A Commitment to the Good of All
As the 2026-2027 academic year approaches, the Clarke community is reflecting on what a “commitment to the good of all” really means. Our Core Values of Freedom, Education, Charity, and Justice offer guidance, just as they have to the BVM Sisters for generations. However, that lived experience can look different for each of us.
It begins with the tradition of service that is central to many of Clarke’s academic and extracurricular programs. From clinical work in our Nursing, Social Work, and Physical Therapy programs to community murals led by Clarke Studio Art majors, students are putting classroom skills into practice for the benefit of friends and neighbors throughout the region.
Add to this the volunteer hours that are built into coaches’ expectations for athletic teams, our growing Campus Ministry program, and the dozens of Clarke student interns placed in Dubuque area organizations every year, and the impact becomes clear. There’s a reason that 100 percent of our graduates report getting involved in the greater community during their time at Clarke.
At Clarke, education is about more than career preparation alone; it’s about preparing students to make a meaningful contribution to the world around them. Our educational philosophy is reflected in the way students learn: community engagement isn’t an extracurricular activity added onto the educational experience but is woven into its very fabric. Through service, internships, clinical experiences, and volunteerism, students discover how their knowledge, talents, and passions can be used to meet the needs of others and contribute to the common good. That commitment to the good of all is integral to what it means to be a Clarke graduate.
That involvement lays a foundation that shapes how our alumni approach service and community for the rest of their lives. Many of them also choose to give back to Clarke with their time and talents. During the 2025-2026 academic year, there were many instances of these connections in action. 7 Hills Brewing Company, Jubeck Brewing Company, Dimensional Brewing Company all hosted socials for alumni and friends. The Dubuque Golf and Country Club and Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa entertained Clarke supporters for the Golf Classic. Representatives from organizations with alumni ties, like State Farm Insurance, River City Logistics, Opening Doors Dubuque, and Kunkel and Associates, have visited Clarke students in class and collaborated on community projects. The Alumni Relations Office is also expanding its outreach through new events, including sponsoring Irish Hooley and hosting a vendor booth at RAGBRAI to connect with alumni, prospective students, families, and the community.
“Taking part in these events shows our commitment to supporting not just our alumni, but the people, places, and traditions that shape us,” said Director of Alumni Relations, Elena Dominguez ‘20 ‘21 MSW. “I believe that offering a positive presence in the community is one of the best ways to live our Core Values.”
Of course, one of the most time-honored ways to connect is by celebrating Homecoming on campus. Homecoming 2026 will offer events October 9-11 to celebrate the Clarke spirit and foster an even greater sense of community.
Find more ways to get involved at clarke.edu/alumni/alumni-events.
Would you like to share how the Core Values continue to shape your work and life? Tell us more at marketing@clarke.edu and you could be featured in a future story!