Letter to Alumni
Dear Friends,
We are experiencing a turmoil in the financial markets that seems to threaten the stability of our economy. The larger effects of such market volatility and economic downturn are evident with the increasing loss of jobs and weakening portfolio values. We're all worried about how the uncertainties of today's economic crisis will influence our financial futures; Clark shares those concerns.
In these difficult moments, it has become even more important for us to be grounded in our confidence and commitment that things will get better. American capitalism will survive in the midst of all the challenges, and our beloved institution stands to navigate through these hard times. Given the worsening economic climate, it is a real concern that many prospective students may shy away from Clark because they think that the cost of a high quality private institution is out of their reach. For this reason, I am encouraging each of you to be Clark ambassadors in your communities and to advocate for the excellent financial aid programs available at Clark from which many of you have benefited. Yes, even in these hard financial times, the Clark tradition of providing academic scholarships to students is alive and well!
In the same spirit, this might be the best time for you to soar by making a gift to the Clark Fund. All gifts, large and small, support current students and faculty and are deeply appreciated. You can always earmark your gift for current scholarships. Nearly 80 percent of Clark students receive University scholarships and rely on the generosity of alumni, parents and friends. I am thankful to all for your continued support.
On another note, I am happy to share with you some new developments. At the suggestion of the ALANA student groups on campus —ALANA is an acronym for people of African, Latin American and Native American descent —we are working to establish an Alumni ALANA Network at Clark. Clark's ALANA students are looking for a way to connect to ALANA alumni, so this will be a main goal of the network. I hope that many of our ALANA alumni will help us develop this new initiative. If you're interested in playing a part in the creation of the Alumni ALANA Network or in sharing your ideas, please contact alumni director Aixa Kidd at akidd@clarku.edu or 508-793-7166.
I am also pleased to report that Scott Zoback '04, M.P.A.'05 was nominated and has accepted the Alumni Association president-elect position. Scott has served on the Alumni Association Board for the past three years and has shown tremendous leadership in a lot of areas such as recruitment and fundraising. I am confident that he will continue to be a great resource to the association.
In closing, I would like to remind you that we are facing challenging times both in the larger economy and at Clark. But history is on our side, and I believe that in the midst of any creative ruins there exists immense opportunities; let's seize the opportunities and forge ahead to support Clark. I extend my sincere thanks to all volunteers who continue to give in many immeasurable ways.
Sincerely,
Roland K. Atupem '82, P '12
Alumni Association President
katupem@yahoo.com
News from the Alumni and Parent Admissions program
The Alumni and Parent Admissions Program (APAP) is about service. Your participation as an APAP volunteer brings to life Clark's commitment to making a difference. Whether staffing a college fair, serving on a panel, visiting a high school or interviewing applicants, you help personalize the college-search process for prospective students and their families and shape Clark's future by assisting the Admissions staff in our recruiting efforts.
For prospective students, the primary function of the college search is to help them find a school that is academically and socially a good fit for them. Campus visits and interviews —two important components of the college search—are highly encouraged by Clark.
The Admissions Office has the capacity to conduct 60 interviews during the week, and depending on our staffing levels, eight to 12 interviews on Saturdays. This falls short of the interview requests that we receive from visiting students. In an effort to respond to this need, eight Worcester area APAP alumni helped me pilot a Saturday On-campus Alumni Interview Initiative.
We invited two alumni to join our senior interviewers on five of our busiest Saturdays this fall. In addition to expanding the number of interviews we could offer our visitors, their involvement made a powerful statement regarding the allegiance and dedication of our alumni to Clark beyond graduation.
The program was very well received, and we plan to increase both the number of Saturdays and volunteers who participate in this program next fall. This is another illustration of how you and fellow APAP volunteers continue to generously give the gifts of time and self to help Clark broaden the ways in which we reach out and spread the word about our fine institution.
Thank you for all you do for Clark. When it comes to making a difference—APAP volunteers lead the way!
Warm regards,
Judy Earls
Director, Alumni and Parent Admissions Program
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