Rooted in Rochester: A family’s story of love and legacy across generations
Rooted in Rochester: A family’s story of love and legacy across generations
Rooted in Rochester: A family’s story of love and legacy across generations
Julius Stoll Jr. ’40 and Ann Stoll ’41 fell in love at the University of Rochester, setting the stage for their son, Ric J. Stoll ’74, PP’13, to meet Cathy L. Troisi ’74, PP’13 —and years later, for their daughter, Jessica K. Stoll ’06, ’09 (MA), ’13 (PhD), to find love with Lukas R. Pfaff ’10 (MA), ’13 (PhD). Across three generations, Rochester has been more than a university—it’s been the heart of their family’s love story.
Where it all began: Julius and Ann’s foundation for the Stoll family legacy
Julius Stoll Jr. ’40 and Ann T. Stoll ’41 began a lasting story tied to the University of Rochester.
Born in Rochester, New York, Julius met Ann at the University of Rochester. During World War II, he served as a Medical Officer and Lieutenant in the United States Navy and went on to a distinguished career in neurosurgery.
Ann graduated from the Eastman School of Music, where she studied cello. She and Julius both earned bachelor’s degrees in the arts at Rochester.
Julius and Ann remained committed to the University throughout their lives, giving back as donors and supporting its growth. Their connection to the University became a cornerstone of their family’s identity, shaping the generations that followed.
Julius Stoll Jr. ’40 and Ann T. Stoll ’41
Where it all began: Julius and Ann’s foundation for the Stoll family legacy
Julius Stoll Jr. ’40 and Ann T. Stoll ’41 began a lasting story tied to the University of Rochester.
Born in Rochester, New York, Julius met Ann at the University of Rochester. During World War II, he served as a Medical Officer and Lieutenant in the United States Navy and went on to a distinguished career in neurosurgery.
Ann graduated from the Eastman School of Music, where she studied cello. She and Julius both earned bachelor’s degrees in the arts at Rochester.
Julius and Ann remained committed to the University throughout their lives, giving back as donors and supporting its growth. Their connection to the University became a cornerstone of their family’s identity, shaping the generations that followed.
Julius Stoll Jr. ’40 and Ann T. Stoll ’41
When Richard met Catherine: love on The Hill
When Richard (Ric) J. Stoll ’74, PP’13, son of Julius and Ann Stoll, met with an academic administrator in high school, the administrator provided a list of about six schools to consider for college, one of which was Rochester. The administrator didn’t know Ric’s parents had attended Rochester, but for Ric, seeing the school on the list felt like a sign that it was the right place for him.
Cathy L. Troisi ’74, PP’13, and Ric both lived on the fifth floor of The Hill, now called Susan B. Anthony Hall. Cathy studied chemistry, and Ric majored in political science. Despite their different academic interests, they met through mutual connections.
Their first date was at Eastman to hear Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. They spent a lot of time at Todd Union with friends and enjoyed attending concerts on campus and at the Rochester War Memorial.
Richard (Ric) J. Stoll ’74, PP’13 and Cathy L. Troisi ’74, PP’13
When Richard met Catherine: love on The Hill
When Richard (Ric) J. Stoll ’74, PP’13, son of Julius and Ann Stoll, met with an academic administrator in high school, the administrator provided a list of about six schools to consider for college, one of which was Rochester. The administrator didn’t know Ric’s parents had attended Rochester, but for Ric, seeing the school on the list felt like a sign that it was the right place for him.
Cathy L. Troisi ’74, PP’13, and Ric both lived on the fifth floor of The Hill, now called Susan B. Anthony Hall. Cathy studied chemistry, and Ric majored in political science. Despite their different academic interests, they met through mutual connections.
Their first date was at Eastman to hear Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. They spent a lot of time at Todd Union with friends and enjoyed attending concerts on campus and at the Rochester War Memorial.
Richard (Ric) J. Stoll ’74, PP’13 and Cathy L. Troisi ’74, PP’13
Staying connected with the University
Ric and Cathy loved attending Meliora Weekend while their daughter was a student at the University. In 2024, for their 50th Reunion, they both volunteered with the Reunion committee and participated in Meliora Weekend. They have also attended nearly every University event held in Houston, enjoying talks by some fabulous University speakers (including one on the Beatles). This month, for the first time, they attended an event hosted by the Houston Regional Network.
Ric has provisions in his will for a Stoll family scholarship to honor the shared experience of meeting their partners at the University.
Ric noted that “Rochester is a place where students of all backgrounds interact and form lasting friendships well beyond graduation.”
Be like Ric and Cathy by:
- Attending Meliora Weekend
- Participating in Reunion
- Naming the University as a beneficiary
- Attending University event in your region
A legacy of love and learning: How Jessica and Lukas crossed paths to become connected for life
Before attending the University of Rochester, Jessica K. Stoll ’06, ’09 (MA), ’13 (PhD) was aware of her family’s deep ties to the University. She knew that her parents, Cathy and Ric, as well as her grandparents, Julius and Ann, were alumni and had a long connection to the city of Rochester.
Jessica takes pride in the University of Rochester’s history as one of the first major institutions to admit women. This legacy holds special significance for her, knowing her grandmother lived on the women’s campus downtown and her mother, Cathy, was one of only three female chemistry majors in her year. Jessica carried this legacy forward during her undergraduate years by serving as chair of the Women’s Caucus.
