2024 Alumni Awards
Recipients

Kathleen DuBois ’74

Reunion: 50th
Residence: St. Louis, Missouri
Grinnell major: English Literature 
Other degrees: JD from University of Arizona College of Law (1987)
Profession: Retired public interest attorney 

For decades, Kathleen DuBois fought in the trenches and out of the spotlight for the integrity of Missouri’s families. Until her recent retirement, DuBois practiced public interest law representing hundreds of indigent clients including Hurricane Katrina victims, parents facing loss of their children, and death row inmates. In 1999, she organized the Parental Justice Program in St. Louis as a prototype for holistic support services for members of families in crisis. DuBois provided parents with free legal representation for the wrongful removal of their children into foster care. She has reunited more than 400 children with their parents.

3 ways Kathleen embodies Grinnell College’s mission of lifetime learning and service

1. For more than 20 years, Kathleen provided free legal representation to indigent parents whose children had been removed from their care and placed in foster care. In the course of her work, she reunited more than 400 children with their parents.
2. In 1999, she organized the Parental Justice Program in St. Louis as a prototype for holistic support services for members of families in crisis. The populations served by the program includes teenage parents, survivors of domestic abuse, and those whose lives have been affected by substance abuse or mental health problems..
3. As a liaison with the administration of the St. Louis County Family Court as well as with the state child welfare department and other agencies, Kathleen executed strategies for collaboration and community involvement.

Something you probably didn’t know about Kathleen

She was recruited in 2005 to teach college level paralegal classes to adults entering the legal field as legal assistants. Many of her best students ended up obtaining paralegal positions. Kathleen went on to teach traditional law courses at St. Louis Community College at Meramec in Evidence, Criminal Law/Procedure, Advanced Civil Trial Procedure, and Environmental Law.

Bonus Kathleen Fun Facts

• In 2005, Kathleen was honored with the St. Louis Women Lawyers’ Association President’s Award for her work representing women in their efforts to keep their families together.
• In 2011, the Missouri Bar Association appointed her to serve on a statewide Special Committee on Adoption.
• Kathleen has taken part in the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic Violence since 1999.

A quote about Kathleen

“Through more than 35 years until her recent retirement, Kathleen has practiced public interest law in Arizona and Missouri, representing hundreds of indigent clients in trial and on appeal – including Hurricane Katrina victims, mothers and fathers facing loss of their children, inmates on death row, and, for example, a young man who was prosecuted for killing his mother’s batterer.”

– Christopher Broadwell ’74

Denise Iverson-Payne ’74

Reunion: 50th
Residence: St. Pete Beach, Florida
Grinnell major: Anthropology and Black Studies
Profession: Higher education administrator, public school administrator, public service

Denise Iverson-Payne’s creativity, commitment, and collaboration to provide exceptional opportunities for college students took shape at Grinnell and continued throughout her impactful career in higher education. She was honored to be among the first stewards of Grinnell’s Black Cultural Center (BCC) and among the first to major in Black Studies. At Gustavus Adolphus College, she led diversity and inclusion initiatives in the 1990s – decades before the birth of DEI related jobs. From 2001 to 2016, she served as assistant vice chancellor for student development at North Carolina A&T. Iverson-Payne returned to Grinnell in 2014 to help plan Black Alumni Weekend.

3 ways Denise embodies Grinnell College’s mission of lifetime learning and service

1. Denise became the first special assistant to the president for diversity at Gustavus Adolphus College in the early 1990s – decades before the birth of DEI related jobs. Among her many initiatives was developing a diversity awareness session during orientation for incoming college students, called “E Pluribus Gustavus,” and a national community service initiative. She taught courses in anthropology and led courses in South African history, which included a January course for the Gustavus choir to visit South Africa. She also became the “campus mom,” acting as a mentor, venting outlet, and confidant for scores of students.
2. As assistant vice chancellor for student development at North Carolina A&T State University from 2001 to 2016, Denise taught courses, arranged for international trips for students, and served on the committee that led the effort for the design and construction of a new Student Union building.
3. Her deep desire to ensure that Black students had a feeling of belonging and value on Grinnell’s campus drew Denise back to Grinnell to plan Black Alumni Weekend in 2014. She spoke to students about the history of struggles and successes of Black students on Grinnell’s campus.

