2025-2026
THE MAGAZINE OF CLARKE UNIVERSITY is published annually for alumni, parents, and friends of Clarke University.
In this Issue 2
HOPE BEYOND HARDSHIP
12
A LIVING LEGACY: REMEMBERING BARBARA KUTCHERA, BVM ’59
17
CELEBRATION OF SCHOLARSHIP
Beth McGrath ’99, MBA, CPA Vice President for Business and Finance
20
A VALUE-DRIVEN LIFE: REMEMBERING MARY JO FURGAL ’61
Julie Cirks ’06, MSEd. Vice President for Enrollment Management
26
A LEGACY OF CARING FOR OTHERS
INSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS Yvonne C. Zimmerman, Ph.D. President Courtney Leonard, MBA Vice President for Institutional Advancement
CONTRIBUTORS Megan Hinderman, MS Director of Marketing & Communication Elena Dominguez ’20, ’21 MSW Director of Alumni Relations
DESIGNER Brooke Carroll ’06 Senior Graphic Designer
CONTACT INFORMATION Clarke University 1550 Clarke Drive Dubuque, IA 52001-3198 (563)588-6318 clarke.edu
Clarke University does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or disability in its educational programs, admissions policies, employment practices, financial aid, athletics, or other universityadministered programs. Clarke University complies with all pertinent state and federal regulations concerning affirmative action, non-discrimination, and equal employment opportunity.
Graduates gather before Commencement on May 9, 2026.
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A message from T H E P R E S I D E N T Greetings, The story of this past academic year is, in many ways, one of hope beyond hardship. It required Clarke to make difficult decisions in service of its future. As you will read in "Hope Beyond Hardship" (page 2), we took significant steps to strengthen the University's long-term financial sustainability, including the elimination of 13 academic programs and the reorganization of several areas of the institution. While these decisions were necessary, they were not easy. Behind every organizational chart and budget projection are people; colleagues who have contributed their talents, energy, and care to Clarke and its students. The human cost of institutional change is real, and it would be disingenuous to pretend otherwise. At the same time, this year also reminded me of Clarke's enduring strengths. Throughout a period of uncertainty and transition, our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends continued to show up for one another and for this institution. They continued to teach, learn, mentor, serve, create, compete, volunteer, lead, and give. The stories in this issue reflect that reality. You will read about students presenting their work through the Celebration of Scholarship (page 17), artists and audiences gathering through the Edward J. and Cathy Gallagher Arts at Clarke Series (page 24), and alumnae Mary Jo Rossi Furgal ’61* and Sister Barbara Kutchera, BVM, ’59 * whose generosity continues to create life-changing opportunities for today's students. These stories remind us that while institutions evolve, the mission at their heart endures. Looking ahead, our work is not finished. We continue to build a Clarke University that is financially sustainable, academically strong, and deeply committed to the values that have shaped this institution for generations. I remain hopeful—not because the challenges have disappeared, but because I have seen the resilience, creativity, and commitment of the people who make up this community. Thank you for the many ways you continue to support Clarke University and our students. Whether through your generosity, mentorship, advocacy, or simply by sharing your Clarke story, you help ensure that this institution continues to serve future generations. Warmly,
Yvonne C. Zimmerman, Ph.D. President
* Deceased
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HOPE Beyond The Hardship:
CL ARKE' S NE X T CHAPTER
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In nearly 200 years, Clarke University has borne witness to many historic moments. From the times when fur trappers and lead miners dotted the bluffs of Dubuque, we stood as a community dedicated to education. In the face of the Great Depression, World Wars, global pandemics, and destructive fires, we have remained steadfast in our purpose and our mission. Now, Clarke University faces another difficult transition. Since last fall, Clarke has announced the closure of 13 academic programs, faculty position eliminations, and organizational restructuring designed to reduce the university’s operating deficit by approximately $3 million. “The decisions we made were not made lightly,” said President Yvonne C. Zimmerman. “They were made out of necessity. They are born out of a deep commitment to ensuring that Clarke lives on.” While difficult, the Clarke University Board of Trustees has been intimately involved in discussions and planning for the institution and remain fully supportive of these changes. “Because the varied backgrounds of our trustees provide perspectives from the business community as well as higher education, we believe that making these hard decisions is the right thing to do for Clarke’s future,” said Board of Trustees Chair Carolyn (Sanders) Haupert ’66. “Trustees are confident that new initiatives driven by market need can be explored to engender new growth for Clarke.” Across campus, staff roles and administrative operations have also been reorganized in an effort Zimmerman described as “institutional” and “transformational.”
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Still, university leaders emphasized that the transition
Structural Changes Beyond Academic Programs • Aligning Academic and Student Affairs under a single Vice President, with support from a Dean of Academic Affairs, a Dean of Student Affairs, and a Dean of Faculty
is about more than cutting costs.
“We are not only reducing—we are building,” Zimmerman said. Several initiatives aimed at strengthening Clarke’s future are already underway. A generous gift is allowing the university to partner with Credo, a trusted higher education consulting firm, to improve student retention and remove barriers to graduation. Clarke
• Combining Enrollment and Athletics under unified leadership
has also eliminated all long-term debt through a transformative $5 million show of philanthropic support from
• Integrating Institutional Advancement, Alumni Relations, and Marketing & Communications
alumna Honmai (Lam) ’58 and her husband, Joseph Goodman. At the same time, the university is reviewing its real estate
• Establishing Central Services within the Office of Business and Finance
portfolio, developing new academic programs focused on workforce needs and accelerated pathways, and exploring alternative revenue streams beyond traditional undergraduate tuition. In coordination, these steps significantly improve Clarke’s financial strength and flexibility.
Even with those changes, the work is not finished. Clarke’s Board of Trustees has committed to another $1 million in
Zimmerman acknowledged that Clarke is currently
reductions for fiscal year 2027, with additional adjustments
navigating what she called the “messy middle” of the
anticipated in 2028 as the university works toward long-term
transition—not where it was before, but not yet fully
financial stability and eventually a balanced budget.
realized. Academic teach-out plans are in progress, office reorganizations continue, and campus spaces are evolving alongside the institution itself.
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Despite the disruption, she emphasized that students
A COMMUNITY WORKING TOGETHER
and Clarke’s educational mission remain central. Support from alumni, donors, and the broader Clarke “This is not disruption born of carelessness. It is disruption
community has also provided insight and encouragement
born of urgency,” Zimmerman said. “It is rooted in our
during the transition. Over the past year, university leaders
determination to remake Clarke into a financially stable and
have held hundreds of conversations with stakeholders, many
sustainable university so we may continue providing life-long,
of whom expressed grief and concern alongside support for
life-changing education rooted in the BVM Core Values of
Clarke’s future.
