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Val E. Clark has had an extraordinary life. He’s one of Southern Utah University’s most inspiring examples of leadership, courage, and passion.
Val attended Southern Utah University in the mid 1950’s. Highlights of his stay at the University included serving as the freshman class president and later as the student body president. He recounts, “If I live to be a hundred, I’ll never have better times than those at Southern Utah University.”
From SUU, than BAC, Val attended dental school at the University of Southern California and ultimately went on to specialize in orthodontics. After 32 years of practicing orthodontics, Val retired in 1994.
He’s no stranger to the southern Utah area, Val grew up on a small ranch in New Castle, Utah. He loved to herd sheep, ride horses, and almost any other ranch related job. During his years at Southern Utah University, Val worked for the Utah Parks Company as a program director at Zion National Park. He was in charge of the evening entertainment shows and worked his way up to a Gear Jammer position. “Gear Jammers were the kings of the park, they were the bus drivers,” Val recounts, “…but, all summers come to an end, and at that time it was back to school for me.”
His service to community is shown through the many boards and committees he has sat on throughout his professional career. Even his hobbies, like windsurfing, led to Val being appointed commissioner of the Olympic Board Sailing Exhibition in the 1984 Olympic Games. Currently, he serves on the Board of Counselors for the University of Southern California, and as a member of Southern Utah University’s Alumni Board. Not long ago, he won the off road racing drive in the Baja 500, Challenger Class.
Yet, with all his diverse experiences, Val remembers SUU with favor, “I will be forever grateful for the quality of the professors I had at SUU and the personal interest they took in me. My years at SUU are some of my most treasured memories.”
Val married Marilyn Estes in 1960’s. They have two children and four grand children. He lives in southern California, not far from both his children. As Val reflects on his family, he comments, “It’s all about family, if we hadn’t have had children and later grandchildren we would look back and wonder what life’s all about.” Val’s family is his favorite pastime.
Val’s courage and spirit are hallmarks of his character. His commitment to higher education and contributing to the greater good are traits worthy of imitation. He is an inspiring example of leadership.
Val is just one of Southern Utah University’s thousands of alumni who are making a difference!
SUU alumni demonstrate their leadership, creativity, and passion through all sorts of avenues. What’s new in your world. We want to heart about it! Share your achievements and you could become a feature story!
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