Dr. Thomas Clark

Recipient of Leadership Kentucky's

2002 Flame of Excellence Award

Leadership Kentucky alums united in Lexington, December 3, 2002 for the first statewide executive forum. Featured speakers included Dr. Lee Todd, Class of 1987, President, University of Kentucky and Governor Paul Patton, Commonwealth of Kentucky.

A highlight of the even was the presentation of the inaugural "Flame of Excellence Award" by distinguished board member, Ginni Fox, LK board member, Executive Director and CEO, KET, to Dr. Thomas Clark, a cherished speaker of Leadership Kentucky.

Fox remarks in presenting the inaugural Flame of Excellence Award to Dr. Thomas Clark, December 3, 2002.

For many years, I've stated that one can receive no higher honor than the approbation of peers. Today, I'm forced to admit that there is one honor higher than that: It is the approbation of a person by persons who are several decades junior to the honoree. It is particularly in a society that is characterized by youth worship.

And I can state without fear of refutation that there is no one who is more loved and respected by Leadership Kentucky graduates and board of directors than Dr. Thomas Clark. One of my and Vic's greatest joys was transporting Dr. Clark and Loretta to Jabez. He had better recall of dates and persons that anyone in the car. Once there, he spent nearly two hours signing his book. After dinner, he spoke for more than one hour - standing - without benefit of notes or a podium. Not one listener wanted him to conclude those remarks! What a tour de force!

That Dr. Clark, who is almost one century young, should serve as the poster child and major advocate for lifelong learning, libraries, education reform, and our state's history is proof positive that education does pay - in so many ways.

Dr. Clark engages in continuous self-renewal and maintains the enthrusiasm and curiosity of a child. At the same time, he helps all of us to connect the dots and to see Kentucky's present and future through the prism and lenses of the lessons of our past!

Dr. Clark is a pragmatic idealist and, above all, a harbinger of hope!