Campus News
Clark launches new Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program
A special reception for students and faculty was held on Oct. 26 at Tilton Hall to launch the new Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program. The event featured a panel discussion with three successful entrepreneurs who shared their experiences in the fields of high-end consumer products, professional and Olympic sports, and performing arts. The panelists were Trish Karter, CEO and cofounder of Dancing Deer Baking Company, Inc., lauded as one of the nation's most innovative natural food companies; Ryan McNeil, founder, president and CEO of the Professional Business and Financial Network (PBFN), award-winning entrepreneur and All-Pro NFL professional athlete; and Sarah Shampnois '98, who has helped develop nonprofit agencies such as AmeriCorps and New Jersey Community Water Watch and MassPIRG, served on the President's Council on Sustainable Development in Washington, D.C., and taught environmental-education and arts courses in the Worcester Public Schools.
Clark's new innovation and entrepreneurship minor combines cross-disciplinary liberal arts with professional education. Developed by GSOM entrepreneur-in-residence George Gendron, the goal is to provide a set of rigorous entrepreneurial experiences for students in any major and to give them the opportunity to explore and participate in the process of starting something new. Students who minor in innovation and entrepreneurship will develop a dramatically broadened awareness of their opportunities after graduation, and will be better prepared to take responsibility for their own professional and economic destiny. These students will also have an opportunity to merge their passion with an ability to make that passion economically sustainable as they plan their careers.
Clark pays tribute to Jacob Hiatt M.A. '46, LL.D. (hon.) '77
On Oct. 20, faculty, staff, alumni, friends and trustees of the University gathered to honor the late Jacob Hiatt, a remarkable Worcester citizen and friend of Clark. The ceremonies were held in the seminar room at Clark's Frances Hiatt School of Psychology, named for Hiatt's wife, and included tributes from President John Bassett, Larry Landry '71, M.B.A. '75, chair of Clark's Board of Trustees, and History Professor Emeritus George Billias. The event highlighted Jacob and Frances Hiatt's generous philanthropy at Clark, in Worcester and beyond. At Clark, the Hiatts established not only the Hiatt School of Psychology, but also the Hiatt Center for Urban Education, which is leading the nation in innovative public-school reform initiatives. The event also included the unveiling of a special plaque honoring Jacob Hiatt. President Bassett said he hopes the plaque, which is located on the first floor of Jonas Clark Hall near the COPACE office, will inspire Clark students to follow in the Hiatts' footsteps.
Alumni honor Professor Attiat Ott
Economics Professor Attiat Ott was honored for her longtime, outstanding service to Clark's Economics Department and doctoral program. During her 36 years on the economics faculty, Ott has chaired the dissertations of 55 Ph.D. recipients. She boasts the greatest number of Ph.D. recipients in the Economics Department during her tenure at Clark. The last five of her doctoral students will receive their degrees at Commencement 2006, which will also mark Ott's formal retirement from the University. Alumni, faculty, staff, trustees and friends of Clark and Ott gathered on Oct. 21 to dedicate the Attiat F. Ott Seminar Room in the Economics Department. The dedication ceremonies included remarks by: Maurice Weinrobe, chair of the Economics Department; Sheila Vegari Ph.D. '78, professor of economics at La Salle University; Gladstone Hutchinson Ph.D. '89, dean of studies at Lafayette College; Sujha Subramanian Ph.D. '95, research health economist at RTI International; and Nevila Kote Ph.D. '05, economist/senior risk analyst at MBNA America Bank N.A. View photos of the dedication.
UPCS honored at Annual Education Trust Dispelling the Myth Award Ceremony
On Nov. 3, the University Park Campus School (UPCS) was one of five schools nationwide honored by the Education Trust for making extraordinary progress in educating poor and minority students to high academic levels. The school's accomplishments were celebrated at the third-annual Dispelling the Myth Award ceremony in Washington D.C. as part of the Education Trust's 16th National Conference on closing the achievement gap. U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings joined the Education Trust in presenting the awards. UPCS is a neighborhood secondary school established by Clark and the Worcester Public Schools focused on preparing students for higher education. The Education Trust is a leading national advocacy and policy organization working to close the achievement gaps that separate low-income students and students of color from other youth.
Clark in the news
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From Clark to the press
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Alumni Update
Alumni In Residence Series
The second annual Alumni In Residence Series was held Monday, November 7 & Tuesday, November 8 at Clark. Over the two days alumni were guests speakers in classes, panelists for career panels and met with students and faculty informally, making this a great program for all who participated. Sixteen alumni and over 40 faculty members participated in this year's series.
