The first phase of the oral history project resulted in 26 lengthy interviews recorded between 1982-1986, capturing the recollections of figures such as Robert Pace, Charles Dyson, Joseph Lubin, Gustav Lienhard and more. The current phase of the project, Pace Voices Past and Present: An Oral History of Pace University, expands the number of interviewees and seeks to document life at Pace from a wide range of perspectives, representing members from the entire Pace Community.

One of Sowchek’s favorite recordings is of Edward J. Mortola, PhD, on his first day of work as a new Assistant Dean at Pace College. Sowchek has a soft spot for Mortola. Not only does she believe that “after Homer Pace, he was probably the second most important person to Pace history,” but he was the one who hired her to set up an archive for Pace’s 75^th Anniversary.

In the tapes, Mortola describes his first day on the job. “It's kind of a cute story. I reported at Pace in the building at 225 Broadway, where Pace existed at that time, on the morning of August 15, 1947 and sat outside Dean Alice Ottun's office for a while. I was joining Pace then as Assistant Dean. When she finished interviewing a student who was at her desk, she looked up and said, ‘Oh, you're here.’ She said, ‘I forgot all about the fact that you were coming and I don't have an office or a desk for you.’ I said, ‘Well, in that case, I'll be happy to go home and come back tomorrow.’ She said, ‘A great idea.’ So, my first day on the payroll of Pace I went swimming at Jones Beach.” The fact that Mortola gave this interview on the anniversary of his first official working day at Pace brings the story full circle.

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9/11 Tributes

After the events of September 11, Pace University closed for two weeks. In the wake of that day, several memorials were erected honoring those lost and memorializing the feelings of a shaken community. Sowchek explains how soon after the return to campus, The Center for Community Outreach distributed quilt squares and fabric pens to the community. The squares were then sewn together into a nearly ten-by-ten-foot quilt immortalizing the feelings of the Pace community in the wake of the attacks.

Another memorial came in the form of the blue and yellow “Setting the Pace” dog statue located on the Frankfurt Street side of One Pace Plaza. The “Setting the Pace” statue of a German Shepard dog by artist Mike Neville was commissioned by the American Kennel Club’s DOGNY public art project developed in collaboration with the City of New York. The project honors the canine heroes of September 11 who served as search-and-rescue dogs. All statues were auctioned off and the proceeds were donated to a fund supporting the training of first responder dogs.

Finally, each Pace Campus has The Open Book memorial, dedicated to those from the Pace community who lost their lives on September 11. A university-wide competition was held and the book design was chosen. The open pages bear the names of members of the Pace community lost on that day. By listing the names in random, rather than alphabetical order, we are encouraged to read through and remember all of them.

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Virginia Woolf Collection

While the Pace archives are dedicated to Pace history, there are some items that fit outside the scope of the institution’s history, such as Pace’s Virginia Woolf special collection.

The collection arrived at Pace in 2015, with the help of Mark Hussey, PhD, a retired professor from Pace’s English department and a Virginia Woolf expert. He knew the collector Linda Langham, a Woolf fanatic, who wanted to ensure that her collection went to an institution who would not sell off the books individually, but rather keep the collection intact. The Pace University Library agreed to her request and happily accepted the items. Together with a Birnbaum Library colleague, Sowchek cataloged and documented the collection, which has been of special interest in the niche world of Virginia Woolf collectors. “Smith College has a Virginia Woolf collection as well. Ours is just as good, if not better,” according to Sowchek (with a just a touch of Pace pride).

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The Lost Then Later Found Cornerstone Time Capsule

Sometimes, Sowchek finds herself becoming a player in Pace history.

One day, in 1981, Mr. Gordon Dodge, Director of Buildings and Grounds at the time, reached out to her with a strange request. When the building of One Pace Plaza was underway, a cornerstone ceremony took place in 1967, commemorating an important milestone in the building’s construction. Part of the ceremony entails cutting part of the cornerstone out, placing a time capsule in the opening, and then sealing it inside with cement before the stone is put in place in the building’s foundation. Dodge said he had a special addition to the archives–the time capsule itself, which failed to make it into the cornerstone! He begged for her discretion as he explained that the box had somehow been set aside, to be cemented in at the end of the ceremony, and never made it back in. For 14 years, he had kept the capsule in his office, hoping to find a home for this sealed box.

