Each year, the Clark Alumni Council recognizes outstanding alumni and their dedication to both Clark University and society at large. The chosen honorees, though diverse in their achievements and impact, share a common thread — an unwavering commitment to helping others, a value deeply ingrained in their Clark education. They exemplify boldness and imagination, applying their talents to create meaningful change in their communities and beyond.
“The work that Clarkies do, both for their alma mater and the world at large, is commendable and deserves recognition and praise,” said Rigoria Tejada, director of Alumni and Friends Engagement. “We are thankful for all of this year’s nominations and for our Alumni Council members who carefully reviewed and selected the finalists for a vote by the full Council.”
The Alumni Council is proud to announce the following recipients of this year’s awards, who will be recognized on May 15 during Alumni Weekend.
Young Alumni Award
The Young Alumni Award recognizes a Clark Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) who has served as an exceptional leader and volunteer for Clark since graduation. This year’s honoree is Taylor Laflamme ’23, M.S. ’24
Taylor graduated in 2023 and earned her master’s in 2024 in biochemistry and molecular biology. During her time at Clark, she was deeply involved in fostering connections within the university community, serving as co-president of the Student Alumni Relations Committee her sophomore, junior, and senior years, while also sitting as the student representative on Clark’s Alumni Council. Laflamme conducted protein biochemistry research in the lab of Professor Donald Spratt, where she investigated the structural effects of small-molecule drugs on ankyrin-repeat containing oncoproteins. She presented her undergraduate work at The Protein Society Symposium in Boston and ended her fifth year presenting her graduate work at the Lorne Protein Structure and Function Conference in Lorne, Australia.
Taylor currently works as a protein biochemist, producing and characterizing proteins for potential vaccine candidates. She is passionate about vaccine education and advocating for women in scientific roles. This past spring was her first semester as a mentor for Science Club for Girls Boston, where the curriculum focuses on outer space and rocket science. She also coaches a 12U girls travel softball team in Newton.
University Award for Service to Society
The University Award for Service to Society celebrates an individual who has made extraordinary contributions to society since graduating from Clark while advancing a cause consistent with Clark’s values. This year’s recipient is Echo Louissaint-Collins ’05.
Echo is a community builder, advocate, and founder and executive director of 508 C.H.E.E.R.S., a Worcester-based nonprofit empowering youth through leadership, service, and advocacy. Through 508 C.H.E.E.R.S., Echo leads youth-driven initiatives addressing food insecurity, culturally responsive meal distribution, and school-based leadership programs where students design and implement community projects. She also serves on multiple boards of directors: the Worcester Community Action Council (representing the office of Mayor Joseph Petty), Girls on the Run Worcester County, and The Summer Jam Classic. At Seven Hills Foundation, she serves as co-chair of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Council, advancing inclusive and equitable practices. Echo is also the author and creator of the Youth Empowerment Workbook Collection, including Girls Are RAD, Your Inner System, and Your Voice Matters, focused on confidence and identity, mental wellness and emotional regulation, and communication and self-advocacy.
Her impact has been recognized through multiple honors, including being named one of the 20 Outstanding Women in Massachusetts by WSRS 96.1 FM and Hannaford Supermarkets, receiving the Lois B. Green Leadership Award from the United Way of Central Massachusetts Women’s Initiative for her work empowering girls, and being featured as a Hometown Hero by Worcester Magazine. Echo has also shared her work at the EMPath Disrupting Poverty Conference and is currently pursuing her master of public administration degree in senior leadership at Clark. At the heart of her work is a simple belief: The strongest communities are built when people show up for one another.
Challenging Convention Award
Inspired by Clark graduates’ deep reverence for the University’s motto “Challenge Convention. Change Our World.” the Alumni Council established the Challenging Convention Award to honor an individual who “has a crowning achievement in advancing a particular artistic, social, or scientific cause deemed consonant with University values.” This year’s recipient is Dr. Richard (Rich) Pietras ’69.
Rich regards Clark as his launch pad for a career in medical science. Today, he is professor of medicine in the UCLA School of Medicine Division of Hematology-Oncology, and a member of the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Broad Stem Cell Research Center. Since his first introduction to research in receptor biology at Clark under the guidance of Professor David Moulton, Rich has had training in molecular biology, endocrinology, and medical oncology. He has significant clinical-translational experience in the development of the first humanized monoclonal antibody targeted to the HER2/neu receptor that is overexpressed in 15-20% of breast cancer patients. Rich was also among the first investigators to identify serum biomarkers to detect women at risk for gynecologic cancers after exposure to the transplacental carcinogen DES in utero. Early in his oncology career, he worked with Dr. Susan Love to develop the UCLA Multidisciplinary Breast Center.
