Rachel Rzymek is one of three sisters who all graduated from Gannon. In fact, one of her favorite memories from being a swimmer and water polo athlete is becoming an All-American with her sister Jackie on her relay team. Her sisters are Jackie (Rzymek) Jensen ’13 (married to alumnus Jesper Jensen '15), and Kelsey Rzymek ’14.
Rzymek graduated in 2010 and her professional activities first took her to Fort Lauderdale, Florida and then to Pittsburgh, where she now resides. She is the marketing and business development manager for DRS Architects where she works closely with the firm's principals to set strategic marketing goals, research industry trends, coordinate marketing campaigns, and maintain strong client relationships. Rzymek is a member of the Society of Marketing Professional Services, Women for Economic Leadership Development and the Building Owners Management Association. She also serves on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters and is an active Big Sister in that organization.
When she isn't busy working, Rzymek enjoys camping, yoga, checking out new restaurants, family, travel, religion and wine tasting. She loves staying in touch with her Gannon family, noting that she met some wonderful lifelong friends at Gannon. Rzymek shares, "Not many people know this but there are people all across the world who come to Gannon. I had friends and teammates from South Africa, Sweden, Trinidad and Tobago, Canada, California, Texas and Florida."
Rzymek is forever grateful for the support system she found at Gannon, particularly from Coach Sherman, noting that he grew into part of her family not just from mentoring her, but her sisters as well. Her advice to current Gannon students is to try new things and meet new people. She adds, "Take advantage of as many of the opportunities at Gannon as you can. And cherish your years at Gannon - they really do go by so quickly!"
(published August 2019)