David Brenerman, Class of 1973, Assistant Vice President of Government & Public Affairs, UnumProvident Corporation

David Brenerman, a government major, describes his early career as "a perfect follow-up to my Clark years." After graduating from Clark and earning a master's degree in public administration, Brenerman entered politics as an elected member of the state legislature and city council. With his work in the public and private sector and as a volunteer for various organizations, Brenerman is a great example of how Clark alumni live up to the University's emphasis on making a difference in the world.

My best friend's brother graduated from Clark when I was a senior in high school, so I was aware of the University's strong academics and other favorable attributes. Having grown up in the sheltered environment of Portland, Maine, of the 1960s, I wanted to experience a more diverse place.

What I value most about my Clark experience is, first and foremost, the lifetime friendships that I made and relationships that I had there. I learned that one person can make a difference in the community and in the world. I attended Clark during the turbulent years of the Viet Nam War, and I appreciate the supportive nature of the Clark community in helping us all deal with our inner conflicts regarding that time in U.S. history.

My early career in politics as a state legislator, mayor of Portland and director of the Maine Democratic Party and my later career as a lobbyist were a perfect follow-up to my Clark years (and subsequent graduate degree in Public Administration). When I left Clark for graduate school, I never intended to run for political office, but the opportunity presented itself, and I was encouraged by friends to make the jump. Ultimately, it led to careers in the political and business world which have been more enjoyable, exciting and gratifying than I ever could have imagined when I was sitting in Professor Knud Rasmussen's political science classes in the early 1970s.

I have tried to take seriously the motto that one person can make a difference in the community, which I think was and still is an important part of learning at Clark. Besides politics, I have been very active in my community in other ways as a leader in a number of social, cultural and religious organizations.