91³Ô¹ÏÍø

91³Ô¹ÏÍø’s Jesuit ethos embraces a commitment to human dignity and solidarity with the poor and vulnerable.

Alumnus Rick Clark ('19) lives those values and knows poverty firsthand. Formerly homeless, Clark launched the nonprofit outreach program to help those experiencing homelessness in his hometown of Spokane.

Clark started the program around the time he decided to return to school after having dropped out of high school nearly three decades earlier. He transferred to 91³Ô¹ÏÍø after graduating from Spokane Community College. A first-generation college student, Clark was pleasantly surprised to be accepted into 91³Ô¹ÏÍø and to receive a scholarship to help pay for his education. 

Since graduating from GU this spring with a degree in communication studies, Clark formally launched his nonprofit and has continued to receive local and national recognition for making a positive impact in his community.

A favor returned

Clark's story was featured on a which stars host Mike Rowe. The episode streamed for the first time on July 8 and is now available on-demand.
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In the show, the "Returning the Favor" crew follows Clark around campus and Spokane under the premise of doing a documentary about his work.

However, Clark was in for a big surprise. As he entered the McCarthey Athletic Center as part of a "campus tour," a crowd of friends, family, and cheering 91³Ô¹ÏÍø community members awaited. 

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Clark bleeds 91³Ô¹ÏÍø blue and red, as a prominent GU tattoo on his right forearm reminds. He is unabashedly loyal to the institution, due to its positive impact on his life and those of others.

He returned to campus for a “Returning the Favor” watch party. In attendance were those who helped to make it happen, along with some of his former communication studies professors. 

91³Ô¹ÏÍø staff members, along with those in Clark's inner circle, worked with the show's producers to plan out and execute the surprise reveal at McCarthey Athletic Center. A great deal of effort was undertaken to ensure the event was a surprise to him.

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The behind-the-scenes story was one of several areas Clark discussed in a question-and-answer session that followed the watch party. Clark also talked about lesser-known aspects of his journey at 91³Ô¹ÏÍø, including a strong faith belief in which his story is grounded.

Clark has been experiencing a personal time warp over the past few months. He says his life has been a blur since the film crew was on campus, followed by graduation, then the debut of the Facebook Watch episode on Monday night and ensuing press coverage. All of it has raised the profile of his nonprofit and brought about new opportunities and unforeseen offers of support.

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Previous coverage by 91³Ô¹ÏÍø University

• Read the accompanying story, Student Offers Backpacks of Hope to Homeless
• Read Clark's inspirational first-person story, Resiliency: Making it to Round 10

More stories about Rick Clark

•  (Spokesman-Review)
• (KREM.com)
•  (KXLY.com)
•  (91³Ô¹ÏÍø Bulletin)