Freedom, Education, Charity, and Justice.” That support has translated into meaningful momentum. “Throughout our history, Clarke and the BVM Sisters have
The annual Clarke Day celebration on March 26 raised nearly
navigated difficult moments, always grounded in faith, hope,
$74,000 and the Clarke Fund raised more than $1 million last
and a clear sense of purpose,” added BVM President and Board
year. In total, Clarke raised $8.26 million in the 2025-26 fiscal
of Trustee Member LaDonna Manternach ’82. “The decisions
year and the new BVM Legacy and Innovation Fund has been
before us today are not made lightly, but out of a deep
established to support future growth and innovation.
commitment to ensuring that Clarke continues into the future. Mary Frances Clarke urged us to remain progressive with the
Looking ahead, Clarke continues to explore partnerships and
times while helping students learn to think for themselves,
collaborative opportunities. The university is also investing in
and that vision continues to guide us today.”
student experience improvements, including a transition to Sodexo dining services, while evaluating long-term facilities needs and preparing for a new strategic plan focused on innovation, collaboration and diversified revenue opportunities. Throughout the transition, Zimmerman said the university’s mission remains the guiding force behind every decision. “We are in the midst of taking bold action—and difficult action,” she said. “At every step, the goal is the same: to preserve and advance Clarke’s educational mission. That is what we are trying to protect and that is what we are carrying forward.”
The annual Clarke Day event brought the greater community together not only to reminisce, but to make a meaningful investment in the future.
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The Things That
SHAPE US Getting to Know President Yvonne Zimmerman Through Symbols and Stories
When I was asked to identify five objects that would help tell my story to the Clarke community, doing so turned out to be surprisingly difficult. My laptop that goes everywhere with me? My favorite pens? My diplomas? Eventually, I realized that the objects that are most important to me aren't any of these career or daily work things. The ones I value the most are reminders of people I love, friendships that have endured, ideas that changed me, and commitments that continue to guide my life and work. Taken together, they tell a story about how I came to be who I am.
1. Asher and Emily
If you've spent much time around my office, you've probably met my dogs, Asher (the white one), and maybe even Emily (the tan and white one). The photo of them enthusiastically greeting Santa was taken at Clarke during the Christmas season. They occasionally come to work with me, and Asher, especially, has become something of a campus ambassador. He has never met a stranger. Students, faculty, staff, visitors—he is delighted to meet everyone! As an introvert, I admire that about him. He moves through the world assuming people are worth knowing and with no self-consciousness about engaging everyone he can. Both dogs remind me that relationships matter. No matter how demanding the work becomes, they help keep me grounded in joy, companionship, and connection.
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2. Grounding On a shelf in my office sits a small ceramic piece that reads, "Seek Peace and Pursue It." It was a gift from my friend Megan, whom I've known since college and with whom I attended seminary. We are both from Mennonite backgrounds, and the
Resting on the tray are two natural objects: a feather and
phrase reflects a commitment that shapes Mennonite
a stone. I've always loved rocks and feathers. A beautiful
understandings of the gospel: following Jesus' way of
feather feels almost magical to me—a reminder of the
active, non-violent peacemaking. Peace is not something
beauty and wonder of the natural world and our place
we simply hope for. It is something we pursue and
within it. The stone came from the Pacific Ocean off
actively make in our actions and through relationships.
the Washington coast. It fits perfectly in my hand, and sometimes I hold it there when I need grounding. It
Beside it sits a wooden Clarke tray made by a colleague.
reminds me to be strong and steady like a stone, but also
The tray bears the BVM Core Values of Freedom,
shaped and smoothed by experience.
Education, Charity, and Justice. Those values resonate with me and have been one of the reasons Clarke has felt
Together, these objects remind me of the values and
like such a meaningful place to serve.
practices that help me stay centered.
3. The People Who Shaped Me
Both pieces are also connected, for me, to the memory of Patrick Kaufman, a former student and colleague who died of
Two pieces of artwork from my years on the faculty at Methodist
brain cancer at age 40. Patrick was one of the most brilliant
Theological School in Ohio hang prominently in my office.
students I ever taught—a gifted writer, a clear thinker, and a passionate advocate for justice. He cared deeply about
The first is an Audre Lorde poster given to me by my dean,
farmworkers, sex workers, urban agriculture, and the lives of
Rev. Dr. Valerie Bridgeman. The quote reads: "When I dare to
people too often overlooked. He was whip-smart, but also
be powerful—to use my strength in the service of my vision,
incredibly generous in spirit.
then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid." These words remind me that courage and taking action do
These pieces remind me not only of the values
not require the absence of
that matter to me, but of the people who
fear. It works in tandem
helped cultivate them.
with another saying I love: "Speak your mind, even if your voice shakes." The second is a "Seeds of Resistance" poster that captures many of the commitments that shaped me as an ethicist: justice, dignity, solidarity, and care for the common good.
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The first is Sharon Welch's A Feminist Ethic of Risk. Welch's central insight—that responsible action is not about definitively solving every problem, but about creating possibilities for future resistance, creativity, and change—reshaped how I understand ethics, leadership, and just social change. The second is Janet Jakobsen and Ann Pellegrini's Love the Sin. I could not have written my own book without this one. Their argument that religious freedom and sexual freedom are deeply interconnected opened entirely new ways of thinking for me. One passage remains especially important to me. The authors write about creating "new forms of social life" that make more lives "more inhabitable and more survivable than they currently are."
4. Ideas That Changed Me
For me, that captures the heart and entire aim of social ethics. At its best, our work helps create conditions in
Two books on my shelf fundamentally changed the way I
which more people can flourish. If my scholarly work
think. In fact, I've read and taught them so frequently that
makes any meaningful contribution to the world, I hope it
I have two copies of each because the margins of my first
is that it has made people's lives more humane and more
copies were full and the text utterly over-underlined!
survivable than they otherwise would have been.
