Robert E. Clark II | |
|---|---|
 Clark as 84th Commandant of Midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy | |
| 17th President of Wesley College | |
| Assumed office July 15, 2015 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 7, 1961 St. Petersburg, Florida |
| Alma mater | United States Naval Academy (BS) Naval Postgraduate School (MS) |
| Occupation | College President and Retired Naval Officer |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1979–2015 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Commands | USS Connecticut, SUBRON 4 |
| Awards | Legion of Merit (5) Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal (2) |
Robert Edward Clark II is a retired officer of the United States Navy and the last President of Wesley College in Dover, Delaware.[1]
Clark was born in St. Petersburg, Florida, and was raised in Howell, New Jersey; Ann Arbor, Michigan; and West Chester, Pennsylvania.[2] He graduated from West Chester East High School.[2]
Clark attended the Naval Academy Prep School from 1979 to 1980.[3] He began the United States Naval Academy in 1980, graduating in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science in General Engineering.[3] Clark attended Naval Postgraduate School from 1989 to 1991, earning a Master of Science degree in national security affairs (and received the Naval Institute Award for his thesis).[3] In 2005, he attended the University of North Carolina's Kenan-Flagler Business School (a Navy Corporate Business Course) on executive management. Additionally, he attended the Armed Forces Staff College.[3]
Clark served as 17th and final president of Wesley College in Dover, Delaware,[5] beginning July 15, 2015.[2][6] During his time as president, and despite decades of financial challenges and declining enrollment, State funding was secured which enabled the college to continue operations. Additionally, unlike many colleges across the country that have had to close because of the impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Wesley College was able to maintain operations during the global COVID-19 Pandemic, which allowed the realization of a historic acquisition by Delaware State University in which Wesley College became the Wesley College of Health and Behavioral Sciences. [7] [8]
On March 1, 2021, two months before the acquisition was finalized with Delaware State University, some members of the faculty published a no-confidence resolution against Clark that was forwarded to Wesley College's board of trustees. Wesley College's board of trustees voted unanimously on March 20, 2021, to dismiss the resolution in full support of President Clark’s exceptional performance, and leadership. Additionally, the board of trustees voted unanimously, to bestow upon President Clark the title president emeritus in recognition of his leadership, and service to the college and the community. [9][10]
President Joe Biden appointed Clark to the United States Naval Academy's board of visitors, along with five other distinguished national leaders, on February 7, 2022.[11][12]
