The Graduate's Grind: Brigham Young University- Idaho
President Kim B. Clark: Crossing the Plains, From East to West
By. Rebecka Page
Crisscrossing the continent seems to be in the genes of the Kim Clark family. President Clark’s pioneer ancestor, Edward Bunker, traversed the North American continent five times as a “frontiersman, soldier, and missionary”, and his son, William, pioneered several areas in Utah and Nevada. Consequently, Kim Clark was born in the heart of Mormon Country in Salt Lake City, Utah on March 20, 1949. He later moved with his family to Washington State where he graduated from Joel E. Ferris high school.
Following his graduation, Kim was faced with the decision of where to attend school. A local doctor in Spokane, who screened potential candidates for Harvard, interviewed the young man. He grilled him relentlessly about his religious beliefs. Kim was sure his application would be rejected. But the doctor’s recommendation to Harvard was that if they accepted anyone from the Washington area, it should be Kim Clark. So following the restless footsteps of his ancestors, Kim headed east to Harvard.
The East was home for him from that point on, except for two years he spent in Germany as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and a one year interim at Brigham Young University, where he met his wife, Sue. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple in June of 1971. Kim and Sue Clark established their home in Massachusetts, where the subsequent 35 years yielded many opportunities for growth including B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees, seven children and an illustrious list of accomplishments.
President Clark’s heritage also includes a deep commitment to his L.D.S. faith. Like his progenitors, Edward and William Bunker, who moved several times at the behest of their Church leaders, Kim Clark responded willingly to an invitation from President Gordon B. Hinckley to leave his position as dean of the Harvard Business School and serve as the President of Brigham Young University—Idaho. Pulling deep roots from their beloved home in the East, President and Sister Clark moved to the obscure, yet beautiful community of Rexburg, Idaho, to begin their tenure at BYU—Idaho in 2005.
Following his graduation, Kim was faced with the decision of where to attend school. A local doctor in Spokane, who screened potential candidates for Harvard, interviewed the young man. He grilled him relentlessly about his religious beliefs. Kim was sure his application would be rejected. But the doctor’s recommendation to Harvard was that if they accepted anyone from the Washington area, it should be Kim Clark. So following the restless footsteps of his ancestors, Kim headed east to Harvard.
The East was home for him from that point on, except for two years he spent in Germany as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and a one year interim at Brigham Young University, where he met his wife, Sue. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple in June of 1971. Kim and Sue Clark established their home in Massachusetts, where the subsequent 35 years yielded many opportunities for growth including B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees, seven children and an illustrious list of accomplishments.
President Clark’s heritage also includes a deep commitment to his L.D.S. faith. Like his progenitors, Edward and William Bunker, who moved several times at the behest of their Church leaders, Kim Clark responded willingly to an invitation from President Gordon B. Hinckley to leave his position as dean of the Harvard Business School and serve as the President of Brigham Young University—Idaho. Pulling deep roots from their beloved home in the East, President and Sister Clark moved to the obscure, yet beautiful community of Rexburg, Idaho, to begin their tenure at BYU—Idaho in 2005.
The Clarks are an amazing husband/wife team and they value the opportunity they have to work together at BYU-I. Committed to educational excellence, President and Sister Clark are gracious and hospitable in their interactions with the students, faculty and community. During a period of unprecedented expansion in both campus facilities and student body, Sister Clark notes that her husband’s characteristic calmness and patience enable him to function efficiently in stressful situations. She also praises his ability to maintain a broad vision and see the “whole picture” when making decisions.
President Clark’s prestigious academic background, as well as his extensive service in the LDS Church, has provided a unique preparation for addressing the challenges engendered by the growth at BYU-I during the past five years. Decisions implemented during President Clark’s administration have included the construction of a 15,000 seat auditorium and a major addition to the Manwaring Student Center. A steady increase in student enrollment has been facilitated through the establishment of a fourteen-week semester system which allows the university to offer a full complement of classes throughout the three semester year. Another exciting innovation has been the development of online offerings including the Pathway program. This program caters to young people who are unable to attend the University but are affiliated with an Institute program in their area. Pilot programs in several communities have successfully helped students, who do not have academic or physical access to a Church Education, to prepare for that opportunity. These are a few of many examples that represent the dedication of faculty, students, and administrators as they strive to meet the injunction of the LDS Board of Education to provide a quality education without significant increase in cost.
In his book, Armor, President Clark identifies those elements that characterize the Lord’s pattern for learning both in and out of the classroom: “An attitude of humility, focused prayer, deep lifelong study of the scriptures, and service to the Lord on the frontier”. Like his pioneer ancestors, President Clark not only exemplifies those qualities on a personal level but offers innovative and inspired leadership at BYU-I as the university faces expansion and new academic frontiers.
President Clark’s prestigious academic background, as well as his extensive service in the LDS Church, has provided a unique preparation for addressing the challenges engendered by the growth at BYU-I during the past five years. Decisions implemented during President Clark’s administration have included the construction of a 15,000 seat auditorium and a major addition to the Manwaring Student Center. A steady increase in student enrollment has been facilitated through the establishment of a fourteen-week semester system which allows the university to offer a full complement of classes throughout the three semester year. Another exciting innovation has been the development of online offerings including the Pathway program. This program caters to young people who are unable to attend the University but are affiliated with an Institute program in their area. Pilot programs in several communities have successfully helped students, who do not have academic or physical access to a Church Education, to prepare for that opportunity. These are a few of many examples that represent the dedication of faculty, students, and administrators as they strive to meet the injunction of the LDS Board of Education to provide a quality education without significant increase in cost.
In his book, Armor, President Clark identifies those elements that characterize the Lord’s pattern for learning both in and out of the classroom: “An attitude of humility, focused prayer, deep lifelong study of the scriptures, and service to the Lord on the frontier”. Like his pioneer ancestors, President Clark not only exemplifies those qualities on a personal level but offers innovative and inspired leadership at BYU-I as the university faces expansion and new academic frontiers.
Accomplishments
Professional:
B.A. Economics-Harvard 1974
M.A. Economics-Harvard 1977
Ph.D. Economics-Harvard 1978
Business School Faculty-Harvard 1978
Dean of the Faculty-Harvard Business School 1995-2005
President BYU-I-2005-present
Author and co-author of several books and articles on Economics
Author of Armor-L.D.S. Publication
L.D.S. Ecclesiastical Positions
Bishop
Bishopric Counselor
High Councilor
Elder’s Quorum President
Ward Executive Secretary
Gospel Doctrine Teacher
Scoutmaster
Counselor in Stake Mission Presidency
Area Authority Seventy
B.A. Economics-Harvard 1974
M.A. Economics-Harvard 1977
Ph.D. Economics-Harvard 1978
Business School Faculty-Harvard 1978
Dean of the Faculty-Harvard Business School 1995-2005
President BYU-I-2005-present
Author and co-author of several books and articles on Economics
Author of Armor-L.D.S. Publication
L.D.S. Ecclesiastical Positions
Bishop
Bishopric Counselor
High Councilor
Elder’s Quorum President
Ward Executive Secretary
Gospel Doctrine Teacher
Scoutmaster
Counselor in Stake Mission Presidency
Area Authority Seventy
