President’s message
“Who will be our next Goddard?”
A myth we sometimes subscribe to is that greatness happens in isolation. The image of the solitary scholar emerging with a transformational discovery has a certain romantic appeal. But the truth is typically more complicated. Meaningful breakthroughs emerge more often from communities of people working together—bound by shared purpose, trust, and sustained effort.
Few Clark stories illustrate this better than that of alumnus Robert Goddard, whose successful launch of the first liquid-fueled rocket 100 years ago changed what humanity could imagine, and rested not just on his brilliance, but on his willingness to experiment, fail, learn, and try again.
That chilly March afternoon in 1926 was the culmination of years of calculation, trial runs (some ending in fiery crashes), and relentless problem-solving. Goddard was supported by mentors, colleagues, students—and by his wife, Esther, whose devotion to documenting his work and protecting his ideas helped preserve his legacy. His voracious intellect and ferocious drive propelled us toward space, but his success was shared with others at Clark who had a hand in lighting the fuse.
That spirit remains alive at Clark, underpinning the work we undertake every day as a community.
As we navigate a challenging and changing higher education landscape, we are taking deliberate, collaborative steps to rethink how we operate, how we support our academic programs, and how we prepare for a sustainable future. Faculty and staff across the University have worked closely with leadership to shape a plan that strengthens academic growth, reinforces our shared values, and provides students with the skills and experiences essential for life after Clark.
Our goal is not simply to maintain the Clark mission, but to strengthen it. We seek to educate students who bring intellectual rigor together with independence of thought—and who are prepared to put both to meaningful use.
We see that work taking shape across the University. In the School of Climate, Environment, and Society, faculty and students use satellite data and artificial intelligence to address global sustainability challenges. In the Becker School of Design & Technology, Clark has built an international reputation for “serious games” that inform and engage, including a recent collaboration with Cherkasy State Business College in Ukraine. And through the Mosakowski Institute for Public Enterprise, Clark has been recognized by the Commonwealth for innovative approaches to supporting youth mental health, including new technologies and partnerships with local schools.
The foundation for all of this was laid by Clarkies like Robert Goddard, who take action when the moment calls for it. Our work has always mattered beyond the Clark campus, and always will.
At Clark, we look to answer a simple question: Who will be our next Goddard?
