David Fithian ’87, a proud alumnus and a distinguished leader in the world of higher education, was named the president of Clark University in January 2020, only the 10th person to hold the position since the University was founded in 1887.
A 1987 graduate of Clark who earned two master’s degrees and a doctoral degree from Yale University, President Fithian most recently served as executive vice president at the University of Chicago, with prior leadership experience at Harvard University.
In July 2020, he joined Clark, describing the opportunity to become president of his alma mater as “singular.” He credited Clark for inspiring him to pursue a life in higher education and expressing a desire to apply what he has learned to help Clark and its students achieve even greater success and recognition. His decades of preparation for this role at two of the world’s great universities gives him confidence about Clark’s standing and potential to achieve yet more.
“I’m returning to a place that’s deeply familiar to me and where I’ll feel instantly rooted. I definitely have a sense of coming home,” he said. “I know what it felt like to be a student here, what was great about it, and what could have helped me even more. I’m excited to engage the entire community around the many strengths upon which we can build as well as vital new aspirations for the future.”
