President of Husson University announces retirement
Dr. Robert Clark will step down as President and CEO of the university at end of December of 2024
BANGOR, Maine (WABI) - The President of Husson University announcing he will retire at the end of next year.
Dr. Robert Clark is currently the longest serving president at any four-year college or university in Maine.
He was named President and CEO of Husson in January of 2010.
Since then, more than 10,000 students have graduated from the university including the Class of 2020 during the height of the pandemic.
Clark has also served as a professor of business, a noted scholar, researcher and author. His career in higher education spans more than 40 years.
The construction of the new Harold Alfond Hall, home of the College of Business, completed in August of 2021, is the signature image of the campus, according to a press release from the school. It was made possible, thanks in large part, to a $4 million matching gift from the Harold Alfond Foundation. When the gift was announced in 2017, it was the largest outright gift ever made to Husson University.
Clark also oversaw and completed a $38 million capital campaign that supported faculty, staff development, and endowed scholarships. He was also responsible for other infrastructure renovations to the residence and dining hall renovations, and construction of the Darling Learning Center, the Wellness Learning Center, and the townhouses. Significant improvements were also made in athletics ranging from adding five new teams, the Wadleigh Academic Center, the strength and conditioning rooms, to the renewal of two artificial turfs, new lighting at Boucher Field and the transformation of O’Keefe Field.
“I will always look back on my time at Husson with great fondness and I take great pride in the fact that Husson’s next president will take over a thriving university that is growing its reach not only in Maine but across the country,” Clark said
The board of Trustees will be establishing a process to select a successor to Clark.
U.S. Senator Susan Collins released the following statement regarding Dr. Robert A. Clark’s announcement that he will retire from Husson University:
“It is with great respect and admiration that I acknowledge the retirement of Dr. Robert A. Clark, President and CEO of Husson University, a native of Maine, and a remarkable figure whose legacy leaves an indelible mark on the landscape of Maine’s higher education.
“Hailing from Albion, Dr. Clark is not just from our state, but he is truly ‘Of Maine.’ When he returned to lead Husson University, it was evident that he was the perfect person for the job. He understood the core meaning of leadership, effectively bringing together his academic expertise, financial acumen, and managerial skills. His unique blend of talents propelled Husson University to new heights under his guidance.
“As Dr. Clark embarks on a well-deserved retirement, I extend my warmest regards and deepest appreciation for his exceptional service to higher education and the State of Maine. His contributions will be remembered as Husson continues to build upon the foundation he laid throughout his tenure.”
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