Clark honored with statue

On Friday, October 5 Southern University honored the legacy of Joseph Samuel Clark by erecting a statue in his memory.
Clark became president of SU in 1913. He inherited an institution that had unstable beginning in 1880 in New Orleans.
When he was appointed president he was given the task of finding a new site, preparing curricula and recruiting pupils and teachers for the university.
“This is a great honor, it’s a reminder of his dream for this university. I’m very proud of it,” said Allene Clark-Rayford, widow of Felton G. Clark.
Clark was the founding president of the Baton Rouge campus and presided over the university for 28 years. Under Clark’s administration the institution grew from a small piece of land and two buildings valued at $100,000 to over 500 acres with over 40 buildings valued at $12 million, employing 139 teachers and a student body of 1500 in 1938 when he retired.
“This was a wonderful idea, J.S. Clark was such an innovator and visionary. He had a great pursuit for education and gave his life to this university,” said Leon Tarver, president of SU systems.
Rev. Ivory Dison of Kentwood donated the statue to the university. Dison graduated from SU in 1975 and worked as a campus police.
“I was very elated when president Tarver gave me the opportunity to honor Dr.Clark,” said Dison.
Also in attendance at the ceremony were members of the 1951class.
“It’s exhilarating to see the 50 year anniversary class here. It makes this day even more special,” said Tarver.
Following the retirement of Clark his son Felton G. Clark assumed the presidency. During his administration the institution grew into a university encompassing three campuses offering undergraduate and professional degrees. When he retired in 1969, the university enrolled over 10,000 students on its campuses employed a staff of 544 teachers and the physical plant had reached a value in excess of $60 million.
“This statue pays homage to the entire Clark family, and the legacy they left at Southern University,” said Clark- Rayford.
Known as a “dreamer” Clark envisioned expanding the campus from the Mississippi River to Scotlandville.