Alumni and Friends Making an Impact

You know what they say … “the apple doesn’t fall too far from the Chapel.” Well, that’s not exactly what they say, but for the father and daughter duo of Steve ’88 and Erin ’18 Clark, it seems appropriate.

They both signed up to serve as Reunion Weekend co-chairs for their respective classes. Reunion Weekend is June 9-11, and UD is expecting another glorious gathering of Flyers celebrating each other and their time at the University. You’ll definitely see Steve and Erin there, but falling for UD wasn’t a sure thing for either of them when they were first considering where they’d go to college.

Steve knew he didn’t want to attend UD because his sister, Stacie (Clark) McCullough ’85, was already a Flyer. And Erin knew she didn’t want to attend UD because her dad and mom, Jane (Brown) Clark ’89, both went to UD. So, how did they both end up as proud University of Dayton alumni? They experienced it.

Steve came to campus to visit Stacie during a Little Sibs weekend and attended a basketball game. He said he fell in love with UD that weekend, so it’s no surprise that Erin had heard plenty about UD from her parents and aunt. And she, in keeping with the teenager tradition, wanted to blaze her own trail at another school … until her official campus visit.

“It was enough to seal the deal,” said Erin. “Once I toured campus, I knew UD was where I really wanted to be.”

In fact, Erin would be giving those tours to other future Flyers before she knew it. Guess who else had a job in admission during his time at UD? That’s right. Steve. So, it’s no surprise that they both said the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception was their favorite spot on campus. And they’re both looking forward to being back at UD soon, too.

It’s Erin’s first official Reunion Weekend, and, as a person who loves planning, she knew volunteering for her class was a role she wanted to fill.

“I’m excited to get back to campus. I want to see who comes and try to get all my friends back here,” said Erin. “I’ve talked to a lot of them, and people are excited.”

Erin is looking forward to reliving the experience by staying in a residence hall with her friends. She said it’ll be exciting to stay under the same roof as her friends again.

Steve has volunteered for his class for almost all of their reunions, and he’s stayed on campus, too. He said it was always fun, but, with a nod to his daughter — and maybe his back — he said he was willing to let the younger Flyers have a chance at reliving their days in the residence halls while he stays at the University’s block of rooms in the Marriott and enjoys the shuttle service with A/C to the Reunion Weekend festivities.

As for volunteering, they both said it was a breeze. “It’s mainly outreach. Talking to your classmates and friends to build interest,” said Steve, and added that he liked coordinating with other volunteers, choosing some of the menus and weighing in on the ever-important decision: DJ or live band?

They both had nothing but praise for UD Alumni Relations staff, like Amanda Rupp ’10, assistant director, reunion and affinity programs. “She is amazing,” said Steve. “She’s a wealth of information, and she gets it … why we all come back.”

When asked what he’s most looking forward to this year, Steve highlighted touring the progress on the Roger Glass Center for the Arts and visiting The Hub at the Dayton Arcade. He said there are lots of planned activities, but he also likes the unplanned ones that seem to happen each reunion year — when friends agree to meet on Brown Street or somewhere on campus to just hang out.

For Erin, it’s all about friends: “When you’re with those people that made UD what it is to you, that’s what it’s all about … that’s what I’m most excited for.”