JERRY CLACK LECTURESHIP FUND:

photo from Classical World 87.1

At Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Jerry Clack taught Classics at all levels. His publications on a wide range of topics include four commentaries on Hellenistic poetry. After his term as CAAS President, Jerry became editor of the Association's journal, Classical World, from 1978 to 1993. He increased circulation to one of the widest in our field and ensured that “teachers in schools, colleges, and universities, as well as ambitious students and non-professionals could all find something in its pages” (Matthew S. Santirocco, “Introduction: A Tribute to Jerry Clack,” CW 87 [1993] 3). From 1993 to 2000 Jerry served as CAAS's first Executive Director. “As CAAS, like many professional associations, became a more complex institution, Jerry guided its operations with efficiency, grace, and good humor” (Henry V. Bender, “President's Report, CAAS 2000: New Directions for the Classical Association of the Atlantic States,” CW 94 [2000] 8). We look forward to the first lectureship in honor of this scholar and gentleman to whom our association owes so much.

Among the important recommendations that emerged from CAAS Executive Committee's discussion with the membership-at-large at the close of the April 2000 meeting was the need to defray costs of travel and lodging for those invited to be luncheon and dinner speakers at our meetings, both distinguished classicists and others prominent in their fields. The Executive Committee subsequently investigated the possibility of raising funds to pay speakers who travel long distances. At the fall conference in 2002, President Barbara Gold announced that CAAS had established the Jerry Clack Lectureship as a retirement honor for CAAS's longtime editor of Classical World and Executive Director. “The annual Clack Lecture will feature a speaker from outside our region, an appropriate honor for Jerry, who has traveled throughout the world. Lecturers will come from throughout the United States, Europe, and beyond and share with the members of CAAS their work on the worlds of ancient Greece and Rome” (Robert Boughner, The CAAS Newsletter, Spring 2003).

Contributions to this fund are designed to build up principal, the income of which will be used toward this lectureship series in Jerry Clack's honor. As 2010 begins, we are more than 80% of the way toward achieving the original fundraising goal of $10,000. Enthusiastic contribution from all CAAS members will quickly enable us to achieve this goal and inaugurate this distinguished lectureship. Tax-deductible contributions may be made via the clickable button on the Philosophy Documentation Center's CAAS membership page (will open in a new window), or by check made out to CAAS, with “Jerry Clack Lectureship Fund” written on the memo line, sent to the Treasurer:

Professor Donald H. Mills
203 Radcliffe Road
Dewitt, NY 13214