That spirit of service, along with his deep connection to the college community, has earned Clark recognition as MGCCC’s 2026 Spirit of Gulf Coast honoree.
Clark’s relationship with Gulf Coast began long before he became one of the college’s most recognizable employees. A 2003 graduate of Stone High School, he attended MGCCC from 2003 to 2005 before transferring to William Carey University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Studies in 2008. He later returned to William Carey and earned a Master of Business Administration in 2014.
His career at Gulf Coast actually began while he was still in high school. In June 2002, Clark joined the college’s grounds crew part time, maintaining sidewalks and helping wherever he was needed. In 2005, he moved to Transportation, where he cleaned buses and fleet vehicles, changed oil and helped maintain the shop.
In May 2011, Clark became the college’s full-time transportation courier, a position that made him a familiar sight throughout the MGCCC district. For eight years, he traveled between campuses and centers delivering mail and packages and connecting the many locations that make up Gulf Coast.
In 2019, Clark became transportation supervisor. Today, he coordinates bus travel throughout the institution, oversees fleet vehicles for the District Office and Perkinston Campus and remains responsible for courier services. Over the years, he also has transported countless Bulldogs, from athletic teams heading to competitions to student groups and campus organizations traveling to events.
Those miles have added up to something greater than a job. They have allowed Clark to become part of the everyday lives of people throughout Gulf Coast. He may work out of Transportation, but his workplace has really been the entire college.
Clark discovered just how much those connections meant earlier this summer when he became critically ill. As he faced a frightening health crisis, the Gulf Coast family he had served for so many years responded. Coworkers and friends visited, called, checked on him and asked for updates. Concern extended throughout the institution, from President Dr. Mary S. Graham to employees across the college.
For Clark, the experience changed his understanding of what it means to be part of Gulf Coast. He had always known MGCCC was a special place, but the outpouring of concern and support showed him just how special.
After more than 24 years of service, Clark represents a quality at the heart of the Spirit of Gulf Coast Award: a willingness to serve wherever needed and to build relationships along the way. His career has taken him down countless roads and to nearly every corner of the college district, but the most important part of the journey has been the people.
