Early on in the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Maryland’s A. James Clark Scholars Program received an email from Natalie Grandison, director of engineering initiatives at the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation, with an ask: At a time when Clark Scholars are looking for ways to help, how can the Clark Foundation serve as a conduit?
“The Foundation was looking to make an impact, both at the community level and with their scholars,” says Elizabeth Galvin, program manager for UMD’s Clark Foundation Scholarship Programs. “It was designed as an opportunity for the cohort to connect and collaborate on something good for their community during a time when they are forced to be apart.”
Twenty Clark Scholars from across the Georgia Tech College of Engineering recently had a challenge extended to them: identify a non-profit responding to Covid-19 and convince a panel of judges that their organization was the most deserving of a $25,000 grant. The Clark Scholars Program, sponsored by the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation, creates an academic experience for students that combines engineering, leadership and community service.
In response to Covid-19, the Foundation wanted to challenge engineering students from across the nation to come up with organizations that would benefit most from a monetary donation. Aptly named The Clark Scholars Program Covid-19 Philanthropy Challenge, students were broken into groups and asked to work together virtually to make an impact on their community.
A Conversation With Multicultural Engineering Program Director Lauren Griggs
Dr. Lauren Griggs is heavily involved in the engineering community at Penn State. Namely, she serves as director of both the Multicultural Engineering Program and Clark Scholars Program, as well as a professor and advisor in the College of Engineering.
Clark Scholars Faculty Advisor Devin Harris joins second cohort of IAspire Leadership Academy
Devin Harris, an Associate Professor of Engineering Systems and Environment, on July 21 was named a fellow in the second cohort of the IAspire Leadership Academy, a leadership program aimed at helping STEM faculty from underrepresented backgrounds ascend to leadership roles at colleges and universities.
Professor David Lovell, a faculty member in the civil and environmental engineering department with a joint appointment in the Institute for Systems Research (ISR), has been appointed director of Gemstone, a multidisciplinary research program at the University of Maryland (UMD).
In this pioneering program, students form teams of 10-15 members and endeavor to address some aspect of a major societal problem. The culmination of their work is a team thesis, which is then submitted for review by a panel representing academia, industry, and government. Students who complete the program successfully receive a Gemstone Citation along with their diploma.
Penn State breaks records with gifts targeted to immediate and long-term needs
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Even as a global pandemic and a national economic downturn unfold, Penn State’s alumni and friends have continued to support the University at unprecedented levels. President Eric Barron announced to the Board of Trustees last week that donors committed more than $381,323,670 in the fiscal year that ended on June 30, surpassing the record of $372,555,732 set last year and continuing a three-year streak of record-breaking commitment totals.
Clark Foundation Celebrates Graduating Clark Scholars as They Carry on Legacy of Engineering Excellence, Service, and Leadership
June 8, 2021
Bethesda, Maryland – The A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation celebrates the 43 A. James Clark Scholars who graduated this year from George Washington University, Johns Hopkins University, University of Virginia, Vanderbilt University, and Virginia Tech. Through the A. James Clark Scholars Program, the Foundation partners with eleven universities to provide scholarships and unique educational opportunities to hundreds of exceptionally talented engineering students with financial need.
These 43 high-achieving Clark Scholars have completed a rigorous engineering and business course of study at their respective institutions that includes leadership and service, a reflection of the values of the program’s namesake, Mr. A. James Clark, an engineer, businessman and philanthropist.
“It’s an honor to see these graduating Clark Scholars carry on my father’s legacy,” said Courtney Clark Pastrick, Board Chair of the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation. “My dad always reflected on how his success began with an engineering scholarship. I know he would be proud to see these Scholars embark on their own careers as leaders in the engineering and business community.”
University of Virginia Clark Scholar Joshua Sahaya Arul of Fairfax, Virginia
Virginia Tech Clark Scholar Nefetari Heath of Roanoke, Virginia. Photo by Ellen Huber
Each year, up to 120 Clark Scholars are selected based on financial need, academic accomplishment, engagement in their communities, interest in engineering and leadership skills.