The archives became its new home. Though it is sealed with lead and so far, unopened, Sowchek’s deep dive into the archives revealed documents that explained the mysterious contents: a mini-skirt donated by Barbara Grossman ’71; original accounting textbook written by Homer Pace; April 18, 1968 issue of the New York Times; current issue of a Pace College Bulletin; list of past and current Pace presidents, administrators, and trustees; list of public officials considered friendly to Pace; a student directory; a Pace banner; The cornerstone Journal; list of students recently named to Who’s Who in American Universities; The Pace Report; $1.91; and the latest edition of The Pace College Press.

A History of a Family

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The archives over the years have inadvertently become not just a collection that tells the story of a university, but one that tells the story of a family. The story of the Paces.

Sowchek’s absolute favorite item is a letter from founder Homer Pace asking for permission to get married, “because at the time he was under 20 years of age, and in the state of Michigan, where he lived, he was not old enough to get married without parental consent.” It’s a personal touch that brings the University’s first president into living color.

Sowchek is especially interested in helping promote the impact women have had on Pace history, and Homer’s wife, Mabel, is a particular favorite figure for her to study. There are several items belonging to Mabel, such as images of her and her own report cards.

Lastly, Homer and Mabel’s son Robert Pace, became the second president in 1942, upon the death of his father. That same year he enlisted in the U.S. Army. An accomplished photographer, Robert captured his perspective on the Second World War. Many of those photos, donated by Robert Pace himself, have found their permanent home in the archives.

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Ellen Sowchek is more than an archivist—she's the ultimate caretaker of Pace University's history. In addition to diligently preserving remnants of the past, Sowchek actively participates in Pace's ongoing story, often going beyond her role with Pace artifacts to bear witness to history as it unfolds. Thanks to her unwavering commitment and tireless effort, Pace's rich history remains vivid and alive. As the Pace Community continues to shape its future, Sowchek's work in the University archives ensures that its past is not just preserved, but also celebrated.

For 120 years, Pace University has prepared students not only for careers, but for lives of influence, leadership, and impact. From the earliest graduates of Pace Institute in lower Manhattan to today’s innovators shaping industries across the globe, Pace alumni have helped transform business, public service, health, technology, and the arts. Their stories reflect the same principles that guide the University today: rigorous academics, experiential learning, and a commitment to real-world impact.

As Pace enters its next chapter, these alumni represent a powerful throughline demonstrating how generations of Pace graduates have helped shape the very areas of excellence that will define the University’s future.

1910s

William B. Franke ’17
William B. Franke, a 1917 graduate of Pace Institute, went on to serve as the 55th United States Secretary of the Navy under President Dwight D. Eisenhower. At a defining moment in Cold War history, Franke oversaw efforts to modernize the Navy, including the expansion of nuclear-powered warships and other advanced technologies that reshaped U.S. defense strategy. His career stands as an early example of Pace graduates stepping into roles where public service, technological advancement, and national leadership intersect.

1920s

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Joseph Lubin ’21
Joseph Lubin, who earned his certificate in accountancy from Pace Institute in 1921, became a pioneering force in the accounting profession and co-founded the influential firm Eisner & Lubin. He later chaired the New York State Board of Certified Public Accountant Examiners and helped shape professional standards for the field. Lubin remained closely connected to Pace throughout his life, serving as a trustee and benefactor. Today, the Lubin School of Business carries forward his belief that rigorous business education, grounded in real-world practice, opens doors to leadership in New York and beyond.

Gustav O. Lienhard ’26
After graduating from Pace in 1926, Gustav O. Lienhard built a career that led him to the presidency of Johnson & Johnson, helping guide one of the world’s most influential healthcare companies. Alongside his corporate achievements, he devoted decades of service to Pace as a trustee and supporter of the University’s growth. His legacy lives on through the Lienhard School of Nursing, which prepares future nurses and healthcare professionals to meet the rising demand for compassionate, highly skilled care.