Something you probably didn’t know about Denise

As a legacy gift to leave her family and community, Denise currently is working on a cookbook, to be titled Manna, that’s not only filled with favorite recipes from her family’s reunions and special occasions, but also will describe the unique cooking styles and techniques that can be traced to her forefathers’ and foremothers’ arrival to this country.

Bonus Denise Fun Facts

• Denise was part of the first group stewards of Grinnell College’s Black Cultural Center (BCC) along with Juanita Carswell McKennie ’71, Luverne Vann Taylor ’72, and Roxane Brown Johnson ’74. The foursome proudly and respectfully served as caretakers of the facility and welcomed students to activities held at the BCC.
• After graduation from Grinnell, Denise enrolled in the first off-campus “East African Institute,” a six-week study in Kenya and Tanzania. 
• Denise co-sponsored and was the most ardent supporter for a social justice theatre company, “I AM WE ARE,” at Gustavus Adolphus who observed a 25-year anniversary at the College as well as presented at conferences around the world. 

A quote about Denise

“To describe Denise Iverson-Payne as a trailblazer in her lifelong mission of serving in the space of diversity, equity, and inclusion would be an understatement. Not only was she among the first to earn her undergraduate degree with a double major in Black Studies & Anthropology, but she also was among the first to forge a path for colleges and universities to introduce such initiatives and academic areas of study.”

– Roxane Brown Johnson ’74

Tony Reid ’78

Reunion: 45th
Residence: San Diego, California
Grinnell major: Political science and philosophy
Other degrees: Master of Science from the University of Iowa (1981); Ph.D. in cancer biology/biochemistry from Stanford University (1987), Doctor of Medicine from Stanford University (1991)
Profession: Physician and professor emeritus of clinical medicine and oncology 

Regarded as one of America’s top doctors for cancer treatment, Tony Reid has dedicated has life to medical research and treating patients. A professor emeritus at the University of California, San Diego, Reid spent the last two decades studying cancer gene therapy, oncolytic viral therapy, and gastroenterology oncology. He has led numerous drug trials, established 25 patents and inventions, and authored or co-authored over 100 medical research papers and articles. Reid also has started three companies, including Epicentrx, which in 2022 was awarded a $500,000 Michael J. Fox Foundation grant to evaluate activity in Parkinson’s disease.

3 ways Tony embodies Grinnell College’s mission of lifetime learning and service

1. A medical oncologist at Moores Cancer Center, Tony has led over 100 cancer drug trials. His career goal is to develop novel therapeutic approaches to diagnose, prevent, and treat tumors with gene therapy vectors.
2. A professor emeritus at the University of California, San Diego, Tony spent the last two decades studying cancer gene therapy, oncolytic viral therapy, and gastroenterology oncology. He was also the academic director of an Alzheimer’s/Neurocognitive Clinical Research Program at the university from 2015 to 2019.
3. Tony has founded three companies, Noble Scientific, Peninsula Medical, and EpicentRx. He is the CEO of EpicentRx, which is a patient-driven immuno-oncology company whose singular focus is on the development of minimally toxic therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and beyond.

Something you probably didn’t know about Tony

Tony also is a medical device inventor, having been awarded four patents. 

Bonus Tony Fun Facts

• Tony organized a shared ride program so that his clinical patients can make it to their oncology appointments and treatments. He also has organized a charity run.
• As a Grinnell student, Tony played on the football team and took part in the third Grinnell-in-London program.
• In 2022, Tony was awarded a $500,000 Michael J. Fox Foundation grant to evaluate activity in Parkinson’s disease.

A quote about Tony

“Is there a better contribution to a community – and to the greater community that is the rest of the world – than dedicating your life BOTH to medical research AND to treating patients? And when he speaks to small or large groups, whether in the profession or to laypeople, he always mentions Grinnell College front and center on the pivotal role that going there played in his life and his career.”