Through the Foundation’s $165 million investment in its signature academic program, the endowed scholarships will support 475 students annually in perpetuity at partner schools Duke University, George Washington University, Georgia Tech, Johns Hopkins University, Penn State, Stevens Institute of Technology, University of Maryland, University of Pennsylvania, University of Virginia, Vanderbilt, and Virginia Tech. In addition to financial support, the Clark Scholars Program offers a robust community that shepherds the academic and career success of students who are traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields – women, racial and ethnic minorities, and first-generation college students.
“Even before I had met anyone at Vanderbilt, the program had already made me feel as if I belonged on campus. Without the support of the program, both financial and through the resources it has provided, I am not sure where I would be on my path to graduate school. All I can hope for the future is that I can find yet another wonderful community like the one fostered by the Clark Scholars Program and Vanderbilt.”
Yoanna Ivanova, Class of 2021
Clark Scholars Class of 2021
George Washington University
Alexander Broaddus, Ashburn, VA
Joseph Signorelli, Toms River, NJ
Arianna Haven, Philadelphia, PA
Katherine Goldrick, Wantagh, NY
Arjun Vijay, Tampa, FL
Nicholas Jin, Princeton, NJ
Jacob Cannizzaro, Brattleboro, VT
Zachary Stecher, Ventnor, NJ
John Hopkins University
Cara Valencia, Clifton, NJ
Mary Joseph, Marlton, NJ
Drake Foreman, Stafford, VA
Michael Farid, Plano, TX
Ellen Wang, College Station, TX
Nikki Li, Dallas, TX
Eric Rong, Silver Spring, MD
Randy Kuang, West Lafayette, IN
Ishpreet Singh, Charlottesville, VA
Semira Kehnemouyi, Potomac, MD
Jessica Kasamoto, Diamond Bar, CA
Shreya Narayan, Cottage Grove, MN
Jordan Cohen, Miami Beach, FL
Taryn Wong, Kaneohe, HI
Wally Niu, Germantown, MD
University of Virginia
Joshua Sahaya Arul, Fairfax, VA
Vanderbilt University
Adrianna Johnson, Ringgold, GA
Shyla Slater, New Orleans, LA
Irisa Myint, Champaign, IL
Stephanie Schroth, Olmsted Falls, OH
Joseph Holliday, Kansas City, MO
Tim O’Brien, Miami, FL
Reese Phillips, Murrieta, CA
Yoanna Ivanova, Buffalo Grove, IL
Virginia Tech University
Alberto Ceja III, Virginia Beach, VA
Keneil Gordon, Richmond, VA
Clemence Hidalgo, Philippines
Makenzi Moore, Midlothian, VA
Erica He, Virginia Beach, VA
Mia Taylor, Manassas, VA
Ezekiel Volk, Hampton, VA
Nefetari Heath, Roanoke, VA
Julio Villarroel, Falls Church, VA
Ricabelle Pagara, Herndon, VA
About the Clark Scholars Program
As part of our dedication to the engineers of the future, the Foundation established the A. James Clark Scholars Program. The Clark Scholars Program has been implemented at eleven of the nation’s top engineering institutions, financially supporting students with financial need who exhibit strong academic and leadership potential.
Students enrolled in the program pursue a rigorous curriculum of engineering study, take at least 1-2 business classes, and participate in community service. They also attend leadership seminars and events with leaders in the field.
The Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering’s newest Clark Scholar, Vincent Bell, refuses to take sides in a debate that often divides engineers of a certain ilk.
COVID-19 response at Penn State propelled by interdisciplinary connections
In response to the ongoing pandemic, the Manufacturing and Sterilization for COVID-19 (MASC) Initiative was launched at Penn State in March. With more than 350 researchers contributing, the initiative is focused on designing and delivering rapidly scalable solutions and generating tangible impact, particularly within the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Engineering students 3D print PPE for their families on the front lines, including masks and no-touch door openers
“One of the main appeals of the Clark Scholars program for me was community service,” said Rajesh. “I really wanted to give back. Before the pandemic, I wasn’t able to give back in a way that was unique to me. But now I feel like I am really putting my engineering skills to use for good and giving back to the community.”
