Will you join us?
Honor Professor Alfred Clark—and help build a scholarship in his name
Alfred Clark’s resume is long and distinguished. His studies began at Purdue University and ended at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He’s held positions at MIT, the University of Colorado, and the University of Rochester. His career spanned 50 years, with 30 years at Rochester where he taught primarily mechanical engineering and mathematics.
Along the way, Professor Clark held National Science Foundation fellowships and taught courses in mechanical engineering, applied mathematics, biomedical engineering, and more. He’s taught several thousand students and won many prizes and awards for teaching.
Throughout his accomplished career, teaching has been his greatest joy. For him, interacting with students was always the best part. “Students came here with fresh minds and lots of ideas—just like they still do,” Professor Clark says. “It was always exciting to get to know them and watch them grow.”
We hope you will join us in honoring Professor Clark by supporting a scholarship in his name: the Professor Alfred Clark Endowed Undergraduate Scholarship in Mechanical Engineering.
“I enjoyed every minute of my career here, but teaching was always the most satisfying part of it. It is gratifying to know that this scholarship will help promising and deserving students who need some financial support. It’s my hope that future Clark Scholars will know that the University believes in them and has a strong sense that they can and should do well here.”
Professor Alfred Clark
Looking back
Former students may remember Star Trek-themed projects, carefully designed every year by Professor Clark to illustrate and elucidate mechanical engineering and applied mathematical principles in a contextually fun way. Many will also recall Professor Clark, a selfproclaimed “medium-sized Trekkie,” on the day he would collect those projects—donned in his favorite (and only) Star Trek shirt.
Other students might recall Professor Clark giving out homework on the first day of classes. Or they might remember an assignment designed to help students figure out why a full cup of coffee so frequently spills when carried in a brisk walk down a hallway. “Understanding that event taught students something about wave motions and resonance in fluids,” Clark says.
Professor Clark’s teaching style—and his humble, compassionate, and learned manner—changed a lot of lives. To be a great teacher, he underscores that one must be well-organized. Teachers should always be kind, too, making sure to shape and cultivate that which has the potential to flourish in each student. Professor Clark also says that interjecting and having fun (as in working in a Star Trek environment) is also key.
“The motivation that students get from your personal attention is astonishing,” he says. “But in giving them such attention, one must be prepared to write between one and two hundred letters of recommendation a year.”
That he did, too, noting that they were all well worth it—every single one.
Professor Clark was an exceptional teacher and mentor. Because of his sincere interest in me and my future, he encouraged me to pursue a PhD at MIT in applied mathematics, where he had done his graduate work as well. I’ve also spent my career as a faculty member in teaching and research. I often think about how Professor Clark influenced my life; surely I wouldn’t be where I am now without his guidance. The students at the University of Rochester who took his classes really had the very best. I will be forever grateful.”
Mark Ablowitz ’67
Professor, Department of Applied Mathematics
University of Colorado at Boulder
How you can help
Alumni, colleagues, and friends have created the Professor Alfred Clark Endowed Undergraduate Scholarship in Mechanical Engineering. We will name our first recipient this fall and with your help we will be able to grow the fund so that it can support multiple students for years to come.
The scholarship will be awarded to a junior or senior with demonstrated financial need, for one year. It will be renewable for a second year if the student maintains a cumulative GPA of 3.5. Each Alfred Clark Scholar will be selected by the University of Rochester’s financial aid office, with recommendations from the chair of the mechanical engineering department.
If you feel so inclined, please share a special memory or note for Professor Alfred Clark:
Memories/notes for Dr. Clark will not be posted publicly. Submissions will eventually be shared with Dr. Clark at a time and date to be determined. A gift is not required to submit a memory/note.
To learn more and to support the fund, contact:
Derek C. Swanson
Associate Director of Advancement
Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences
Derek.Swanson@rochester.edu
(585) 273-1341
“I enrolled in mechanical engineering then became interested in geology. Professor Clark, my advisor, helped me combine the two into a new engineering degree called geomechanics. After two graduate degrees from Berkeley, I enjoyed a 42-year career engineering tunnels and managing subsurface risks around the world. Professor Clark’s accessibility, easy-going style, and wisdom were instrumental in helping me find my passion. I am thankful for the pivotal role he played in my life, as a mentor and role model.”
Randy Essex ’75
Retired Executive Vice President, Mott MacDonald
Will you join us?
