Clark University - Clarknews spring 2005
Alumni news and notes (summer 2005)
Dear Clark Alumni,
On behalf of the entire Alumni Association and the Executive Board, I would like to thank you all for your efforts to serve Clark. As an Association, we have made great strides in gaining recognition and becoming active partners with the University.s overall goals and initiatives.
We had a terrific Reunion and Commencement weekend (see page 14). More than 1,100 alumni and friends returned to campus for the festivities. During the clambake, we took special pride in presenting the Alumni Association's two highest awards. Congratulations to Distinguished Service Award recipient Nancy Johnson '55 and Special Service Award recipient Wally Bither '33. At the Alumni Association meeting held during Reunion, I was proud to introduce Richard Caswell '89 as the Association.s President-elect (starting his term in May 2006) and Donni Rodman '69 as the Executive Chair. I was also pleased to announce that Jackie Pfannenstiel '69 is our newly elected Alumni Trustee.
We had a record-breaking number of alumni and parent events around the world this year. Highlights included events hosted by Jeffrey Lurie '73, chairman and CEO of the Philadelphia Eagles, at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Hugh Panero '78 at XM Satellite Radio in Washington, D.C., two Jonas Clark Fellows events in Worcester and New York City, Tom Dolan's retirement celebration on campus and events in Thailand, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan.
Regional Alumni Communities continue to gain momentum, with new communities being established all over the world. The communities are creating their own Web pages so they can keep in touch with each other and their members. Speaking of Web pages, check out the new Clark Alumni home page, which features profiles of some of our outstanding alumni.
Thank you all for raising the bar for the Clark Fund. The Reunion Giving Challenge helped the Clark Fund raise a total of $2.2 million. Congratulations to the Class of 1955 for winning the award for the highest participation with 49.4 percent and to the Class of 1975 for raising the highest total with $49,320 gifts in hand at reunion.
The coming year promises to be equally challenging and exciting. Mark your calendars for our next big event.Homecoming 2005-CougarFest on September 23-25. Visit www.clarku.edu/cougarfest for more information.
I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your continuous support of Clark and the Alumni Association. As alumni we play a major role as partners in the future of this exceptional place. I look forward to working with you to help the Alumni Association and Clark reach even greater heights.
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
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