Steven Clark, engineering diversity leader, dies

Steven N. Clark, assistant dean for diversity affairs and student leadership programs at the University of Wisconsin–Madison College of Engineering, died unexpectedly Monday. He was 44.

Clark joined the College of Engineering in 2006 and quickly established relationships with faculty, staff and students in the College of Engineering and across campus. With his characteristic enthusiasm and vision, he developed and implemented a recruitment and retention model for underrepresented students.

Clark was instrumental in working with Rockwell Automation to fund five full-time UW–Madison College of Engineering scholarships for underrepresented students from the Milwaukee area.

In addition to enhancing fund-raising efforts for the College of Engineering Diversity Affairs Office (DAO), Clark increased connections with engineering alumni of color.

“Steve had great energy and enthusiasm for his work. It was apparent in everything he did. He was bringing that same enthusiasm to his work with our student leadership programs,” says College of Engineering Dean Paul Peercy. “He will be greatly missed.”

Clark embarked on his career in minority affairs with a graduate internship at Xavier University in 1987. In 1988 he served Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, as a residence hall and freshman advisor. From 1988 to 1996, he advised, supervised and created programs and training as the assistant director of minority affairs at Central Michigan University. He was appointed director of the Department of Multicultural Student Affairs at the University of Miami, Florida, in 1996 and served there before joining the UW–Madison College of Engineering.

He received numerous awards that cited his outstanding contributions as an advisor, role model, administrator and humanitarian. Most recently, the UW–Madison Polygon Engineering Council, which represents the engineering student body, named Clark recipient of its Diversity in Education Award.

“Steve was fond of a quote from Mahatma Gandhi, who said, ‘You must be the change you wish to see in the world.’ Steve believed that and lived it every day,” says Damon Williams, UW–Madison assistant vice provost for diversity and climate.

Clark is survived by family members in the Chicago area and friends and colleagues throughout the country. Memorial arrangements are pending.