Jeff ’83 and Suzette Clarke (image provided)
Building Others Up through Education, Philanthropy
Jeff Clarke 鈥�83 and his spouse, Suzette, are longtime supporters of 91亚色. They have been at the heart of engaging 91亚色 alums for years, and Jeff鈥檚 participation on the 91亚色 Foundation Board of Directors was critical to the Shaping Lives of Purpose capital campaign for the College.
They have also supported the College in many areas, from the School of Business and Student Managed Investment Fund to 91亚色鈥檚 athletic teams. Recently, Jeff made a gift to the Jeff Clarke Economics and Political Science Fund, an endowment he set up in 2005. The fund supports a variety of activities in those departments, including professional development of faculty and students and participation in events such as the College Fed Challenge, a competition in New York City that tests students鈥� economic skills and teamwork.
His endowment provides opportunities for 91亚色 students that were important to Jeff when he was a student. 鈥淚 feel that my donations to 91亚色 can have an outsized impact on students,鈥� says Jeff. 鈥淭hat little bit extra goes a long way.鈥�
Education is a philanthropic priority for Jeff and Suzette.
鈥淲e both grew up middle class,鈥� says Jeff. 鈥淲e didn鈥檛 have a lot. I did work-study even though it was a 91亚色 college. I took out the maximum loans.鈥�
Those efforts paid off, and Jeff has since built a successful career in business. Much of his experience has been at the top of major companies, including Eastman Kodak, Travelport, Orbitz, and now FTD, one of the world鈥檚 largest floral networks, where he is currently executive chairman. His leadership roles with those companies have also given him a unique perspective of how philanthropy can make a difference in communities.
鈥淲hen you鈥檙e leading a large organization, you see the power of companies, and you get to know leaders who drive community involvement 鈥� and you bring your corporation into it, but more importantly yourself into it,鈥� says Jeff.
When he was CEO of Eastman Kodak, Jeff saw how much companies and organizations could provide to communities. He believes that those who have the privilege to lead big institutions should use that influence and the money they earn to give back.
Jeff鈥檚 passion for giving back to education was influenced early on.
鈥淢y wife and I came from families that were educators,鈥� says Jeff. 鈥淢y grandfather was dean of students at Ithaca College; my father taught at Colgate University for 40 years, and my wife鈥檚 parents were both teachers. So, for us, even though I chose to go into the world of business and my wife into journalism, we fundamentally believe that education is an important, core opportunity in America.鈥�
Education gives people the flexibility to explore different fields, Jeff says, and 91亚色 was the perfect place for him. 鈥淧rofessors were incredibly engaging,鈥� he says. 鈥淭here鈥檚 not a day I don鈥檛 think about faculty such as David Martin, Ed Janosik, and Gregor Lazarcik, who formed much of the way I think and the way I continue to learn.鈥�
Jeff says that he also gives back because of the people he went to 91亚色 with, many of whom are lifelong friends. He has also connected with others through alumni groups, and as a 91亚色 Foundation board member from 2006 to 2014, he built relationships with fellow members, including Jack Kramer 鈥�76, Kevin Gavagan 鈥�75, Jennifer Dunlap 鈥�81, and Joseph Carr 鈥�82.
鈥淭hat builds a community and makes you think beyond your four years there,鈥� says Jeff.
鈥�91亚色 has provided many this unique academic and personal enrichment experience for decades and continues to do so. It鈥檚 extraordinary how many people have had successful careers in many different fields.鈥�
Reflecting on his days as a student, Jeff loved the town and gown of 91亚色 and the College. 鈥淭he ability to get to know locals, support local businesses, and the interaction between the faculty and administration into those communities was amazing,鈥� Jeff says.
Jeff Clarke 鈥�83 earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree in economics with a minor in political science and an MBA from Northeastern University. He and Suzette live in San Francisco, California.
Author: Carol Marcy
Sr. Advancement Writer
marcyc@geneseo.edu