The Flame on the Fly | University of the District of Columbia

In its 2010–2011 registry of executives, professionals and entrepreneurs, the Cambridge Who’s Who Registry selected Doreen Christian LaRoche, DST ’85 (BS, University of the District of Columbia), to represent civil engineering and construction management. As only one of two women to major in construction engineering at UDC (her sister was the other), LaRoche relished the challenge of a rigorous major. She believed that her future career would be exciting, and it’s more than lived up to her expectations.

LaRoche has managed construction projects at the US Department of Agriculture for the past 23 years. She is currently a civil engineer/project manager/COTR. LaRoche’s responsibilities have ranged from dams engineer for the Forest Service to managing multimillion-dollar construction projects, from design through completion. She has also served as the seismic safety coordinator at USDA and formulated departmental responses to Congressional inquiries on seismic issues.

The Jamaican-born LaRoche said that there are still too few women in a field she’s found enjoyable to pursue. “I have mentored children in elementary school through our USDA adopt-a-school program,” she said. She has mentored women and men in construction, too, through a Good Will of Greater Washington pre-apprenticeship program. Contact Doreen.LaRoche@dm.usda.gov for details regarding Good Will of Greater Washington pre-apprenticeship program.

Campus News

Be a part of UDC’s Past and its Future

Have you checked your mail lately? By now, you should have received materials about our new Brick and Paver Campaign. We’re rebuilding UDC from the ground up and invite you to celebrate your connection to the University or commemorate a loved one by purchasing a brick or paver that will be placed on the new Founders’ Commons, taking shape on Dennard Plaza. (The ribbon cutting is scheduled for spring 2012.) With several levels of giving ($1,600–$25,000) and paying options, the Office of Institutional Advancement has created many affordable ways to support this important initiative that will beautify the campus and support students for generations to come. Go to www.udc.edu/bricks and reserve your brick or paver today!

UDC Students Walk for Health

Chilly morning temperatures did not stop a contingent of 23 students and alumni from taking part in the Fourth Annual 105 Voices of History HBCU Health Walk in mid September. The walk, which started at the US Capitol’s Reflecting Pool, kicked off with warm-up exercises and the electric slide. A poignant moment came at the halfway mark when walkers reached the new Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, where many reflected and took pictures. The Health Walk raises money for scholarships at HBCUs. It ended at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial with a mini concert performed by the 105 Voices of History choir, comprising HBCU students, who performed at the Kennedy Center the following evening. Erma McCray ’06 chaired the UDCNAS Walk effort and Tolu Onasanya, president of the Undergraduate Student Government Association, enthusiastically recruited UDC students. Get in early for next year’s trek! E-mail EJMCCRAY@ers.usda.gov.

Alumni News

Let’s Dance!

Those words paint a picture, don’t they? Keep that picture in mind, because UDCNAS wants you to dance and party at its upcoming Alumni Homecoming Dinner Dance! DJs Thomas “Tommy” Bryant ’72 & Son will provide the musical entertainment. There will be plenty of great food and fun company on board for a festive evening for alumni and their guests on Nov. 18 at the Washington, DC Navy Club. Join keynote speaker Edgar Jackson Newton, PhD ’72, University of North Florida’s associate provost for faculty development, as UDCNASfetes its Distinguished Alumni for 2011 and recognizes its student scholarship recipients (2011–12). Time: 7 p.m. Cost: $75 per person. Attire: black-tie optional. Email JDaughtry2@aol.com or rippreston@aol.com.

Aerial view of The Washington Navy Club at
1411 Parsons Ave. SE, off South Capitol Street.