The 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award Winners were honored during the Homecoming breakfast. Left to right: Katherine (Philipp-Guerra) Alsip '13, Mary Kilian Pollard '48 (posthumously), and Capt. Kristin Hodapp '97, '98M.

Campus News 

Last week marked a high point in the semester, with students and faculty completing midterm evaluations and alumni returning to campus for Homecoming 2025. While this can be a demanding time for students, our Clarke Activities Board and staff scheduled many fun activities to relieve stress and bring the community together.

Student favorites like the Faculty/Staff vs. Students Dodgeball game, Casino Night, Powder Puff and Cash Cab were enjoyed throughout the week. Over the weekend, we had a robust list of activities celebrating the arts, athletics, alumni, and more. This includes the Alumni Breakfast where we honored our Distinguished Alumni Award Winners. It is always a rewarding experience to recognize how so many of our Clarke graduates go on to live impactful lives and embody our Core Values of Freedom, Education, Charity, and Justice. See more Homecoming highlights on social media. 

October also includes the time-honored tradition of Into the Streets. On Saturday, October 25, Campus Ministry will pair dozens of Clarke students with nonprofits throughout Dubuque for a day of service. Whether volunteering individually, with a team, or a group of friends, Into the Streets is one of the most meaningful ways a student can connect with our BVM Core Values. 

Rounding out the month is our Fall Festival on October 28 from 4-7 p.m. in the Student Activity Center and campus grounds. This free event is open to the Clarke and alumni community and includes indoor trick-or-treating, a homage to the classic “Haunted Hallway” that formerly took place in Mary Frances Hall with a light fright option for little monsters, and a petting zoo in the Wahlert Athletics Complex parking lot. The next evening, Louise Kames ’77 will lead a discussion on “Seeing Deeply” beginning at 7 p.m. in Jansen Music Hall as part of the Mackin-Mailander Lecture Series.  

Strategic Plan Update   

As we look ahead to many exciting events, we must also continue carving a path toward a sustainable future for Clarke University. Influenced by the findings from our partners at CREDO and our Moving the Needle project, we have established new action items for 2026 and beyond to help address our rising costs. Thus far, our efforts through increased retention and improved new enrollments have not been effective. Some of the action items under consideration include ongoing revisions to our program offerings and academic advising options, an updated schedule and process for registration, revitalization of our housing and dining services, and more. 

As we develop our action plan, our goal is to maintain Clarke’s mission, identity, and reputation in the community while making us a more viable potential University partner for strategic alliances. As this conversation evolves, I am committed to sharing information frequently and transparently. 

Living our Legacy Spotlight

Elena Dominguez '20, '21M, Director of Alumni Relations, is in this volume’s spotlight.

Living our legacy stems from our mission:  

Clarke University is a BVM Catholic academic community that believes learning is lifelong and life-changing. We inspire intellectual curiosity, cultural engagement, professional preparedness, spiritual exploration, and a commitment to contributing to the good of all in a global society. 

Elena Dominguez joined the Institutional Advancement office shortly after completing her dual degrees with Clarke University. Over the last four years, she has introduced new events and opportunities to entertain, inform, and connect our international network of over 15,000 alumni. This has included hosting local engagement activities as well as baseball games, musicals, and other events throughout the country. 

In her current role as Director of Alumni Relations, Elena has been heavily involved in event planning for Homecoming 2025. Hosting collaborations across campus and throughout the Dubuque community, Elena’s attention to detail and powerful connections have laid the groundwork for a fantastic weekend. 

Beyond her role at Clarke, Elena is a lifelong Dubuquer and Wahlert Catholic High School graduate and has long supported the arts, local non-profits, and other initiatives that make our community a great place to live. 

Thank you, Elena, for your determination to connect the Clarke community in powerful ways! 

Go Pride! 

Fletch

Visit our Newsroom webpage to learn more about all the great things happening on campus and in the wider community!

Clarke University

www.clarke.edu