In Memoriam

Richard C. Daniels '49

Richard C. Daniels '49, a well-loved philanthropist and long-time, enthusiastic supporter of the University, died Oct. 31, 2000. Daniels, a Worcester native, had a distinguished career in public relations and fund raising, working with nonprofit organizations such as the American Red Cross, the New York Association for the Blind, the New York Mission Society and the New York Diabetes Foundation. He was also director of development and chief of protocol for Project HOPE, a floating hospital that brought medical care to people in developing countries. Daniels' relationship with Clark began in elementary school, when he took summer theater classes at the University. As a teenager, he performed in professional stock theater productions, earning money to help pay for his Clark education. At Clark, Daniels pursued his passion for theater as a member of the Clark University Players Society (CUPS). He was also a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, the Glee Club, the Scarlet and the Veterans Association, having joined the Army after his first year at Clark. He returned to the University 18 months later on the G.I. Bill and took on a heavy course load in order to graduate with his original class.

A devoted alumnus, Daniels hosted several Clark alumni events at his home in Palm Beach, Fla., and contributed more than $1 million to the University. He was a member of the Jonas Clark Fellows, Clark's leading group of annual donors, and the Legacy Society, which recognizes those who have provided for Clark in their estate plans. He also established the Richard C. Daniels Scholarship Fund to support outstanding students from Worcester County in need of financial aid, and in 1999, made a generous gift to completely renovate the theater in Atwood Hall. The Atwood Hall theater was named the Richard C. Daniels '49 Theater in his honor. Daniels' unyielding dedication and loyalty to the University was recognized at Reunion '99 with the Distinguished Service Award, the Clark Alumni Association's highest honor.

"As a 'professional's professional,' Dick fully understood how vital both alumni interest and financial support is to an institution like Clark," says Senior Vice President Tom Dolan '62. "Dick set a very high standard for other alumni and friends to follow and made a singularly lasting impact on Clark. He will be missed by the Clark community, especially by those of us who were lucky enough to have known him."

George Lazarus '54

George Lazarus '54, prominent business columnist for the Chicago Tribune, died Sept. 8, 2000.

Lazarus, who died sitting on the train on his way to work, wrote a well-read daily column in the Tribune covering Chicago's marketing and advertising industry. His career spanned 39 years, 28 of which were spent at the Tribune. His career also included stints at the Chicago bureau of the Associated Press, Printer's Ink magazine and the Chicago Daily News.

An institution in Chicago, Lazarus' daily column was required reading for everyone in the advertising business. His personal contacts were legendary, and he regularly took at least 150 phone calls a day to gather the latest news for his column. Though best known for his column in the Tribune, Lazarus also wrote for Adweek's Marketing Week and the New York Daily News and was a commentator for several television stations. In 1998, he wrote the book "Marketing Immunity." Lazarus, who earned a master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University in 1957, was also a member of Northwestern's McGill School of Journalism Hall of Achievement. While a student at Clark, Lazarus played and managed several sports. An avid tennis player throughout his life, Lazarus followed Clark sports with enthusiasm and had been known to pitch stories about Clark to reporters on the Tribune staff. He also supported the Clark Fund. Senior Vice President Tom Dolan '62 visited Lazarus often and received many letters from Lazarus. They always included one of his columns or an article about Clark.

"I always looked forward to George's letters," Dolan says. "George was a great booster for the University and mentioned Clark in his column several times. He will be sorely missed by all of his friends at the University."

To the Editor: A Clark degree put to good use

Write to us: Clarknews invites letters on the contents of the publication or on topics related to the University. Letters must be signed and include a day-time phone number where the author can be reached. Letters may be edited for length or clarity.

Relaxing with my fall issue of Clarknews, I was saddened by the essay by Michael Gurnick '77. In it, he quotes Esquire as saying Jay Lyons '87 (Worcester firefighter who was killed in the Dec. 3, 1999 Worcester Cold Storage warehouse fire) "didn't plan to actually use his degree, since he would ultimately join the Worcester Fire Department." Michael then describes his feelings about his inner debate. It is no surprise that ambivalence is a key ingredient in the Clark persona (part of that Clark mystique, no doubt).

I spend a reasonable amount of my free time talking with prospective students, explaining to them that "characterizing people isn't something you can do here." What matters is the fact that Michael has chosen a profession that matters to him. He saves lives. What noble work! It reflects well on Clark, on his family, on him.

I believe that Clark stands for certain kinds of values: People are more important than things; justice and fairness matter; acting on principles is obligatory. We're not an ivory-tower school. We're part of the community, not apart from it. It seems to me that fire fighting is an obvious profession for a Clarkie. But maybe only another Clarkie can see that. Betty J. Singer, AB '71

Deaths

The following members of the Clark family have passed away. If you wish to contact any of the families, please call or write to the Alumni Office.

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Clarknews Winter 2001

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