Clark University - Clarknews spring 2005
Alumni news and notes (spring 2005)
Dear Clark Alumni,
Spring is always an exciting time at Clark. Reunion is coming up on May 20-22. This year's anniversary classes are those with years ending in zeroes and fives, as well as the Class of 2004. Even if it isn't your official reunion year, come back to Clark anyway. Reunion is for all alumni, and there is something for everyone. The "Back to the Classroom" sessions include discussions on wine tasting with biologist Tim Lyerla, sweatshops with sociologist Robert Ross and interior decorating and design during the Great Depression with art historian Kristina Wilson. Special events will be held for alumni of color, and Graduate School of Management, SARC and Scarlet alumni. You'll also have the opportunity to visit the new Cathy '83 and Marc '81 Lasry Center for Bioscience, the Traina Center for the Arts and the Tom '62 and Joan '60 Dolan Field House.
At commencement on Sunday, May 22, we'll honor the 50-year Association and 50-year reunion class as they lead the commencement procession and welcome the Class of 2005 into our ranks. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Broder will deliver the commencement address.
If you can't make it to reunion, be sure to visit the Clark and the Alumni Association Web sites (www.clarku.edu and www.clarku.edu/alumni). On our new online events calendar, you'll find information about upcoming events in Seoul, Korea; Taipei, Taiwan; and Bangkok, Thailand, this June. Events in France, England and Germany are also on the horizon. We hope to strengthen our outreach to our international alumni communities and strengthen our Global Scholars program with such events. If you're planning a trip abroad or in the United States, check out the calendar to see if we are hosting an event in a city near your travels.
I'd also like to take this opportunity to remind you that Clark's fiscal year ends on May 31. I thank all of you who have already contributed to the Clark Fund, the annual fund that supports a majority of our students with scholarships. President John Bassett and the University's Board of Trustees recently honored Clark's leadership donors—the Jonas Clark Fellows and Goddard Partners—at two special events in New York and Worcester. The Goddard Partners is a new giving society that honors donors for their outstanding dedication to Clark with total lifetime contributions of $100,000, $500,000 and $1 million to the University. The Goddard Partners and Jonas Clark Fellows exemplify the University's commitment to excellence and innovation and give us all something to which we can aspire.
Finally I hope you will join me in welcoming the newest staff to the Alumni Affairs Office and the Clark Fund: LaDona Lanphere and Zaharah McKinney '03 in Alumni Affairs, and Paul Mondestin '98, Michelle Walmsley and Gavin Viano '01 in the Clark Fund. You'll have a chance to meet these members of our team at regional events and Reunion 2005.
As always, I encourage you to get involved with Clark by joining a committee or your Regional Alumni Community, hosting or attending an event or coming back to campus just to see what's new. Check out our complete list of alumni volunteer opportunities at www.clarku.edu/alumni. And for those of you still considering making a gift to Clark, you can use our secure-server online form www.clarku.edu/clarkgift. Your efforts make a difference.
Sincerely,
Faith Linsky '76
Alumni Association President
Alumni Admissions News
This spring, we reviewed a record 4,440 applications and are now welcoming our admitted students to the Clark community. As we begin recruiting our next group of applicants, I would like to share a few observations about this past application season.
Clark reviews applications in a holistic manner, looking at a student's academic program, grades, standardized test scores, recommendations and extracurricular activities. As we evaluate each of these areas, we feel it is important to understand the applicant as an individual. Interview reports submitted by alumni provide valuable information in this process. Even a report that says a student refused the interview tells us something about the student's interest in Clark. Alumni Admissions Program (AAP) members completed more than 900 interview assignments this past winter. In addition, more than 800 applicants completed interviews on campus.
The application supplement also tells us more about the applicant. Students are asked to provide a short answer for several questions. One question, for instance, asks students to tell the Admissions Committee about one way, small or large, that the student believes he or she has changed his or her world.
An applicant's answer can range from "I don't feel I have changed my world, but I hope to find a way to do so in college" to "I have written an AIDS awareness handbook for inner city youth, run programs to educate youth, and raised funds/supplies for a small African community." Whatever the answer, we appreciate hearing how applicants have contributed to their home communities and possibly how they will contribute to the Clark community, if admitted. This information speaks to a student's character as well as high-school activities. This is one factor in the admissions decision process, but is critical to understanding the applicant as an individual.
A small number of students receive Making a Difference scholarships each year to recognize their outstanding commitment to and leadership in community service endeavors. Clark is committed to creating positive change and many of our students are making a difference.
Thank you to our dedicated AAP members for your continued support. Please join me for a reception on Saturday, May 21, during reunion weekend, as a small token of appreciation for your time and effort.
Alumni Admissions members are currently working to recruit the Class of 2010 by covering college fairs around the country. We can use your help. If you are interested in learning more about the Alumni Admissions Program, please click on the Alumni Admissions Program link at www.clarku.edu/alumni or e-mail me at tuber@clarku.edu.
Tricia L. Uber '94
Senior Associate Director of Admissions
Alumni Admissions Program Coordinator
|
