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Greetings,
As we (hopefully) leave behind the ice and snow of February, March brings the promise of spring! At Clarke, we welcomed this season of opportunities with a campus social on March 2 to announce our new vision statement:
Clarke University will be distinguished as a compassionate and inclusive community. We educate and inspire through our core values of Freedom, Education, Charity, and Justice. Together we thrive through our Catholic, BVM, and liberal arts traditions, graduating leaders who make a positive difference in the world.
Our sincere thanks go out to the steering committee, the Clarke Student Association, the Board of Trustees, and all the individuals who contributed to this vision. This statement will serve as a guiding light as we move forward.
Now we begin Phase 2 of our five-phase plan with an assessment of Clarke’s academic and athletic offerings, our approach to academic advising, and how these areas align with the Strategic Plan and budget. This coincides with our campus-wide Focus, Learn and Engage Day on March 29, offering professional development for students and employees alike. Following this, Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs Steve Kapelke and Director of Athletics Curt Long will begin assessments for their areas, and Mariann Kurtz Weber will lead the updating of our strategic plan to align with our new vision, with a focus on student retention and student success.
Just one example of our student retention and recruitment efforts includes our recent decision to offer co-ed residence hall options by floor for the 2023-2024 school year. This will grant greater access to elevators, larger rooms, and other amenities for men and women. With this change, there will also be updates to security and access control to ensure all students feel safe and comfortable as they live and learn on campus.
Much to Celebrate
As we begin the assessment phase, there are already bright spots to share. Enrollment Management hosted an Admitted Student Experience event on February 25, which welcomed 35 students and their families to Clarke. Events like this prove to be the deciding factor for our students, helping them feel at home at Clarke long before they enter a classroom.
Looking to athletics, our Women’s Basketball Team is making another appearance in the NAIA National Tournament. Through the hard work of our student athletes, Coaches Courtney Boyd and Adam Hocking, Director of Athletics Curt Long, and MANY others across campus, the team will also enjoy a home court advantage, as Clarke hosts the first and second round games of the tournament for the first time in program history. It is a great honor to welcome athletes and fans from across the country to Dubuque and the Kehl Center, and this demonstrates that Clarke is among the elite in the NAIA. Find information on game times, tickets, and live streaming here.
March also marks the return of #ClarkeDay, our annual event dedicated to celebrating the people, projects, and places that make Clarke special. You can join the celebration by:
One letter cannot cover the many good things happening at Clarke. Find more in our Alumni & Friends Newsletter and at clarke.edu/newsroom. We love sharing stories with you and hope you will share your ideas and experiences with us as well.
Sincerely,
Fletch
Interim President
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