Clark Scholars with Raheen Beyah, dean of the College of Engineering and Southern Company Chair.

Clark Foundation Expands Legacy of Transformative Student Support

Seven years after partnering with Georgia Tech to establish its Clark Scholars Program, the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation is making a visionary $11 million investment to strengthen the initiative. The new investment will support three essential areas:

  • Undergraduate need-based student scholarships.
  • Program support to enhance the student experience.
  • A new philanthropy challenge aimed at teaching the next generation of philanthropists.

“Georgia Tech’s commitment to excellence and its unwavering support for students align perfectly with the Clark Foundation’s mission,” said Courtney Clark Pastrick, board chair of the Clark Foundation. “This investment will allow Georgia Tech to reach even more talented engineering students, enrich their educational journey, and instill in them the values of service and philanthropy that were so important to my father.”

The Clark Foundation’s initial investments in 2018 included endowed funding that covers the unmet need for 10 new students each year. Each Clark Scholars Program cohort is supported through their undergraduate career, resulting in 40 to 50 actively supported students at any given time. This latest investment will elevate the number of supported students to upwards of 100, once the additional funding is fully deployed.

As part of the Clark Scholars Program, students meet with Georgia Tech leadership and alumni mentors, receive tutoring, participate in career planning, and volunteer for community service projects.

“This support allows our students to have hands-on learning experiences, obtain career development skills, and support for mental health and well-being,” said Raheem Beyah, dean of the College of Engineering and Southern Company Chair. “I’m grateful for the countless ways the Clark Foundation has changed the lives of our engineers. This investment is a testament to the meaningful partnership between Georgia Tech and the Clark Foundation and perpetuates the Foundation’s lasting impact.”

As part of its Invest in the Best Scholarship Challenge, Georgia Tech is committed to removing financial barriers and enriching the educational experience for bright, qualified students. Through this initiative, the Georgia Tech Foundation matched the scholarship portion of the Clark Foundation’s recent funding dollar-for-dollar, increasing the total number of students the Clark Scholars Program will support.

These collective funds will double the number of scholarships for highly deserving engineering students with low and limited income, allowing them to have the resources necessary to attend Georgia Tech. The funds will also cover academic fees and expenses in addition to learning opportunities such as research, study abroad, and summer courses.

Additionally, the Clark Foundation’s recent investment will support programmatic elements of the Clark Scholars Program, ensuring that Scholars are successful on campus and equipped with the skills and life experiences to graduate as well-rounded, highly skilled engineers. 

“Georgia Tech demands an enormous amount from its students. In addition to funding their education, a gift like this ensures that our Scholars can focus on their coursework because they know that mental health support and professional development curricula are in place to promote their success,” said David Torello, Clark Scholars program director at Georgia Tech. “It also gives us the resources to provide life skills to our students, such as financial advising and career coaching. The Foundation’s support is radically changing our students’ life trajectories.”

Finally, the Clark Foundation is funding a new initiative — the Clark Scholars Philanthropy Challenge. The Challenge will help educate Scholars on the work of nonprofit organizations and the impact individual giving can have on their local communities.

Students will evaluate local nonprofits by studying financial filings, reviewing impact reports, and interviewing leadership. The Scholars will then donate to one of the organizations using funds from the Philanthropy Challenge Endowment. The hands-on experience will allow students to learn about philanthropy and philanthropic grantmaking, cultivate a charitable spirit, and create and strengthen the connection between the Scholars and their local communities.

“The Clark Foundation’s vision and generosity continue to have a lasting impact on the College of Engineering and Georgia Tech,” Beyah said. “Mr. and Mrs. Clark’s enduring legacy allows our students to gain the skills and experiences they’ll use to make the world a better place as service-minded leaders in their fields.”

To make a gift to the College of Engineering, contact Dave Zaksheske, executive director of Development for the College of Engineering, at davez@coe.gatech.edu.