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Clark Online is an e-newsletter for Clark alumni to help keep you connected to the University throughout the year. In each Clark Online, which is distributed periodically, you will find alumni and campus news, as well as links to resources on the Clark Web site that provide more comprehensive information about recent activities at the University.

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Alumni Update

Reunion 2006—Alumni Weekend, May 19-21
Don’t miss it!

Reunion 2006 is for everyone, and there’s still time to register for the many fun and interesting events planned for the weekend. You won’t want to miss this year’s special “Back to the Classroom” sessions taught by Clark’s talented faculty and staff. The topics include computer technology, physical fitness, wines and wine tasting, sociology and creative writing. Here are some highlights of Reunion 2006. For the most up-to-date schedule of events, to see who’s coming and to register, visit the Reunion Web site at reunion. If you have any questions or need additional information, please call the Reunion Hotline at 800-793-6246 or e-mail alumni@clarku.edu.

Back to the Classroom at Reunion 2006

Friday, May 19
Basic Computer Technology, 10-11 a.m.
Learn how to “surf the Net,” make reservations, read the newspaper and more, online, in our Basic Computer Technology Class with Cheryl Turner Elwell, director of Client Services, Information Technology Services.

Saturday, May 20
Physical Fitness 101, 9-10 a.m.
Design a new work-out program to become physically fit with the guidance of Brent Riddle, Clark's head athletic trainer.

Creative writing workshop, 10-11:30 a.m.
Clarknews editor and novelist Judith Jaeger will lead you through a fascinating exercise in developing interesting characters for your creative writing. Writers of all levels are welcome.

Sociology Book Discussion and Signing, 2-3 p.m.
Bob Ross, faculty chair, professor of sociology and director of Clark's International Studies Stream, will discuss and sign his recently released book, “Slaves to Fashion: Poverty and Abuse in the New Sweatshops.”

Wines and Wine Tasting, 3-4 p.m.
Professor Tim Lyerla offers a biologist's perspective on wines.

Alumni Awards

The following awards will be presented at the New England Clambake on Friday, May 19, of Reunion 2006—Alumni Weekend.

Distinguished Service Award
The Clark community will remember and honor the late Patti Love ’81 with the Alumni Association’s highest award, in recognition of her tireless efforts on behalf of Clark and the Alumni Association. The award will be presented to members of Love’s family.

Distinguished Young Alumnus/a Award
This award will be presented to a group of alumni who are members of the Custom Made Theatre Company: Leah Abrams ’96, executive director; Brian Katz ’94, artistic director; and David Ampola ’93, art director. Abrams, Katz and Ampola were a part of Clark’s student-run improv group, the Peapod Squad, and have translated their passion for theater performance into the Custom Made Theatre Company, a creative, small theater production company in San Francisco. Clark alumni and friends in the San Francisco area recently enjoyed the fruits of their labor at a Custom Made Theater perfomance of Lee Blessing’s “Two Rooms” at the Off-Market Theaters Gallery.

Reunion 2006 highlights

Friday, May 19
Back to the Classroom: Basic Computer Technology
10-11 a.m. , Jonas Clark Hall, Room 105
Learn how to “surf the Net,” make reservations, read the newspaper and more, online, in our Basic Computer Technology Class with Cheryl Turner Elwell, director of Client Services, Information Technology Services.

Legacy Society Luncheon
11:30 a.m., Tilton Hall, Higgins University Center
This event honors members of the Clark University Legacy Society, which recognizes those who have provided for Clark in their estate plans. (Legacy Society members receive a separate invitation to this event.)

President’s Reception
6 p.m., Harrington House, 130 Woodland St.
President and Mrs. Bassett welcome you to their home for this Reunion tradition.

New England Clambake
7 p.m., Under the “Big Top,” behind Harrington House
Join us for lobster, steamed clams, beef ribs and all the fixings.

Saturday, May 20
Back to the Classroom: Physical Fitness 101
9-10 a.m., Kneller Athletic Center
Design a new work-out program to become physically fit with the guidance of Brent Riddle, Clark’s head athletic trainer.

Regional Alumni Community Breakfast
9:30-10:30 a.m., Harrington House
Join President and Mrs. Bassett and Regional Alumni Community members for a continental breakfast and information session on joining a regional community in your area.

Taking Science Forward
10 a.m., Cathy ’83 and Marc ’81 Lasry Center for Bioscience
Tour the new Lasry Center for Bioscience.