5. Putting It All Together
More than an accomplishment, the book reminds me how profoundly our lives are shaped by the people we meet,
My book, Other Dreams of Freedom: Religion, Sex, and Human
the ideas we encounter, and the communities to which
Trafficking, began as my doctoral dissertation. It was my first
we belong. It stands at
major scholarly publication and eventually became one of the
the intersection of many
most significant accomplishments of my professional life.
of the influences in my life, and serves as a
Seeing it published by a leading academic press was
reminder that ideas
deeply meaningful, but what mattered even more were the
matter—and that when
conversations and communities it opened. The book connected
ideas are connected
me with scholars, activists, ethicists, and advocates working in
to communities and
anti-trafficking, harm reduction, and social justice movements.
lived commitments,
It allowed me to participate in conversations that shaped much
they can help create
of my professional world before coming to Clarke.
a more just, humane, and hopeful world.
Looking back, I see Other Dreams of Freedom as the convergence of many of the things represented elsewhere in my office. It reflects the influence of mentors and friends, the intellectual traditions that formed me, and the commitments to justice, freedom, and human dignity that have guided my work
Find President Zimmerman’s
for many years.
Curriculum Vitae, newsletters, and more at clarke.edu/about-clarke/profile-of-our-president.
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Clarke Holds
182
nd
Annual Commencement On Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 2 p.m., Clarke University welcomed
L to R: President Yvonne Zimmerman, valedictorians MacKenzie Wisner and Faith Krapfl, and Board of Trustee Chair Carolyn (Sanders) Haupert ’66.
friends and family to the Robert and Ruth Kehl Center on campus to celebrate the class of 2026. 259 candidates for associate, bachelors, master’s and doctoral
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Sport
degrees crossed the stage in acknowledgement of their
Management graduate Marcela Fajardo ’26 was then
impressive academic pursuits, including research, internships,
recognized as the Francis J. O’Connor Memorial Award
and more.
recipient. The most prestigious award given to a graduating senior, the award recognizes Marcela’s demonstrations of
This year’s class showcased academic excellence, with 70
leadership, cooperation, generosity, kindness, and academic
students earning academic honors. Among them were the two
achievement throughout her time at Clarke.
class valedictorians, MacKenzie Wisner ’26, Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science, and Faith Krapfl ’26, Bachelor of Arts in
Additionally, Assistant Professor of Education Lee Johnson was
Secondary Education and Mathematics. In an address to the
honored as this year’s Meneve Dunham Excellence in Teaching
graduating class, Krapfl shared just a brief mathematics lesson
Award recipient, and Commencement Speaker Rev. Dr. Jeffrey
and a call to action for the class of 2026.
Bullock was presented an honorary degree for his dedication to higher education and the greater Dubuque community prior to
“Every single vector has a direction and every vector has a
the awarding of degrees.
magnitude. I am here today to tell you that each and every one of you is a vector . . . having direction and magnitude in your life
The class of 2026 would like to extend a special thank you to
is a must,” Krapfl said. “In a world that seems so driven by hate
all who celebrated with them and supported them on their
and differences lately, why can’t we be the ones to start leading
journey. To watch a recording of the ceremony, please visit
with love and kindness? There’s not a doubt in my mind that
our Clarke A/V YouTube page and select “Clarke University
this group of students before me can do just that.”
Commencement 2026.”
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Help Us Welcome Our Newest Alumni: By Jazz Daughtrey ’27
Steele | Biology & Psychology Originally from Allens Park, Colorado, Steele doubled majored in Biology and Psychology which combine his goals of becoming a physician and breaking the stigma of mental health, especially in men. After graduation he will work as an endoscopy technician at GI of Rockies in Colorado. Steele is a dedicated leader who has served as Clarke Student Association President, Scholars Program President, and Biology Club President, while also contributing as a Resident Assistant and football team leader. His impact extended beyond campus through service trips, Campus Ministry, and involvement with Quench and Connect, a non-profit started by Clarke alumna Kathryn (Rist) Ely ’66. His advice to freshman is “Don’t be too cool to try something new. Take risks, because everything can change in four years and that’s a good thing.”
Joshua | Computer Science Hailing from Johannesburg, South Africa, Joshua is a Computer Science major whose journey to Dubuque began with inspiration from his sister and a passion for the major’s broad opportunities. Joshua built community as a Resident Assistant and an active campus leader, serving on the boards of Future Young Professionals and Mackin and Mailander. After graduation, Joshua plans to work in IT management in Washington, D.C., with the goal of adding value wherever he can. He hopes to be remembered as someone who asked questions and made meaningful contributions. Reflecting on his time at Clarke and in the United States, Joshua realized that, “college is more than just academics. Pay attention to relationships, both horizontal and vertical. Do more than just school, live!”
Marcela | Business Administration Originally from Honduras, Marcela came to Clarke University unsure of her major but was open to new experiences, people, and opportunities. She discovered her passion for Business Administration and Marketing through hands-on involvement and connections with others. Marcela made those connections through the Clarke Association of Student Athletes, serving as a Clarke Student Association Senator and Admissions Tour Guide, earning a spot on the leadership council for women’s soccer, and volunteering through Campus Ministry. Her involvement earned her the 2026 Francis J. O’Connor Memorial Award, the highest honor given to a graduating senior. After graduation, she will begin her career with the BecomeMore Group, a consulting agency co-founded by Clarke alumnus Scott Burgmeyer ’94.
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2026
Stories from the Class of 2026 Jaycee | Master of Social Work
A Syracuse, Utah native, Jaycee graduated this May with her Master of Social Work, after
earning her bachelor’s in Social work and Psychology in 2025. As a graduate assistant for Counseling Services, she helped expand the grant funded Cupboard+Closet into a key resource for students. She credits her time at Clarke for building her confidence and reinforcing the importance of kindness and connection. After graduation, she plans to return to Utah to begin her career in social work, staying true to her passion for helping others and making people feel seen. She encourages incoming students to get involved and connect with others, and hopes to be remembered as someone who was kind, welcoming, and genuine.
Royce | Doctor of Physical Therapy From a small-town upbringing in Belleville, Wisconsin, Royce has spent the past six years at Clarke University building toward a career in physical therapy through the Biology and Doctor of Physical Therapy programs. Royce's journey into physical therapy began after a serious high school basketball injury that required extensive rehab and ultimately inspired his career path. He credits the physical therapy program’s close-knit environment and long study hours for shaping his experience, along with mentorship from Professors Michelle Slover and Brad Kruse, who influenced his academic and professional growth. Outside the classroom, Royce stayed active in the Dubuque community through volunteer work and service. After graduation, he plans to remain in the area and pursue a career in outpatient physical therapy, helping patients return to the activities they enjoy.