– Tom Kiriakos ’78

Ed Fry ’79

Reunion: 45th
Residence: Indianapolis, Indiana
Grinnell major: Chemistry
Other degrees: Doctor of Medicine from Washington University (in St. Louis) School of Medicine (1983)
Profession: Cardiologist

A superb technician in the cardiology world, Ed Fry’s excellence in patient care distinguishes him ever further. In 1991, Fry joined the Ascension-St. Vincent Medical Group in Indianapolis and has remained there ever since as an interventional and general cardiologist. In addition, he has been chair of the Ascension National Cardiovascular Service Line and participated in over 75 clinical trials. His long history of leadership includes serving as president of the American College of Cardiology in 2022-23. Fry has shared his experience by hosting Grinnell student externs over the years, and he established a research award at the College in honor of his parents.

3 ways Ed embodies Grinnell College’s mission of lifetime learning and service

1. Ed joined the cardiology practice at Ascension-St. Vincent Medical Group in 1991 and has remained there since as an interventional and general cardiologist. He also is chair of Ascension’s National Cardiovascular Service Line, where he makes critical decisions regarding development of the cardiology services and provision of care for programs across the country.
2. Ed has successfully advocated at a federal level to promote access to care, clinician well-being, and expanded funding for research and graduate education. Locally, in the Indiana State Legislature he has advocated for high school Cardiac Resuscitation Protocol (CPR) training requirements, education for high school coaches and trainers regarding sudden cardiac arrest in athletes, tobacco-free legislation, and reproductive rights.
3. Ed has had a long history of leadership in the American College of Cardiology, a nonprofit cardiovascular medical society representing over 54,000 cardiologist and cardiovascular care team members around the world. He worked his way up starting with serving in the state chapter before becoming president of the organization in 2022-23.

Something you probably didn’t know about Ed

Born in Ireland before becoming a U.S. citizen in 1977, Ed was inducted as an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians Ireland in 2023. 

Bonus Ed Fun Facts

• Ed has held several academic positions including serving on the pre-clinical and clinical faculty at Marion University School of Medicine since 2014 and teaching in the cardiology fellowship training program at St. Vincent since 2003.
• Ed has published more than 60 peer reviewed article and book chapters and has participated in over 75 clinical trials. He also has presented, moderated, and chaired sessions at multiple national and international meetings.
• The Grinnell College research experience was so impactful on Ed that he and his wife endowed a Grinnell summer research fellowship in his parents’ names, the Drs. Michael and Shirley Fry Research Fellowship.
• Both Ed’s brother, Peter Fry ’82, and Ed’s son, Colin Fry ’14, graduated from Grinnell.

A quote about Ed

“Ed’s career has been so much more than just his practice to medicine. He has been involved in efforts through the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology, Smoke Free Indiana, and the national campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids to successfully raise tobacco taxes and establish smoke-free public spaces and policies. Ed has advocated for reproductive rights, Medicaid expansion, insurance reforms to curb prior authorization obstacles to care, and support of health workers mental health legislation in the Indiana State Legislature.”

– Alan Camp ’79

Trish Fitzgibbons Anderson ’80

Reunion: 45th
Residence: Long Lake, Minnesota
Grinnell major: English
Other degrees: Master of Arts in counseling and psychotherapy from Adler Graduate School (1994)
Profession: Marriage and family therapist

With a steadfast commitment to Grinnell College, Trish Fitzgibbons Anderson has provided skillful leadership and wise counsel to her alma mater for decades. A trustee from 2006 to 2022, she never missed a meeting, serving stints as the board’s vice chair and chair of the Governance and Advancement Committees. She has taken part in three presidential searches, hosted regional activities in the Twin Cities, served on the Alumni Council, and assisted with student recruitment and alumni-student connections. She also has demonstrated her compassion and optimistic view of human potential throughout her career as a licensed marriage and family therapist.

3 ways Trish embodies Grinnell College’s mission of lifetime learning and service

1. Trish served as a College trustee from 2006 to 2022. She was the board’s vice chair from 2014-2017 and spent time chairing the Governance and Advancement Committees as well as the Board Development Steering Committee. She also served on the student life and enrollment, budget, and audit and assessment committees.
2. Her volunteerism at Grinnell also has included serving on the Alumni Council – including a presidential term in 1990-91 – hosting regional activities, alumni event planning, and service on the Mental Health Task Force and the Wall Service Award Committee. Additionally, she has assisted the College with alumni-student connections and met with prospective students.
3. Trish opened her psychotherapy practice in 1997 and has provided care for countless individuals and families over the years. She has presented at a variety of workshops and conferences and mentored hundreds of students through her teaching and clinical supervision work.