Back to the Classroom: Creative Writing Workshop
10-11:30 a.m., Jonas Clark Hall, Room 001
Clarknews editor and novelist Judith Jaeger will lead through a fascinating exercise in developing interesting characters for your creative writing. Writers of all levels are welcome.

What’s new at Clark with President and Mrs. Bassett
11 a.m., Harrington House
Meet President and Mrs. Bassett at their home and learn what’s new at Clark. Alumni receive Clark gifts from the Alumni Association.

Strassler Family Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies open house
11 a.m.-1 p.m., Cohen-Lasry House, 11 Hawthorne St.
Tour Cohen-Lasry House. Graduate students will discuss the curriculum and activities of the Center.

Family Fun
11:30 a.m., Under the “Big Top,” behind Harrington House

Free face painting, balloons and juggling kick off the Spree Day Family Picnic.

Spree Day Family Picnic
noon-2 p.m., Under the “Big Top,” behind Harrington House
Join alumni, faculty, members of the Class of 2006, friends and family for a picnic “spree day” style, with food, entertainment and much more. Children ages 12 and under are free and can enjoy the moonwalk and other activities.

Back to the Classroom: Book Discussion and Signing
2-3 p.m., Sackler Sciences Center
Bob Ross, faculty chair, professor of sociology and director of Clark’s International Studies Stream, will discuss and sign his recently released book, “Slaves to Fashion: Poverty and Abuse in the New Sweatshops.”

Intercultural Reception
3 p.m., Dana Commons
Reunite with members of your Clark cultural organization.

Back to the Classroom: Wines and Wine Tasting
3-4 p.m., Jonas Clark Hall, Room 001
Professor Tim Lyerla offers a biologist’s perspective on wines.

Clark Bars Reunion Concert
4 p.m., Grind Central, Higgins University Center
Past Clark Bars perform their favorite a capella medleys. All are welcome to attend this Reunion tradition.

GSOM Cocktail reception
4 p.m., Carlson Hall
For Graduate School of Management (GSOM) alumni and 2006 B.A. (Management), M.B.A. and M.S.F. graduates.

Alumni and Parent Admissions Program (APAP) Reception
4:30-6 p.m., Wetzel Terrace, Higgins University Center
Enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres with APAP Director Judy Earls, APAP volunteers and members of the admissions staff.

Graduates Of the Last Decade (GOLD) Celebration and Class Photos (Classes of 1996-2005)
7-9 p.m., under the “Big Top” behind Harrington House
Start the evening with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres that make a meal.

Alumni Class Banquets (Classes of 1930-1991)
7:30 p.m., Higgins University Center and Cathy ’83 and Marc ’81 Lasry Center for Bioscience
Check your Reunion packet for exact room location for your class.

Dancing Under the Stars
9 p.m.-midnight, behind Harrington House
Keep the celebration going at one of the most popular Reunion traditions.

Sunday, May 21
Commencement Brunch
9 a.m.-noon, Main Dining Hall, Higgins University Center

A Golden Opportunity
12:30 p.m.
Kneller Athletic Center
Members of the Class of 1956 and the 50-Year Association will lead the Class of 2006 in the commencement procession.

Commencement
1:30 p.m., Campus Green
Internationally known economist Paul Krugman will deliver the commencement address.

And there’s more!—www.clarku.edu/reunion
View the full schedule of events, register and see who else is coming.

On-campus accommodations
There are still on-campus accommodations available in the upper-class Residence Halls. We provide sheets, pillow, pillowcase, blankets, towels and cups to make your stay more comfortable. Residence Halls are not air conditioned, and there are no private bathrooms.  Alumni are housed by class. Once designated class areas are filled, room assignments will be on a space-available basis. Single rooms are limited and are available on a first-come, first-served basis for $40 per person, per night. Double rooms are $40 per person, per night. Register online at www.clarku.edu/reunion.

 

Campus News

Clark’s Debórah Dwork advises “Letters to Sala”

Letters to a Jewish inmate in a Nazi concentration camp?

Debórah Dwork, Rose Professor of Holocaust History and founding director of the Strassler Family Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies and her co-author, Robert Jan van Pelt, Distinguished University Professor at the University of Waterloo and a great friend of the Strassler Center, explain how this was possible in Ann Kirchner’s “Letters to Sala” exhibit now on view at the New York Public Library. This compelling exhibition of a unique cache of Holocaust-era letters and photographs received by Ann Kirchner’s mother, Sala Garncarz, illuminates Garncarz’s life from the time she entered a labor camp in 1940 until her liberation in 1945.

