Holy Cross College at Notre Dame, Indiana has named Marco Clark, Ed.D., as president of the College, effective July 1, 2022. Dr. Clark will be the first president of the College who is not a Holy Cross brother or priest. Dr. Clark comes to Holy Cross College from St. Edward’s University, sponsored by the Brothers of Holy Cross, Moreau Province, located in Austin, Texas and has worked for over thirty years as a Catholic educator and leader in higher education and secondary schools sponsored by the Congregation of Holy Cross. He will succeed Rev. David T. Tyson, C.S.C., who is retiring and who became president on July 31, 2017.
“I am deeply honored to be appointed as the next president of Holy Cross College. As one who was taught by the Brothers and who has spent my career serving in Holy Cross educational ministries, I am humbled and excited about the opportunity and responsibility to continue the transformative mission and charism of a Holy Cross education,” Dr. Marco Clark.
Dr. Clark was appointed President of Holy Cross College by the Members of the College upon the unanimous recommendation of the Board of Trustees. A Presidential Search Committee of the Board comprised of Trustees, Brothers of the Midwest Province, a Priest from the United States Province of Priests and Brothers, and faculty, students, and alumni of the College, undertook an extensive seven-month national search to identify and recommend Dr. Clark to the Board. The Committee was assisted by the R.H. Perry & Associates search firm under the direction of Matthew Kilcoyne and Dr. John Hutchinson.
John C. Gschwind, Chairperson, Holy Cross College Board of Trustees: “We are delighted to welcome Dr. Marco Clark to Holy Cross College. He is an experienced and enthusiastic leader, who has a demonstrated commitment to student engagement, transformational student success and the education of both the mind and heart of each student within the Catholic vision of the Congregation of Holy Cross. The Board is convinced that we have found a President who will build on the accomplishments of Father Tyson, and we look forward to working with Dr. Clark to advance the mission of Holy Cross College.”
Brother Ken Haders, C.S.C., a Member, Trustee, and Provincial, Midwest Province of the Congregation of Holy Cross, the sponsor of the College: “Dr. Clark is a transparent and inclusive servant leader, who exemplifies the charism, vision, and values of the Congregation of Holy Cross. We are very pleased that he will become the next leader of Holy Cross College.”
“I am delighted at the appointment of Dr. Marco Clark as the next president of Holy Cross College,” said Rev. David T. Tyson, C.S.C., current President. “He brings with him an impressive credential and superb knowledge of the Holy Cross Congregation’s mission of higher education. He is an excellent communicator and brings a superior record as a leader and administrator. I assure him of my thoughts and prayers as he begins his tenure.”
Dr. Clark holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the College of the Holy Cross, Massachusetts, a Master’s in Education in Guidance and Counseling from Bowie State University, Maryland, and a Doctorate in Education in Interdisciplinary Leadership from Creighton University, Nebraska. He has spent the entirety of his 33-year career as a Catholic educator, 25 of those years serving alongside the Brothers of Holy Cross. In his current position as executive director of the Holy Cross Institute at St. Edward’s University, Austin, Texas, he provides leadership support for the 120 Holy Cross schools around the world by conducting research, publishing resources, and delivering programs to ensure their Holy Cross mission, identity, and educational charism. He also works collaboratively with the campus ministry office for mission integration at St. Edward’s University.
Previously, Clark served as the President & CEO (2010-2020) and Principal (1997-2010) at Bishop McNamara High School, a Holy Cross Brothers school located outside of Washington, DC. During his 23-year tenure the school doubled its enrollment; significantly grew the faculty and staff; established numerous new programs in science, technology, the arts, humanities, and athletics; established an inclusion program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities; started and grew the school’s endowment; led three strategic plans for the school; oversaw several capital projects to modernize and expand the school campus; and strengthened the financial viability and sustainability of the school for a thriving future.
He and his wife Peggy, a Catholic school math teacher, have three grown children and five grandchildren. As a former Division I student-athlete (Football) and coach, Marco is also an avid sports fan. He loves to bike, kayak, hike, spend time with his family, travel, relax on the beach, and play golf. Marco and Peggy are parishioners at St. Ignatius Martyr Catholic Church, a Holy Cross parish, in Austin, Texas.