Something you probably didn’t know about Trish

A golf aficionado, Trish served on the Executive Board of the Minnesota Women’s Golf Association from 2004 to 2008. She also put her English major to good use in her service on the board of the Graywolf Press in Minneapolis, which she chaired from 2018-20.

Bonus Trish Fun Facts

• Trish was an adjunct faculty member in Family Life Education at Concordia University in St. Paul from 1999 to 2023. She also has taught in the Adler Graduate School, where she served a term as chair of the faculty.
• She has served on three Grinnell College presidential search committees, including co-chairing the search that yielded Anne Harris’ presidency.
• Among their many gifts to Grinnell, Trish and her husband, John Anderson, named two rooms in the renovated Alumni Recitation Hall (ARH) in honor of French Professor David Harrison and English Professor John Garrison in recognition of their commitment to Grinnell students.

A quote about Trish

“One theme runs through the arc of this Grinnellian’s life: altruistic service to those in need, her community, and the people and institutions that have shared her and Grinnell’s values. In the best tradition of Grinnell, she has not only embraced the hands-on hard work of doing good, but she has also scaled her impact by leading, mentoring, inspiring, and organizing others to do the same.”

– Kirk Robertson ’79

Nora Mann ’80

Reunion: 45th
Residence: Arlington, Massachusetts
Grinnell major: Theatre
Other degrees: JD from Albany Law School (1987)
Profession: Semi-retired lawyer and community activist

With a seemingly unending energy for politics and social justice causes, Nora Mann has worked to address racism, economic inequity, generational poverty, and structural problems inherent in processes and systems. At the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, she developed community and outreach programs before shifting back to legal work, managing a team of attorneys regulating the charitable nonprofit sector. Her substantial list of volunteerism includes service to the ACLU, a women’s day shelter, an organization committed to food rescue, legal observer at protests and rallies, and voting protection management and training during the last five presidential elections.

3 ways Nora embodies Grinnell College’s mission of lifetime learning and service

1. During her 20 years working in state government as a policy and program leader, Nora focused on serving marginalized and underserved communities, addressing structural inequities, and deploying programs that address key issues such as housing, employment discrimination, workplace violence, and economic injustice.
2. As an assistant attorney for the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, Nora managed a team of attorneys and support staff regulating the charitable nonprofit sector. The largest charitable nonprofits were the hospital systems and when an opportunity opened up to focus her legal and regulatory expertise there, Nora moved over to the Department of Public Health where she was responsible for the development and implementation of a new regulatory framework for hospital and health care expansion.
3. Working for the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Nora managed a monthly series of Opioid Task forces, bringing together stakeholders throughout 51 cities and towns to think strategically about how to save lives.

Something you probably didn’t know about Nora

Nora has worked on voter protection efforts during the presidential campaigns of John Kerry, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Joe Biden. During the 2022 midterms, she managed voter protection in several key states that did not have their own robust programs.

Bonus Nora Fun Facts

• Nora volunteers as a witness and advocate for those who are arrested at protests, assuring that they are treated fairly and safely.
• From 2011 to 2019, she served on the board of On the Rise, a women’s day shelter working with people who had fallen through the cracks in the systems supposedly designed to help. She then joined Food Link, an organization committed to food rescue – first as a volunteer, then as a board member, and eventually as board chair.
• In retirement, Nora uses her legal experience to support election law cases. She worked on basic trial discovery with the Fair Fight campaign in Georgia.

A quote about Nora

“Nora is constantly learning and growing as times change, becoming more aware of the value of amplifying the voices of the marginalized and not imposing her own values – tough lessons for one steeped in government policy, as she points out. She actively seeks out communities that are not like her own to bring their voices back. In her free time, she runs with two groups of largely younger people of color, based in the neighborhoods of Boston, and tries to listen and absorb what they say, so that she can be more effective and, perhaps, bring that wisdom born of the folks with lived experience, back to direct and inform her social justice efforts.”

