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For more than 130 years, Clark University has thrived at the nexus of world-class teaching, boundary-pushing discovery, and creative invention. The father of rocket science. The founder of the American Psychological Association. A co-inventor of the birth control pill. Members of our community have always challenged convention and found ways to change our world for the better.
Letting Loose Before Finals
An evolving event since 1903, Clarkies let loose when classes are canceled one day each spring. Then it was rope pulls and greased pole climbs; now, it’s bounce houses, bands, and burgers.
A Global Party
Produced and performed by students, Clark’s popular annual spring showcase of international dance and music — from traditional to contemporary — celebrates the diverse cultures and talents of our community.
Physics professor and Clark alumnus Robert Goddard conducted his pioneering rocketry research in Clark laboratories. In 1926, he launched a liquid-fueled rocket on his aunt’s farm in Auburn, earning him the moniker “Father of Modern Rocketry.”
When he stepped onto the moon in 1969, astronaut Buzz Aldrin carried with him two miniature autobiographies of Robert Goddard. He later gave a signed copy to Esther Goddard, the physicist’s widow, who donated the book to Clark’s library.
Sigmund Freud presented his Clark lectures in 1909 as part of a series of conferences held in observance of the University’s 20th anniversary. It would be Freud’s only visit to America, and his only lectures outside of Europe.
In his doctoral research, Paul Siple, Ph.D. ’39, advanced the theory of wind chill and created an index to measure it — the wind chill factor. He later traveled seven times to Antarctica and named a mountain range there after Clark.
In 1907, former Clark physics professor Albert Michelson became the first American awarded a Nobel Prize in the sciences for the development of the interferometer, an instrument designed to measure lengths and velocities of light.
While a biology professor at Clark, Gregory Pincus conducted research paving the way for the birth control pill. He later founded the Worcester Foundation of Experimental Biology, which released the final version of the Pill to the public in 1960.
President Theodore Roosevelt delivered the commencement address for Clark College’s first public undergraduate commencement ceremonies in 1905. Degrees were conferred on Clark’s class of 43 men.
In 1920 African-American Francis Cecil Sumner earned a Ph.D. in psychology at Clark, becoming the first black person in the U.S. to earn a doctorate in that field. He would go on to found the department of psychology at Howard University.
Heteropsyllus nunni, a minute crustacean inhabiting estuaries along the east coast of North America, was named for former biology professor Rudolph Nunnemacher. Both loved and feared by his students, he was one of Clark’s longest-serving professors.
Jimi Hendrix, The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen and James Taylor all performed at Clark. The Grateful Dead blew out the sound system. (It’s been fixed.)
Massachusetts passes legislation incorporating Clark University. Two years later, under the presidency of G. Stanley Hall, the university opens its doors in Worcester, Massachusetts as the first graduate-study-only institution in the United States, with degrees offered in biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and psychology. Under Hall, its program in psychology becomes nationally competitive, a position it still holds. The university’s initial emphasis on groundbreaking research continues today through its academic departments, as well as the George Perkins Marsh Institute, Clark Labs, Strassler Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies, Mosakowski Institute for Public Enterprise, and the Hiatt Center for Urban Education.
Massachusetts passes legislation incorporating Clark University. Two years later, under the presidency of G. Stanley Hall, the university opens its doors in Worcester, Massachusetts as the first graduate-study-only institution in the United States, with degrees offered in biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and psychology. Under Hall, its program in psychology becomes nationally competitive, a position it still holds. The university’s initial emphasis on groundbreaking research continues today through its academic departments, as well as the George Perkins Marsh Institute, Clark Labs, Strassler Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies, Mosakowski Institute for Public Enterprise, and the Hiatt Center for Urban Education.
