Clarke College to become Clarke University

Clarke College has been renamed Clarke University, effective Aug. 1.

“By becoming Clarke University, we are publicly and proudly claiming the scope of who we are as an institution,” Clarke President Joanne Burrows said on Wednesday in announcing the board-approved change. “The name change speaks to the Clarke of today and the Clarke of the future.”

Clarke, in Dubuque, has a student body of more than 1,200 students in undergraduate and four graduate programs - master's degrees in nursing, business and education, and a doctoral program in physical therapy.

A new doctor of nursing practice degree program is in the planning stages with an accreditation visit anticipated in 2010.

Clarke was founded in 1843 as St. Mary's Female Academy, later becoming St. Joseph's Female Academy on the Prairie, Academy of the Sacred Heart, St. Joseph Academy and Mount St. Joseph Academy. In 1901, the institution became Mount St. Joseph College and in 1928, was named Clarke College in honor of founder Mary Frances Clarke.