Randy joined the Ron Brown Scholar Program in January 2018. After receiving his B.S in Kinesiology from the College of William & Mary, Randy stayed at William & Mary to serve as an Assistant Dean of Admission for five years. He went on to the University of Maryland, College Park where he worked with pipeline programs for middle and high school students as well as a transition program for incoming college freshmen. Randy then returned to William & Mary where he worked in MBA admissions for three years before returning to undergraduate admission to serve as an Associate Dean of Admission and Director of Multicultural Recruitment. During this time, Randy also earned his M.Ed in Higher Education Administration from the W&M School of Education.
Randy now serves the Ron Brown Scholar Program as the Director of Scholarship and Alumni Services and looks forward to connecting with the scholars at every point in their college and professional career. College access and providing opportunities for young people has always been a part of Randy’s work and he looks forward to continuing that as a part of the Ron Brown Scholar Program.
It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Cal LaRoche, a brilliant and dedicated advisor and champion of the Ron Brown Scholar Program, who left us on Wednesday, April 9th, 2025.
Born in New York in January 1946, Cal graduated from Central State University in Ohio, where he joined the Eta Gamma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. His career spanned decades of leadership and innovation, beginning at the National Security Agency and continuing through key roles at IBM, SkyTel Communications, and The Orkand Corporation.
A visionary entrepreneur, Cal later co-founded DC Ventures and Associates.
His commitment to service was unwavering. Cal chaired the Boards of Trustees at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda and Norwood School and served with distinction for 15 years on the Advisory Board of the Ron Brown Scholar Program. His leadership extended to the Beta Mu, Boulé Foundation Board, where he served as Chair, and to Patients For Affordable Drugs, where he was a founding board member and Treasurer.
An avid golfer and advocate for equity in the sport, Cal co-founded the Pro-Duffer/Carter Foundation Scholarship to promote diversity in golf. A long-time member of TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm, he was as passionate about creating opportunity as he was about the game itself.
Cal’s legacy is carried on by his beloved family: his mother, Lucille “Gloria” David; his wife, Esperanza, and their sons, CJ and Ethan; his former wife, Cheryl LaRoche; their daughters, Gina LaRoche, Renee LaRoche-Morris, and Danielle LaRoche; six grandchildren; and his siblings. His wisdom, warmth, and unwavering belief in the potential of young people will remain an enduring part of the Ron Brown Scholar community.
We are forever grateful for Cal’s enduring support, leadership, and love. He leaves behind a legacy of excellence, generosity, and deep humanity. He will be deeply missed.
