Ralph Clark Receives Highest Honor from Alumni Association

Ralph Clark (BA '62, MA '64)
The Mizzou Alumni Association presented Ralph Clark with the 51st Annual Distinguished Service Award on October 27.  The award is the highest honor the association presents to an alumnus or alumna of MU.   
 
The Distinguished Service Award recognizes outstanding service by an individual whose sustained efforts and support have added to the excellence of MU.  A long-time member of the College of Business Strategic Development Board, Clark received the award for his many contributions to his alma mater, particularly his passionate dedication to expanding technology on the MU campus. 
 
Clark has served as the chair of the college’s donor-recognition organization, The Herbert J. Davenport Society.  He also was chair of the steering committee for the college’s Excellence through Change capital campaign, which raised $31 million for support of students, faculty, and programs as well as to help fund the construction of a new building for the business school.  In addition, Clark has been an Executive-in-Residence for the college, was honored with a Citation of Merit from the college, was selected as Alumnus of the Year by College of Business students, and received an MUAA Faculty/Alumni Award.  Currently, he is a member of the college’s For All We Call Mizzou campaign steering committee.
 
“When I am involved with anything MU, it really does not feel like work,” says Clark. “I enjoy being part of the strategic development for the future of MU and the College of Business.  I am deeply honored to receive this recognition.”
 
Clark graduated from MU with a bachelor’s of arts degree with an economics emphasis and subsequently earned a master’s of arts degree.  He then began his career in the information technology industry at IBM.  Clark held several positions within the company, retiring as division president and corporate vice president in 1994.  He now serves as a member of the board of directors at Leggett & Platt, Inc. and is a director for three private software firms.
 
“Since I became dean in 1990, no MU alum has given more time and expertise to the College of Business than Ralph has,” says Bruce Walker, dean of the college .  “Based not only on service to his alma mater but also on the quality of his analysis and his professional demeanor, Ralph has earned enormous respect among the college’s faculty and staff members as well as many other alumni.”
 
Clark and his wife, Carolyn, who received a bachelor’s of journalism degree from MU, are members of the Davenport Society at the Benefactor level.  The Clarks reside on Sanibel Island, Fla. and have three daughters and seven grandchildren.

Last Edited: 2/8/2007