Honor Professor Alfred Clark—and help
build a scholarship in his name
Alfred Clark’s resume is long and distinguished. His studies began at Purdue University and ended at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He’s held positions at MIT, the University of Colorado, and the University of Rochester. His career spanned 50 years, with 30 years at Rochester where he taught primarily mechanical engineering and mathematics.
Along the way, Professor Clark held National Science Foundation fellowships and taught courses in mechanical engineering, applied mathematics, biomedical engineering, and more. He’s taught several thousand students and won many prizes and awards for teaching.
Throughout his accomplished career, teaching has been his greatest joy. For him, interacting with students was always the best part. “Students came here with fresh minds and lots of ideas—just like they still do,” Professor Clark says. “It was always exciting to get to know them and watch them grow.”
We hope you will join us in honoring Professor Clark by supporting a scholarship in his name: the Professor Alfred Clark Endowed Undergraduate Scholarship in Mechanical Engineering.
Looking back
Former students may remember Star Trek-themed projects, carefully designed every year by Professor Clark to illustrate and elucidate mechanical engineering and applied mathematical principles in a contextually fun way. Many will also recall Professor Clark, a selfproclaimed “medium-sized Trekkie,” on the day he would collect those projects—donned in his favorite (and only) Star Trek shirt.
Other students might recall Professor Clark giving out homework on the first day of classes. Or they might remember an assignment designed to help students figure out why a full cup of coffee so frequently spills when carried in a brisk walk down a hallway. “Understanding that event taught students something about wave motions and resonance in fluids,” Clark says.
Professor Clark’s teaching style—and his humble, compassionate, and learned manner—changed a lot of lives. To be a great teacher, he underscores that one must be well-organized. Teachers should always be kind, too, making sure to shape and cultivate that which has the potential to flourish in each student. Professor Clark also says that interjecting and having fun (as in working in a Star Trek environment) is also key.
“The motivation that students get from your personal attention is astonishing,” he says. “But in giving them such attention, one must be prepared to write between one and two hundred letters of recommendation a year.”
That he did, too, noting that they were all well worth it—every single one.
How you can help
Alumni, colleagues, and friends have created the Professor Alfred Clark Endowed Undergraduate Scholarship in Mechanical Engineering. We will name our first recipient this fall and with your help we will be able to grow the fund so that it can support multiple students for years to come.
The scholarship will be awarded to a junior or senior with demonstrated financial need, for one year. It will be renewable for a second year if the student maintains a cumulative GPA of 3.5. Each Alfred Clark Scholar will be selected by the University of Rochester’s financial aid office, with recommendations from the chair of the mechanical engineering department.
If you feel so inclined, please share a special memory or note for Professor Alfred Clark:
Memories/notes for Dr. Clark will not be posted publicly. Submissions will eventually be shared with Dr. Clark at a time and date to be determined. A gift is not required to submit a memory/note.
To learn more, contact:
Derek C. Swanson
Associate Director of Advancement
Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences
Derek.Swanson@rochester.edu
(585) 273-1341
hajim.rochester.edu
“I enjoyed every minute of my career here, but teaching was always the most satisfying part of it. It is gratifying to know that this scholarship will help promising and deserving students who need some financial support. It’s my hope that future Clark Scholars will know that the University believes in them and has a strong sense that they can and should do well here.”
Professor Alfred Clark
Professor Clark was an exceptional teacher and mentor. Because of his sincere interest in me and my future, he encouraged me to pursue a PhD at MIT in applied mathematics, where he had done his graduate work as well. I’ve also spent my career as a faculty member in teaching and research. I often think about how Professor Clark influenced my life; surely I wouldn’t be where I am now without his guidance. The students at the University of Rochester who took his classes really had the very best. I will be forever grateful.”
Mark Ablowitz ’67
Professor, Department of Applied Mathematics
University of Colorado at Boulder
“I enrolled in mechanical engineering then became interested in geology. Professor Clark, my advisor, helped me combine the two into a new engineering degree called geomechanics. After two graduate degrees from Berkeley, I enjoyed a 42-year career engineering tunnels and managing subsurface risks around the world. Professor Clark’s accessibility, easy-going style, and wisdom were instrumental in helping me find my passion. I am thankful for the pivotal role he played in my life, as a mentor and role model.”
Randy Essex ’75
Retired Executive Vice President, Mott MacDonald