Sara | Education and Studio Art When a child called her “teacher” during a horse-riding lesson, something clicked for Sara. Starting Clarke’s Education program confirmed her passion for learning and helping others, and she’s added a major in Art and a Special Education endorsement to her studies. Outside of the classroom, Sara has gotten involved with the Clarke Activities Board and is also the President of the Ceramics Club. She and a group of friends even launched a new organization, the Cast & Crew Club. After graduation, Sara plans to teach locally and stay involved in the arts community. Reflecting on her experience, her advice to upcoming students is to always keep an open mind. “Clarke has opened my eyes in a lot of ways. I am more aware of how I treat and approach others, and even what I need to be successful. I am very proud of my personal growth.”
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THE SPIRIT OF THE BVMS LIVES ON:
Stories of the Sister
Barbara Kutchera Scholarships and Service Trips By Joe Kutchera While growing up, I knew that my Aunt Barbara was a Catholic nun. But I had no idea how unique that fact was until I became a teenager. When the subject would come up, I would share the fact that my Dad’s sister was a BVM and taught in the English Department at Clarke College (now Clarke University). My friends would smile back at me as if I had said, “Mary Poppins is my nanny,” their mouths dropping open slightly, perhaps with one eyebrow raised or head cocked to one side. Yet, like Mary Poppins, my Aunt – Sister Barbara Kutchera, BVM ’59 * – did have a conviviality, youthfulness, and even magic to her presence. She listened deeply to other people and made you feel heard. She spoke with great passion and enthusiasm about social justice issues, yet she was never angry or bitter. She was a Libra, as I am, an astrological sign represented by the scales, the symbol for fairness and justice. Perhaps it’s that spiritual-zodiac connection which makes me remember her mission to work towards social justice more acutely. I remember her explaining to me and my siblings about boycotting grapes, for example, to support the United Farm Workers, facilitating a feeling that you too could make a difference in this world simply by deciding what not to purchase in a grocery store.
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* Deceased
Invitation To Dinner
staying in Manhattan’s most expensive neighborhood. I asked
One of my most memorable moments with Sister Barbara
her, “How did you arrange that?” She replied, “Oh when I called
was in the mid-1990s, when she led discussion groups and
them, I told them that I’m a nun and that I’m here for my
taught creative writing and poetry to incarcerated women
nephew’s graduation. And when I asked if there was a place to
at the Milwaukee County Jail, ministering to their hearts and
stay, they told me that clergy can stay free of charge.”
minds. We both attended St. Benedict the Moor church in downtown Milwaukee, just opposite the jail on State Street, which has a long history of social activism with a Capuchinled feed-the-hungry program where church groups from around the city cook and feed homeless people. She invited me to dinner one summer evening to join her as a woman was to be set free from a period of incarceration. We approached the side door of the jail, waiting there in the dirty alleyway for this woman, whom I’ll call Lucy. Sister Barbara told me a bit about her, then whispered that she may have been a prostitute. Just as the door clicked open, Lucy walked out in an enthusiastic hurry but then Sister Barbara approached her saying something like, “Are you Lucy? My name is Sister Barbara Kutchera. I work in jail ministry and I would like to invite you to dinner. My nephew, Joe, will join us too if that’s okay.” And there was that look of suspended disbelief again, but this time from Lucy. Her facial expression conveyed a combination of, “Nuns still exist?” and, “Someone cares enough to invite me to dinner when I get out of jail?” Lucy paused and then agreed to join us.
Sister Barbara Kutchera, BVM (center, in blue and red jacket) started The Shade Tree ministry site for African American women in Milwaukee with Sister Sue Effinger, BVM (at left in white cap) and Sister Helen Gourlay, BVM (far right with red scarf), pictured here with their clients in 2001.
Clarke’s English Department Sister Barbara Kutchera taught in Clarke’s English department from 1964 to 1992, and even served as department chair. The
We drove to a modest diner nearby, ordered our meals and
holy spirit then called her to create a ministry site in Milwaukee,
then Sister Barbara requested that we say a prayer. Lucy
her hometown, for African American women, named The Shade
obliged and Sister Barbara thoughtfully prayed for Lucy’s
Tree, which she dedicated herself to until the end of her life.
new chapter of her life: for new found freedom out of jail but also for the emotional and logistical challenges ahead in re-
When I learned that Clarke’s English Department was to be
establishing oneself after being incarcerated. You could see in
discontinued, I wondered how she would have reacted to that
Lucy’s eyes that in receiving that prayer and being listened to,
news. Sister Barbara loved teaching literature. And through
that Sister Barbara could bring someone closer to the Light.
reading and discussing novels, she facilitated students’ understanding of human beings’ needs, wants and desires
Wherever and whenever she introduced herself as Sister
through analyzing a books’ characters. Societal tensions and
Barbara Kutchera, emphasizing the fact that she was a nun,
inequalities, from Charles Dickens’ novels for example, could
my Aunt could talk her way into or out of nearly anything that
suddenly come alive in her classroom and enable students to
the holy spirit called her to do. Perhaps that was getting Lucy’s
see problems in our modern time.
name from a security guard or getting access to the jail when she forgot her driver’s license.
“In everything she did, she gave her students valuable lessons about the dignity of each person – the “least”
I’ll never forget a moment when she joined me and my family
among us,” Moira Urich ’82 wrote in Clarke Magazine’s
for my graduation from Fordham University in New York City.
summer 2005 edition. “This approach may have been unusual
As an evening of festivities wound down, I asked her where
in many 19th-century British novel classes. But in Sister
her hotel was. She told me that she was staying at a Friary at
Barbara’s classes, literary themes were tied to contemporary
the corner of Thompson and Prince…for free. I replied, “That’s
injustices involving the homeless, gays and lesbians, or those
SOHO!” my eyes bulging open in surprise to Sister Barbara
trying to survive in war zones of El Salvador and Nicaraagua.”
