Katherine (Kate) Clark has been a devoted and treasured part of the RIT community for over 38 years. She has spent her career developing RIT’s research administration resources and personnel and no doubt has fundamentally contributed to the thriving and robust research landscape at RIT. Her work and bright light has made her near and dear to many of us.
Unfortunately, Kate was diagnosed with cancer in August. She had been fighting it really well, but things took a turn in January. She was hospitalized and it became obvious to her and her family that it was no longer possible to fight the cancer.. In Kate’s typical style of approaching things head on, she made the very tough decision to not pursue further medical intervention and to spend her remaining days at home on hospice.
While she is not up to visitors, she is doing well enough to read and appreciate thoughtful words and well-wishes via email, e-cards, as well as photographs and/or stories.. If you would like to send her a message via email, please send it to: grantgal915@gmail.com (link sends e-mail). Please do not expect a response as she may not have the time or energy to do so.
To honor her commitment to RIT and her exceptional service, we would also like to invite you to share your photos, messages, and/or stories here, and we will post them so we can all relish the lasting impact Kate has had. To share, please complete the form below.
Submissions will be regularly reviewed and added to this page.
Additionally, Kate has expressed interest in having a flowering tree planted at RIT along with a bench in her honor. There will be more information about that in the future.
If you have any questions about your submission or additional files you would like send, please email Katey Sackett at kxssrs@rit.edu(link sends e-mail).
Thank you for visiting Kate’s page and honoring this incredible woman!
When I joined RIT in 2008 in the Intellectual Property Office, RIT Sponsored Research was at ~$30Million. When I took retirement from RIT, in 2023, Sponsored Research was at ~$90 Million. Kate, you and the team you developed were unquestionably at the forefront of this growth. But, beyond the research $ growth was the attendant growth of the invention and subsequent patent portfolio which research provided the "spark" for. I can say with no doubt that your knowledge of processes, systems and RIT can not be replaced. All the very best to you and your family. Call me anytime if you would like to talk.
-B. Bond
Kate has been an unparalleled beacon in the realm of grants and compliance, guiding us through the most challenging aspects with unwavering steadiness. Over my 16-year research journey at RIT, she was a personal pillar of support, helping me overcome numerous grant-related hurdles with ease. As a visionary leader, she transformed her organization into an indispensable resource for the RIT faculty, seamlessly blending compliance with invaluable training and mentorship for both budding and seasoned researchers. Kate's legacy is an indelible mark on RIT, making her an irreplaceable institution whose absence will be profoundly felt.
-D. Borkholder
For many of us, post award questions/management in sponsored research was a one stop shop. Kate Clark. Best of the best at her job and always approachable.
We love you Kate!
-S. Mishra
Kate's help since I joined RIT has meant so much to me. Navigating the world of grants and contracts was brand new to me, and having her as a helpful, friendly and thoughtful leader in SRS made the process so much easier. Kate taught me the ropes of grants and contracts and how to navigate in this world, and I am forever grateful!
- S. Hubbard