– Susan Henken ’80

Elizabeth “Liz” Lee ’99

Reunion: 25th
Residence: Washington, D.C.
Grinnell major: English with a concentration in gender and women’s studies
Other degrees: JD with emphasis on human rights and international law from University of Minnesota Law School (2003); Master of Public Policy from Princeton University (2018)
Profession: Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. State Department

Liz Lee has served with distinction as a U.S. diplomat for over 16 years in some of the most challenging assignments in the Foreign Service, including the Middle East peace process, UN peacekeeping, and the ISIS invasion in Iraq and Syria. Throughout it all, she has never lost her idealism or desire to put people first. As the head of the U.S. Consulate in Thessaloniki, Greece, from 2020 to 2023, Lee’s work ranged from strengthening economic ties to supporting minority groups in Greece, such as women and girls interested in entrepreneurship and technology, as well as supporting the LGBTQIA+ community.

3 ways Liz embodies Grinnell College’s mission of lifetime learning and service

1. In her diplomatic roles, Liz has provided strategic recommendations to White House and State Department policy makers used to shape key decisions, with a focus on the United Nations, the Balkan region, Latin America, the Middle East, and East Asia. She has represented the U.S. on some of the world’s most complicated and challenging foreign policy issues. 
2. Serving as Consul General to the U.S. Consulate in Thessaloniki, Greece, from 2020 to 2023, Liz served as the main U.S. representative in northern Greece. Among her many accomplishments promoting bilateral interests, Liz helped launch a tech network with large U.S. corporations like Pfizer and Deloitte to develop resources and pathways for Greek women pursuing management and leadership roles in their careers.
3. As a student at Grinnell, Liz was a founding member of the student group Queer People of Color together with Gabe Rodriguez ’00. She also has been visible as a LGBTQIA+ leader during her tenure in the State Department, serving as the president of glifaa, the LGBTQIA+ pride organization of U.S. foreign affairs agencies in 2018-19.

Something you probably didn’t know about Liz

At Grinnell, Liz was one of the founders and editor-in-chief of Yellow Submarine, a self-funded zine created by Asian American female students who were members of Asian Students in Alliance (ASIA).

Bonus Liz Fun Facts

• Liz spearheaded the first ever Security Council meeting on LGBTQIA+ human rights, focused on ISIS attacks against the community in Syria and Iraq.
• While in Greece, Liz worked closely with alumni of Anatolia College on the development of a documentary about the school’s one-time president George White, an 1882 Grinnell College graduate.
• Liz wrote a children’s book set in Istanbul during the Ottoman Era.

A quote about Liz

“Liz Lee exemplifies exceptional leadership, dedication to public service, and devotion to lifelong learning. A firm commitment to making a difference in the world, including lifting minority voices, is a Liz Lee hallmark.”

– Christopher Klein, senior fellow at the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy

Carla Talarico ’99

Reunion: 25th
Residence: North Potomac, Maryland
Grinnell major: Independent major (neuroscience subject)
Other degrees: Master of Public Health from the University of Michigan (2003); Ph.D. in epidemiology from Michigan (2009)
Profession: Epidemiologist

Carla Talarico has infused the core value of improving health for all throughout everything she has done. Talarico is an epidemiologist and international public health expert whose work focuses on vaccine development with a particular focus on immunocompromised and underserved populations. She joined Moderna as the lead epidemiologist for COVID vaccines in May 2020 and proved that an effective vaccine could be developed, tested, and made widely available in a rapid timeframe. Talarico also has worked with the CDC and the World Health Organization to assist countries around the world to develop their disease surveillance and reporting systems.

3 ways Carla embodies Grinnell College’s mission of lifetime learning and service

1. Carla’s work as an epidemiologist and international public health expert focuses on vaccine development, testing, and distribution with a particular focus on immunocompromised and underserved populations. Since 2022, she has been the senior director for AstraZeneca where she plays a key role in overseeing the creation of new vaccine and immune therapies.
2. Carla was recruited by Moderna early in the pandemic specifically for her epidemiological expertise and her ability to build and sustain vaccine development teams. As the lead epidemiologist for Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine, she oversaw the observational effectiveness and safety studies that proved the vaccine’s efficiency while ensuring it was being tested with the proper rigor.
3. Carla previously worked for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) to assist countries around the world to develop their disease surveillance and reporting systems. The bacterial disease surveillance labs she set up enabled countries to collect the data needed to make sound vaccine decisions.