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The English Department was her baby of nearly 30 years, so surely,
Rick invited me to listen to a presentation by the five students
she would have felt devastated about this news. “High-cost,
who went to Milwaukee on the Kutchera service trip during
low-enrollment” programs with fewer than ten graduates
spring break 2025. The photos of Rick and the five students
per year were to be discontinued, including the English
volunteering at Casa Romero Renewal Center, MacCanon
Department, so it was an economic decision that would focus
Brown Homeless Sanctuary, and the Guest House of Milwaukee
the University on its strengths, its most in-demand majors.
made me feel as though Sister Barbara’s spirit had returned to earth. But it was the photo of them in front of the entrance
The closing of other liberal arts universities paints a far more
to St Benedict the Moor church meal program that stopped
dire alternative to cost cutting and “organizational rightsizing.”
me in my tracks, as if I were witnessing Rick and the students
For example, Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee and
taking the baton of BVM values directly from Sister Barbara
Holy Names University in Oakland, California, both Catholic,
and delivering it into the present moment.
shut down in 2023. Lower birth rates since the 2008 recession have led to declining enrollments. This is compounded by the fact that a majority of Americans now question the value of a four-year college degree, causing some high school graduates to seek alternative career paths in skilled trades and to start working immediately after high school. Yet, with a view towards the long term, Sister Barbara would have understood that this decision, however difficult, would enable Clarke University’s financial sustainability to bring the BVM Core Values far into the future. At the same time, she would be comforted to know that Clarke’s students will carry the torch of the BVM’s Core Values onward as Sister Barbara’s true passion was peace and justice. But who is carrying the baton of those BVM values forward? Two of Sister Barbara's previous students from Clarke, Moira Urich ’82 and Michelle Felix ’88 established the Sister Barbara Kutchera Peace & Justice Scholarship in 2007, which aims to encourage students who have shown a commitment to peace and justice issues as well as provide financial assistance to them. Three Clarke English professors at the time also assisted in its
Brother Henryk Cisowski, at right, meets with Clarke University students and Rick Rupprecht, lower left with cap, Director of Campus Ministry at Clarke University, at the entrance of St. Ben's Community Meal in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
creation: Sara McAlpin, BVM ’56*, Pat Nolan, BVM*, and Sara
Pat
Katie
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Shortly thereafter, another message of hope arrived in my
Katie Fischer ’73.
email inbox. Marcela Fajardo ’26, a recent Clarke Business
75% of the funds go
Administration graduate, originally from Honduras, emailed me
towards an annual
to say thank you for being awarded the Sister Barbara Kutchera
scholarship for one
Scholarship. Her eloquent note of gratitude channeled Sister
student, who writes
Barbara’s spirit so clearly. Yet, it also exemplified that there’s
an essay and shows
nothing more important than writing well, to convey what
interest and leadership
you want to say, no matter what discipline you study. With
in peace and justice
this in mind, I hope that Clarke’s students, no matter what
work. And 25% of the
they study, all take advantage of the dedicated Writing Center
funds goes towards a
coaching and classes from Clarke’s Writing Faculty in Clarke’s
social justice service trip
General Education Curriculum. May the writing professors and
during spring break every year, led by Rick
instructors there carry the torch of Clarke’s former English
Rupprecht, Director of Campus Ministry.
Department forward.
* Deceased
Nooks And Crannies
Remembering that experience today, while
When I was around nine years old, I remember visiting my Aunt
living in a world where politicians, celebrities
Barbara where she lived on Alta Vista Street, which means
and social media influencers scream over
“high view,” with my younger brother and sister. On one of those
one another, it seems quite difficult, even
visits to Dubuque, she asked us one weekend morning if we
impossible sometimes, to see or hear the
wanted to go on a walk to look for nooks and crannies. We
people hiding in the nooks and crannies
cocked our head to one side and raised our eyebrows asking,
in our society: the immigrants, the farm
“What are nooks and crannies?”
workers, the hungry. Yet they are there. My Aunt Barbara’s spirit reminds me to keep an eye open for them, to see the beauty in all people. I can say with certainty that the good works of BVMs shine light into nearly every nook and cranny throughout Dubuque and everywhere they’ve worked. And to keep that spirit alive, we all need to look and pray for those in need, for the most vulnerable, and do good deeds to bring more light into the world. To support the Sister Barbara Kutchera
Sister Barbara Kutchera with Joe, Andrew, and Peggy Kutchera during a family visit to Dubuque, Iowa around the time they discovered nooks and crannies.
Scholarship at Clarke University, visit clarke.edu/magazinegift and complete your gift using a credit or debit card.
She explained that nooks and crannies are the small spaces
Select “Other” under designations
that may be hidden or hard to find. Perhaps they were a perfect
and type “Sister Barbara Kutchera
corner for cats to snuggle in. Or a shady porch nook, a perfect
Scholarship” to direct your support,
spot in which to drink a morning tea. That sounded magical
or contact development@clarke.edu
and so we jumped at the chance to go on an adventure to look
with any questions.
for something completely new. We walked around
her hilly neighborhood with fresh eyes asking, “Is that a nook or cranny?” Each house we passed
Joe Kutchera is a marketing communications advisor and the
and every corner we turned, we looked for shady nooks inside
author of four books, the most
windows or crannies between apartment buildings and asked
recent of which is Portraits of
for her affirmation that we had indeed found one.
Immigrant Voices.
I remember rounding a bend to see a cat in a small window, snuggled in the sunlight, perched above the living room of its owner. We laughed and thought how could we have been missing this? My reality had been reset. It still holds a place in my memory like the scene in Mary Poppins when she shows the two little children how to jump into a chalk painting on the sidewalk. Anything is possible, it’s just a matter of adjusting your mindset.
clarkeMAGAZINE | 15
K UTCH E R A S E RV ICE TRI P
Explores Social Justice IN MISSOURI
During the 2026 Spring Break, six
Other stops on the trip included the Archdiocese
Clarke University students shared
of St. Louis, the Dred and Harriet Scott Memorial,
their time and talents with the
the Missouri History Museum, and a stop from
broader community through the
the underground railroad. For sophomore
Kutchera Service Trip.
DeRyah Maxey, a visit to the Girot Museum of Black History had an emotional impact.
This annual Campus Ministry offering has a heavy focus on social justice issues, and this year was no exception. Many of
“They had a replica of what a slave ship would have been like.
the stops on this year’s trip had a significant tie to the Black
The space was so dark and tight, it just made you ache for what
experience in America, from historic moments to modern sites.
these people went through,” DeRyah said. “I have always been
One of the first stops on the trip was a meeting with “Forward
went though. This trip meant so much to me.”
interested in researching Black history and what my ancestors Through Ferguson,” a nonprofit group formed to help heal the community after the police-involved shooting of 18-year-old
As for service, the students visited several churches and helped
Michael Brown in 2014. For the past decade, the group has
them set up community events, while also learning about the
striven to advance conversation and action around racial
important work these institutions do for their neighborhoods.
equity, not just in their community, but across the region.
This included a stop near Hannibal, Missouri, where the
Clarke students were also able to meet with police officers
students learned about the Venerable Augustus Tolton.
who served in the Ferguson protests following Brown’s death, as well as visit the site where Brown died.
