Clarke University: A Legacy of Education and Community in Dubuque
Clarke University, nestled in the heart of Dubuque, Iowa, boasts a rich history, a vibrant campus life, and a strong commitment to academic excellence. Founded in 1843, Clarke has evolved into a leading co-educational, Catholic, liberal arts and sciences institution, shaping students into successful leaders and engaged citizens.
A Foundation Built on Faith and Education
The story of Clarke University begins with Mary Frances Clarke, an Irish woman who founded the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVMs). In 1843, the BVMs arrived in Dubuque, a frontier town poised for growth. It was here that they established St. Mary’s Academy, the antecedent institution of Clarke University, three years before Iowa even achieved statehood.
The institution underwent several transformations in its early years. It was re-named Mount St. Joseph Academy and in 1881 it found its permanent home on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River. In 1901, the academy transitioned into Mt. St. Joseph College, a liberal arts institution, and was officially chartered by the State of Iowa in 1910.
Academic Excellence: A Continuing Tradition
Throughout its history, Clarke University has remained dedicated to academic excellence, consistently adapting its programs to meet the evolving needs of its students and the wider world. Graduate studies were introduced in 1964, followed by evening programs in 1968, catering to non-traditional students.
Clarke University offers a wide range of academic programs, encouraging students to explore their passions and discover the right major for them. Study in the arts is a centrepiece of education at Clarke, and both a BA and BFA are offered in a variety of subjects. Art students will take the same courses in a foundation year before choosing a specialist course of study. Nursing is a highly popular and well renowned course of study at Clarke, offered at all stages of study under approval by the Iowa Board of Nursing.
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One notable example of Clarke's commitment to innovation is its Computer Science program, which was founded by Mary Kenneth Keller, a true pioneer in the field. She was one of the first people, and the first woman, to earn a Ph.D. in computer science in the United States.
The university's bachelor’s degree in history program exemplifies this commitment, providing learning experiences that involve critical thinking and personal decision making. Students engage with history in dynamic ways, whether imagining themselves as Puritan colonists, participants in the French Revolution, or hippies in the 1960s. They might analyze the effects of outsourcing by investigating labor conditions in countries where their own clothes were made. The program equips students with writing, critical thinking, and research skills, highly valued by employers. Graduates have gone on to become high school teachers, digital marketing associates, graduate students, and successful entrepreneurs. History majors study abroad in places such as Japan, Egypt, Italy, Ireland, Austria, and England. The department experiments with non-traditional subjects of interest and various teaching techniques in Topics Courses.
A Campus Forged in Resilience
A significant event in Clarke's history is the devastating fire that struck on May 17, 1984, destroying four historic campus buildings. The Clarke community, however, responded with remarkable resilience. The day after the fire, students displayed a banner declaring “Clarke Lives!” This spirit fueled a period of vigorous rebuilding. In October 1986, a new library, music performance hall, chapel, bookstore, administrative offices, and a central atrium were dedicated, forming the new core of the campus.
President BVM Catherine Dunn recalled the event, “I started to pray . . . One of the true blessings of community support in my life was my 40 years of employment at Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa. The Clarke community was not just a place of employment for me, but a vocation as well. Never was the power of this community’s support more evident to me than on May 17, 1984, and in the days, weeks, and months that followed." She recounts the destruction and the loss felt by the community, but also highlights the outpouring of support from the city of Dubuque and beyond. Firefighters risked their lives, and volunteers worked tirelessly to save books from the library, forming a human chain to hand-pass over 100,000 volumes. The spire that remained standing after the fire became a symbol of the university's resurgence. Recovery from the fire was a long and, at times, difficult process, but the strength of the community support received carried us through.
Campus Life: A Close-Knit Community
Clarke University fosters a close-knit community where students and faculty are "one big family." The university's smaller size allows for a more personal environment, where professors know students by name and are dedicated to their success. Faculty members are deeply passionate about educating, encouraging, and empowering students. They push students to develop their full potential and celebrate their achievements.
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Clarke is based in the town of Dubuque in eastern Iowa, which is located in a tristate area, with the borders of Illinois and Wisconsin nearby. For over 180 years, Clarke University has called Dubuque, Iowa home. No matter what your interests may be, you can explore them all in Dubuque. From bike trails and ski slopes to a Symphony Orchestra and thriving downtown, there is something to do year-round. This is a place where family-owned dining and shopping favorites combine with a host of national chains to provide an ever-expanding array of offerings. Plus, you can get to know our neighboring communities which boast beautiful state parks, boutique shopping, and the Field of Dreams movie site, just to name a few.
Students get "involved in campus life through activities and clubs or athletics,". Clarke is "a very open place," and "you never hear of any form of discrimination or harassment.
A Commitment to Affordability and Accessibility
Clarke University is committed to making education accessible to all students. During the 2023-24 academic year, 100 percent of Clarke’s full-time, day-time students (who were eligible, and applied) received financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study. Clarke’s average financial aid package is $31,036.
Preparing Students for Success
Clarke University students and alumni demonstrate success in numerous ways. Our students garner academic awards from the university, receive scholarships and secure internships.
More than assisting with coursework, our Academic Resource Center helps you focus on skills you’ll need throughout your life, like time management, emotional intelligence, and motivation. Leaders need to know how to create, collaborate, innovate, and inspire. A liberal arts education and bachelor in History prepares you to do just that, forming those critical skills that separate leaders from followers. The ability to write well, speak well, and problem solve are some of the top skills employers seek when hiring new graduates.
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