During Blue & Gold Weekend, the UMass Dartmouth Alumni Association will celebrate the outstanding career accomplishments and impactful service of several individuals
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The UMass Dartmouth Alumni Association will host the 52nd Annual Alumni Awards during Blue & Gold Weekend at a brunch on Saturday, October 18 at 11:00 a.m. in Woodland Commons. The annual event recognizes alumni, faculty and staff, and community friends for their professional achievements and service that demonstrates the extraordinary spirit of UMass Dartmouth.
Parking will be available in the Cedar Dell lot, with shuttle service to Woodland Commons.
The following members of the UMass Dartmouth community will receive awards: Douglas Hughes, MA ’96; Diane Phillips ’84; Thais Sousa ’17, DNP ’22; Amy Shapiro; and Richard L. Lafrance.
Douglas Hughes, MA ’96
Douglas Hughes, MA ’96, will receive the Alumni Achievement Award for his contributions to supporting adults with intellectual disabilities, brain injuries, and autism. As Vice President of Clinical Services at LifeStream, he oversees several departments that deliver community-based services throughout Southeastern Massachusetts that promote personal dignity, independence, and the removal of barriers for people with disabilities. Outside of LifeStream, Hughes has collaborated with UMass Dartmouth’s psychology department and Bridgewater State University to create educational opportunities and programs that empower individuals with disabilities to live more independently, leaving a lasting impact on underserved communities.
Richard L. Lafrance
Blue & Gold Legacy Award
Richard Lafrance is chairman of Lafrance Hospitality and second generation of the founding family of White's Regional Hospitality Center in Westport, MA. Under his leadership, Lafrance Hospitality developed several properties across New England. The Blue & Gold Legacy Award recognizes Lafrance as a long-standing friend and supporter of UMass Dartmouth. He currently serves on the UMass Dartmouth Foundation Board.
Diane Phillips ’84
Alumni Volunteer Service Award
Diane Phillips ’84, a textile engineering graduate, is the recipient of the Alumni Volunteer Service Award for her trailblazing career and impactful service to UMass Dartmouth. With over 25 years of experience in the Department of Defense, including her current role as Vice President of Boston Operations for Joint Research and Development (JRAD), she has led teams in product development and acquisition that work to improve the technologies and products for protective clothing and equipment programs. As a former UMass Dartmouth Alumni Association member, she worked tirelessly to create networking opportunities that connect female students with pathways to success in science, technology, engineering, and math.
Amy Shapiro
Faculty/Staff Recognition Award
Dr. Amy Shapiro, the inaugural dean of UMass Dartmouth’s Honors College, will receive the Faculty/Staff Recognition Award for her remarkable leadership and dedication to the university. Since assuming the role in 2021, Dr. Shapiro has transformed the Honors College by restructuring the curriculum, creating new opportunities for student learning, increasing enrollment by 38%, and doubling the number of students graduating with Honors. Previously, she served as associate dean and interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, where she helped develop funding opportunities for faculty and student research.
Thais Sousa ’17, DNP ’22
Rising Star Award
Thais Sousa ’17, DNP ’22, now an adult care nurse practitioner in New Bedford, will be honored with the Rising Star Award for her groundbreaking research advocating for mothers in recovery from substance abuse. Her doctoral thesis on the harmful effects of DCF policies that remove children from sober mothers due to prescribed medications like suboxone led to the introduction of H.166, a bill aimed at reforming these policies and improving support systems for affected families. Sousa’s dedication to both nursing and social change has made a lasting impact on those affected by this dilemma in the SouthCoast community and beyond.