Dwork served as adviser to Kirchner and Curator Jill Vexler. An illustrated companion book, “Letters to Sala: A Young Woman’s Life in Nazi Labor Camps,” features the story of Garncarz’s internment and liberation and an essay on Garncarz’s world by Dwork and van Pelt.

The exhibit is on view at the New York Public Library’s Humanities and Social Sciences Library through June 17. Admission is free. More information about the exhibit appears at www.nypl.org The illustrated companion book is available for purchase through the Library Shop (thelibraryshop.org).

Learn more about Clark’s Strassler Family Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies, its faculty and students at clarku/holocaust.

Commencement speaker and honorary degree recipients announced

Internationally known economist Paul Krugman will be the commencement speaker at Clark University on Sunday, May 21. Krugman is recognized as one of the founders of “new trade theory”—a major rethinking of international trade. He is professor of economics and international affairs at Princeton University and the author or editor of 20 books and more than 200 papers. Over the past 15 years, he has written extensively for a broader audience, including opinion-editorial columns in the New York Times and articles in the Harvard Business Review, Scientific American and other journals. He will receive a Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.) degree.

Other honorary degree recipients at Commencement 2006

Robert J. Hurst ’66 is a senior advisor to Crestview Partners, a private equity firm, and the retired vice chairman of Goldman Sachs, where from 1990-1999 he headed the Investment Banking Division. He is a former trustee of Clark and a New York City civic leader. He will receive the Doctor of Humane Letters degree.

Clare Brett Smith, a professional photographer with a number of one-person shows and a successful for-profit craft import business to her credit, will receive the Doctor of Humane Letters degree. Smith served as president of Aid to Artisans (ATA) from 1986 to 2005. ATA is a nonprofit organization that helps create jobs and increase incomes for craftspeople worldwide.

Evelyn M. Witkin, renowned geneticist and Barbara McClintock Professor Emerita at Rutgers University, will receive the Doctor of Science degree. Witkin is known for being able to clearly define and characterize complex gene phenomena. Her pioneering work in the understanding of the genetic response to harmful environmental factors has been pivotal in the biochemical sciences and in the use of radiation therapy for cancer treatment.

Commencement 2006 will be held on the Jefferson Academic Center Green. The procession begins at 1:15 p.m. and ceremonies start at 1:30 p.m. Students who have earned academic distinctions, such as departmental and University awards, will be recognized at the Honors Convocation at 10:30 a.m. in Atwood Hall. Honorary degree recipients will also give brief addresses during the hour-long ceremony.

Vote for Alumni-elected Trustee online—www.clarku.edu/trusteeballot

Alumni-elected trustees make up 20 percent of Clark’s Board of Trustees, which means your vote has an impact on the future of the University. The Alumni Association Nominating Committee, responsible for selecting and nominating these candidates each year, strongly encourages all alumni to vote for Clark’s next alumni-elected trustee.

This years’ candidates are: Paula Collins ’79, Janice Culpepper ’77 and Barbara Rabinowitz Dyer ’73. Go online to read the candidate’s statements at trusteeballot. Then either vote online from the same Web address or send in the postcard provided in the spring issue of Clarknews (arriving in your mail any day now). If you are voting online, the username is trustee, and the password is ballot. If you vote online, please do not use the postcard.

Thank you for voting.

Many thanks from the Clark Fund Phone Room

The hardworking students in the Clark Fund Phone Room would like to thank all of the alumni and parents who supported the 2005-2006 annual fund campaign. Thanks to your generosity, the Clark Fund phone campaign raised $464,677 in gifts and pledges. In order to have your gift counted in this fiscal year, please send your gift by Tuesday, May 31, 2006. You can fulfill your gift at our secure site at www.clarku.edu/clarkgift. If you have any questions, please contact the Clark Fund at 1-888-257-5363. Thank you again for making Clark a philanthropic priority.

Clark in the news
See where and when Clark faculty and students have been quoted in newspapers and magazines, and on television and radio throughout the country.

From Clark to the press
Read the latest news from the University.

Cougar news
Keep up with all the latest news from Clark Athletics with the weekly Cougar newsletter. You can find the current issue on this Web address, cruise the archives and subscribe to receive the weekly e-newsletter.