“Augustus Tolton was the first Black priest in the United States, and we visited the church where he was baptized, as well as his
“The community still maintains that site, even when the city
grave. Fr. Tolton is on the path to sainthood, so to be at these
wanted to have the flowers and memorials removed,” said
sites was a moving and unique experience.” said Director of
Bridget Bracy, a sophomore who participated in the trip.
Campus Ministry Rick Rupprecht. “We are so grateful to Joe
“Being at the site made you think a lot about how the world has
Kutchera, his family, and our donors for making these service
changed and how it hasn’t. The community won’t let Michael’s
trips possible. These trips change lives and create memories
story be forgotten.”
when students think about their time at Clarke University.”
clarkeMAGAZINE | 16
3rd Annual Celebration of Scholarship Promotes
Academic Excellence On Monday, March 23, Clarke University held its third annual
As part of the Celebration of Scholarship, the
Celebration of Scholarship.
following awards were presented:
The annual event offers opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to share their
STEVE KAPELKE AWARD
research as well as connections
FOR MOST INNOVATIVE PRESENTATION:
to the greater community.
“8-Week Sound Design Course & Performance”
Over three dozen students
– Kaedynce Stevens ’26,
presented posters on topics
Maya England ’27, and Katey Theis ’27
ranging from biochemistry to art, educational best practices, music,
BEST RESEARCH:
and more. Breakout sessions
“Examining the Impact of Bacillus subtilis
throughout the day also allowed
Pretreatment on Calcium Oxalate Stone
for more in-depth research
Formation and Malpighian Tubule
from faculty and student teams, including a demonstration from
Function in Drosophilia melanogaster” – Samantha Miller ’26
Clarke’s new Mock Trial team. PEOPLE’S CHOICE FOR BEST IN SHOW: “The Celebration of Scholarship is
“Effects of Sports Related Concussion
truly part of the institutional fabric
on Mental Health”
that we look forward to annually,”
– Riley Bard ’26
said Dr. Aimee Taylor, Chair of First-Year Studies and member of the Faculty Development Committee
Additionally, students were able to take part
which hosted the event. “It generates
in a Career Fair and meet with 27 companies
excitement around our scholarly work
and area organizations offering internship
and shines a spotlight on the rich,
and employment opportunities. The Clarke
rigorous academic environment here
Alumni Association Networking Committee
at Clarke. Most importantly, this event
assisted with the orientation for the Career
helps students make a pivotal shift
Fair, offering a unique opportunity to network
from student to professional.”
with current and former Clarke students.
This year, we saw tremendous growth in the event from years one and two with new features, like Mock Trial that was livestreamed on YouTube and funded awards. I’m thrilled to see what next year will bring. - Aimee Taylor
“We were excited to take part in this year’s event and continue to promote the growth of this unique opportunity for current students and alumni to connect,” said Director of Alumni Relations Elena Dominguez ’20, ’21MSW.
If you’re interested in getting involved in future Career Fairs or the Celebration of Scholarship, connect with our Alumni Relations Office at alumnirelations@clarke.edu.
clarkeMAGAZINE | 17
Clarke Lacrosse Hosts
I NTE RNATIONAL E XH I BITION As preparation for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, Clarke University was honored to host Team Vietnam for an exhibition match on November 22, 2025. The event was one of only four international Lacrosse exhibitions in the United States this year. Clarke Head Coach and Director of Lacrosse Tucker La Belle ’22 was inspired to coordinate the exhibition after coaching the Bulgarian National Team in 2024. Meeting coaches from around the world lit a fire in him to bring the sport greater recognition in the United States, one game at a time. “Lacrosse is set to appear in the 2028 Olympics as a demonstration sport for the first time since 1948. Seeing as they will be hosted in Los Angeles, there is no better time for people here to discover the game,” La Belle said.
“It was also a fantastic chance for Clarke’s student-athletes to feel what it’s like to play at that Olympic level. We have nine players who could qualify for their national team. A chance like this encourages them to push themselves, push their aspirations, and see what’s really possible.”
clarkeMAGAZINE | 18
STOCK UP ON CLARKE GEAR FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! Visit the Whitlow Campus Store on campus or scan the QR code to shop online
The day included three Olympic-style Lacrosse matches, lasting about 45 minutes each. This included two series for Clarke Lacrosse against Team Vietnam, as well as one match for Vietnam vs. the Iowa Dogfish, Iowa’s Box Lacrosse team, which has several Clarke alumni on its roster. Team Vietnam ultimately took all three matches. While they were grateful for the competition, they were also proud to be able to celebrate some of their heritage. “It means a lot to be able to represent Vietnam at the international level,” said Van Hoang, one of Team Vietnam’s captains. “My family came to America during the war, so a lot of our family history was lost or pushed aside. Playing for Vietnam Lacrosse has presented a unique opportunity for me to research and reconnect with my roots, as well as represent my heritage through the sport I love.” Following the exhibition, Clarke University hosted a special dinner for all athletes and their families, sponsored by Matt Delaney of Delaney’s Auto & Ag and Delaney’s Ice Cream. “Matt has been a fantastic supporter of our team and the community in general,” La Belle said. “Having the dinner together allowed those bonds off the field to grow deeper. It was a fantastic cultural experience for our student-athletes and the members of Team Vietnam.”
NEED A PICK-ME-UP WHILE SHOPPING? Enjoy a coffee or Lotus tea from Brew & Gold, located in the campus store!
A VALUE-DRIVEN LIFE Remembering
Mary Jo Rossi Furgal ’61 By Joseph Furgal
Like many Clarke graduates, my wife, Mary Jo Rossi Furgal ’61 always credited the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary with catapulting her into a life full of curiosity and challenges. When Mary Jo passed away in October 2025, I found myself reflecting on our time together and how she stayed true to those values for over 50 years.
clarkeMAGAZINE | 20
Her connections to the BVMs started
Toshiko Osada ’61*, Mary Jo developed a passion for not
at an early age in the Chicago area
just learning about other cultures, but championing
with elementary school teachers
marginalized communities wherever she was.
like Sr. Eva Sheehan, with whom she formed a lifelong connection. When
Sr. Dorita also introduced Mary Jo to the University of
Mary Jo enrolled at what was then
Hawaii and their new East-West Center. Following her
Clarke College, Sr. Eva’s cousin, Sr.
graduation from Clarke, Mary Jo was accepted to the
Dorita Clifford, opened her eyes to
growing program there. Dedicated to the promotion
the wider world through History,
of better relations and understanding among the people
and the study of Asian History
and nations of the United States and the Pacific basin,
in particular. Through Sr. Dorita,
the Center allowed Mary Jo to take part in cooperative
a study abroad opportunity in
study, research, and dialogue. After graduation and
Vienna, and powerful connections
a grant-funded stay in Kyoto, Japan in 1966-67, Mary Jo
with fellow Clarke students like
returned to Chicago in 1968.
