letter to alumni:
Alumni and Friends:
Welcome to the new 2008–09 academic year. Personally, I am very excited about this particular academic year, as my oldest son has embarked on his first year as an undergraduate student at Clark. By the time this issue reaches you, I ’m sure we will have survived Move-In Day, and he will have survived First-Year Orientation and be well on his way to becoming a part of this vibrant community. I am proud that my son chose Clark and to have my Clark legacy carried on through this next generation. I ’m looking forward to experiencing today’s Clark through his perspectives and encounters.
I’m also looking forward to this year’s Alumni Association events, and again, I encourage your participation in the Clark Fund. There are several ways that you can get involved with the Alumni Association. For example, you can join the Alumni and Parent Admissions program to help recruit the next class of Clark students (see column on right), or attend and/or host regional events within your local community. We are eagerly looking for alumni leaders to fill Regional Council volunteer positions. These councils help to plan events and outreach to alumni in their area. If you are interested in getting involved within your region, please contact Shawn Goodspeed, assistant director, Regional Communities, at sgoodspeed@clarku.edu.
This fall, we have scheduled another New England Event Series to highlight great locations throughout the Northeast such as the Astors ’ Beechwood Mansion in Rhode Island, the Robert Frost Farm in New Hampshire and the Head of the Charles in Boston. This series of events is yet another opportunity to reconnect with fellow alumni. To learn more about these events, check the alumni calendar in this publication or online at www.clarku.edu/alumni/regional, or call 800-793-6246.
This winter, we will be traveling throughout the United States with Clark faculty who will present their current research and share their own Clark stories. Last year the Boston community thoroughly enjoyed psychology professor Michael Addis ’ presentation of his research on male depression. For those who missed it, he is featured in this issue of Clarknews (see page 14). I hope you ’ll come out to meet and greet other interesting faculty later this year.
Reunion 2009 planning has begun, and we need you. Those of you celebrating a reunion have a great opportunity to help plan reunion festivities with fellow Clarkies. Please join your Reunion 2009 planning committee today by contacting the Alumni Affairs Office at alumni@clarku.edu or 800-793-6246.
In closing, I would like to extend a special thank you to alumni volunteers, administration, staff and faculty for your continued participation in Alumni programs. I hope to see many of you at events throughout the year. Until then, have a happy new academic year!
Sincerely,
Roland K. Atupem ’82, P’12
Alumni Association President
NEWS from the Alumni and Parent Admissions program
It does not seem possible that three years have passed since I wrote my first article for Clarknews as the new APAP director. I was excited about my new responsibilities, especially to be working with our alumni and more formally with Clark parents.
The Board of Trustees had challenged us in 2005 with a very ambitious agenda—one that many wondered if we could meet. You embraced that challenge, exceeded those goals, and each year you have demonstrated your increasing value as adjunct members of the Admissions staff.
Reflecting on your accomplishments, it is clear that APAP has enjoyed three exceptional years. We broadened our outreach, strengthened existing programs and created new ones; we set a solid foundation upon which we can build. And, build we must!
The changing demographics of college-bound students and an uncertain economy demand that we develop a strong presence in new markets while maintaining our presence in existing markets and continue to find innovative ways to communicate the value of a Clark education to prospective students and families.
Clark’s Admissions staff will be relying more heavily on your help this year. In addition to keeping our existing programs strong, we will focus on piloting a new APAP On-Campus Saturday Alumni Interview Initiative this fall, expanding our international outreach and developing a more comprehensive program for parents.
Recruiting students in the most competitive higher-education market becomes more challenging each year. Please encourage your classmates and fellow parents who are not already involved with APAP to join us in this mission. With your help, we will continue to attract and enroll students who are a good match academically and socially for Clark —students who will build on your and/or your child’s legacy.
On behalf of the University and the APAP team, I want to thank you for your commitment and the pride with which you represent Clark. We look forward to working with you again to recruit the Class of 2013. Go APAP!
Warm regards,
Judy Earls
Director, Alumni and Parent Admissions Program
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