Two years after Jonas Clark’s death, Clark College, a liberal arts college for men, is established under the presidency of Carroll D. Wright, the first U.S. Commissioner of Labor. In his will, Clark stated that “it is my earnest desire … that the said University … be wholly free from every kind of denominational or sectarian control, bias or limitation, and that its doors may be ever open to all classes and persons whatsoever may be their religious faith or political sympathies, or to whatever creed, sect or party they may belong.” Today Clark prides itself on its commitment to inclusive excellence, and requires all undergraduates to complete an inclusive excellence requirement.
Two years after Jonas Clark’s death, Clark College, a liberal arts college for men, is established under the presidency of Carroll D. Wright, the first U.S. Commissioner of Labor. In his will, Clark stated that “it is my earnest desire … that the said University … be wholly free from every kind of denominational or sectarian control, bias or limitation, and that its doors may be ever open to all classes and persons whatsoever may be their religious faith or political sympathies, or to whatever creed, sect or party they may belong.” Today Clark prides itself on its commitment to inclusive excellence, and requires all undergraduates to complete an inclusive excellence requirement.
With the resignations of G. Stanley Hall and Wright’s successor, Edmund Sanford, the presidencies of the college and university are combined under geographer and former Harvard University professor Wallace W. Atwood. The following year Atwood establishes what would become Clark’s world-renowned Graduate School of Geography, which has graduated more Ph.D.s in that field than any other in the United States.
With the resignations of G. Stanley Hall and Wright’s successor, Edmund Sanford, the presidencies of the college and university are combined under geographer and former Harvard University professor Wallace W. Atwood. The following year Atwood establishes what would become Clark’s world-renowned Graduate School of Geography, which has graduated more Ph.D.s in that field than any other in the United States.
While women had been earning graduate degrees at Clark (the first master’s and doctoral degrees awarded to women were granted in 1907 and 1908, respectively), the undergraduate college was restricted to men. That changes in 1942 with the admission of 73 women who shared classes with the 269 male undergraduates enrolled that year. Gradually, women were integrated into the administration and faculty. Alice Coonley Higgins became chair of the Board of Trustees in 1967, the first woman to assume this role at a private research university in the United States. By 1980, courses in women’s studies had coalesced into a formal concentration, and in 1992 Clark became the first university in the United States to offer a Ph.D. in women’s studies. The university now offers a B.A. degree in women’s and gender studies.
While women had been earning graduate degrees at Clark (the first master’s and doctoral degrees awarded to women were granted in 1907 and 1908, respectively), the undergraduate college was restricted to men. That changes in 1942 with the admission of 73 women who shared classes with the 269 male undergraduates enrolled that year. Gradually, women were integrated into the administration and faculty. Alice Coonley Higgins became chair of the Board of Trustees in 1967, the first woman to assume this role at a private research university in the United States. By 1980, courses in women’s studies had coalesced into a formal concentration, and in 1992 Clark became the first university in the United States to offer a Ph.D. in women’s studies. The university now offers a B.A. degree in women’s and gender studies.
Clark’s Evening College initially offers bachelor of science degrees in General Studies and Business Administration, followed later by master’s degrees. Reestablished as today’s School of Professional Studies (SPS) with its focus on graduate education, SPS offers master’s degrees and certificates in areas ranging from information technology to public administration and supports campuses in Poland and China.
Clark’s Evening College initially offers bachelor of science degrees in General Studies and Business Administration, followed later by master’s degrees. Reestablished as today’s School of Professional Studies (SPS) with its focus on graduate education, SPS offers master’s degrees and certificates in areas ranging from information technology to public administration and supports campuses in Poland and China.
Founded in 1982, Clark’s AACSB-accredited School of Management, which today attracts students from around the world, provides business education with an emphasis on ethical conduct, sustainability, and corporate social responsibility. In addition to supporting the undergraduate major in management, SOM offers graduate certificate and master’s degree programs.
Founded in 1982, Clark’s AACSB-accredited School of Management, which today attracts students from around the world, provides business education with an emphasis on ethical conduct, sustainability, and corporate social responsibility. In addition to supporting the undergraduate major in management, SOM offers graduate certificate and master’s degree programs.
