1900s: Challenging convention through the ages...
1900 The Clark University Board of Trustees votes to confer doctoral degrees to men and women, or, as the Board put it, "without regard to the distinction of sex."
The University's founder Jonas Clark dies, leaving an endowment for the founding of Clark College, with a separate administration from the University. He ultimately gives $850,000 from his will and initial endowment for the University Library. This is estimated to be the largest independent endowment for any library in America at that time.
1902 Carroll D. Wright, U.S. Commissioner of Labor, is selected as the first president of Clark College.
Clark College opens on Oct. 1 with a class of 79 male undergraduates taught by 11 faculty members.
1903 First separate library building, now the Jefferson Academic Center, is completed.
1905 President Theodore Roosevelt delivers the commencement address for Clark College's first public commencement ceremonies. Degrees are conferred on Clark's first class of 43 men.
The Clark Alumni Association is established. Today, the Clark University Alumni Association includes more than 25,000 members. Among its current activities, the Alumni Association runs an alumni mentor program with the University Park Campus School, helps new students move in to the residence halls each fall, and coordinates the Outstanding Secondary Educator Award presented at Reunion each year.
1909 Programs celebrating Clark University's 20th anniversary bring eminent scholars to Clark, including Carl Jung and, of course, Sigmund Freud. It was Freud's only visit to America.
Edmund Sanford is selected as the second president of Clark College.
Fun Facts
- 1902 Intramural football and basketball are established.
- 1903 The first Spring Festival-currently known as Spree Day-is held in connection with St. Patrick's Day.
- 1903 Scarlet and white are adopted as the official colors of Clark College.
- 1905 The yearbook, called the Pioneer, is published. It is later renamed Pasticcio.
- 1909 The Gryphon Honor Society is established.
- 1909 Clark's alma mater "Fiat Lux," with words by E.L. Clark '08 and music by R. Fletcher '10, is copyrighted.
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