The Clarkson Alumni Association Leadership Board has welcomed Kate Dangremond ’01 as president and Eric Democko ’02 as executive vice president. Longtime volunteers and active members of the alumni community, Dangremond and Democko are eager to help Golden Knights build relationships, create opportunities and stay connected with Clarkson for life.
Clarkson Connections That Last
Dangremond, vice president of population health strategy at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, has remained connected to Clarkson since attending The Clarkson School and earning her bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2001. She sees her new role as an opportunity to build on the work of previous Alumni Association leaders while helping the organization evolve to meet the needs of today’s alumni.
“The Clarkson alumni network is incredible,” Dangremond said. “I’m consistently energized and impressed by the numerous ways people engage, support each other and stay connected with Clarkson and their broader alumni network. It’s a tremendous honor to serve as Alumni Association president and continue finding ways to support and engage alumni and the University.”
A longtime volunteer and advocate for Clarkson, Dangremond hopes to deepen connections not only among alumni but throughout the broader Clarkson community, including students, faculty, staff, families, trustees and employers.
She also wants to continue expanding opportunities for alumni to connect through in-person and virtual events, hear their ideas and help students begin building relationships with alumni before graduation.
“In a period of significant change in the world, connection is so important,” she said. “The ways we support it across the alumni community and the broader Clarkson network will be meaningful and impactful.”
Showing Up for the Clarkson Community
Democko earned his bachelor’s degree in management information systems in 2002 and his Master of Business Administration in 2003. Now an IT product owner at Wegmans Food Markets Inc., he shares Dangremond’s focus on building meaningful relationships throughout the Clarkson community.
“It’s a tremendous honor to be elected executive vice president,” Democko said. “Having served on the board for several years, I’ve seen firsthand the dedication and enthusiasm of our past leaders. To be recognized by my peers and asked to step into this role means a great deal to me.”
Democko’s priorities include strengthening relationships with faculty, staff, students and trustees, supporting planned updates to the Alumni Association’s governing documents and working with Clarkson’s Marketing & Communications and Development & Alumni Relations teams to embrace new digital platforms.
For the past 12 years, he has either led an alumni chapter or helped support chapters throughout the network. That experience has shown him the value of creating opportunities for alumni to gather, whether through local events, online communities or traditions that bring Golden Knights back to Potsdam.
“For me, it’s always been the people who make Clarkson great,” Democko said. “As a student, I remember meeting alumni who returned to campus regularly. Their spirit and enthusiasm were energizing and made me excited about what it meant to be part of Clarkson for life.”
Connecting Today’s Students With Alumni
Both leaders want to create more opportunities for alumni and students to learn from one another.
Dangremond hopes to incorporate more time with students and student organizations into Alumni Association Leadership Board visits and meetings. She also encourages students to attend alumni events while home for a break, completing an internship or spending time away from campus.
Democko plans to be on campus often and looks for opportunities to see students pursuing their interests, from Pep Band performances and talent shows to SPEED team activities.
During a recent dinner in Rochester, he met with students preparing to present their business plans at a competition at Rochester Institute of Technology.
“Hearing their elevator pitches was inspiring and a great reminder of the talent and drive our students bring to the Clarkson community,” he said.
By returning to campus, speaking in classrooms, mentoring students and sharing their professional experiences, alumni help students see what is possible after Clarkson. Those interactions also introduce students to a network that will remain with them long after graduation.
Making an Impact
Dangremond and Democko recognize that alumni strengthen Clarkson in countless ways. They mentor students, volunteer their time, share professional expertise, create career connections and provide philanthropic support that advances the University and its future.
“The impact is vast and diverse,” Dangremond said. “What’s exciting to me is the number of ways alumni can get involved and the fact that they can make an impact in ways that match their interests.”
That variety is central to the leaders’ vision for the Alumni Association. Engagement does not have to look the same for everyone. It can begin by attending an event, connecting with a local chapter, speaking with a student or simply sharing an idea.
Find Your Place in the Network
As they begin their new leadership roles, Dangremond and Democko encourage alumni to participate in local chapters, attend events, follow Clarkson and the Alumni Association on social media and explore volunteer opportunities. They also invite alumni to share feedback about how the Alumni Association can make it easier, more meaningful and more enjoyable to stay connected.
“We’re fortunate to have an incredible group of board members who represent our alumni and have deep connections throughout the network,” Dangremond said. “Our work is guided by four pillars: serving alumni, building engagement, celebrating alumni and supporting University priorities. They keep us focused on high-impact goals that advance Clarkson’s mission and strengthen our remarkable alumni community.”
Together, Dangremond and Democko are committed to building on the Alumni Association’s strong foundation while creating new ways for Golden Knights across generations to gather, contribute, celebrate one another and support Clarkson.
To learn more about ways to get involved, connect with your local alumni chapter or contact Development & Alumni Relations at alumni@clarkson.edu.