Clarkson Magazine

Clarke Joy

Clarke Joy '29 alumnus extrodinaire

The Ultimate Alumnus. An extraordinary graduate celebrates his 75th reunion.

Karen Collins and Clarke Joy '29 at
Reunion 2004.

At a reunion commemorating an array of historic institutional anniversaries, one extraordinary individual and anniversary stood out: Clarke E. Joy '29 celebrated the 75th reunion of his graduating class. A heartfelt standing ovation greeted the 96-year-old alumnus when President Tony Collins formally welcomed him back at the Awards Brunch.

Clarke Joy's unique role at Clarkson goes far beyond the fact that he has been involved with the school through 11 presidents during nearly eight decades. Since 1929, when he graduated as an electrical engineer, member of Tau Beta Pi and Phalanx, and president of his senior class, Clarke has provided service and leadership on a multitude of levels. His impact is still felt in the lives of students and alumni.

Clarke's yearbook
photo from 1929.

Clarke's role as an alumnus grew out of professional success based on intelligence, personal character, and hard work. After beginning as a sales engineer for the Westinghouse Corporation, in 1937 Clarke became a sales engineer for the Wheelco Instruments Co. Subsequently, he rose through positions as manager of its Cleveland office, district manager, zone manager, and regional vice president. In 1948, he formed the Clarke H. Joy Company to manufacture industrial controls and allied equipment in Bay Village, Ohio. After he retired, the company continued to thrive under the direction of his son, Bill '64.

With family ties in Potsdam where he grew up, Clarke returned often to campus and has always been active in the Alumni Association. From 1944 to 1948, he served as its president and spearheaded the fund-raising drive that produced the Alumni Memorial Gymnasium. Traveling together, he and past president Luther Olson brought in $250,000 over four years ($2.5 million today) from an alumni body of fewer than 2,000. The facility became the first new building erected on the hill campus. Dedicated in 1956, it commemorated the service of Veterans who died in the Second World War and, of course, it is still in use today.

In 1948, Clarke was elected a Clarkson Trustee. He served a term through 1951 and then served again from1953 until 1965. Clarke also served on the Visiting Committee for Clarkson's pioneering program in Industrial Distribution. In recognition to that contribution he was made an honorary member of ID's Sigma Tau Iota honor society in 1962. That same year Clarke received an honorary doctorate from Clarkson. In 1963, he received the Golden Knight Award.

In the early 1950s upon learning that the son of one of his employees wanted to become an engineer but could not afford college, Clarke volunteered to sponsor the young man at Clarkson for four years. When that student graduated, he asked Clarke how much he owed him. "I told him he didn't owe me a thing," Clarke recalls, "but that I hoped someday he would do something good for Clarkson." That young man was Ralph E. Hawes Jr. '55, who rose to become Executive Vice President, Missiles and Electronics with General Dynamics Corporation, served as a University Trustee, and from 1991-1997 served as Chair of the Clarkson Board of Trustees.

"Clarke Joy's service to Clarkson is truly amazing," says President Tony Collins. "As a student he helped build Snell Field. As an alumnus he not only provided leadership at the highest organization levels, he also spent decades facilitating career networking opportunities for students and alumni. He introduced many prospective students to the University. Clarke is our oldest living alumnus. His contributions to Clarkson have truly been unique, inspirational and a tremendous asset for almost 80 years!"