* Deceased
clarkeMAGAZINE | 21
At first, Chicago offered limited opportunities to use
Our work embraced a broad range of Sri Lankan society.
her international experience. Yet when I met her in
One day, Mary Jo was in the office of the President of
1969, we found something. No, it wasn’t love at first
the country and I was in one of the oldest prisons in the
sight, but someone who could share some of our
country, guiding students who were working with prisoners
most formative experiences. When we heard each
condemned to death. This theme of learning about different
other talking about living in Kyoto or Nha Trang
cultures in unique ways would continue for much of our lives.
or Vienna or Wurzburg, and traveling in Malaysia
From attending the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra
or Yugoslavia or Greece or Philippines or Holland,
in Romania to simple dinner parties in our homes in India,
we felt a connection. When we married in 1971, we
Nepal, Bangladesh, and Zimbabwe, we sought out every
began an incredible partnership that lasted 54
opportunity to learn from those around us.
years and traversed over 50 countries. During her second tour in Madras, India, I was called to For a time, our cross-cultural exchanges were
Washington by the State Department for my own work as a
limited to personal travel and participation in
Foreign Affairs specialist. The closest assignment for me was in
opportunities like the Chicago Council on Foreign
Kathmandu, Nepal, so we spent 18 months apart. We took turns
Relations and the Crossroads International Student
enduring two 10-hour flights and a layover in Calcutta, India,
Center in Hyde Park. Finally, in 1978 Mary Jo was
every other month until we could coincide our assignments.
called by the United States Information Agency, later reorganized into the U.S. Department of State,
While it came with difficulties, the joy and depth of the work
to serve as a Foreign Service Cultural Affairs Officer.
kept us engaged and enthralled. Together and in our individual
Her first posting was to Sri Lanka for a Junior Officer
careers, we connected artists and scholars across oceans and
Training year where she shadowed all the sections
built kinships among people. We wrestled with the prominent
of the Embassy. Thankfully, I was hired by UNICEF
issues of the day, not for personal glory but to advance values
to work at the Sri Lanka School of Social Work,
we believed in during some of the most tumultuous and
allowing us to travel together.
captivating times in modern history.
clarkeMAGAZINE | 22
Over 17 years with the State Department, Mary Jo organized
In our half a century together, we had many
lectures, exhibitions, performances, briefings, and seminars
amazing experiences. Yet one of the things
aimed at uniting people. This included two tours abroad from
I will remember most is her radiant smile.
1979-1984 and 1990-2000, as well as work in Washington D.C.
Mary Jo conveyed a special warmth toward all.
from 1984-1990. Even in retirement, she stayed involved with
Her graciousness and joie de vivre made a lasting
organizations that contribute to thriving communities, like
impression on everyone she met. Her grace,
the Arlington Philharmonic Orchestra, the National Council on
strength, and courage were very much on display
International Visitors, and more.
during her decade long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. Her zest for life and love, kindness,
She also sought opportunities to empower others to travel
and generosity touched so many lives in very
and experience the world, including those in the Clarke
constructive and memorable ways. This was
community. In 2002, Mary Jo established the Furgal Study
evident in the dozens of emails, texts, and other
Abroad & Internship Fund, which supports semester or year-long
correspondents that came in from around the
study abroad trips, as well as supplementing unpaid internships
world at the news of her passing last fall. While I
that allow students to travel and experience another culture.
miss her tremendously, I find peace and solace in
By removing financial barriers such as the cost of passports, visas,
thousands of sweet, lovely memories that will live
tuition, and more, it was Mary Jo’s hope that more students could
forever. Thank you for letting me share some of
enjoy life-changing experiences like she did through Clarke.
those memories with you all.
clarkeMAGAZINE | 23
Events for ALL
JOE DUDY, FORMER PRESIDENT & CEO OF WILSON SPORTING GOODS CO. In April 2026, Clarke students had the one-of-a-kind chance to sit down with Joe Dudy, former President and CEO of Wilson Sporting Goods Co. In his talk, “Learn Before you Earn” Duddy
From current students to alumni and community members,
shared his experiences going from a first-generation college
Clarke University is proud to host events that entertain,
graduate to the President of an international brand. As CEO, he
educate, and empower our community. These are just some
guided Wilson through some of its most challenging moments,
of the unique lectures and activities we brought to campus
including the COVID-19 pandemic, while strengthening the
during the 2025-2026 academic year.
brand and positioning the company for continued growth and
ARTIST & ACTIVIST YOHANCE LACOUR
innovation.
The Mackin-Mailander Lecture Series welcomed awardwinning artist and podcaster Yohance Lacour to campus in October 2025 to discuss “The Therapeutic Nature of Social Justice-Driven Art.” His talk highlighted his Peabody Award and the Pulitzer Prize-winning podcast, You Didn’t See Nothing, which explored a 1997 hate crime and the effects still felt today. Additionally, he shared how his own experiences influence his YJL luxury sneaker label and leather artistry, as well as his overall involvement in social-justice initiatives.
CLARKE FEST 2026 Clarke’s sixth annual street fair brought hundreds of people to campus for music, food, and fun as part of the Edward J. and Cathy Gallagher Endowed Arts at Clarke Series. Guests enjoyed family-friendly entertainment from Laura Ernst’s Micro Circus, singer/songwriter Shekinah King, and Haven’s Petting Farm. Student organizations also hosted booths, including the Clarke Activities Board, Ceramics Club, and more.
A NIGHT IN NEW ORLEANS The thrills of Bourbon Street were felt on Clarke Drive during our annual “Night In” performance. Attendees enjoyed a dinner of Creole favorites in the Atrium while they were serenaded by the Clarke Jazz ensemble. The party then moved to Jansen Music Hall, where NOLA Jazz Band took the stage for lively performances of Blues & Jazz standards. These and dozens of other events are possible each year thanks to our Community Engagement Committee. Event planning has already begun for the 2026-2027 academic year. Watch for updates and announcements at clarke.edu/community-events.
