Robert E. Clark II became the 17th President of Wesley College on July 15,
2015, after 32 years of distinguished service in the United States Navy’s
Submarine Force, including spending the last five years of his military career
serving in senior executive roles at two of our nation’s most prestigious
institutions of higher learning.

Prior to accepting the Presidency of Wesley College, he served as the Joint Service Coordinator at the Pennsylvania State University while also serving on Penn State’s Undergraduate Education Leadership Council, and guest lecturing at Penn State’s Schreyer Honors College Leadership Academy. The majority of President Clark’s past five years was spent at the United States Naval Academy, where he served as the 84th Commandant of Midshipmen.

During his 32 years of operational military service, President Clark served in some of the most challenging and highest visibility positions in the Submarine Force, including Commodore of Submarine Squadron FOUR, and Commanding Officer of the nuclear powered submarine USS CONNECTICUT (SSN 22). Considered a strategic visionary, expert tactician, and one of the most motivational leaders in the Submarine Force, his commands consistently led the way in retention, operational readiness, warfighting, and innovation.

Fully embracing servant leadership, President Clark fosters an environment of education,
empowerment, inspiration, and accountability, knowing full well that excellence stems from collaboration and teamwork. Additionally, he is a true believer that the foundation of our future is set by the framework of a well-balanced education and fostered by a sense and belief that learning is a lifelong process.

President Clark holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and a Master of Science degree in National Security Affairs from the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, California. Additionally, he was part of a select group of senior leaders selected to attend the Navy Corporate Business Course on Executive Management at the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School.

He and his wife, Ruth Ann Clark, live in the Annie Jump Cannon House with their two Golden Retrievers, Leonidas and Bliss. The Clarks have two adult sons, both of whom are Naval Officers. Andy is with Navy Special Forces (Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Branch) and lives in San Diego, California, with his wife Sarah and their daughter Emilia. Their youngest son, Wes, is stationed on a Cruiser in Jacksonville, Florida.