Working with Dr. Dennis Slamon, Rich played an important role in the preclinical and early clinical trial assessment of Trastuzumab (Herceptin), which has helped an estimated 3.5 million patients afflicted with breast cancer to survive longer. As first reported in a series of publications in the scientific journal Nature, Rich also led pioneering work to identify extra-nuclear estrogen receptors that cross-communicate with downstream kinase-signaling pathways, cited as critical for new advances in oncology, endocrinology, immunology, and cardiovascular medicine. The work was done in collaboration with Dr. Claire Szego, who previously trained with Dr. Gregory Pincus, the “Father of the Pill” and a professor of biology at Clark. As the principal investigator for an NIH/NCI U54 Program Project at UCLA, he also worked closely with community members on issues of racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and biologic factors contributing to cancer health disparities.
Rich has more than 45 years of experience in the care of patients with cancer, including all breast cancer subtypes and lung, at UCLA and at community clinics for underserved populations in Los Angeles.
Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor bestowed by Clark’s Alumni Council, recognizes and celebrates graduates who have demonstrated exemplary leadership and volunteerism for Clark over several decades. This year, Patricia Ellen (DeGroat) Brissette ’68 and Lawrence S. Hershoff ’71 are the recipients and are being honored posthumously.
Patricia (Pat) Brissette was a teacher and life-long learner, instilling a passion for learning and education to her children, grandchildren, and students. She enjoyed imparting lessons to others and taught science in the Leicester, Shrewsbury, and Wachusett school districts. An active member within her community, Pat was a trustee of the Boylston Town Library and served multiple positions on the Library Foundation, including a stint as CEO and president, and served as treasurer for over 25 years. Politically active until her passing, she ran caucuses and served as a state delegate. Born in New York, Pat joined the Clark community in 1964 and there met Francis (Fran) Brissette ’67, the love of her life. Pat and Fran were married in 1968 and continued to remain connected to Clark.
Pat was a member of the Alumni Association Executive Board (now Alumni Council) from 2011-2015, a member of the Clark Women’s 75th Anniversary Committee from 2015-2018, and a member for both her 45th Reunion Committee in 2013 and 50th Reunion Committee in 2018. She was deeply involved in researching and co-organizing a tribute to Clark’s women athletes, culminating in the publication Celebrating Clark Women Athletes [1942-Present] that was presented as part of the 2010 Clark Reunion. The work involved substantial research in collaboration with Elyse Darefsky ’79, Meg Lines ’68, and Donni Rodman ’69, and archivist Fordyce Williams, and extensive interviews with pioneering athletes from the 1940s and 1950s, creating a tangible record of the history of Clark’s women’s sports from its earliest days.
Pat had a great passion for life and her family. She loved family gatherings and celebrations more than anything else. Pat passed away peacefully at her home on November 25, 2025.
Lawrence (Larry) S. Hershoff ’71 enjoyed a long and distinguished professional career in banking, finance, and education. He served as executive vice president of Fleet Bank and its various subsidiaries in Rhode Island, and later as senior vice president of Citizens Bank and its various subsidiaries. Following his banking career, he worked as a finance consultant and served as an adjunct lecturer in finance at Bryant University, retiring in 2011. He served as treasurer of multiple 501©(3) organizations, including the Jewish Federation of Rhode Island and Tech Access of Rhode Island. He also served on the board of the American Red Cross, was chairman of the San Miguel School in Providence, and most recently served as treasurer of Brunswick County Habitat for Humanity.
Larry was a proud graduate of Clark, the Simon School of Business at the University of Rochester, and the CAGS program at Bryant University, where he also served as interim dean of the Graduate School of Business. He served Clark as president of the Alumni Association Executive Board (now Alumni Council) from 2000-2002, and also as member of his 40th Reunion Committee in 2011 and 45th Reunion Committee in 2016. Larry served faithfully as a member of the Board of Trustees for Clark University from 2004 to 2014. In addition to his professional and civic pursuits, he was the founder and lead male singer of Chip and the Old Blocks, performing with the group until his retirement from music in 2024. An avid golfer, he routinely played more than 200 rounds of golf annually and spent as much time as possible fishing and playing bridge.
Larry met life head-on and did not waste time. He lived fully. Larry passed away peacefully on January 30, 2026.
All alumni are invited to celebrate the award honorees on Friday, May 15, 2026, during Alumni Weekend. Tickets can be purchased online. Visit the Alumni Weekend registration page to learn more.
The Alumni Council’s Awards Selection Committee are David Brenerman ’73, chair; Jermel Moody ’00; Edgardo Rivera ’86, P ’09; Samuel Miller ’77; Adi Tibrewal, MBA ’05; Maria Fernandez-Dominique ’05; Jeremy Hastings ’01; and Paige Goldmarche ’06.
Do you know someone who should be nominated for an Alumni Award? Submissions will be live in Fall 2026.
