Skip to main site navigation Skip to main content

Virtual Tour | Visit Campus | Contact Us | Apply Now

Utica University Logo
  • Academics
    • Programs
    • Online Programs
      • Online Business Programs
    • Honors Program
    • Graduate Study
    • International Ed & Study Abroad
      • Study Abroad
    • Exceptional Faculty
    • Student Support and Success
    • Schedules, Catalogs, and Resources
    • Institutes and Centers
    • Utica University at Florida
      • Tuition and Fees: ABSN Program
      • Accepted Students
    • Current Offerings
    • General Education
      • Planning Sheet
      • Themed Pathways
    • Opportunity Programs
  • Tuition and Financial Aid
    • Understanding Financial Aid
      • Value
      • Excelsior, Explained
      • University Scholarships
      • Annual Awards
    • Applying For Financial Aid
    • Tuition and Fees
      • Utica Campus Programs
      • Online Programs
      • ABSN Program
    • Net Price Calculator
    • Pioneer Passport
  • Admissions
    • First-Year Admissions
    • Transfer Admissions
      • Articulation Agreements
    • Graduate Admissions
      • Graduate Inquiry Form
    • International Applicants
      • International Inquiry Form
      • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Visit
      • Utica University Campus
      • Virtual Tour
      • Why Not Fly?
    • Apply Now
    • Contact Us
    • Accepted Student Info
    • High School Counselors
    • High School Bridge Program
  • Community
    • Living on Campus
      • Res Life & Student Living
      • Student Involvement & Leadership
    • Wilcox Center
    • The Utica Area
      • Hotels and Restaurants in the Utica Area
    • Utica Stories
    • About Utica
  • Athletics
    • Intercollegiate Athletics
    • Esports
  • News & Events
  • Alumni
  • Giving
  • Apply Now
  • Directory
  • About
  • Library
  • Logins
Utica University

WSYR: Local teacher helps medical field employees one stitch at a time

  1. Utica Community
  2. Utica Stories
  3. WSYR: Local teacher helps medical field employees one stitch at a time
Rachael Witter at Sewing Machine

"I’m definitely glad to help."

Sewing has been a longtime hobby for Utica College graduate student Rachael Witter and her passion quickly turned into a community need in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

“I didn’t know that it was such a big need, like I’m definitely glad to help. I actually got all of this fabric to make scrunchies in my downtime, and I’m like I can use all of this to make masks,” Herkimer High School Teacher Rachael Witter said.

Witter is enrolled in Utica College's Teacher Apprenticeship Program.

In just 3 days, she has already made close to 100 masks.

She’s been reading over the Center for Disease Control & Prevention guidelines and ironically, had all of the fabrics and supplies ready to sew right in her own home.

“What I’ve been doing is using for the inside it’s called snuggle flannel and it’s actually for baby blankets. It’s a real tight-knit cotton fabric for the inside and for the outside, it’s just 100% cotton fabric. This is what I would use to make scrunchies and it just so happens I had a lot of that snuggle flannel laying around,” said Witter.

The masks are washable and reusable and come in adult and children sizes, but they don’t look like your typical medical mask.

READ MORE

More Stories

Mike Dileo '89 in blue polo shirt, holds a copy of his book - "There are Places I Remember."
Alumni

The Places He Remembers - Mike DiLeo '89

Everyone has stories of their time in college – whether it’s regaling their children with tales of the past or...
Legendary writer Rod Serling behind a microphone as he addresses the Utica Class of 1973.
On Campus

Pioneer Past: Utica gets a visit from The Twilight Zone

Members of the Class of 1973 listen to Commencement Speaker Rod Serling. You’re traveling through another dimension, a dimension not...
Black and white image of Professor Jeff Miller looking at the camera
Faculty

Fade out on FILMS ON THURSDAY for Professor Jeff Miller

For more than 60 years, Utica University’s film series has brought a world of cinema to the doorsteps of the...
All Stories

I would like to see logins and resources for:

For a general list of frequently used logins, you can also visit our logins page.

Utica University Logo
FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTube
  • Academics
  • Tuition and Financial Aid
  • Admissions
  • Community
  • Athletics
1600 Burrstone Road, Utica, NY 13502
Map & Directions
(315) 792-3006
Contact Us
  • Institutional Effectiveness
  • Bookstore
  • Disability Learning Support
  • Student Right to Know
2025-2026 College of Distinction2025-2026 Private College of Distinction2025-2026 Business College of Distinction2025-2026 Education College of Distinction2025-2026 Nursing College of Distinction2025-2026 Career Development College of Distinction2025-2026 Equity & Inclusion College of Distinction2023-2024 Military Friendly (Silver)