Wesley College president to keynote Veterans Trust Fund dinner Nov. 4

Retired Navy Capt. Robert E. Clark II, president of Wesley College in Dover, will serve as keynote speaker at the Third Annual Friends of Delaware Veterans at the Rollins Center, Dover Downs, Friday, Nov. 4. Th  organization raises money for the Veterans Trust Fund, which operates under the Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs. Its board is made up of community leaders from across the state who volunteer their time and pass 100 percent of proceeds to the trust fund. For more information, go to www.DelawareVeteransTrustFund.com.

Clark became the 17th president of Wesley College in July 2015, after 32 years of distinguished service in the U.S. Navy's Submarine Force, including spending the last five years of his military career serving in senior executive roles at two of the nation's most prestigious institutions of higher learning.

Most recently, he served as the joint service coordinator at Pennsylvania State University, which is similar to a department chair. Holding the academic rank of full professor, he oversaw and coordinated all of the Reserve Officer Training Corps programs with Penn State.

Clark served as the 84th commandant of midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy from April 2010 until May 2013, with a student body of about 4,500, becoming the longest-standing commandant in the academy's history.

During his 32 years of operational military service, he served in some of the most challenging and highest-visibility positions in the Submarine Force, including commodore of Submarine Squadron Four, commanding officer of the nuclear-powered submarine USS Connecticut and executive assistant to the vice chief of Naval Operations.

Born in St. Petersburg, Fla., he spent his formative years in Howell, N.J.; Ann Arbor, Mich.; and West Chester, Pa., where his parents still reside.

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 and a daughter-in-law; both sons are naval officers.

"We are truly fortunate to have a distinguished veteran and community leader offer his support to fellow patriots," said Dave Skocik, friends president.

The black-tie optional dinner at $100 a plate will include live music, a vocalist and keynote speaker. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact sherri.taylor@state.de.us or call 302-257-3117.