July 14, 2016

Terry Clark named dean of business college

by Christi Mathis

Terry ClarkCARBONDALE, Ill. -- Terry Clark, longtime marketing professor at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, is the new dean of the university’s College of Business. 

The SIU Board of Trustees ratified Clark’s appointment at its meeting today (July 14). Clark has served as acting dean for the college since July 1. His connection to the university dates to the 1970s when he first came to campus as an undergraduate student. 

A native of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England, Clark’s higher education career began at the Newcastle College of Art and Industrial Design where he studied fine art, focusing mainly on painting. He was also a street musician in London, where he met his wife Marion. 

“I was born a long way from where I belong. It took me 21 years to come home to Southern Illinois,” Clark said. 

Clark is a double alumnus of SIU, earning his bachelor’s degree in 1980 in aviation technology and his MBA in 1982.  He completed his doctorate in marketing in 1987 at Texas A&M University. 

He was an assistant professor of marketing at the University of Notre Dame from 1987 to 1993 and Emory University from 1993 to 1999. Clark returned to SIU in the fall of 1999 as an associate professor in the Department of Marketing and was promoted to professor a few years later. He also served as chair of the marketing department for about a decade. Now, he’s anxious to see what he can accomplish as dean to help the College of Business and SIU. 

“These are difficult times for higher education, for Illinois, and for SIU. Although there are a lot of things we can’t change, my plan is to identify the things we can change, and to focus on those areas we can grow and improve, to bring about positive change,” Clark said. 

Clark has received numerous teaching awards during his career, including being named the College of Business Outstanding Teacher of the Year in 2014 and 2009, the college’s Outstanding Graduate Teacher of the Year in 2009, Outstanding Undergraduate Teacher of the Year in 2003, as well as earning a spot on the Teaching Honor Roll in 2008 and 2004. Clark also won a variety of teaching and research awards at Emory University. 

His research interests include corporate governance, marketing strategy and international marketing. His work has appeared in numerous prestigious journals. In addition, he has served in a number of professional and university service roles. 

The Clarks, who have been married for 44 years, have seven children and eight grandchildren scattered across the U.S.