Former USNA Commandant Named Next President of Wesley College

The Wesley College Board of Trustees today announced that Robert E. Clark II is the College’s next president. Mr. Clark has 30 plus years of extensive leadership experience, most recently at the Pennsylvania State University.

Mr. Clark will begin work as the College’s 17th president on July 15, succeeding Dr. William N. Johnston who will retire in July after serving the institution for seven years, and following a distinguished career in higher education spanning 42 years.

A search committee co-chaired by Robert V.A. Harra, Jr. and William Strickland and comprised of trustees, alumni, faculty, an administrator and a student has been working with R.H.Perry & Associates Search Counsel to Higher Education to find President Johnston’s replacement.  Applications were received from 109 candidates; many of whom were interviewed for the position. Wesley’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously in favor of Mr. Clark.

“Mr. Clark’s innovative and collaborative leadership style is the perfect fit for Wesley College at this time in Wesley’s history,” said Board of Trustee Chair and Co-chair of the Search Committee Mr. Harra. “We welcome Bob and Ruth Ann Clark to Wesley and to Delaware.”

Mr. Clark, the former Commandant of Midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy, will have served 30 plus years of distinguished service in the military when he retires this summer from the United States Navy to assume the Wesley College Presidency. In addition to serving as the 84th Commandant of Midshipmen, he held several senior executive leadership positions including; Commanding Officer of the nuclear powered submarine USS Connecticut (SSN 22); Commodore of Submarine Squadron Four; and Joint Service Coordinator for the Pennsylvania State University.  While at Penn State, Mr. Clark served on the University’s Undergraduate Education Leadership Council, and has guest lectured on Leadership and Ethics at Penn State’s Leadership Academy (part of the Schreyer Honors College).

“I am very humbled and feel truly blessed to have been given the privilege of serving, and leading, the Wesley College family as their next President,” Mr. Clark said. “My wife, Ruth Ann, and I look forward to carrying on the legacy of selfless service and excellence that Bill and Susan Johnston have established at Wesley and in the surrounding communities.”

Located in Dover, Delaware, Wesley College is a United Methodist institution of higher education that seeks to be among the finest student-centered learning communities in the liberal arts tradition.