1930s

Charles H. Dyson ’30
Financier, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Charles H. Dyson launched his career after graduating from Pace Institute in 1930, eventually becoming a prominent figure in both business and public economic policy. His commitment to Pace shaped the University for generations: Dyson served as chairman of the Board of Trustees and helped guide its academic expansion. The Dyson College of Arts and Sciences stands as a tribute to his belief that strong liberal arts foundations cultivate thoughtful leaders capable of navigating an increasingly complex world.

1940s

Walter Scherr ’49
Walter Scherr, who graduated from Pace in 1949, helped bring emerging communications technologies into everyday business practice. As Chief Financial Officer of Veeco Instruments and founder of Visual Sciences/Panafax, he played a pivotal role in introducing fax technology to the broader market—changing how companies exchanged information across cities, countries, and continents. Scherr’s work foreshadowed the rapid evolution of digital communication and the growing importance of technology within modern business.

1950s

Ian McDougall ’54
Born in Scotland and raised in a coal-mining community, Ian McDougall arrived in the United States as a teenager and graduated from Pace in 1954. He spent his career at Inco Limited, eventually becoming the company’s vice chairman and chief financial officer after starting as a messenger. Outside the boardroom, McDougall dedicated decades to youth soccer, co-founding Oceanside United and mentoring generations of young players. His life tells a story of perseverance, leadership, and the lasting value of community engagement.

1960s

James E. Healey ’64
James E. Healey built a distinguished career in corporate finance, ultimately serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Nabisco Holdings Corp. during a period of significant change in the global food industry. Over more than two decades in senior financial leadership roles, he helped steer strategy for major consumer brands. Healey later brought that experience back to Pace through service on the Board of Trustees, contributing to the University’s continued growth and evolution.

1970s

Donald L. Boudreau ’70
Donald Boudreau rose to become Vice Chairman of JPMorgan Chase and Chase Manhattan Corporation, where he served on both the Executive Committee and Management Committee. Over the course of his career, he helped guide one of the world’s most influential financial institutions through decades of change in global banking. His trajectory—from Pace graduate to Wall Street leadership—underscores the University’s deep ties to the financial and business communities of New York City.

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Maria Fiorini Ramirez ’72
Maria Fiorini Ramirez is a trailblazer in finance and a longtime leader in advancing women in the industry. As Founder, President, and CEO of Maria Fiorini Ramirez, Inc., she built a respected economic consulting firm while serving on the boards of major financial institutions including Metropolitan Commercial Bank and Security Mutual Life. A former Pace trustee and founder of the Maria Fiorini Ramirez Endowed Scholarship Fund, she has remained deeply committed to expanding opportunity for future students. Her career and philanthropy reflect the impact of Pace graduates in innovative business and financial leadership, as well as the power of mentorship and access in shaping the next generation.

James N. Fernandez ’78
James Fernandez spent more than three decades at Tiffany & Co., ultimately serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the iconic global luxury brand. During his tenure, he helped oversee financial strategy, operational growth, and international expansion as Tiffany strengthened its presence around the world. Fernandez’s career highlights how a foundation in business and finance can open doors to leadership roles within some of the most recognizable brands in the global marketplace.

1980s

Ivan Seidenberg ’81
Ivan Seidenberg’s career began with a pair of climbing spikes and a job as a cable splicer at New York Telephone. Decades later, he became Chairman and CEO of Verizon Communications, leading the company through the rise of wireless networks and broadband connectivity. Under his leadership, Verizon helped build the infrastructure that powers today’s digital world. The Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems now carries forward that legacy, preparing students for careers in fields ranging from cybersecurity to artificial intelligence.

