John L. Clarke, 85, president of Ricks College for 27 years, died here Feb. 20.

He was president of Ricks College, now the largest private junior college in the nation, from 1944-1971. During his tenure, the longest of any Ricks president, enrollment swelled from 400 students and two buildings to 5,000 students and 24 buildings."John L. Clarke was really the embodiment of the spirit of Ricks College," said Ricks president Steven D. Bennion. "He not only oversaw the college during some difficult periods and phenomenal periods of growth, but during all that time, he maintained a positive outlook, a great love for people and their potential and was a marvelous leader and anchor for this institute. He likely had as large an impact on Ricks as any other person who served here in the college's 102-year history. His legacy is one that will never be forgotten."

During Clarke's administration, Ricks was made a four-year school, but the third and fourth years were later discontinued.

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Clarke also served as president of the New England Mission, 1971-74; president of the Rexburg Idaho Stake for nine years; and as a patriarch in the Ricks College First Stake. His wife, LaRae, continues to work at Ricks College as an associate dean of Student Life. They were members of the Rexburg 15th Ward, Rexburg Idaho East Stake.

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