We were excited to welcome some of our student-athletes during our first move-ins last weekend!

Campus News 

As our minds turn to the fall semester, I would like to take a moment to reflect on all that was accomplished in the 2024-2025 year. From our fall Focused Learn and Engage Day to the Celebration of Scholarship and Commencement in the spring, students demonstrated their growth and mastery of skills. 

Our faculty and staff also made outstanding contributions last year through research, fundraising, and community engagement. This effort continued into the summer with our Clarke University Summer Scholarly Projects, where faculty members led sessions on Head & Neck Dissection, Virtual Reality, and the new Writer’s Workshop. Many additional activities and achievements are highlighted in this year’s Clarke Magazine. It’s a fantastic read and will make you proud to be part of the Clarke community. 

While it is important to reflect, we are also thrilled to welcome students back to campus! Move-in began August 8 and 9 for our in-season student-athletes. All campus move-in and CONNECT Orientation are set for August 21-24, with many fun activities planned to help students get to know Clarke and their new hometown. If you see these new Clarkies on campus or out in the community, be sure to say hello! 

Strategic Plan Update   

The Clarke University vision, mission, and values focus on student learning within our BVM Catholic tradition, aiming to develop leaders who make a positive impact in the world. Our responsibility has never been more important, necessary, or relevant. 

Profound changes in our world mean students are coming to Clarke University with very different expectations, needs, and skills than in previous decades. Consequently, this has altered how we prepare them for life after graduation and what exactly we prepare them for.  

As we transition from the last year of our current Strategic Plan, our new plan must reflect our commitment to meet these challenges and advance our University’s mission and values boldly, with learning experiences that are relevant and forward-looking. Doing so requires an updated strategic plan that builds upon our strengths, increases our capacities, and seeks innovative partnerships to secure our future. 

Guided by the University’s Strategic Planning Committee, faculty, students, staff, BVMs, administration, trustees, alumni, and friends will be invited to participate in this planning process.

Living our Legacy Spotlight

Sister Joan Mueller, Chief Mission Officer, 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.

Sister Joan joined Clarke in 2024 as Chief Mission Officer. Her time on campus has had a significant impact, including fostering deeper conversations around the BVM Core Values that guide our institution.  

During the 2024-2025 academic year, the Mission Office guided the revision process for our Mission & Vision Statements, created a mission webpage, and started a Catholic Identity book club. With support from the Mission & Core Values Committee, Joan will expand the offerings for 2025-2026 with customizable trainings, workshops, and lectures. Our resident assistants and athletic teams have been among the first to sign up for sessions on working unitedly, Clarke Speak, and the BVM Core Values, setting a positive tone for the year ahead. 

Thank you, Sister Joan, for promoting Clarke’s BVM Catholic identity, mission, and Core Values across campus.  

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