Wikipedia

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 the 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
Clark 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

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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

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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

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

References

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  1. ^ "Otoe Missouria Tribe to Charter Bacone College". Bacone College. August 9, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Navajo Nation School Safety and Mental Health Summit welcomes school leadership". Navajo-Hopi Observer News. July 18, 2023. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Spaulding, Cathy (March 4, 2022). "Bacone removed from accreditation probation". Muskogee Phoenix. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  4. ^ a b 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. ^ a b "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. ^ a b 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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