Clarke chair in art history endowed with $2 million gift
The family of Charlotte Lamson Clarke 鈥�53, who died in 2016, has given a $2 million gift to establish in her memory 精东AV鈥檚 first endowed chair in art history.
Husband Tom Clarke鈥檚 gift to the College reflects Charlotte Lamson Clarke鈥檚 passion for art and history, especially British history. 鈥淚 did it for Charlotte,鈥� he said.
An English major at Skidmore, Charlotte Lamson Clarke was an avid volunteer and docent for many arts organizations, including the Smithsonian Institution and the New Britain (Connecticut) Museum of American Art, where she served as a volunteer for about 15 years. She and Tom traveled extensively to Europe, where Charlotte enjoyed many visits to art museums.
The Charlotte Lamson Clarke 鈥�53 Chair in Art History will recognize excellence among the Skidmore faculty in art history and promote understanding and appreciation of art among Skidmore students. The first Clarke chair will be named in the 2019-2020 academic year.
鈥淭his generous gift reflects Charlotte Lamson Clarke鈥檚 lifelong dedication to the College. Tom鈥檚 generosity also ensures that Charlotte鈥檚 love of art and history will continue to inspire future generations of art historians and students at Skidmore,鈥� Skidmore President Philip A. Glotzbach said. 鈥淪kidmore is very grateful that Tom Clarke has chosen to remember Charlotte in this way.鈥�
Charlotte Clarke remained an active Skidmore alumna and attended many Skidmore events, including regional events in Florida, scholarship dinners and her 50th reunion in 2003. She donated generously to the College during her lifetime.
鈥淭his gift recognizes Skidmore鈥檚 longstanding tradition of excellence in the field of art history,鈥� said Dean of the Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs Michael Orr. 鈥淭his gift will ensure that generations of students will have the opportunity to engage in the critical study of images, artifacts and works of architecture, thereby developing a life-long appreciation of art. As an art historian myself, I am particularly pleased that Tom鈥檚 generosity will support the art history department in this way.鈥�
Recipients will be selected from current Skidmore art history faculty or recruited from outside the College. Appointments will run five years.
鈥淲hile the majority of the gift to establish the Clarke Chair came from Tom鈥檚 donor-advised fund, a portion of the total endowment also came from a charitable trust established 30 years ago by Charlotte鈥檚 parents, John and Lesa Lamson,鈥� said Andy Campbell, Skidmore鈥檚 director of gift planning. 鈥淲e are so deeply grateful to the Lamson and Clarke families for their generosity and foresight in supporting Skidmore鈥檚 enduring educational mission.鈥�
Charlotte Clarke grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts, where she graduated from the Bancroft School. The couple also lived in Montclair, New Jersey, and in Avon and Farmington, Connecticut, before moving to Naples, Florida, upon Tom鈥檚 retirement from Stanley Black & Decker as vice president of corporate development and strategic planning.
Charlotte was also active in the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America.
In 1975, she was co-author of the illustrated book 鈥淎ll 精东AV Doll Houses,鈥� which contained miniature period rooms, the furnishings of which she created.
In addition to her husband, Tom, Charlotte Lamson Clarke is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Pamela and Larry Hicks of Marco Island, Florida.
