AT A GLANCE
A MESSAGE FROM
Greetings!
the President
Since 1843, Clarke University has stood for the BVM Core Values of Freedom, Education, Charity, and Justice, and a commitment to the common good. 180 years later, we continue to bring these values to life in our work and in ourselves — albeit in a world far different from the one Mary Frances Clarke and the BVM Sisters knew.
Changes to our society are happening with incredible speed and on a global scale. To prepare students to find the opportunities and overcome the challenges inherent in this change, Clarke is developing unique approaches to the future of education. In this brochure, we’ve highlighted just some of the work being done by our dedicated faculty and staff, as well as peer mentoring, campus ministry, and other initiatives championed by the students themselves.
As we look to the future, we know we can count on the continued support of the BVM Sisters, as evidenced by their $6 million gift to Clarke this spring. The second largest single gift in school history, these funds will lead our comprehensive plan for the future of our institution. This impact is strengthened by gifts of any size from our alumni and friends; in 2023 unrestricted gifts averaged to over $3,000 of aid per student per year.
Unrestricted support bridges the gap between tuition and the true cost of a Clarke education and is the most important step we can take to ensure the longevity of Clarke University. It is a step that must include all of us. Your contribution — be it financial, volunteerism, or simply spreading the word about the good things happening at Clarke University — is a demonstration of your commitment not just to Clarke, but to the common good and the values that bring us together.
Thank you again for all you’ve done for Clarke University. This is a truly special community that I have been blessed to be a part of, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.
Sincerely,
Fletcher Lamkin, Ph.D. Interim President
CLARKE UNIVERSITY
LIVE OUR MISSION AND VALUES
This first goal sets the tone for all that we do at Clarke: to live our mission and values as a Catholic institution. While the core values of freedom, education, charity, and justice have long been a part of the Clarke experience, we aim to bring them to life in new ways to support our students and employees of today and tomorrow.
EMPOWER STUDENT SUCCESS
Clarke has a proud tradition of supporting students’ minds, bodies, and spirits. Our student body is diverse, and as a generation is digitally native and more aware of their needs for social belonging and mental health support. To empower student success, we will embrace holistic initiatives that meet and respect students where they are with knowledge, skills, expectations, and aspirations.
SUSTAIN INSTITUTIONAL VITALITY
To be vital as an institution we must be improving constantly, maintaining financial stability, and progressing with the times to prepare our students for the world they enter upon graduation. That means our academic and co-curricular programming as well as our facilities are modern and create value for students, employees, alumni, community members, and visitors. Ask anyone at Clarke and they will tell you it is the people that make our campus special. In that regard, our vitality is enhanced through deliberate initiatives that allow everyone to thrive.
CULTIVATE A LASTING LEGACY
To speak about Clarke’s future is to connect with its past. Mary Frances Clarke instructed the sisters to “incite” the students to think for themselves and by extension, become leaders. This legacy drives our future so that all those touched by Clarke carry forward a culture of leadership and compassion into their communities.
Find more information about the objectives and actions bringing our plan to life at clarke.edu/strategicplan.
2023-2026 STRATEGIC
PLAN
The Clarke EXPERIENCE
At Clarke, we strive to support the whole student: mind, body, and spirit. This approach influences all that we do, and we wanted to share some examples that have really made an impact — and have set the tone for even greater success in the years ahead!
Our new Academic Advising team provides guidance to first-year students as they create their academic plans — a critical role as we welcomed our largest incoming class ever! In spring 2024, the advising team moved to the new Center for Academic Excellence with the Career Services Office and the Margaret Mann Academic Resource Center to offer more collaborative longterm planning for students.
With support from Clarke’s Master of Social Work faculty and students, our Wellness, Life Coaching, and Counseling Services department expanded their offerings. Staff held
individual sessions with students, as well as larger scale events encouraging students to be their authentic selves. This more proactive outreach model has also built connections with other campus services including Campus Ministry, strengthening the presence within our community.
Clarke Peer Mentoring celebrated a record number of participants, with eight mentors and 16 mentees taking part. We also launched Clarke’s Black Male Leadership Society, which offers mentorship to young men who are traditionally underrepresented in higher education. While focused on individual success, these groups have a widespread impact. Along with the Clarke Activities Board and Clarke Student Association, they are instrumental in hosting educational and cultural events on campus.
clarke.edu/care-society
Want to demonstrate your commitment to the common good? Spread the word about the value of a Clarke Education! If you have a high school student or transferring college student in your life, speak to them about Clarke. Your recommendation can qualify them for a renewable $1,000 CARE Society scholarship and put them on the path to becoming a more compassionate colleague and citizen.
“Because of my scholarships, I have the chance to live on campus. From that I have gained so many experiences, gotten involved, and made friends. Your support and encouragement can make a huge difference for a
SHOW THEM
YOU
Maya ’27
Thanks to a sponsorship from Clarke alumna Mary Jean Jecklin ’69 and her husband, Kelley Rea, Anthony spent six weeks teaching in India as part of the ANKURI International Internship. The experience expanded his perspective as a person and an educator.
“I went from being nervous in the classroom to having that time with the students be the highlight of my trip, even though I got to see things like the Taj Mahal. In my final year here, I want to live the Clarke philosophy that I see in people like Cathy Stierman and Mary Jean. I am here to help, no matter what, and I love this community.”
Follow our
’24
HUMANS OF CLARKE
series for more stories like Anthony’s!
ANTHONY
The support of our alumni and friends makes scholarships, new programming, and many other initiatives possible. Here are just some of the ways your support shaped the student experience:
1,000+
TOTAL ENROLLMENT Representing 41 states & 27 countries
5
NEW STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
Ceramics Club Clarke Cast & Crew Hispanic Student Union Pride Sew Makers Queen in You
LIFE COACHING & COUNSELING SESSIONS HELD 220
280
CLARKE’S LARGEST INCOMING CLASS EVER
NAIA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Women’s Basketball 1 1-IN-4
PEER MENTOR PARTICIPANTS (16 mentees, 8 mentors) 24
$1 MILLION+
STUDENTS ARE THE FIRST IN THEIR FAMILY TO GO TO COLLEGE ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS 155 RAISED FOR STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
1,213
INDIVIDUAL ACADEMIC ADVISING APPOINTMENTS since August 1, 2023
150
STUDENTS VOLUNTEERED FOR INTO THE STREETS
CONNECT CLARKE UNIVERSITY WITH
One of the best ways you can support Clarke University and its mission is to share good news like the stories captured here! We share academic and community highlights throughout the year and there are many ways to stay in the know.
UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION
Complete a simple form to make sure we have an accurate mailing address, email account, and phone number on file. Don’t forget to opt-in for text messages!
clarke.edu/alumni/update-contact
REVIEW THE NEWSROOM
Stories bring our core values to life. Get in on the action by sharing your story in an alumni spotlight – email alumnirelations@clarke.edu for details!
clarke.edu/newsroom
INTERACT ON SOCIAL MEDIA
A view is great, but likes, comments, and shares help get the word out about this community we know and love.