$10M gift advances School of Climate, Environment, and Society

President David Fithian announced Wednesday that Clark University will receive a $10 million gift from University Trustee and philanthropist Vickie Riccardo and her two daughters, Jocelyn Spencer and Alyssa Spencer ’17, to begin the process of establishing the School of Climate, Environment, and Society, first by recruiting a dean to lead it.

The School of Climate, Environment, and Society is expected to affirm Clark’s leadership and proficiency in advancing solutions to combat climate change and the challenges posed by our warming planet. The school, with an anticipated opening in Fall 2025, will synergize a number of Clark’s historic strengths in geography, geographic information sciences, environmental economics, and community development, along with faculty expertise in the sciences, social sciences, and humanities.

Riccardo was inspired to support this effort because she and her daughters believe there is no more urgent problem than addressing climate change in all of its aspects. The foundational gift is a testament to the donors’ belief in Clark’s ability to bring about global change and meet the gravity of this moment. The hope is that their inaugural gift to the effort will inspire others to support what is estimated to be a $75 million to $100 million initiative.

“We are tremendously grateful to Vickie and her daughters for this transformative gift,” said Clark President David Fithian. “It will make an immeasurable difference for our University and, even more importantly, the world as we are better enabled to bring forward new solutions and have even greater impact.”

In recognition of this foundational gift, Clark will name the deanship of the school as the D.J.A. Spencer Dean of the School of Climate, Environment, and Society, honoring the late Donald Spencer, as well as his and Vickie’s daughters, Jocelyn and Alyssa. Clark also will establish the Vickie Riccardo Climate Catalyst Fund to help support the school’s development and growth.

The recommendation to establish the School of Climate, Environment, and Society at Clark evolved through a two-year extensive planning process led by a group of nearly three dozen faculty and staff. It has received broad and enthusiastic support from faculty, administrators, staff, students, trustees, and alumni.

“Clark’s School of Climate, Environment, and Society will offer a truly interdisciplinary approach to addressing one of the world’s most intractable challenges, drawing from nearly every University department,” Vickie Riccardo said. “Clark’s approach will distinguish it from other programs at other universities. Climate is a universal, multilayered, multifaceted challenge. I am tremendously excited about the potential to elevate Clark’s distinctive reach and impact through an innovative and inclusive curriculum, rigorous research program, and outreach collaborations.”

President Fithian underscored the significance of this moment for the University. “This initiative not only builds on historic academic strengths at Clark but also is designed from the start to be responsive to the current and future needs of climate work in and outside of higher education,” he said. “We know that we have something quite distinctive, compelling, and consequential to offer. Clark’s agility, integrative approach to research, and foundational expertise is a unique combination that empowers the University’s School of Climate, Environment, and Society to be a leading and critical voice in helping to resolve the climate crisis. The school will harness and focus all of that potential, leveraging our small size and nimble approach.

“In true Clark fashion, the University is forging its own path to create bold impact,” Fithian continued.

The Riccardo and Spencer family have generously given their time, resources, and leadership to empower Clark to pursue other key strategic initiatives, including the renovation of the Little Center and Michelson Theater on the Clark campus, now home to the Riccardo & Spencer Lobby. Riccardo has also served Clark with distinction as a member of the Board of Trustees for the past decade.

“This gift builds upon the Riccardo and Spencer family’s long-standing commitment and dedication to Clark University,” President Fithian said. “They are true champions of Clark, the liberal arts, and our community, and have been among the first to respond to opportunities to support our strategic initiatives. We are a stronger University because of their passion and support.”