College dean recognized for classroom excellence
San Bernardino Sun 3/16/07
That's what Twillea Carthen, chair of Cal State University San Bernardino's University Diversity Committee believes of J. Milton Clark, dean of Undergraduate Studies at Cal State San Bernardino.
"He is supportive of visions here on campus," she said. "He brings leadership to the campus community and is the kind of person who likes to do things behind the scenes."
But Clark is not only regarded by Carthen as an exemplary individual, his recognition is also apparent throughout the community.
Last February, Clark was recognized for his classroom excellence by the California Association of Teachers. In September, the San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation held their annual Black Rose Awards, and he was given special recognition for his outstanding service to the Inland Empire.
"It's difficult for him to accept recognition," Carthen said. "He's very humble."
And it's true.
Clark doesn't set himself up on a pedestal and doesn't even want to step up onto one.
"I don't think I've done anything out of the ordinary," he said. "I actually think that maybe it's a bit embarrassing when I'm seen in that way. I guess I just think of myself as an average person just doing my job. It's a job I care about, so I just do my best."
And for someone like Clark who has served on the campus for 29 years and is also an alumnus, giving his all is what comes natural.
Clark plays an extremely vital role not only on campus but within the community as well.
He is active in several supportive programs for middle and high school students within the Inland Empire, which help prepare them for higher education.
His first and only teaching job was at Cal State San Bernardino and held that position for 20 years.
He has since climbed the latter and moved into administration, becoming interim dean for Undergraduate Studies and is now dean of the department.
Because he is a San Bernardino native, who attended elementary, middle and high school in the community, Clark considers not only the campus, but the entire area home.
"I like it here," he said. "I like it here for a lot of reasons. I feel I can make a real difference."
Clark said that in an affluent community or at a university where students have strong academic backgrounds, students are more than likely to succeed regardless of any situations. But with a campus such as Cal State, many students find university and campus life to be new territory to them. And because of that, Clark said no one turns away a helping hand.
"Here they benefit because of that," he said. "We help them see their vision more clearly. My role is to help students see what possibilities are out there and help them see that their horizons are broader that what they thought they were. I want them to see those higher roles they can attain."