This year's alumni participants included: Scott Campbell '80, Elyse Darefsky '79, Joy Dunkerly MA '54, Daniel Eisenstadt '91, Michael Fishbein MA '77 Ph.D '81, Margaret Guzman '89, Eva Kovach '93, Steven Kennedy '88, Fredrick LaRiviere '94, Phil Lerman '77, June Patron '65, Linda Savitsky '70, Steven Seelig '66 Ph.D '71, Dr. Mark Tepper '79, Doug Way MA '79, Ph.D '82, and Rena Zurofsky '75.
View pictures from the event.
Tax Relief Act suspends limits on charitable deductions
You are probably aware of the recently enacted Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act of 2005. It provides a significant opportunity for charitable contributions by donors who own large IRA's or other qualified retirement plans. The new tax package permits deducting up to 100 percent of Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) for cash gifts made from Aug. 28 through Dec. 31, 2005. This eliminates the out-of-pocket tax expense that may result from the ordinary 50 percent AGI constraint.
Donors need to consider the following:
- When an IRA withdrawal raises your AGI, it affects the overall limitation for itemized deductions. While qualified contributions under the Act are excluded from the 3 percent reduction of certain itemized deductions, other deductions, such as charitable contributions made prior to Aug. 28, continue to be subject to limits.
- IRA withdrawals may increase income for state tax purposes, but charitable contributions may not be deductible under state law to the same extent as federal law, or at all.
- Donors under age 59 will continue to incur an early distribution penalty of 10 percent on IRA withdrawals for charitable contributions.
The law further requires that contributions be paid in cash to public charities. Contributions to donor advised funds, supporting organizations, charitable remainder trusts, and gift annuities do not qualify for favorable treatment under the new Act. As with all charitable financial matters, you should consult with your accountant or attorney prior to making a major financial gift.
Alumnus pledges $50,000 challenge to new donors
Clark Trustee Bill Mosakowski '76 has pledged up to $50,000 in matching funds to encourage new donors to give to Clark. If you've never given to Clark before, you have the opportunity to triple your gift. For every dollar you give to the Clark Fund this year, Mosakowski will give two. Thanks to this challenge, $50 becomes $150, $100 becomes $300, $500 becomes $1,500, and $1,000 becomes $3,000. Please make your gift as soon as possible. More information.
Parent volunteers join admissions effort
The Alumni Admissions Program is welcoming parent volunteers to complement, strengthen and expand the successes of Clark's alumni admissions volunteers. The new program name-Alumni and Parent Admissions Program (APAP)-reflects this exciting new expansion. Parental involvement will broaden the ways Clark can personalize the college search process and will help introduce the University to more prospective students and their families in more areas. The University has set ambitious goals for the new program and, together, alumni and parents will take an active role in supporting the efforts of the Admissions Office to recruit qualified students for Clark. This will be a transition year as the program evolves to include the valuable contributions parent volunteers bring to Clark's admissions efforts. APAP Director Judy Earls is looking forward to a productive year working with alumni, parents and faculty and staff at Clark. Read about our program and activities.
Reunion 2006, May 19-21-www.clarku.edu/reunion
Reunion volunteers have been busy this fall contacting their classmates and developing ideas for Reunion 2006. Alumni in anniversary classes (years ending in one and six) have received a Reunion Questionnaire in the mail. Don't forget to return it to the Alumni Affairs Office, so we can update your classmates about your life after Clark. You may also complete the questionnaire online.
Recent events
Washington, D.C.:
Lorraine Rogstad '62 and Barry Rogstad '62, M.A. '63, former chair of Clark's Board of Trustees, hosted alumni, parents and friends at the Mansion at Strathmore on Oct. 27. View photos of the event.
Philadelphia:
Alumni, parents and friends gathered for a reception and tour of the National Constitution Center on Oct. 30. Stephen Frank '72, vice president of Exhibits and Research at the National Constitution Center, hosted this event. View photos of the event.
Upcoming Events
Regional calendar-www.clarku.edu/alumni/regional
We are always planning alumni events around the country. Visit the regional calendar online to see what Clark events are coming to a city near you. Here are just a few upcoming event highlights.
Charlotte, N.C., Dec. 21: Cheer on Clark's men's basketball team against Davidson. A reception will be held in conjunction with the game. President Bassett will be attending, so look for more details at www.clarku.edu/alumni/regional.
Worcester, Feb. 4:
Alumni will return to campus for the Annual Men's and Women's Alumni Basketball Games, in the Kneller Athletic Center.
Fort Myers, Fla., March 6-10: Cheer on Clark's baseball and softball teams in the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic tournament and the Port Charlotte Invitational.
Chicago, March 7-11: A reception for alumni, family and friends will coincide with the 2006 Meeting of the Association of American Geographers, which is attended by many Clark faculty and students.
Campus events- www.clarku.edu/calendar
Many campus events have been planned for the fall semester, including a full schedule of events sponsored by the Strassler Family Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies and a whole calendar of events sponsored by the Higgins School of Humanities. Check Clark's online University calendar for the most comprehensive listing of campus events.
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