Jessica met Lukas R. Pfaff ’10 (MA), ’13 (PhD) during her first year as a graduate student in political science. Lukas visited the University for a recruitment dinner, and Jessica briefly met him when she drove him and the other students back to their hotel afterward. The following fall, Lukas joined the same graduate program where they spent a lot of time together. Their connection deepened through weekend outings to the Public Market, Letchworth State Park, and many local restaurants and movie theaters.
As political science graduate students, Jessica and Lukas spent countless hours on the third floor of Harkness Hall, a place filled with memories for them. Years later, during Meliora Weekend 2024, they brought their children, now 8 and 10, to visit the very space where their story began.
Jessica credits her family’s strong ties to the University as an important influence on her decision to attend. The legacy created by her parents, Cathy and Ric, encouraged her to apply, and the experience of studying political science in the same program as her father was particularly meaningful. Both she and her father even had the same professor, Dick Niemi, strengthening the familial connection to the University. The importance of her family’s history was underscored by seeing her great-uncle’s name listed in Wilson Commons among the students who died in World War II.
Jessica hopes her own children will one day forge their own paths, whether at the University of Rochester or beyond. Regardless of where life takes them, she hopes to pass on the values that have shaped her family—education, inclusivity, and perseverance. For the Stoll family, Rochester is more than a university; it’s a place where connections are made, traditions are honored, and a lasting legacy continues to grow.
Jessica K. Stoll ’06, ’09 (MA), ’13 (PhD) and Lukas R. Pfaff ’10 (MA), ’13 (PhD) at Letchworth State Park as students at the University
Lukas and their children visiting the University campus during Meliora Weekend 2024
A legacy of love and learning: How Jessica and Lukas crossed paths to become connected for life
Before attending the University of Rochester, Jessica K. Stoll ’06, ’09 (MA), ’13 (PhD) was aware of her family’s deep ties to the University. She knew that her parents, Cathy and Ric, as well as her grandparents, Julius and Ann, were alumni and had a long connection to the city of Rochester.
Jessica takes pride in the University of Rochester’s history as one of the first major institutions to admit women. This legacy holds special significance for her, knowing her grandmother lived on the women’s campus downtown and her mother, Cathy, was one of only three female chemistry majors in her year. Jessica carried this legacy forward during her undergraduate years by serving as chair of the Women’s Caucus.
Jessica met Lukas R. Pfaff ’10 (MA), ’13 (PhD) during her first year as a graduate student in political science. Lukas visited the University for a recruitment dinner, and Jessica briefly met him when she drove him and the other students back to their hotel afterward. The following fall, Lukas joined the same graduate program where they spent a lot of time together. Their connection deepened through weekend outings to the Public Market, Letchworth State Park, and many local restaurants and movie theaters.
As political science graduate students, Jessica and Lukas spent countless hours on the third floor of Harkness Hall, a place filled with memories for them. Years later, during Meliora Weekend 2024, they brought their children, now 8 and 10, to visit the very space where their story began.
Jessica credits her family’s strong ties to the University as an important influence on her decision to attend. The legacy created by her parents, Cathy and Ric, encouraged her to apply, and the experience of studying political science in the same program as her father was particularly meaningful. Both she and her father even had the same professor, Dick Niemi, strengthening the familial connection to the University. The importance of her family’s history was underscored by seeing her great-uncle’s name listed in Wilson Commons among the students who died in World War II.
Jessica hopes her own children will one day forge their own paths, whether at the University of Rochester or beyond. Regardless of where life takes them, she hopes to pass on the values that have shaped her family—education, inclusivity, and perseverance. For the Stoll family, Rochester is more than a university; it’s a place where connections are made, traditions are honored, and a lasting legacy continues to grow.
Jessica K. Stoll ’06, ’09 (MA), ’13 (PhD) and Lukas R. Pfaff ’10 (MA), ’13 (PhD) at Letchworth State Park as students at the University
Lukas and their children visiting the University campus during Meliora Weekend 2024
Be like Jessica and Lukas by:
- Attending Meliora Weekend
- Celebrate women’s accomplishments by joining the Women’s Network
The Stoll family’s journey is a testament to the University of Rochester’s lasting impact—one that extends far beyond academics and into the heart of lifelong connections. Across three generations, the University has been more than just a place of learning; it has been the backdrop for love, friendship, and family legacies that continue to grow. As Jessica and Lukas look ahead, they carry forward the values and traditions that have shaped their family’s story, hopeful that future generations will also find their own paths at Rochester, just as their parents and grandparents did before them.
Lukas, Jessica, and their family revisiting Letchworth State Park as a family
Lukas, Jessica, and their family revisiting Letchworth State Park as a family
The Stoll family’s journey is a testament to the University of Rochester’s lasting impact—one that extends far beyond academics and into the heart of lifelong connections. Across three generations, the University has been more than just a place of learning; it has been the backdrop for love, friendship, and family legacies that continue to grow. As Jessica and Lukas look ahead, they carry forward the values and traditions that have shaped their family’s story, hopeful that future generations will also find their own paths at Rochester, just as their parents and grandparents did before them.
Lukas, Jessica, and their family revisiting Letchworth State Park as a family
The Stoll family’s journey is a testament to the University of Rochester’s lasting impact—one that extends far beyond academics and into the heart of lifelong connections. Across three generations, the University has been more than just a place of learning; it has been the backdrop for love, friendship, and family legacies that continue to grow. As Jessica and Lukas look ahead, they carry forward the values and traditions that have shaped their family’s story, hopeful that future generations will also find their own paths at Rochester, just as their parents and grandparents did before them.
— Amelia Sykes, Winter 2025