Looking to connect with fellow alumni? We host events locally and all over the country. Scan the QR code to find upcoming events!
clarkeMAGAZINE | 24
Greetings! As President of your Clarke Alumni Association Board, I’m thrilled
Lastly, if you’ve recently changed your address
to share some of the incredible highlights and celebrations that
or contact details, please take a moment to
have shaped our Clarke community over the past year. From
update your information with the Alumni
personal milestones to professional achievements, these stories
Relations office using this quick form.
are just a glimpse into the inspiring work our 10,000+ alumni are
Staying connected means we can keep you
doing to make a difference around the globe. You can explore
in the loop on all things Clarke.
even more uplifting updates anytime at clarke.edu/classnotes. Wishing you joy and continued success in It’s truly heartwarming to see classmates reaching new career
2026 and beyond!
heights, embracing retirement adventures, and celebrating life’s big moments—like weddings and new arrivals—who just
Go Pride!
might be Clarke’s Class of 2048! These updates remind us that wherever life takes us, the Clarke spirit is alive and well. As you enjoy reading these stories, I encourage you to share your
Andy Schroeder ’02, ’10M
own. Whether it’s a promotion, a move, or a new passion project,
Clarke University Alumni
we’d love to hear about it. The BVM sisters taught us humility,
Association Board President
but this is your moment to shine—go ahead and brag a little! And while you're at it, invite your Clarke friends to do the same. This digital publication is a quick, feel-good read that connects us all—no ads, no distractions, just good news from your alma mater!
Alumni
Highlights From awards and promotions to weddings and growing families, our alumni have so much to celebrate, we couldn't fit it all in one magazine! Catch up with more classmates and friends at clarke.edu/classnotes.
TORY ! SHARE YOUR S ke.edu or clar alumnirelations@ ote du/submitclassn .e ke ar cl at e lin on !) nd pictures
(Don’t forget to se
A LEGACY OF
Caring for Others When Joey Ward ’26 was deciding on colleges, Clarke held
“As soon as I took a tour I knew I liked Clarke, and that feeling
a special place in his parents’ hearts. But as the youngest of
got deeper the more involved I became,” Joey said. Over his
their three children, John and Kelly (Hoyer) Ward ’89 were
four years on campus, he discovered a love for Social Work and
determined to let Joey determine his own path.
Psychology, choosing to double major, work as a department tutor, and take part in the first offerings of the Psychology
“I volunteered as a Tuckpointer, I was elected to the
Research Lab. Like his mother before him, he served terms with
Homecoming court with my future husband, John, and the
the Clarke Student Association and as class president. They also
Wahlert Atrium opened my senior year. There are so many
share a connection through athletics — Kelly played basketball
moments at Clarke that shaped me and still hold a special
and was part of the inaugural softball team. Joey was an
place in my heart,” Kelly said. “On his tour, I could see that Joey
instrumental part of the soccer team, finding opportunities to
felt at home here, but I wanted it to be his decision.”
get involved, even when an injury left him sidelined.
clarkeMAGAZINE | 26
“I was able to take on more of a student coach and managerial role, and it proved to be a turning point for me,” Joey said. “It helped me draw connections between what I was studying and how mental health support really comes into play as you are recovering from an injury, starting at a new school far from home, or working through other
REWARDING Clarke Connections
challenges. I discovered how helping others is a real motivator for me.”
Clarke University is proud to celebrate
It’s a motivation he shares with his mother, Kelly. Following her
legacy families like the Wards with our
graduation from Clarke with her degree in elementary education, Kelly taught in the Cedar Rapids area for many years, eventually
Legacy Grant program. Students with
adding a degree in education counseling. She retired in 2019, but, as Kelly says, God had other plans. “An opportunity at Mt. Mercy University opened up in disability
a parent, grandparent, sibling or spouse who is a current student or graduate
services, which I had always been passionate about,” Kelly said. “I considered it an ‘encore career’ at the time, but it has proven
of Clarke are eligible to receive a grant
to be exceptionally fulfilling work.”
of $1,000 toward tuition. The grant Now, Kelly’s encore has become the main event. She is the director of the Academic Center for Excellence, serving hundreds of students
is renewable over four years.
every year. Thanks to programming spearheaded by Ward, the university enjoys a cumulative GPA of over 3.33 for student-athletes across 22 varsity sports. This, along with other efforts, earned her recognition as a 2026 Woman of Influence by the Corridor Business Journal. “It was a real honor, and it just goes to show that if you are willing to engage with the world around you, you can make real change happen,” Kelly said. “I think that is another thing Joey and I share in our Clarke experiences; we were each able to engage in many ways to develop experiences that allowed us to build leadership skills and experience opportunities we may not have had at a larger university. Clarke supports student engagement in co-curricular activities to build stronger college experiences.”
For those who want to share a little Clarke love beyond their family, we also offer the Clarke Alumni Referral and Engagement
That’s a lesson that resonates with Joey as well. After proudly
Society Scholarship. Show a student in your
donning his legacy cords at Commencement this spring, he was
life that you CARE about their future with
accepted into Clarke’s Master of Social Work program, where he
a referral to Clarke and they can earn
intends to focus on mental health and therapy options.
a $1,000 scholarship as well.
“Coming from personal experience, mental health can be a huge barrier to college and so many aspects of life. I want to help other people engage, stay focused, and become the best version of themselves,” Joey said.
Learn about these and other scholarship opportunities for a student considering Clarke Joey enjoyed an end of year celebration with some of his fellow Social Work majors.
at clarke.edu/scholarships.
clarkeMAGAZINE | 27
1550 Clarke Drive Dubuque, Iowa 52001-3198
your call to get
Involved CELEBRATE MILESTONES WITH US Submit a class note to share promotions, marriages, and other life changes with your classmates. Then update your contact information so you can share in the celebrations for others!
SHOW STUDENTS YOU CARE Share the power of a Clarke education and you can join our CARE Society! Plus, your referral grants a student a $1,000 renewable scholarship.
TELL STORIES THAT MATTER Stories bring our Core Values to life. You can get in on the action by sharing your story in an alumni spotlight – just email alumnirelations@clarke.edu for details!
ATTEND EVENTS Clarke Alumni Relations hosts many events throughout the year, and we can't forget
SAV E the DATE OCTOBER 9-11, 2026
Homecoming! Mark your calendar now and
Find event details and more
watch for all our great events at clarke.edu/alumni.
at clarke.edu/homecoming
clarke.edu/alumni
CONTACT US: (888)225-2753 or alumnirelations@clarke.edu