President Knight imagines what Clark will look like at 100

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As Clark College President Bob Knight addressed students, faculty and staff during the annual State of the College Address on Jan. 16, he commended the college for making it to its 80th anniversary this year and told attendees that he has been wondering what Clark College will look like at 100.

Knight gave his annual speech the morning of Jan. 16 in the Gaiser Student Center at Clark’s main campus.

Over the past year, Knight said there have been many indicators at the college that demonstrate it is on the right track. A few examples he gave included: this fall, the college had a very successful accreditation visit, the first in more than 30 years where they didn’t receive a recommendation; they are also leading the state in Quality Matters certification of online courses; this fall, the college celebrated the first of what Knight said he hopes will become an annual Veterans Day celebration; and today, Clark College has more international students than ever before, 137 students from 27 different countries.

“These were just a few of the reasons I am so proud to be part of the Penguin Nation,” Knight said.

Knight told the audience that for the past 80 years, it has been the students who are the ultimate measure of the successes at the college and they will continue to be so. He listed numerous student achievements that have occurred over the past year.

“One of the things that is critically important to me and the leadership at Clark College to make sure that Clark at 100 is strong is to plan for the future,” Knight said. “We are doing that.”

Knight listed several things the college is doing to plan for the future at Clark, including a campus-wide Strategic Planning Process. The Clark College Foundation has also recently completed a strategic plan, which aligns with the college’s plan.



Knight addressed several of the important partnerships that Clark College has developed with other colleges, universities, high schools and businesses that are vital to student success.

Looking to the future, Knight said he didn’t want to look too far out “because we have some great moments just over the horizon.”

• Later this spring, they will complete the college’s first comprehensive capital campaign, and Knight said he is confident they will reach their goal.

• This summer, the college will break ground on the STEM building.

• As a part of the 2007 Facilities Master Plan, college officials identified the need to build a campus in North Clark County. They submitted the North County project to the State Board and received approval for $35 million to build one 70,000-square-foot building. Later this spring, they will take the next step, with the help of the Clark College Foundation, purchasing the land that will become their next campus.

• Later this year, they hope to pass the final hurdles to offer the first Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Dental Hygiene.

“After 80 years, we have learned a lot and this community has benefited tremendously from that learning,” Knight said in conclusion. “As we look ahead, I’d invite all of you to provide your thoughts, ideas and hands to helping us continue to engage in the process of learning, so that by our example our students may learn what it is to be part of the Penguin Nation.”