The 17th president of Wesley College, Robert E. Clark II, was officially sworn into office last week.
Guests included the board of trustees, faculty, staff, students, past presidents, friends, representatives of the Peninsula-Delaware Conference of the United Methodist Church, and alumni.
In addition, Gov. Jack Markell and other state and local government officials were on hand. Delegates and representatives of many institutions of higher education joined the academic procession and witnessed Wesley’s newest leader receive the presidential medallion.
“I’m very appreciative of the formal recognition, responsibility, trust and accountability bestowed upon me, but it’s about reflection and celebration as a family,” said Clark.
Every living Wesley past president was in attendance including the most recent President Emeritus Dr. William N. Johnston, who served the office from 2008 to 2015 before retiring. Virginia Wesleyan College President and Wesley President Emeritus Dr. Scott D. Miller and former President Dr. R. Jervis Cooke were also on hand for the celebration.
“I firmly believe the search committee hit a grand slam,” said Gov. Markell. “We need institutions like Wesley to participate and do a great job when it comes to helping people achieve their potential.”
Clark became the 17th President of Wesley College on July 15, 2015, after 32 years of service in the United States Navy’s Submarine Force, including spending the last five years of his military career serving in senior executive positions.
Most recently, he served as the Joint Service Coordinator at the Pennsylvania State University. Similar to a Department Chair, and holding the academic rank of full professor, he oversaw and coordinated issues and efficiencies between all of the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs and Penn State.
Prior to Penn State, Clark served as the 84th Commandant of Midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy. He served in that position for just over three years from April 2010 until May 2013, becoming the longest standing Commandant in the Naval Academy’s history.
In that capacity, he was responsible for the professional development, physical fitness, housing, food service, medical care, and day-to-day activities, as well as the infrastructure, to support a student body that numbered around 4,500.
During his time at the Naval Academy, grade point averages, retention, and diversity enrollment reached historical highs resulting in U.S. News & World Report consistently ranking the Naval Academy as one of the top public institutions in the country.
During his 32 years of operational military service, Clark served as Commodore of Submarine Squadron FOUR, Commanding Officer of the nuclear powered submarine USS Connecticut, and Executive Assistant to the Vice Chief of Naval Operations.
During the ceremony it was announced that in honor of the Inauguration of Clark a new endowed scholarship has been created, “The President’s Scholarship for Community Leadership.”
It has been fully endowed by gifts from various individuals and local businesses. One business in particular, Chick Fil-A of North Dover, made a leadership gift at the Provost Sponsorship level to help Wesley students reach their full potential. The students will be nominated by community leaders of service-based organizations to recognize outstanding community leadership.
