CHC Alumni Stories

Catch up with CHC alums in Oregon, across the country and around the world. Hear them reminisce about their time at the Honors College and how their work here, including the thesis project, has led them down their professional paths. Find out what inspires them and get their tips for current students.

photo of test tubes for research
CHC alumni return to deliver advice to next generation of researchers
Once, they were all Clark Honors College students. Now all active and successful in their careers as researchers and professors, four CHC alumni return to reach back and give some well-heeded advice to the next generation.
Sravya Tadepalli, Truman Scholar
Truman Scholar Sravya Tadepalli returns to CHC to guide students in scholarship application process
The first three times Clark Honors College student Sravya Tadepalli received an email from Associate Dean of Advising Elizabeth Raisanen to apply to the Truman Scholarship in 2018, she ignored it.
Sumit Kapur, and Sravya Tadepalli, (2019)
Two CHC students named as finalists for Rhodes scholarships
Sumit Kapur, a senior majoring in political science and philosophy, and Sravya Tadepalli, a member of the Class of 2019 with a degree in political science and journalism, are among the candidates for the 2021 awards. 
Alumni credit CHC with providing the building blocks for their medical careers
The online panel, which was designed to connect the alumni with current students interested in the medical field, was held on October 30, and was moderated by Melissa Graboyes, professor of African and medical history, and Nelly Nouboussi, a 2020 biology graduate of the CHC.
mayor of scranton
Now the mayor of Scranton, PA, Paige Gebhardt Cognetti's passion for equity inspired by her time in CHC
This pragmatic but progressive approach to politics won over the people of Scranton. Her platform focused on the “non-sexy” aspects of politics like structural reform, economic equity and justice, and ensuring the city’s political leaders reflected the diversity of the city.
Kevin Frazier
CHC Alum Kevin Frazier Cultivates Excellence by Helping Others Succeed
Kevin Frazier, BS ’15 will return to the Clark Honors College (CHC) in October 2019 to speak about the importance of applying for prestigious scholarships such as the Rhodes and Truman — both of which he was a finalist.
Square head shot of Francesca Fontana
Wall Street Journal internship turns into career for CHC alum Francesca Fontana
A typical day for Francesca Fontana begins around 7:30 a.m., when she enters The Wall Street Journal offices in New York, two hours before the stock market opens.
Young Alumni Pay It Forward
By Garrett WestApril, 2018
Alyssa Goessler
Hard-Won Success
While she is proud of her academic successes, Alyssa Goessler ’16 says her single greatest accomplishment was learning how to cope and live with mental health challenges while being a full-time student.
James Shephard
James Shephard, BA '80
Major: Humanities•  Banque AIG in Paris 
Jon Rode
Jonathan Rode, BA ’70
Major: Physics •  Rockwell Science Center (now Teledyne Technologies)
Yevgeniya Turov
Yevgeniya Turov, BS ’07
Major: Chemistry•  Chemistry Professor at University of Wisconsin at La Crosse
David Sonnenfeld
David A. Sonnenfeld, BA ’73
Major: Independent Study•  Professor of Sociology and Environmental Policy, State University of New York•  Environmental Policy Group, Department of Social Sciences, Wageningen University in the Netherlands
Lynn Botelho
Lynn Botelho, BA ’85
Major: History•  Indiana University of Pennsylvania history professor•  2011 Veteran U.S. National Fencing Champion
Eric Benjaminson
Eric Benjaminson, BA ’81
Major: History•  Former U.S. Ambassador to Gabon
Sheila Miller
Sheila Miller, BA ’99
Majors: Spanish and International Studies•  Former Member, CHC Advisory Council•  Program Officer, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Windy Borman
Windy Borman, BA ’03
Majors: SP Theater Arts and Electronic Media Production•  Teach For America•  DVA Productions: The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia (2012) and The Eyes of Thailand (2012)
Mary Ellen Isensee
Mary Ellen Isensee, BA ’63
Major: Sociology•  Former Member, CHC Advisory Council•  Court Appointed Special Advocate•  Retired School Counselor
Tom Ettel
Tom Ettel, BA ’84
Major: Fine Arts•  Principal at Kennedy Elementary School, Medford, Oregon
Dana Ponte
Dana Ponte, BA '02
Major: Russian, Eastern European, and Eurasia Studies•  National Council for Eurasian and East European Research
Kelli O'Laughlin
Kelli O’Laughlin, BA ’99
Major: International Studies•  HIV treatment access for refugees and displaced populations•  Brigham and Women’s Hospital Department of Emergency Medicine
Daniel Knapp
Daniel Knapp, BA '62
Major: Asian Studies•  Co-author, Scouting the War on Poverty: Social Reform Politics in the Kennedy Administration•  Urban Ore
Mark Sykes
Mark V. Sykes, BA ’78
Major: Physics• CEO of the Planetary Science Institute
David Maier
David Maier, BA '74
Major: Mathematics and Computer Science•  Maseeh Professor of Emerging Technologies in the Department of Computer Science at Portland State University
Al West
Al West, BA ’67
Major: Chemistry and Mathematics•  Former Member, CHC Advisory Council•  Retired scientist