Join us for the ultimate showdown as Sister 2 Sister and Brother 2 Brother come together to host an exciting Volleyball Tournament! This fun-filled event is all about teamwork, friendly competition, and building stronger connections within our community. Whether you're playing or cheering from the sidelines, come ready to spike, set, and serve your way to an unforgettable experience!
GBM
From to at Science Center 162.
Join SASE in an AAPI Panel! Different people with unique cultures will come together to talk about their experiences. Free food samples will be provided by local Potsdam Asian businesses! First come first serve!
Date: Wed. Mar. 5th
Time: 5:30 - 7:00 pm
Location: Student Center Forum
Come decorate your own tote bag! We will have fabric paint, stencils, brushes, and Sustainability Club will be providing fabric squares for students to sew various designs onto their bags!
Supplies will be provided at no cost.
Join CUOC and the Clarkson Sustainability Club for an afternoon of skiing in the back 40. Skis will be provided.
At its core, Ignite is an amazing and storied community of talented, versatile, and innovative people. Without the hard work, collaboration, and creative thinking of our leadership team, none of what we do would be possible!
The latest addition to the leadership team, Kelsey Hamilton draws on her Ignite Presidential Fellow experience while enhancing critical opportunities for students across campus.
As Ignite's go-to guy on all things digital content creation and drones, Santino leverages his extensive expertise to drive innovation and success everywhere he goes.
A veteran Maker Mentor, Amanda Polarolo demonstrates exceptional computer science skills while leading a new and pivotal student-run business with precision.
At Ignite, leadership isn’t just a action - it’s a natural outcome of the incredible talent within our family. That said, there’s nothing more rewarding than having our hard work recognized and celebrated in front of the entire Clarkson community, especially for our most dedicated members.
Each year, the Levinus Clarkson Award is presented to the top student of the graduating class. In 2024, this honor was earned by none other than Executive Fellow Miles Compani (E&M ‘23, MSEM ’25, EngSci P’27), who was recognized for his exceptional scholarship and outstanding potential for future success.
Hailing from the Capital Region, Miles is the go-to expert on all things Ignite. Whether overseeing Ignite Project Expo, RAPS, and Business Plan Competition events, or guiding Ignite Presidential Fellows and Young Innovators & Entrepreneurs, his influence is wide-ranging and transformative.
Now pursuing a PhD, Miles’ time at Clarkson has been defined by extraordinary leadership roles within a variety of organizations, including Ignite and the Honors Program. Beyond his impressive achievements, he’s known for unwavering reliability and genuine kindness at all times.
Miles’ advice for exceptional students interested in attending Clarkson? “Don’t be afraid to step outside the boundaries of your local community. By coming to campus, you’ll be joining a whole new world - a world where you can stand out like never before, and a world that will define the rest of your life.”
As students come and go, Clarkson evolves - and so does Ignite! Here’s your chance to learn a bit more about us over the years.
Clarkson Ignite is launched as a forward-thinking integration of the innovation resources found across the Clarkson community.
Immaterial Industries, a team of E&M freshmen, becomes the champion of the inaugural President’s Challenge.
Containing only a few 3D printers, hand tools, and other creation equipment, the Dorf Makerspace opens its doors for public use.
The Media Production Center, a state-of-the-art facility for all kinds of digital content creation, is launched in the ERC.
Fifteen students are deemed the first class of Ignite Presidential Fellows, giving the full-tuition scholarship a strong start.
During Ignite Fest, the Clarkson community is invited to learn about everything Ignite has to offer, including microcredentials.
The Shipley Center spins off, with Ashley Sweeney joining Ignite as its newest Director. Ignite retains the Cube during this transition.
Following 40 episodes across a four-year run, the Ignite Podcast concludes with a farewell address from outgoing President Tony Collins.
An overhauled President’s Challenge encourages the entire student body to develop unique Clarkson collectibles.
Alongside the Dorf Makerspace receiving 18 new 3D printers, the Media Production Center is revamped into the Makers’ Loft.
Ignite hosts New Knights Expo, a collaborative event introducing freshmen to the amazing resources found on campus.
The inaugural Ignite Project Expo is held, seeing nearly 350 students present 93 distinct projects during an exciting day of events.
What’s next for Ignite? A bright future filled with innovation, entrepreneurship, and all things creativity. Stay tuned!
At Ignite, we believe that Clarkson’s collaborative, hands-on education should be accessible to all students, regardless of background or major. That’s why we offer two full-tuition scholarships to learners who demonstrate creativity, versatility, and a passion for innovation through all that they do. They are our Ignite Presidential Fellows and Young Innovators & Entrepreneurs.
