WVU Political Science Department to Honor Distinguished Alumna

Morgantown, WV, May 12, 2006:  Jean Clonch Clark will be honored with the 2006 Distinguished Alumna Award from the Department of Political Science in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University. Her recognition will be included in the Political Science Convocation and Graduation Ceremony on Sunday, May 14, at 9:00 a.m. in historic Woodburn Hall on WVU's Downtown Campus.

A native West Virginian, Jean Clonch Clark holds a bachelor's degree in history, and a master's degree in political science and education from WVU. She taught in the Monongalia County Public Schools, coordinated the Monongalia County Head Start Research Project for Mainstreaming Handicapped Children, and later directed the Monongalia County Youth Services Center.

After years of involvement in the life of the Morgantown community, Mrs. Clark joined the Office of the President and Office of Institutional Advancement at WVU, where she served as coordinator of events and represented the University in various capacities. She also embarked on several business ventures, including a medical services company operated with her husband, Dr. Thomas Clark, and a boutique, The Finery, located in Morgantown's Seneca Center.

Mrs. Clark has devoted her life to serving the people of Morgantown and West Virginia through her distinguished voluntarism. She has served on the boards of directors of the American Red Cross, the Monongalia County Schools Foundation, Mylan Park, and the Morgantown Area Chamber of Commerce, of which she was president. She has a special interest in developing recreational and educational opportunities for persons with handicapping conditions, especially children.

Mrs. Clark is president of the Visiting Committee of the WVU College of Human Resources and Education and a member of the Board of Directors of the WVU Foundation. Until recently, she also served on the Political Science Advisory Board. Mrs. Clark and her husband were honored with the 2006 Milan Puskar Award for Outstanding Community Service.

The Clark family has contributed generously to WVU, establishing 10 Clark Family Lectureships in medicine, law, education, journalism, and political science.

Jean Clonch Clark and her husband currently live in Bruceton Mills WV, where she owns Seneca Way, Inc., a quarter horse training facility.

For more information on the Political Science Distinguished Alumna Award, please contact Dr. Joe Hagan at Joe.Hagan@mail.wvu.edu or 304-293-3811.

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