Something you probably didn’t know about Carla

Carla credits a medical sociology course that she took with Professor Susan Ferguson during her senior year at Grinnell with helping her to make the connections between medical care and social inequities and to focus on using her knowledge to reduce those disparities.

Bonus Carla Fun Facts

• In 2014, Carla moved into the private sector to work as a vaccine epidemiologist for GSK in Belgium, but she continued to be an advocate for public health interests within the halls of for-profit companies.
• During the pandemic, Carla was never one to shy away from answering questions about the virus and vaccine whether it was for neighbors, family, or in her capacity as the advisor for her local school board’s COVID task force.
• Carla made a presentation in 2021 at the American University of Beirut’s Women in Data Science Conference about using data to show effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines.

A quote about Carla

“It is not a stretch to say that we would not have the COVID vaccine if not for Carla’s work as the lead epidemiologist for COVID vaccines at Moderna. The Moderna vaccine was one of the first to be widely available, and the speed with which it was developed astounded nearly all policymakers and observers. If you think back to the spring of 2020, even the most optimistic analysis assumed that it would be at least 18 months before there would even be candidate vaccines for testing – to say nothing of how long it would be before such vaccines were proven effective and could be available to the public. The work that Dr. Talarico and her colleagues have done showed that an effective vaccine could be developed, tested, and made widely available on a rapid timeframe in order to address a pressing public need.”

– Jeremy Youde ’99

Brian Vicente ’99

Reunion: 25th
Residence: Denver, Colorado
Grinnell major: Psychology
Other degrees: JD from the University of Denver (2004)
Profession: Attorney

By understanding the complexities of transitioning a controlled substance from a prohibition model to a regulated system, Brian Vicente has opened a new field of law. He successfully spearheaded the movement to legalize the use of recreational cannabis in Colorado as the lead drafter of a state amendment. He then applied this experience to assist with change in other states, along with helping Uruguay become the first country in the world to legalize and regulate marijuana for adult use. This massive shift has led to a large-scale rethinking of drug laws and to millions of fewer arrests for cannabis violations.

3 ways Brian embodies Grinnell College’s mission of lifetime learning and service

1. Brian has played a pivotal role in the movement to end cannabis prohibition, establish responsible regulations and advance global drug policy from the Drug War era. As a founding partner in the firm Vicente LLP, Brian opened a new field of law: advising government on post-prohibition policy and helping establish legal marijuana businesses across the world.
2. He was a lead drafter of Colorado’s 2012 historic legalization initiative, Amendment 64, and he co-directed the successful campaign in support of it. Recreational cannabis has brought in several billion dollars in tax revenue to Colorado since its legalization – enabling school construction and producing tens of thousands of new jobs.
3. Brian has advised government officials in the development of regulated cannabis markets across the country and around the world, including in Uruguay, the first country in the world to legalize and regulate marijuana for adult use. This massive shift has led to a large-scale rethinking of the U.S.-led Drug War and to millions fewer arrests for cannabis violations.

Something you probably didn’t know about Brian

He is a lifelong skateboarder and spent years as a volunteer grant-writer helping activists across the globe successfully secure government funding in order to build public skateboarding parks in their communities.

Bonus Brian Fun Facts

• In 2018, newly elected Colorado Gov. Jared Polis selected Brian to serve as a member of his gubernatorial transition team, where he sat on the Economic Development and Labor Committee.
• Brian has conducted more than 1,000 interviews regarding marijuana policy for national, state, and local media outlets, and he was recognized by The Guardian as “the cannabis industry’s de facto spokesman.”
• Brian serves as president of the National Hispanic Cannabis Council, a purpose-driven nonprofit organization he helped found in 2021.

A quote about Brian

“I can sincerely say that Brian, more than any other alum I know, has pursued and succeeded in changing the world. His dogged and single-minded pursuit of changing unfair and racially-biased drug laws in favor of more sensible, non-punitive policies has positively changed the social and economic landscape not only of Colorado – where he has lived since graduating from Grinnell – but other states and even countries.”