Ignite Presidential Fellows (IPFs) envision bold solutions, drive meaningful change, and champion experiential learning. Challenging
the status quo is a defining characteristic of these students.
Only the brightest pioneers are deemed Young Innovators & Entrepreneurs (YIEs), students who develop and grow an impactful
business venture throughout their time at Clarkson.
Having grown up in Vermont and attended high school in Canada, Justin Bouchard (DigArtSci, CompSci ‘27) was no stranger to the North Country climate. Attending Clarkson only required a brief road trip, a few hours from home.
For Jamona Blake (ChemE ‘27), who hails from Jamaica, travelling to Potsdam was a bit different - her first visit to campus was also her first time in the United States! Thanks to Clarkson’s International Center, she quickly found a community of peers with whom to create lasting memories.
Both Justin and Jamona are Ignite Presidential Fellows, allowing them to foster their individual passions and have a meaningful impact on the Clarkson community. Whether an IPF applicant is finishing high school, transferring from another university, or interested in The Clarkson School, they’re more than welcome in the Ignite family.
“Working in a tight-knit community with a culture of making has made my time at Clarkson an unforgettable experience," Justin said. "Being in a smaller group means everyone has the opportunity to play a large role, even as a first-year student. We all have our own ‘thing’, and Ignite gives us the flexibility and means to pursue that.”
Not only is Robert Davis (MechE ‘26) a member of the Lu Research Group, but he’s also an Olympic-caliber bobsledder!
For Vitesse Disney (E&M ‘27), digital content creation isn’t just a passion; it’s a way to express yourself holistically.
Alongside being in the Honors Program, Olaolu Olugbenle (CompE ‘25) serves as a Resident Advisor for Clarkson’s dorms.
Expanding the boundaries of the Clarkson community, Bryn Myers (I&E ‘25) spent an exciting semester abroad in Paris, France.
What’s Mark Munro’s (Math & CompSci ‘27) advice for new students? “Talk to as many people as possible in your first month!”
In less than a year, Emma Cosgrove (MechE ‘28) has become a frequent visitor to Clarkson’s Machine Shop.
Does your dog dominate your cat’s eating space? Do hisses and growls over pet food cause strife for your whole family? Well now you’re in luck - because that’s the real-world problem Lily Clonan (Psych ‘25) aimed to solve when she received the Young Innovators & Entrepreneurs scholarship in 2022.
In the years since, she’s developed Fat Head Feeder, a carefully-crafted feeding station that is cost-effective, quick to assemble, and easily-usable by your pets! True to its name, the innovation prevents a dog’s “fat head” from accessing a cat’s private food stash, allowing owners to leave both pets unsupervised in harmony.
As a YIE, Lily’s business aspirations didn’t conclude with a completed product; they’ve only continued to grow while taking her idea to the next level. Thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign and a grand-prize win at the 2023 North Country Regional Business Plan Competition, Fat Head Feeder is primed for success.
The range of entrepreneurial endeavors created by YIEs is expansive, with notable businesses including maple syrup producer Parker’s Real Maple, drone repair firm Eagle Eye Drones, skiing product influencer Sendy Paradise, and web design consultant North Shore Solutions. Maybe your idea will be on this list next!
Lily’s suggestion for young entrepreneurs? “Utilize the resources available to you at Clarkson! There are many valuable tools and support systems for growing your innovation, even if you’re starting with a small idea. Be sure to connect and collaborate with your peers, professors, and mentors - everyone is eager to help."
Once you complete your undergraduate Clarkson application, the option to apply for the Ignite Presidential Fellowship and Young Innovators Entrepreneurs scholarships will appear in your portal. Feel free to contact your Admissions Counselor with any questions you have about these awards or Clarkson scholarships in general.
New IPFs and YIEs complete an exciting Pre-Orientation week of events, including a thrilling high ropes course.
The most common IPF and YIE activity? Having fun wherever possible.
Have you seen these students during a campus event? They’re IPFs giving back to Ignite.
A little recreation never hurt anyone, did it? Have no fear - the average IPF GPA is 3.6.
With each passing year comes the graduation of one class of IPFs and YIEs, as well as the introduction of another!
What’s next for Ignite? A bright future filled with innovation, entrepreneurship, and all things creativity. Stay tuned!
Giving out cleaning supplies in goodie bags, and a raffle for big item (Swiffer Wet Jet).
