The Fries couple

Alumni Couple Gives Back in Gratitude

Although the career path for Danielle (Luongo) Fries ’94, MS ’98, would not be considered conventional for an engineer, the mechanical engineering undergraduate and fire protection engineering graduate alumna says she used her WPI education through all her numerous pivots.

“I started out, as one might expect, with a job in robotics but soon moved into the technical sales area of fire protection. In retrospect, that was my favorite job, because it combined problem-solving with building relationships,” she says.

She shifted gears into the commercial real estate field and enjoyed “the thrill of the chase,” before a desire to return to a technical field led her to several small startup companies.

“Throughout that entire 30-year journey, I have used and continue to use my WPI education,” says Fries. “The knowledge and skill I gained on The Hill have allowed me to contribute and make an impact in areas ranging from technical design work to solving complex problems in a methodical way.”

Exhilarated by the idea of building something from the ground up, Fries ultimately found her way to her current role as senior program manager with the life sciences company MilliporeSigma.

“I have always been grateful for the amazing education I received at WPI,” she says. “I wasn’t just taught the mechanics of engineering, innovation, and problem-solving. I was also taught how to apply the knowledge and skill we gained in WPI’s classrooms and labs to real-world problems. With a WPI education in my toolbox, I was rarely intimidated when I encountered a new problem in the field.”

With a WPI education in my toolbox, I was rarely intimidated when I encountered a new problem in the field.

Danielle Fries


Areas outside of the WPI academic curriculum also had a positive impact on her life, especially through global travel. “My Interactive Qualifying Project in Venice was another rewarding experience where I learned how to integrate technology and society. It was my first trip outside the U.S. and I had to solve technical problems while also learning how to live in a different culture. The journey was next-level and led me to a love of travel and experiencing adventures abroad with my family.” Fries also recalls with fondness her time as a WPI field hockey athlete and a Phi Sigma Sigma sister.

If all of that wasn’t enough, at WPI Fries met her husband and partner in life, civil engineering and fire protection engineering alumnus Kenneth Fries ’93, MS ’98. “We still have amazing friends from college that we travel with, and our families have grown up together,” she says. “Our network of friends includes fraternity brothers, sorority sisters, and teammates.” 

When considering philanthropic giving to their shared alma mater, the couple is committed to paying it forward, she says. “WPI was generous to both of us in its financial support. Ken and I give back to help others pursue a top-level education while also participating in sports or other extracurricular activities. The connections forged along the way will last a lifetime and we are happy to support others in their quest for knowledge and adventure.”

As WPI continues Beyond These Towers: The Campaign for Worcester Polytechnic Institute, support for scholarship, athletics, and student organizations will remain a cornerstone of student success at the university.

Reader Comments

0 Comments

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Please fill in all required fields marked *

When posting a comment, you are stating that you have viewed and agree to the posting guidelines.

All comments will be reviewed prior to posting and any comments that violate these guidelines will not be posted.

Other Stories

At the Heart of his Support: Pride in WPI’s Growth Bernhart and his horse

At the Heart of his Support: Pride in WPI’s Growth

Gregory Barnhart '70 credits WPI's hands-on learning and his fraternity for forging his successful career.

Read Story
Steven Van Dessel Snapshot of Professor Steven Van Dessel's showcases items

Steven Van Dessel

Get to know Steven Van Dessel, professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, through items found in his office.

Read Story
WPI’s Reimagined Homecoming Weekend 2025 A group of WPI 1975 alumni smiles as they pose for a photo with a banner

WPI’s Reimagined Homecoming Weekend 2025

By combining Reunion festivities with Homecoming Weekend, more alumni will have the opportunity to return to The Hill during a dynamic time on campus.

Read Story
Click on this switch to toggle between day and night modes.