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Rossana Rosado ’83
Bronx-born journalist and public servant Rossana Rosado ’83 has spent her career elevating voices and shaping public life in New York. She broke barriers as the first woman to serve as editor-in-chief, CEO, and publisher of El Diario, the nation’s largest Spanish-language newspaper, helping inform and empower Latino communities. Rosado later brought that perspective to public service, serving as New York’s Secretary of State and now Commissioner of the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, advancing policies that strengthen fairness, safety, and trust across the justice system—work that reflects Pace’s enduring commitment to civic leadership, law, and public service.

Rob Sands ’84
Rob Sands ’84, a graduate of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace, built a global business career as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Constellation Brands, the Fortune 500 company behind brands such as Modelo, Corona, and Robert Mondavi. Through strategic acquisitions and expansion, he helped transform the company into one of the most influential players in the global beverage industry. At Pace, Sands continues to help shape the University’s future as Chair of the Board of Trustees and a champion of the Sands College of Performing Arts.

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Andrea Stewart-Cousins ’86, ’08
Andrea Stewart-Cousins made history as the first woman to serve as Majority Leader of the New York State Senate, representing the 35th District since 2007. A Pace alumna twice over, she has also served as acting lieutenant governor and has become a leading voice for economic opportunity, equity, and community development across New York State. Her career reflects the powerful role Pace graduates play in shaping policy and advancing public leadership.

José Luis Castro ’88
José Luis Castro ’88 is a global leader in public health who currently serves as the World Health Organization’s Special Envoy for Chronic Respiratory Diseases. As the founding CEO of Vital Strategies, he helped build a global public health organization dedicated to addressing some of the world’s most urgent health challenges. Castro’s work reflects the global reach of Pace graduates and underscores the university’s commitment to health, behavioral health, and community well-being on an international scale. Learn more about the Pace Center for Global Health that he leads alongside Professor Sonia Suchday, PhD.

1990s

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William “Bill” Janetschek ’93
Bill Janetschek built an influential career in global finance, serving as Chief Financial Officer and Partner at Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR), one of the world’s leading investment firms. During more than two decades with the firm, he played a central role in guiding its financial strategy and supporting its expansion into international markets. Today, Janetschek continues to shape the future of higher education as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at St. John’s University—a reminder that Pace graduates often carry their leadership from the boardroom into the institutions that prepare the next generation.

2000s

Tim Morehouse ’03
Tim Morehouse earned an Olympic silver medal in fencing at the 2008 Beijing Games and is a two-time U.S. National Champion. Rather than stepping away from the sport after his competitive success, he turned his attention to access and education. Through Fencing in the Schools, the nonprofit he founded, Morehouse has introduced thousands of students across the United States to the discipline, strategy, and confidence the sport encourages—bringing athletic opportunity and mentorship into classrooms that might not otherwise have access.

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Telfar Clemens ’08
Telfar Clemens reshaped the fashion landscape with his boundary-breaking label Telfar, built around the now-iconic principle: “Not for you—for everyone.” His designs challenge traditional ideas about luxury, gender, and accessibility, earning him two CFDA Accessories Designer of the Year awards and the prestigious CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund prize. The Telfar Shopping Bag—sometimes called the “Bushwick Birkin”—has become a cultural symbol of inclusive fashion, demonstrating how creativity and entrepreneurship can redefine an entire industry.

2010s

Pedro Rivera ’12
Emmy-winning journalist Pedro Rivera ’12 brings the stories of New York to millions of viewers as co-anchor of ABC7’s Eyewitness News This Morning and Eyewitness News at 10. A Bronx native, Rivera has reported on major national events including the Sandy Hook tragedy, the Boston Marathon bombing, and devastating California wildfires. His work blends urgency with empathy—qualities essential to modern journalism and to the role media plays in helping communities understand the world around them.

Opal Vadhan ’15
Opal Vadhan has built a career at the highest levels of American government, working behind the scenes in some of the country’s most consequential political offices. A first-generation Indian American raised in Queens, she began with a White House internship before serving as Personal Aide to Vice President Kamala Harris and previously as Executive Assistant and Trip Director to Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton. Her path from Pace student to trusted advisor inside the halls of power speaks to the next generation of graduates shaping public life and national leadership.