– Jessica Chapman ’99

Charles Blake ’05

Reunion: 20th
Residence: Little Rock, Arkansas
Grinnell major: Political science
Profession: Banking and government service

Charles Blake has played a critical role in the advancement of all people in the state of Arkansas. Elected to the Arkansas House of Representative in 2014, Blake sponsored multiple bills that focused on voting integrity and equality, criminal reform, and concerns of systemic and traditional racism embedded in the symbols of Arkansas’ state institutions. During his legislative tenure, he served as House minority leader and vice chair of the Arkansas Legislative Black Caucus. From 2019 to 2022, Blake managed the daily operations of the city of Little Rock Mayors’ office as the chief of staff. 

3 ways Charles embodies Grinnell College’s mission of lifetime learning and service

1. Charles was elected to serve three terms in the Arkansas Legislature representing District 36 in Little Rock. He quickly rose through the ranks and was elected minority whip and vice chair of the Arkansas Legislative Black Caucus.
2. During his tenure in the House, Charles played a pivotal role being the primary sponsor for multiple bills that focused on voting integrity and equality, criminal reform, and concerns of systemic and traditional racism embedded in the symbols of the state institutions, flags, and statues of Arkansas. He was the first legislator to introduce a bill to separate the Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert E. Lee holidays in Arkansas, which went on to occur in 2017.
3. Charles was the chief of staff to Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. from 2019 to 2022. He led the 2020 Census campaign for Little Rock and helped navigate the city through natural disasters, COVID-19, and social uprising during his tenure.

Something you probably didn’t know about Charles

Charles partook in football and music activities at Grinnell. He recorded 174 tackles for the Pioneers and was a classically trained bassist.

Bonus Charles Fun Facts

• Currently working as the Little Rock market executive at Southern Bancorp Bank, Charles is a banking partner for the African American and Hispanic communities and is responsible for building business development and community outreach efforts.
• He was recognized by Arkansas Business Publishing Group as one of Arkansas’ 250 most influential leaders for six consecutive years.
• Charles is a board member for the Leadership Foundation for Women, which provides professional development and educational opportunities for women. He also has been on the Boys and Girls Club of Central Arkansas board since 2005.

A quote about Charles

“I can’t think of anyone better deserving of recognition for the Grinnell College class of 2005. Rep. Blake’s service to his surrounding community began on the football field and extended on to serve the entire state of Arkansas. He has played a critical role in the advancement of all people in the state.”

– Antonio M. Harrison ’05

Alissa Briggs ’05

Reunion: 20th
Residence: Lexington, Kentucky
Grinnell major: Psychology and sociology
Other degrees: Master of Education in educational psychology from Loyola University Chicago (2008); Ph.D. in school psychology from Loyola (2012)
Profession: Licensed psychologist and associate professor

Alissa Briggs’ tireless commitment and outstanding contributions in the field of psychology have had a profound and lasting impact on the lives of countless children. An associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Kentucky and the school behavioral health director, Briggs directs school-based mental health services, conducts neurodevelopmental assessments, and builds systems for suicide screening and intervention. Her most recent undertaking is developing a pediatric abusive head trauma clinic that will serve children from time of injury through adulthood. Briggs also is developing online resources for teachers and coaches for responding to adolescent mental health crises.

3 ways Alissa embodies Grinnell College’s mission of lifetime learning and service

1. Alissa is a nationally certified school psychologist and licensed psychologist, researcher, mentor, and public advocate who has devoted her career to social justice-focused youth psychology. While Alissa already had prolifically published in peer reviewed journals, books and monoliths, and electronic media, she stepped into a much more public role during the pandemic, speaking on a variety of topics related to youth and teen mental health, depression, and suicide.
2. An associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Kentucky and the school behavioral health director, Alissa directs school-based mental health services, conducts neurodevelopmental assessments, and builds systems for suicide screening and intervention. She also has served as clinical supervisor for 17 doctoral and postdoctoral students, helping to shape the next generation of pediatrics practitioners.
3. Alissa is developing a pediatric abusive head trauma clinic that will serve children from time of injury through adulthood. She is working with child abuse pediatricians and social workers to develop a plan of healing for all children and families impacted by violence.

