10 of Nation's Brightest College-Bound Students Selected as Inaugural A. James Clark Scholars at Duke

Ten outstanding, aspiring engineers have been named as the inaugural class of A. James Clark Scholars at Duke University, Ravi V. Bellamkonda, Duke’s Vinik Dean of Engineering, announced.

The Clark Scholars Program is a signature component of Duke Engineering’s initiative to encourage an entrepreneurial mindset among all its undergraduate students.

“Entrepreneurship is a powerful way to increase the positive impact of Duke Engineering innovation on society,” said William Walker, Mattson Family Director of Entrepreneurship @ Duke Engineering and coordinator of the Clark Scholars Program at Duke. “We’re building an entrepreneurial community at Duke Engineering through expert advice, innovative educational experiences, and direct connections to resources and the wider community on campus.”

"These students truly embody Duke's 'outrageous ambitions' to take on humanity's greatest challenges, and we cannot wait to welcome them to Duke and to the Pratt School of Engineering."

Ravi V. Bellamkonda
Vinik Dean of Engineering

The A. James Clark Scholars Program, funded through a $15 million gift from the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation, expands access to Duke’s nationally recognized engineering education and seeks to create a new generation of engineering leaders.

Each scholar receives support over four years to help offset loans, work-study and summer earnings requirements, allowing them freedom to participate in unpaid service, extracurricular activities, internships, and the creation of their own venture. The program mirrors the vision and values of construction pioneer A. James Clark with a focus on engineering, business, leadership and community service. Clark Scholars at Duke will receive personal mentoring, enrichment opportunities, and a focused summer program in entrepreneurship and management.

“Each of our new Clark Scholars has already shown a high level of achievement and a desire to pursue entrepreneurial approaches with the potential to transform not only their lives, but the lives of others,” Bellamkonda said. “These students truly embody Duke’s ‘outrageous ambitions’ to take on humanity’s greatest challenges, and we cannot wait to welcome them to Duke and to the Pratt School of Engineering.”

The group represents 6 states, and a wide range of experiences and achievements.

The 10 Clark Scholars, all members of the incoming Class of 2022, were selected based on financial need, academic accomplishment, engagement in engineering, and leadership skills.

The class represents students from six states with a wide range of experiences and achievements. As just one example, Clark Scholar Marcellus Jordan III of Houston, Texas, said that his passion is robotics—flying drones, competing in robotics team challenges and donating significant time as a volunteer robotics instructor.

“I plan to major in mechanical engineering,” Jordan said, “and I want to start my own company that develops emerging technologies.”

The inaugural class of Clark Scholars at Duke are:

• Filip Bartel of Dumont, New Jersey
• William Carlson of Rustburg, Virginia
• Joy Fu of College Station, Texas
• Marcellus Jordan III of Houston, Texas
• Philip Liu of Austin, Texas
• Sophie Rubin of Roslyn, New York
• Hosam Tagel-Din of Cary, North Carolina
• Kayana Tyson of Woodbridge, Virginia
• Christian Welch of Cartersville, Georgia
• Juliet Yznaga of Austin, Texas

The Clark Scholars Program is the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation’s signature academic program as part of its commitment to building the pipeline of future engineers. This inaugural class at Duke will join a Clark Scholars network that includes students from The George Washington University, Georgia Tech, Johns Hopkins University, The University of Maryland, University of Pennsylvania, Stevens Institute of Technology, Vanderbilt University, The University of Virginia, and Virginia Tech.

Scholar bios can be found at clarkscholars.duke.edu/scholars

Learn more about how Duke prepares engineers who are inspired and equipped to solve complex societal problems at pratt.duke.edu/inspiring

Visit the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation at clarkfoundationdc.org