Ferlin Clark

Ferlin Clark is an American academic administrator and educator. He is a member of the Navajo Nation[1] and currently works as an administrator in Office of Dine School Improvement of the Department of Dine Education.[2] From 2018 to 2022[3] he served as president of Bacone College in Muskogee, Oklahoma.[4]

Ferlin Clark
Congressman Rick Renzi (left) and Ferlin Clark (right) in 2007.
Alma materFort Lewis College (BA), Harvard University (MEd), University of Arizona (PhD)
TitlePresident of Bacone College
Term2018–2022
PredecessorFranklin Willis
SuccessorNicky Michael

Early life and education

Ferlin Clark is a member of the Navajo (Dine) Nation originally from Crystal, New Mexico.[5]

Clark received a bachelor's degree in English communications from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado in 1988.[6] He received a master's degree in education from Harvard University in 1992[7] and a doctoral degree in American Indian studies from the University of Arizona[8] in 2009.[9]

Career

Early in his career, Ferlin Clark taught United States history and geography at Navajo Preparatory School.[10]

In 1999, Clark was vice president for development at Diné College.[11] In 2003, he became interim president of the college,[12] and in 2004, he assumed the position permanently.[13] Clark was removed as president by the Navajo Nation Supreme Court in 2010[14] amid an investigation into accusations of bullying and harassment of staff.[15] He was succeeded by Marie Etsitty,[16] who served as interim president until 2011.[17]

After leaving Dine College, Clark served as executive staff assistant to Navajo Nation Vice President Rex Lee Jim.[18][19]

He served as New Mexico Assistant Secretary of Indian Education from 2012[20] to 2014.[21][22]

In April 2018, Clark was named the new president of Bacone College,[23] replacing Franklin Willis.[4] Under his leadership, Bacone sought tribal charters to become a tribally affiliated college and thus improve its financial stability.[24] Under Clark's presidency, the college was chartered by the Osage Nation,[25] the Kiowa Tribe,[26] the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes,[27] the Otoe–Missouria Tribe of Indians,[28] and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians.[29] The college also underwent financial restructuring during his tenure; part of this has involved cutting sports programs including football and wrestling.[30]

In 2022 Clark went on leave from Bacone College and was replaced by interim president Nicky Michael.[3][31]

Clark currently works as an administrator in the Office of Dine School Improvement in the Department of Dine Education.[2][32]

Clark has also served on the College Board[33] and as vice president of the executive board[6] and later secretary of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium.[34]

Personal life

Ferlin Clark is married to his wife, Gwen.[9][35]

References
  1. "Otoe Missouria Tribe to Charter Bacone College". Bacone College. August 9, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  2. "Navajo Nation School Safety and Mental Health Summit welcomes school leadership". Navajo-Hopi Observer News. July 18, 2023. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  3. Spaulding, Cathy (March 4, 2022). "Bacone removed from accreditation probation". Muskogee Phoenix. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  4. Elswick, Mike (April 11, 2018). "New president named for Bacone College". Muskogee Phoenix. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  5. "Intertribal News – FLC February 29, 1988 — Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection". coloradohistoricnewspapers.org. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  6. "Three TCU Presidents Honored for Leadership". Tribal College: Journal of American Indian Higher Education. 18 (4). May 15, 2007.
  7. Ruiz-McGill, Rebecca (May 7, 2008). "Diné College President Resuming UA Studies After Securing 10-Year Accreditation". University of Arizona News. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  8. Elswick, Mike (May 9, 2018). "Bacone College shuttering operations Monday". Muskogee Phoenix. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  9. Clark, Ferlin (April 16, 2009). "In becoming Sa'ah Naaghai Bik'eh Hozhoon: The historical challenges and triumphs of Dine College". University of Arizona American Indian Studies. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  10. Haederle, Michael (January 10, 1994). "IN THE NAME OF A NATION". The Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  11. "Diné College". University of Arizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. 1999. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  12. "Aaniiih Nakoda College Newsletter". ancollege.edu. 2016. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  13. "History of the Diné College Office of the President". Diné College. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  14. Yurth, Cindy (September 9, 2010). "High court suspends Diné College prez from duties". Navajo Times. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  15. "Reports Show New Bacone College President Formerly Accused Of Misconduct". newson6.com. May 23, 2018. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  16. "Dine College Names Interim President". Albuquerque Journal. November 24, 2010. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  17. Yurth, Cindy (August 25, 2011). "New Diné College prez says she'll share the reins". Navajo Times. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  18. "Navajo Nation Delegation Visits Oneida Indian Nation". Indian Country Today. July 6, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  19. "Department of Diné Education meets with New Mexico Public Education Department Secretary Hanna Skendera" (PDF). Dine Education Quarterly. April–June 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  20. "Navajo Education Summit" (PDF). Navajo Nation Department of Dine' Education. 2013. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  21. "Tribal Leaders Consultation" (PDF). U.S. Department of Education. April 15, 2014. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  22. Minthorn, Robin; Fedelina Chavez, Alicia, eds. (2015). Indigenous Leadership in Higher Education. New York, NY: Routledge. p. 90. ISBN 9781315749402.
  23. Marshall, Kendrick. "Bacone College optimistic it can continue operations, names new president". Tulsa World. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  24. Jones, Corey. "Bacone College seeks tribal status to bolster American Indian education opportunities while trying to regain financial stability". Tulsa World. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  25. "Osage Nation Signs Resolution to Charter Bacone College". Osage Nation. July 3, 2019. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  26. Rains, Scott (February 24, 2020). "Kiowa Tribe charters historic state Indian college". The Lawton Constitution. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  27. Lonelodge, Latoya (October 1, 2019). "Twenty-third Special Session of the Seventh Legislature" (PDF). Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal Tribune.
  28. Jones, Corey (August 11, 2019). "Bacone College secures third tribe's charter in its goal to gain status as a tribal college". Tulsa World. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  29. Oxendine, Chesley (April 19, 2019). "Bacone chartered as tribal college by UKB". Muskogee Phoenix. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  30. Ridenour, Elizabeth (September 17, 2021). "Utah company sues Bacone seeking more than $1 million". Muskogee Phoenix. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  31. Moore, Jerrad (May 10, 2023). "Bacone accreditation complaint filed". MVSKOKE Media. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  32. "This Week in DODE – 3/17". Navajo Nation Department of Dine Education. March 17, 2023. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  33. Zah, Erny (January 13, 2011). "Chinle Diné offers voice for Native education". Navajo Times. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  34. "AIHEC Honors Crazy Bull, Elects Board Officers". Tribal College: Journal of American Indian Higher Education. 20 (3): 45–46. Spring 2009.
  35. Webb, El (May 31, 2023). "An Immersive Journey to Learn Navajo Health Practices". UNM Health Sciences Newsroom. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
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