Clark State College will celebrate its 62^nd annual Charter Night on Tuesday, February 27 with a gathering of faculty, staff and special guests at the Hollenbeck Bayley Creative Arts and Conference Center in Springfield.

Charter Night serves to remind the college and the community about the establishment of Clark State’s charter in 1966 to operate as a post-secondary institution in the region.

“Acknowledging our employees and celebrating their accomplishments highlight the strong values upheld by the College,” said Dr. Jo Alice Blondin, president of Clark State. “Our theme, ‘I Am,’ represents how each individual contributes to Clark State with their own unique skills and abilities, and we will hear from students and employees alike to share their “I Am Clark State” stories.”

Charter Night will honor recipients of the Staff Professional Excellence Awards, Faculty and Adjunct Faculty Professional Excellence Awards, and will recognize two Emeriti awardees and other special awards.  In addition, Clark State will recognize 33 employees who have worked for the college ranging from five to 25 years, with two celebrating a milestone of 40 years with the college.

While Clark State has been a cornerstone of higher education in the community and surrounding areas since 1962, one thing always remains constant: change.

The Springfield and Clark County Technical Education Program opened in 1962 and began to offer technical training for residents of Springfield, Ohio, and surrounding communities. The charter for the organization of the Clark County Technical Institute was effective February 18, 1966.

Clark County Technical Institute became Ohio’s first technical college to be sanctioned by the Ohio Board of Regents, the name changed from Clark County Technical Institute to Clark Technical College by action of the Ohio Board of Regents on February 17, 1972.

The charter changed from Clark Technical College to Clark State Community College on June 17, 1988, and the college began offering Associate of Arts and Associate of Science transfer degrees that same year.

With the addition of three bachelor’s degrees now available at Clark State, the Board of Trustees voted in 2018 to change the name of the institution to encompass the advancements in educational opportunities made by the college. On January 1, 2021, Clark State Community College became Clark State College.

Throughout Clark State’s 62 years, the college has received numerous accolades for its achievements in diversity, equity and inclusion, workforce development, community partnerships and outreach, and educational milestones. The economic impact of Clark State on Champaign, Clark, Greene and Logan Counties is in excess of $161 million dollars annually.

2024 Charter Night Service Awards Recipients

5 Years

10 Years

15 Years

20 Years

25 Years

40 Years