Annual Observance of Dr. Martin Luther King‚ Jr. Day planned at Kennesaw State
Kennesaw State University continues its annual tradition of honoring the birth of Dr. Martin Luther…
Georgia (Jan 13, 2006) — Annual Observance of Dr. Martin Luther King‚ Jr. Day planned at Kennesaw State
Stacey Moore
Abstract
Contact: Frances Weyand‚ Director of University Relations 770−423−6203 or fweyand@kennesaw.edu or Stacey Moore‚ Public Relations Coordinator 770−423−6343 or smoore66@kennesaw.edu
Kennesaw State University continues its annual tradition of honoring the birth of
Dr. Martin Luther King‚ Jr.‚ this year by featuring keynote speaker Joe Clark.
Clark is perhaps best known for his visionary and unconventional measures in the 1980s
that turned a violent and drug−infested high school in New Jersey into a model institution.
His story became the subject of the film‚ Lean on Me‚ starring two−time Oscar nominee
Morgan Freeman as Clark.
When:
Monday‚ Jan. 16‚ 11 a.m.
Howard Logan Stillwell Theatre
Full bio for Clark follows.
JOE CLARK
Educational Reformer
Many bemoan the American public school classroom as a place where young people cannot
learn‚ where drugs are more prevalent than textbooks‚ where violence and vandalism
make corridors look like war zones. For a myriad of reasons‚ the sad fact that many
American public schools are waging a losing battle to complete their mission of training
future generations to lead America.
In September 1982‚ during the first day of class at Eastside High School in Paterson‚
New Jersey‚ a student was stabbed. In 1983‚ things would be different. The school's
new principal‚ Joe Clark‚ would be the reason why.
A former Army drill instructor‚ Joe Clark sees education as a mission. He worked while
attending high school to support his mother and siblings. He then went on to get his
B.A. from William Paterson College and a Master's Degree from Seton Hall University.
The feisty and polysyllabic−speaker Clark was made for the helm of Eastside High.
After two years of his leadership‚ the formerly raucous institution was declared a
model school by New Jersey's governor. Clark himself was named one of the nation's
ten "Principals of Leadership" in 1986.
Clark thwarts those who believe that the learning process is disrupted by tough discipline.
Instead of offering sympathy‚ Clark held high expectations for students‚ challenging
them to develop habits for success and confronting them when they failed to perform.
On a single day during his first week at Eastside‚ Clark expelled 300 students for
fighting‚ vandalism‚ drug possession‚ profanity‚ or abusing teachers. He explains‚
"If there is no discipline‚ there is anarchy. Good citizenship demands attention to
responsibilities as well as rights."
Clark won acclaim for his achievements in a Time cover story‚ two 60 Minutes profiles‚
ad appearances on television news and talk shows‚ all over the world. President Reagan
named him a model educator and offered him a White House post as policy advisor (Clark
turned him down.) Clark was the subject of the Warner Brothers film‚ Lean On Me‚ starring
two−time Oscar nominee Morgan Freeman as Joe Clark. After seven years as principal
of Eastside High‚ he resigned in 1990 and began speaking on the country's lecture
circuit. He is a nominee for the National Association of Campus activities 1996 Speaker
of the Year Award.
He began his latest crusade in August 1995‚ when he was appointed director of Essex
County Detention House‚ a juvenile Detention center in Newark‚ N.J. In his six years
as the center’s director‚ he continued his challenging work to bring change to the
community that brought him up. In his own words on his acceptance of the position
Clark said this‚ "I will stay until I have brought about change. I can't think of
anything more noble."
Through his book Laying Down The Law‚ his speeches‚ and his activities as director
of Essex County Detention Center‚ Clark shares his strategies and success stories
with teachers‚ school boards‚ parents‚ businessmen‚ and students. His message is one
of pride in self. He believes that "every day‚ pride in self and school must be reinforced.
Every day‚ the value of academics must be demonstrated." And every day‚ Joe Clark
demonstrates‚ through his own shining example‚ how commitment to youth can make America's
future leaders better citizens and better people.
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Kennesaw State University is a comprehensive‚ residential institution with a growing
student population of 18‚500 from 132 countries. The third largest state university
out of 34 institutions in the University System of Georgia‚ KSU offers more than 55
undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 41,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the second-largest university in the state. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 126 countries across the globe. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