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Cooper Koch ’18
Actor Cooper Koch ’18 has quickly emerged as a rising presence in film and television. His breakout performance as Erik Menendez in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (2024) earned both Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe nominations, marking an extraordinary early milestone in his career. A graduate of Pace’s performing arts programs, Koch represents a new generation of artists launching their careers from New York City onto national and international stages.

From the earliest graduates of Pace Institute to today’s rising leaders, these alumni show what can grow from a Pace education: curiosity, ambition, and a commitment to shaping the world beyond campus. One hundred and twenty years in, the story is still unfolding and the next generation of Pace graduates is already writing what comes next.

Homer St. Clair Pace and his brother Charles Ashford Pace founded Pace University in 1906 with a mission to provide high-quality accounting education and prepare students for the rigorous New York CPA examination. Starting with just a $600 loan, a rented classroom in lower Manhattan, and a class of 13 students, the Pace brothers built an institution grounded in practical business education. Over time, their vision expanded beyond accounting to include a broader academic structure, ultimately evolving into a degree-granting college and, later, a full-fledged university recognized for its professional and experiential learning focus.

Pace has never stood still. Campuses evolve, buildings get new names, and each generation leaves its mark. But for all the change, some things stick—moments, traditions, and little quirks that somehow carry through the years. The kind of things that make you smile and think, yep…that was Pace.

You know you went to Pace when…

Here are some of the traditions, places, and moments that have stayed with us across generations. Some are still here. Some are long gone. All of them are unmistakably Pace.

• Students today favor comfort, but back in the 1960s the dress code required male students to wear jackets and ties to class. No exceptions!
• The Pleasantville Campus once had a very different soundtrack than NYC's taxi horns and subway roar: bleats and bahs from the sheep and goats at the old farm property in the center of campus. That was then.

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• Speaking of animals, Pleasantville students could catch a demonstration of birds of prey by the Center’s former assistant director and master falconer James Eyring.
• On the grounds of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law on our White Plains Campus, a statue of the Virgin Mary—affectionately nicknamed "Big Momma" by students throughout the years—once stood as a beloved remnant from its days as Good Counsel College. The statue has since been relocated to the Don Bosco Marian Shrine in Stony Point, but its memory lives on for Good Counsel and College of White Plains alumni.
• Tossing your keys off a New Dorm balcony just so you didn't have to walk down the stairs to let your friends in.
• A late-night wedge run to Rocky’s. Did you know that the deli is celebrating its 60th year of business and has not once closed its doors in the last 20 years? Mmm. Balboa anyone?
• If you had a class with Professor Ivan Fox ’54, you were in the presence of a Pace rockstar. Not only was he known for his colorful wardrobe, but he also wrote Pace’s school song.
• BECSPK from the caf.
• The basement of 41 Park Row has seen many transformations. Before it was the Dezer Den, it was the Pace Pub, and before that it was originally home to the New York Times’ printing press!

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• Pace Perk lives in Martin Hall now but it originated in the dining hall of the Briarcliff Campus.
• Speaking of, do you remember Pace’s Briarcliff Campus? Or the tiring commute between Briarcliff and Pleasantville (a whole seven-minute drive!)
• Dow Hall was probably haunted. Residents used to report hearing footsteps from the unoccupied fourth floor. Or maybe it was raccoons. Either way, spooky.
• Honors College trips. It's OK if you can't remember Montreal.
• Good times at The Ratt on the College of White Plains of Pace University campus.
• The Beekman Pub (now sadly closed) was a favorite for post-exam celebrations for New York City students, or perhaps you preferred to unwind in the game room behind the Student Union at One Pace Plaza.

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• Once upon a time, the iconic Maria's Tower was simply called the NYC Dorm, the only residence hall for our NYC students. Now Maria’s Tower is getting a facelift, and we have five NYC residence halls to call home.
• Through every decade and across every campus, the events were where Pace really showed up. From Homecoming concerts and football games to the Le Café student talent show and the legendary "Fabulosity" drag competitions.

Pace looks different depending on when you were here and which campus you called home. But in that difference is a shared thread—the places that felt like yours, the people who made it matter, the moments that stick.