The Department of International Development, Community, and Environment (IDCE) is established to foster environmental sustainability, social justice, and economic well-being in both the developing and developed worlds. By thinking critically, acting collaboratively, and engaging responsibly with challenges around the globe, IDCE faculty and students continue to build a more just, healthy, and sustainable world during their time at Clark and beyond. In addition to supporting an undergraduate major and minor, the department offers master’s degree programs.
The Department of International Development, Community, and Environment (IDCE) is established to foster environmental sustainability, social justice, and economic well-being in both the developing and developed worlds. By thinking critically, acting collaboratively, and engaging responsibly with challenges around the globe, IDCE faculty and students continue to build a more just, healthy, and sustainable world during their time at Clark and beyond. In addition to supporting an undergraduate major and minor, the department offers master’s degree programs.
Clark convenes a first-of-its-kind National Conference on Liberal Education and Effective Practice, co-sponsored by the Mosakowski Institute for Public Enterprise and the Association of American Colleges and Universities. Three years later, Clark launches LEEP, its model for undergraduate education that combines a traditional liberal arts experience with authentic engagement in the world and workplace.
Clark convenes a first-of-its-kind National Conference on Liberal Education and Effective Practice, co-sponsored by the Mosakowski Institute for Public Enterprise and the Association of American Colleges and Universities. Three years later, Clark launches LEEP, its model for undergraduate education that combines a traditional liberal arts experience with authentic engagement in the world and workplace.
A pioneering psychologist, Hall founded the American Psychological Association and brought Sigmund Freud to campus for his only lectures in the United States.
A pioneering psychologist, Hall founded the American Psychological Association and brought Sigmund Freud to campus for his only lectures in the United States.
In addition to his tenure as president, Atwood served as director of the Graduate School of Geography, moving GSG to international prominence.
In addition to his tenure as president, Atwood served as director of the Graduate School of Geography, moving GSG to international prominence.
Jefferson left a legacy of humane learning, a university strengthened in numbers and quality, and facilities that gave new dimensions to the Clark experience.
Jefferson left a legacy of humane learning, a university strengthened in numbers and quality, and facilities that gave new dimensions to the Clark experience.
Serving at a restless time in the nation’s history, Jackson oversaw completion of Goddard Library and launch of the Worcester Consortium for Higher Education.
Serving at a restless time in the nation’s history, Jackson oversaw completion of Goddard Library and launch of the Worcester Consortium for Higher Education.
Ferguson, a well-traveled diplomat, created the Office of Academic Innovation to develop new courses and nontraditional modes of teaching.
Ferguson, a well-traveled diplomat, created the Office of Academic Innovation to develop new courses and nontraditional modes of teaching.
Appley, an accomplished academician, adeptly guided Clark through a period of fiscal uncertainty and established the Graduate School of Management.
Appley, an accomplished academician, adeptly guided Clark through a period of fiscal uncertainty and established the Graduate School of Management.
A transformative leader, Traina envisioned, initiated, and championed the groundbreaking University Park Partnership, a national model for community engagement.
A transformative leader, Traina envisioned, initiated, and championed the groundbreaking University Park Partnership, a national model for community engagement.
With key donors, Bassett fostered the creation of the Mosakowski Institute for Public Enterprise and the Adam Institute for Urban Teaching and School Practice.
With key donors, Bassett fostered the creation of the Mosakowski Institute for Public Enterprise and the Adam Institute for Urban Teaching and School Practice.
Under Angel’s leadership, Clark launched its Liberal Education and Effective Practice (LEEP) curriculum, linking classroom and experiential learning.
Under Angel’s leadership, Clark launched its Liberal Education and Effective Practice (LEEP) curriculum, linking classroom and experiential learning.
Fithian is applying his impressive professional experience and personal vision to the mission of shaping the next stage of Clark University, his alma mater.
Fithian is applying his impressive professional experience and personal vision to the mission of shaping the next stage of Clark University, his alma mater.
