SUMTER, S.C. (courtesy morris.edu) — Morris College alumnus Marquice Clark is slated to receive his Ed.D. from Clemson University on December 20.
Born to Reverend James and Alethia Clark, Clark is the youngest of four boys and delights in his role as the family’s youngest member. He received his education in the public schools of Sumter County and pursued further studies at USC Upstate and Converse University, completing his Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in History at Morris College. Additionally, he earned a Master of Arts Degree in Administration and Supervision, along with an Education Specialist Degree from Furman University. Clark successfully defended his dissertation in November and will receive his Ed.D. from Clemson University on December 20, 2023.
During his time at Morris College, Mr. Clark actively engaged in various activities, graduating from the esteemed Call Me MISTER program and participating in quiz bowls. He proudly established the Catalyst Award, designed to assist financially challenged students in covering licensure examination (Praxis) costs.
Mr. Clark’s professional journey includes four years as a second-grade teacher at The Cleveland Academy of Leadership, followed by an eight-year administrative tenure, with three years as assistant principal and five years as principal. He is happily married to his high school sweetheart of 19 years, and together they have two children, aged five and three.
Among Mr. Clark’s numerous honors and awards are recognitions such as the StriveTogether Accelerated Leadership Program, James Clyburn Political Fellowship, Call Me MISTER Trailblazer Award, and District Teacher of the Year in Spartanburg School District 7. He achieved distinction as the Teacher of the Year at the Cleveland Academy of Leadership and received several scholarships, including the Fannie W. Nowlin Scholarship, William Randolph Hearst Endowed Scholarship, and Rosa S. Riley Endowed Scholarship.
His career highlights feature the transformation of a 23-year failing school into one of South Carolina’s best, with notable achievements such as surpassing Annual Yearly Progress (A.Y.P) goals and significant improvements in students’ reading and math skills. Mr. Clark also served as a presenter at national conferences, addressing the challenges of teaching in poverty and the crucial role of mentorship in education.
