Hello again, Alums! We are excited to bring you the second installment of your Clark Current Alumni Newsletter.

This month, in honor of the launch of our new School of Climate, Environment, and Society, we’ve gathered some easy tips on how your small everyday actions could change our world. You’ll also spot a familiar peapod (because you’ll always belong at Clark!), and meet the extraordinary Esther Christine Kisk (otherwise known as Mrs. Goddard) who played a key role in her husband’s groundbreaking success. (It really was rocket science.)🚀

We're glad you're here. Thank you for reading, and we welcome your feedback!

P.S. Know a Clarkie-owned small business? We're featuring them in our November issue's Small Business Spotlight! Let us know—yours or someone else's!

At Clark, climate action isn’t a trend—it’s a tradition. Since 1921, we’ve led with curiosity, courage, and conviction. With the launch of our School of Climate, Environment, and Society, here are 5 easy, Clarkie-approved shifts to make this fall greener (and cozier). 

1. Eat Local & Seasonal 🍎
Pick apples or pumpkins at a local farm or farm stand. Local to Central Massachusetts? Tougas Family Farm is Clarkie-owned and a great spot to visit for seasonal selections. Local food = fewer miles and fresher bites.

2. Cozy, Not Cranky 🧣 
Layer up in sweaters and blankets instead of cranking the heat. Save money, stay snug.

3. Compost Your Fall 🍂
Leaves + food scraps = garden gold. Many towns (and Clark!) compost, you can too!

4. Mug Life ☕ 
Bring a reusable cup for your pumpkin spice fix. Tastes better, wastes less.

5. Thrift Your Fall Fit 🛍️
Refresh your fall wardrobe at a thrift shop or swap. Sustainable style never goes out of fashion. Doing a fall cleanout? Donate to the Clark Career Closet.

Inside Access: Meet Dean Lou Leonard today! 🎧

Join Clark’s new dean of the School of Climate, Environment, and Society at a virtual gathering today, September 4. Lou’s career spans the UN, World Wildlife Fund, and global classrooms—and he’s excited to connect.

Register Now: Join today's virtual event with Dean Leonard!

Unable to join the event, but want to know what fuels his work? Listen to Dean Leonard’s podcast episode

See more details and register »

Clark's Iconic Pea Pod Poster🌱

We want to hear from you! Share your reflections on this Clark staple:

What does the pea pod mean to you?
How has being “in the pod” shaped your journey after Clark?
One word for the pod—and why?

Let us know at uacomms@clarku.edu. Your stories may be featured on upcoming Clark socials!

Sigmund Freud made history when he visited Clark University one September… but how much about this history do you remember?

Vote below and test your Clark history knowledge.

Answers will be revealed in the next issue!

What year did Freud visit Clark?

What did he speak about?

Concert Flashback: Atwood Hall with The Clash 🤘

Here’s how Greg Seltzer ’82 remembers September 28, 1979, when The Clash kicked off their U.S. tour at Clark:

“I remember going with Jess (text me!) and getting great seats right up front in Atwood Hall that night. The band was so loud that all I really remember is how much my head hurt when it was over! But they were amazing to see perform.

Those were great days—and great concerts—like Talking Heads, The Police, The Cars, and Steve Forbert playing on Spree Day.”

—Greg Seltzer ’82

(Photo Source: blackmarketclash.co.uk)

Have your own favorite concert memory to share? Send your reflections to uacomms@clarku.edu!

Your First Day as a Clarkie 📣 

Remember stepping onto campus for the very first time? Did you get turned around on the Green? Meet your roommate and wonder if you packed way too much?

Tell us your first-day-at-Clark story!
We’re collecting the memories—funny, heartwarming, and unforgettable—that made your Clark journey begin. Bonus points if you’ve got a photo from Day One!

Reply to this email or send it to uacomms@clarku.edu to be featured in an upcoming newsletter! 📩 

We Asked.

You Delivered.

💬

See what advice you gave to the Class of 2029!

Robert H. Goddard may be the Father of Modern Rocketry , but it was his wife, Esther Christine Kisk (otherwise known as Mrs. Goddard) who safeguarded his legacy.

The dignitaries cutting the ribbon at the library dedication ceremony on May 19, 1969, were (from left) J. Leland Atwood, architect John Johansen, Student Council President Michael Feldman ’69, astronaut Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin Jr., Sen. Edward Kennedy, and Esther Goddard.

Thanks to Esther, Clark’s role in the Space Age is written in history.

ICYMI: Stories like Esther’s are at the heart of Clark’s Oral Women’s History Project—preserving the voices of women whose resilience and vision shaped our history.

We’re building something special—all because of you. This is your newsletter: tell us what you’d love to see, share your unique Clark story, and pass it along to other alums to help keep the Current moving forward.

Stay tuned for the October issue, which will hit your inbox early next month. We can’t wait to connect with you again soon!

Keep changing our world,

The Clark Current Team

Kerry Feltner: kfeltner@clarku.edu
Kendra Hacker: khacker@clarku.edu
uacomms@clarku.edu

Missed the first issue of The Clark Current?  Catch up here!

The Clark family is growing, one alum at a time. Help us keep it thriving—pass this along to a fellow Clarkie. New here? Welcome! Subscribe today. 📬