Larissa’s Legacy
By Emily Gaines
Radiating joy, compassion and a deep commitment to community, Larissa Charnsangavej ’09 left a lasting mark on everyone who knew her. At Rice, her impact was most deeply felt at Brown College, where she brought her characteristic energy and care to everything from O-Week to Beer Bike to Brown College theater productions. Now, through a powerful tribute created by her family, her legacy will continue to shape the community she cherished most.
Larissa, a Brown College alumna who studied bioengineering at Rice, was diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma, a rare and aggressive cancer, in November 2022. “After her initial treatment at MD Anderson, we thought the tumor was gone. But six months later, it returned,” Larissa’s sister, Tonyamas Charnsangavej Moore ’98, said. “That’s when we started thinking about how Larissa would want to be remembered. It brought me back to how much Rice, and especially Brown College, meant to her. We wanted to make sure her legacy was honored there.”
To honor Larissa’s enduring impact, Tonyamas, their three other sisters and their mother donated $100,000 to establish the Larissa Charnsangavej Endowment for Brown College. The fund supports the Larissa Charnsangavej Award for Brown College Spirit, given to a student who embodies Larissa’s dedication to the Brown community. The recipient of the award directs a contribution to a fund or project at Brown, reinforcing a legacy of involvement and care for one’s community.
“We wanted to give the award winner an opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way that they might not otherwise be able to do on their own,” Tonyamas explained. “And we wanted them to know their contributions to Brown matter. Beyond that, we hope this gift helps make the residential college experience as beneficial for current and future students as it was for Larissa and me.”
“We started thinking about how Larissa would want to be remembered. It brought me back to how much Rice, and especially Brown College, meant to her.”
— Tonyamas Charnsangavej Moore ’98
A member of Baker College, Tonyamas underscored the deep bonds that are formed through the college system. “Your college becomes your family — a place of belonging and community. It’s important to support that.”
Larissa passed away early on May 9, 2025, surrounded by family in her final days. In the weeks before her passing, she shared how Brown College shaped her. “Being at Brown was a hugely formative part of my Rice experience,” Larissa said. “It taught me about inclusive leadership, stepping into brave spaces and using my voice to advocate for better student experiences.”
“A person’s legacy is the impact they leave on others,” Tonyamas said. “Larissa’s legacy at Brown is her enthusiasm, compassion and drive to get things done. Establishing this endowment was really important to us as a family because it ensures her spirit will live on and continue to inspire others.”
Accelerate the Vision
To learn more about how you can support one of Rice’s residential colleges, contact Andrea Sankey, director of development for undergraduate and graduate programs, at andrea.sankey@rice.edu or 713-348-4408.
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