ALUMNI NEWS

Jacqueline (McEntire) Clark Hometown: Blue Springs, Mo. Mizzou Education: Earned a bachelor's degree in political science with honors, 1984 Career Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Ash Grove Cement Co., 2008 to present Director, Client Services, Polsinelli Shughart, 2007-08 Manager, Public Affairs, Hallmark Cards, 1989-2007 Administrative Assistant to State Auditor Margaret Kelly, CPA, 1988-89 Retail Communications Coordinator, Missouri Lottery Commission, 1985-88 Corporate Tax Analyst, Missouri Department of Revenue, 1984-85 Organization Director, Carrie Francke Congresssional Campaign, 1984

Legacy of leadership

By Tori Reneker

New Mizzou Alumni Association (MAA) President Jacqueline Clark discusses memories, accomplishments, challenges, traditions and top priorities.

Why did you choose to attend Mizzou?
As much as I love MU today, I admit that I considered Notre Dame, St. Louis University and Westminster. My academic interests were so diverse that my high school expository writing teacher, one of my favorites at Lee's Summit High School, recommended that I would best be challenged and have the greatest academic options at Mizzou. I already was charmed by the MU campus because during high school I was in Columbia every spring to compete in the state speech and debate tournament sponsored by the Missouri State High School Activities Association. My acceptance letter was dated on my 18th birthday, which was a terrific coincidence. And, the MU football Tigers beat Notre Dame when I was in high school, so that pretty much sealed the deal for me. I had no clue what I was doing, but it must have been the right choice because I blazed the family trail at Mizzou — two of my three siblings followed me down I-70 and earned their bachelor's degrees after I earned mine.

What are your most vivid memories as a Mizzou student?
I remember being empowered in so many ways. First, I served as a senator representing my dorm house in the Missouri Students Association. Then, during my second year, the Associated Students of the University of Missouri (ASUM) permitted sophomores for the first time to be selected as lobbying interns. Serving as a student lobbyist launched my lobbying career in 1981. After completing the internship, I joined ASUM's board of directors and then became its chairman. Of course Tap Day during my junior year, when I was selected to join Omicron Delta Kappa, was a very special recognition for me and other campus leaders. Earning my general honors certificate from the Honors College was, other than graduation, an academic highlight. It was special, too, to be selected as one of the Top Ten Women of Mizzou, which recognized outstanding senior women.

I must admit, however, that we had some fun, too. We threw some terrific costume parties. And, of course, I was a Tiger football season ticket holder. I took a memorable freshman year trip to Memphis, Tenn., for the Liberty Bowl. We won't discuss my senior year trip to Lawrence, Kan., where we lost the game and the Omicron Delta Kappa honorary's tom-tom!

Which MU professor or class left a major impact on your life?
My favorite political science professor was Professor Frederick Spiegel. He challenged us intellectually through his use of the Socratic method, and he delivered some of the best lectures on campus. It was a special thrill to see him back on campus a year ago.

How did you become involved in the Mizzou Alumni Association?
I become involved initially as a very young member of the Cole County Alumni Chapter after I moved to Jefferson City in 1985. The group was filled with young professionals and offered us "transplants" a group in which we could network and enjoy chapter events. After my husband’s death in the early 1990s, I engaged in a variety of civic and charitable organizations in Kansas City. I was incredibly motivated to see the Kansas City Alumni Chapter create a counter balance to KU's Rock Chalk Ball. I found kindred spirits on the chapter's board, and with them, we co-founded the Black and Gold Tiger Ball, which has generated hundreds of thousands of dollars for student scholarships.

What do you expect to be your biggest challenge as you begin your term?
My biggest challenge will be regaining a wide base of support for Mizzou in the Missouri General Assembly so that our state's flagship institution maintains and builds its programs and infrastructure. We have Mizzou statewide elected officials and members of our Congressional delegation, but the number of Mizzou alumni serving in the General Assembly has declined over the years. We need Mizzou Alumni Association members to identify and encourage fellow graduates to run and serve in the General Assembly so that we can boost funding, support programming and continue to invest in our campus infrastructure.

Who was your role model at the beginning of your career?
Other than my parents, of course, it was definitely Mizzou alumna Carrie Francke.  I was incredibly fortunate to join her first congressional campaign staff as its organization director. She taught me an important lesson: She did not ask me to do anything that she couldn't, wouldn't or hadn't done herself. This role required lots of self-motivation, attention to detail and collaboration with a wide variety of volunteers. It was a perfect training ground for Mizzou leadership. Her untimely death motivated several young women to be active, successful professionals and volunteers. Her legacy is our success.

What campus and alumni association events are you looking forward to this fall?
The first event, Tiger Walk, will be a great time with thousands of freshmen streaming through the Quad and the Columns. I just hope that I'm not trampled! I was nearly trampled after Mizzou defeated OU at Farout Field in my junior year, which kept me off the field post-game for many years.

The second event, the Mizzou-Illinois football game in St. Louis, is a classic, and I can hardly wait for the block-long, block-wide, MAA-sponsored pre-game tailgate. What a great opportunity it offers alumni to reconnect with longtime friends.

Homecoming, of course, will be special. My family and a cadre of friends from across the U.S. will convene in Columbia Oct. 24 to see the parade and the game versus Texas.

As MAA president, what will be the top items on your agenda?
My top priorities will be to

• Advance MU's legislative objectives through our grassroots organization, the Mizzou Legislative Network.
• Ensure that a diverse, talented base of alumni will lead our association and carry on our traditions while creating new traditions.
• Build strong ties with the numerous audiences who look to MAA for a variety of services and opportunities.

How would you like to see MU grow?
It was my good fortune to be a part of the inception of the Missouri Innovation Park in Blue Springs. Having a base for MU in Kansas City will strengthen the university's ties in the metropolitan area and establish a strong foothold for Mizzou outside of Columbia. The park will serve as a touch point for students, researchers and alumni.

Of course, I'd like to see Mizzou's student population continue to grow. In that growth, a diverse enrollment is important so that we can ensure that our future graduates represent diverse backgrounds. As a student who was the first person in her family to graduate from a university, I know how important it is to create a welcoming learning and social environment for all students.

And, I'd like to see all of our athletic teams win Big 12 titles, but I'd "settle" for our football and basketball Tigers winning national championships!

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Last Update: April 30, 2009