Last month, members of the Alumni and GOLD Councils came back to Worcester for an annual meeting to reconnect with fellow alumni volunteers, meet members of the Clark community, learn about new additions to campus, conduct committee work, and plan upcoming projects and initiatives.

Some GOLDies are current 5th year students who have seen campus changes unfold, others just passed their 5th year reunion and saw a very different campus than the one they’d graduated from. Here’s how they felt about being back on campus, plus some advice for current students and recent grads alike…

What is the most significant change you’ve noticed on campus since you’ve graduated?

• The new Computer Science Building – Faaiz Masood ’20, Sr. Software Analyst at Bamboo Rose
• The new media arts building – Taylor Laflamme ’23, M.S. Candidate of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• New computer science building  – Parker Freedman ’21, Financial Advisor at Profectus Financial Partners 

Which building or spot on campus made you feel the most nostalgic and why?

• Atwood – I spent so much time there – Anabel Riggio ’22, MPA ’23, J.D. Candidate at Pace University Elisabeth Haub School of Law
• The library – I spent way too much time there as a student. Also the IDCE House – I worked there for 4 years and it’s my favorite house at Clark! – Emilee Cocuzzo ’18, MBA ’19, Senior Consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton
• The Kneller, memories for games, practices, & hanging out with teammates – Parker Freedman ’21, Financial Advisor at Profectus Financial Partners
• The second floor of the library – I spent so much time there studying (and goofing off) with my friends! – Drashhti Bilimoria, ’21, MBA ’22, Strategy Analyst at Deloitte 
• The Grind – some of my most clear memories from Clark were excitedly (and anxiously) preparing the space for live music events alongside my closest friends. – Ben DiFilippi ’21, MBA ’22, Analyst at Hearst Magazines

How has keeping in touch with your fellow Clarkies impacted your life post graduation?

• It has given me a Sense of network and connectivity – Alex Turgeon ’16, MBA ’17, Founder & CEO of Valere Digital
• Some of my closest friendships in life! – Julianne Murphy ’17, M.S. ’18, Ph.D. Candidate in Health and Biomedical Informatics
• It’s given me a strong sense of security and community upon entering “the real world” – Ben DiFilippi ’21, MBA ’22, Analyst at Hearst Magazines

What is one piece of advice you’d give to your younger self if you could do it over again?

• Make sure to stay present in every moment. Years will go by in the blink of an eye and life will never be the same. – GOLD Council Member
• Start to engage early on, it doesn’t matter if we talk about clubs, sports, internships etc. – Andrés Gvirtz ’18, Assistant Professor at King’s College London
• You’re going to get through it, but don’t forget to relax a bit. You need time to have fun! – Manning DelCogliano ’23, M.S. Candidate of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Get off campus and explore Worcester! It has a ton to offer! – Ben DiFilippi, ’21, MBA ’22, Analyst at Hearst Magazines.

Share one thing that you discovered at Clark that you never thought would be relevant to your career, but turned out to be invaluable.

• Be open minded and think of every possible outcome that could arise from one situation. – GOLD Council Member
• All of the alumni I got to meet and still know! – Manning DelCogliano ’23, M.S. Candidate of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• The unique experience to research with a professor 1:1 and early in my Clark career – Julianne Murphy ’17, M.S. ’18, Ph.D. Candidate in Health and Biomedical Informatics