Something you probably didn’t know about Alissa

Alissa is an editorial board member for the Journal of Educational and Psychological Consultation.

Bonus Alissa Fun Facts

• From 2012-2014, Alissa was the school psychiatrist at Lincoln County High School in Stanford, Kentucky, serving as the first-line provider of mental health services to children in an underserved community.
• She currently consults on mental health services with the Jessamine County Schools and 4Kids in Lexington, Kentucky, as well as directs mental health screening and multi-tiered intervention via outreach clinics funded by a public health department in three school districts.
• Alissa is working on a project to develop online resources for teachers and high school athletic coaches for identifying and responding to child and adolescent mental health crises.

A quote about Alissa

“No one works harder or with more passion and drive than Alissa, and the results of her dedication to her field are remarkable. At a time when an entire generation of children have been failed by systemic inequities and have experienced life-defining individual and collective traumas, she is fighting the truly good fight to ensure that every child has access to the resources they need to heal and to be successful, and that the communities that surround them understand their needs and can respond to them.”

– Cristina Briskie-Wood ’05

Lisa Eshun-Wilson ’14

Reunion: 10th
Residence: La Jolla, California
Grinnell major: Biological chemistry
Other degrees: Ph.D. in molecular cell biology from University of California, Berkley (2019)
Profession: Scientist

The Pioneer Award is a distinctive Alumni Award, which recognizes noteworthy alumni who have graduated from Grinnell College within the past ten years. Honorees offer inspiration as models for their demonstrated commitment to the values and mission of Grinnell in such a short time.

Lisa Eshun-Wilson is dedicated to pursuing high-impact biomedical research while also promoting social change, increasing diversity, and creating inclusive environments. As a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Researcher in Structural Biology at the Scripps Research Institute, Eshun-Wilson is using a technique called cryo-electron microscopy to resolve some of the world’s most mysterious machines in the hopes of elucidating their role in aging and disease. Eshun-Wilson also builds and designs programs aimed at fostering a sense of belonging and mentorship for historically marginalized groups, for which she received the 2023 Joseph F. Wall ’41 Alumni Service Award.

3 ways Lisa embodies Grinnell College’s mission of lifetime learning and service

1. As a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Researcher in Structural Biology at the Scripps Research Institute, Lisa is one of the few Black female scientists in the field of single particle cryo-electron microscopy, which is used determine the structure of biologically important proteins. In her recent work, she has applied cryo-EM image analysis and neural networking algorithms to study the role of mitochondrial dynamics in aging.
2. Lisa strives to create an inclusive social climate for underrepresented minority scholars. She started inclusiveScripps to raise awareness about issues that disproportionately affect underrepresented trainees and to begin an office hour mentoring program to give postdoctoral scholars the opportunity to foster productive mentee-mentor relationships or future collaborations with faculty who identify as underrepresented minorities or are active allies.
3. While earning her Ph.D., Lisa and a collaborator used cryo-electron microscopy to achieve a huge first step toward developing a structure-based vaccine for the hepatitis C virus.

Something you probably didn’t know about Lisa

Lisa has been invited to speak at academic and professional conferences both nationally and worldwide, including at Grinnell College’s Department of Biology Seminar Series.

Bonus Lisa Fun Facts

• Lisa was selected for a Grinnell College 2023 Joseph F. Wall ’41 Alumni Service Award for the inclusiveScripps project’s commitment to effecting positive social change.
• As a doctoral student, she established the student-led iMCB – inclusive Molecular and Cell Biology, which included an annual conference that raised awareness about issues that disproportionately affect underrepresented minority students, such as imposter syndrome and stereotype threat.
• Lisa’s research work has been published in the Science Translational Medicine, Science, and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

A quote about Lisa

“Throughout the past 14 years of knowing Lisa, she has been exceptional in her dedication to forwarding science and fostering an inclusive environment for all. It goes without saying that the whole scientific community will benefit from a more diverse workforce because people of different experiences are able to create more innovation together, yet it will still continue to be a problem until people like Lisa take on the burden of championing DEI within their workplace. It takes courage, time, and resources to do this, and she does this with grace on top of her lab work.”

– Pauline Zheng ’14