Blue and gold balloons greeted alumni, faculty, and staff as they stepped off the 130 N. Bellefield elevator and into the lively atmosphere of the building’s fifth floor, full of old and new friends alike.
More than 70 people turned out for the ninth annual Toast to SCI, held Friday, Sept. 25, as part of Homecoming 2026. Over the course of the two-hour celebration, Dean Bruce Childers shared updates on the school, and Nate Homitsky (CS and PHIL '07, MBA and MIS '16), Vice Chair of the SCI Alumni Board, offered an update on the Board's activities.
The evening also featured the second annual SCI Alumni Awards, honoring outstanding alumni while strengthening ties within the alumni community and highlighting the school's far-reaching impact. SCI Alumni Board Chair Denise Callihan (MLS '92) presented the awards to this year's honorees: Nathalie Baracaldo (SCI '16G), Chris Caruso (CS '81), and Leona Mitchell (MSIS '81).
The winners of the three Alumni Awards may have each had different careers and experiences at SCI, but what holds them all together is their love for their alma mater.
Rising Star Award
Nathalie Baracaldo, winner of the Rising Star award, said receiving this award means a lot to her and reflects the strong community she had while earning her Ph.D. at SCI. This community includes her advisor, Dr. James Joshi, many professors, SCI staff, fellow students, her fellow workers at IBM, and her family.
For Baracaldo, this community and the small moments within it are the memories that stick with her as she has moved on from SCI.
“More than a single memory, I remember moments that seemed small at the time: everyday lunches with friends chatting about the work of the day and technology trends, coffee breaks spent together, the events we organized (from technical talks to ski trips, bowling nights, and tennis tournaments), conversations in the hallways, and the advice shared along the way,” Baracaldo said. “Being surrounded by people with a growth mindset and diverse expertise was incredibly enriching.”
One of the best pieces of advice Baracaldo received came from Dr. Rosta Farzan, one of her professors. Baracaldo once verbally doubted her work during a presentation session Farzan attended.
“That's when Dr. Farzan offered advice that stuck with me: trust your research instincts and take pride in your work,” Baracaldo said. “After years in a field, things can start to feel trivial, but that's actually a sign of deep understanding and experience, not that the work lacks value.”
As for the next generation to follow in her footsteps, Baracaldo’s advice is to work in a field that they have a passion for, even if it’s not easy and to know what success looks like for you.
“My current favorite phrase is ‘water what you want to grow’ — and that starts with knowing what you truly want to grow,” Baracaldo said.
Distinguished Service Award
Winner of the Distinguished Service award, Chris Caruso, also emphasized the importance of the SCI community during his time at the school.
“Believe it or not, my favorite memory is the late nights in the basement computer center of the Cathedral of Learning, writing and re-running my programs until they finally ran error-free,” Caruso said. “That time, often shared with friends, taught me the patience to review my code carefully and track down every syntax and logic error.”
These types of connections are the ones that highlight the importance of giving back for Caruso.
“At this stage of my life, giving back is how I can continue to have an impact on the future of my profession,” Caruso said. “Through the Pitt SCI Alumni mentoring program, I've watched many students grow, and it's gratifying to know that, even in retirement, I can still help others along their career journeys.”
Caruso said winning this award was “humbling.”
“I have been blessed to have been fortunate enough to have found a career in technology, and I know that it is my responsibility to pay-it-forward and help others who seek the same,” Caruso said.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Leona Mitchell, winner of the Lifetime Achievement award, said to earn this award is a “deeply moving homecoming.”
“To be recognized with this honor by the very institution that helped me to build my skills and shape my foundational thinking is incredibly humbling. Throughout my 43-year professional journey, I always carried the rigor, problem solving, and passion instilled in me by this school,” Mitchell said. “Being able to be a part of my alma mater and share in SCI’s success is the ultimate validation of a life’s work.”
Mitchell has many contributions to SCI, but one that has stuck with her is the creation of the affectionately nicknamed “Leona Track,” a series of courses that Mitchell developed and taught during her time teaching in the Information Sciences program.
“Developing those courses allowed me to bridge the gap between industry execution and eager academic minds,” Mitchell said. “There was a specific, electrifying moment in the classroom when a student would realize that being a data-driven communicator wasn't just a textbook theory, but a real-world tool that would make an impact in everything that they would set out to do.”
Mitchell emphasizes this same idea in her advice to the future alumni of SCI, explaining that their focus should be on being a “bridge builder.”
“Your technical education at SCI is a powerful asset, but true value is unlocked when you combine deep analytical skills with real-world execution, leadership, and clear, human-centric communication,” Mitchell said. “Do not hide behind the data or the processes —step into the room where strategic transformations are decided.”
The 2026 Toast to SCI gave all those involved with the school the chance to celebrate the past, present and future this Homecoming, proving the path forward for SCI has never been brighter.
SARAH GEORGE (A&S '28)
