Dear members of the Clarke Community, 

As the fall semester draws to a close and we approach the Christmas season, many in the Clarke University community are carrying a complex mix of emotions—fatigue, grief, gratitude, uncertainty, and hope. And yet, even amid significant change and the difficult work of reorganization, the central work of educating students has continued at Clarke with purpose, care, and excellence. It has been a privilege for me to witness this firsthand. 

In recent weeks, I have attended poster sessions by the Doctor of Physical Therapy Class of 2026 highlighting their scholarly research; interdisciplinary presentations from an innovative collaboration between biochemistry and psychology courses; thoughtful analysis from our English students; and several beautifully performed senior music recitals. Beyond the classroom, the Ceramics Club’s art sale was not to be missed, and the annual student Christmas dinner was a lively celebration. I’ve also enjoyed cheering on our men’s and women’s basketball teams as the season gets fully underway. These moments matter. They are tangible reminders of why Clarke exists. 

I want to commend the faculty and staff whose care, preparation, and professionalism made these experiences possible. I know how hard it is to put students first when the ground feels as though it is shifting beneath your feet—and yet, you do so again and again. I am deeply grateful for the grace, resilience, and unwavering commitment you have shown throughout this difficult semester. 

Courage and Hope

It is from within this context that the theme of this Presidential update emerges: courage and hope. Many in the Clarke community know the words Mary Frances Clarke penned to her Sisters in 1885: “Leave the future to God; I have no fear as long as you are working unitedly.” We understand well the importance of working unitedly, and our ability to do so will be essential as we move forward. But in this moment—particularly in the liturgical season of Advent—the phrase “have no fear” has been speaking powerfully to my spirit. 

In the Christian tradition, Advent is a season uniquely populated by angels. In the Gospel stories that recount Jesus’ birth, angels appear at decisive moments—to Mary, to Joseph, and to the shepherds—and their first words are always the same: “Fear not!” 

To live without fear does not spare us from difficult decisions or painful realities; rather, it is what enables us to move through them with integrity, discernment, and care. Over the years, both during Mary Frances Clarke’s lifetime and after, the BVM Sisters have endured seasons of uncertainty and hardship, and their perseverance forms part of the legacy entrusted to Clarke today. Their witness brings to mind a contemporary phrase popularized by New York Times best-selling author Glennon Doyle: “We can do hard things.” 

Clarke has done hard things before. And today, we are doing hard things again. What makes this perseverance possible—what gives it depth and meaning—is the love, care, and genuine concern that define this community: the care we receive from one another, and the care we extend in return. This practiced compassion lies at the very heart of Clarke University. 

Because of it, we are able to move forward courageously with resolve, ensuring that Clarke continues to provide life-changing educational opportunities that prepare students to live lives of purpose and service. In changing individual lives, Clarke changes the world and presses toward a better tomorrow for all. 

That resolve is reflected in concrete work already underway across the university, even as we continue to listen, discern, and respond with care. There are real and substantive signs of hope as we do this work together:   

• The Physical Therapy program recently received a full ten-year reaffirmation from its accrediting body, the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). 



• We remain fully committed to providing every affected student with a clear, supported path to degree completion. Under the leadership of Interim Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs and Dean of the Faculty Dr. Jan Garfield, Clarke has submitted a comprehensive teach-out plan to the Higher Learning Commission. This work is ongoing, and student needs remain at the center of every decision. 

• We have welcomed Julie Cirks back to Clarke as Vice President for Enrollment Management. Julie brings deep expertise and a proven record of success, having played a key role in recruiting Clarke’s largest incoming class in fall 2023. 

• The Cabinet continues its careful discernment of what comes next for Clarke, including consideration of new academic and vocational programs, innovative delivery models, opportunities for non-tuition-based revenue, and long-term strategies to strengthen the university’s sustainability. 

As Christmas approaches, please know how deeply grateful I am for each of you and for the many ways you are caring for Clarke University. 



A university is not a single person, a single program, or a single moment in time. A university is people and programs—students, faculty, staff, alumni, and supporters—working together in shared purpose to fulfill an educational mission that endures beyond any one season. 

In the year ahead, Clarke will continue to do hard things. And we will do them guided by the angels’ message—“Fear not!”—and by Mary Frances Clarke’s enduring assurance: “I have no fear, as long as you are working unitedly.” May those words continue to steady us, strengthen us, and beckon us forward. 

Yvonne C. Zimmerman

Acting President

To those in our community who are experiencing this season most personally and painfully: please know that you are seen, valued, and held in care. Clarke’s commitment to accompany you—with honesty, compassion, and respect—remains steadfast. You do not carry this alone. 

Clarke University

www.clarke.edu