Shelton High School Gets $100,000 Donation

’s Science Department got a major financial boost this week, courtesy of the former salutatorian of the Class of 1936.

A $100,000 donation from the estate of Herbert M. Clark, PhD., was bestowed upon the school last Monday during a kick-off reception for the newly established Shelton Educational Endowment Fund.

School officials said the generous gift will benefit students for years to come.

“Funds from this endowment will be used to purchase up-to-date microscopes, stereomicroscopes, Vernier probes and other instructional equipment and technologies which will enhance the teaching of science at Shelton High School,” said SHS Principal Beth Smith. “We are most grateful to Dr. Clark for this bequest. It is my hope that the benefits from this endowment inspire students at Shelton High School to enter a career in the sciences, for that will truly honor Herbert M. Clark.”

Clark, a Derby native who grew up in Shelton, was a Professor Emeritus at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for 38 years, and taught courses in analytical, environmental, general, nuclear, physical, radiation, radio-chemistry, chemical thermodynamics and nuclear reactor theory. He also taught courses at colleges and industrial laboratories on the techniques of using radioactive isotopes in teaching and research using a mobile laboratory provided by the U.S Atomic
Energy Commission.

In addition, Clark co-authored three textbooks, contributed chapters to reference books and published several papers in scientific journals.

As a student at Shelton High School in the mid-1930’s, Clark was an associate editor, served on the prom committee and was  in the cast of “The Whole Town’s Talking,” a three-act comedy.

Smith said Clark was dubbed “the most likely to succeed” male in his class, as well as the “most studious” and “most intelligent.” Always interested in science, Smith said Clark and a classmate of his presented a science demonstration in which they completed “a few spectacular experiments which included combustion in various gases and sensitive tests for metals.”

Smith said The Class Mirror identified Clark as "would-be chemist.” And not long after, Clark made that predication a reality, having earned his bachelor's and doctoral degrees in chemistry from Yale  University.

Several years before his death at age 90 in 2009, Smith said Clark set his sights on doing something extra special for the school.

“He returned to the halls of Shelton High School with the intent of finding out how he could assist his alma mater,” Smith said. “After his death I received notification that Herbert left Shelton High School monies to establish an endowment fund in his name. A true scientist who thought before he spoke, Herbert’s wish was to provide the Shelton High School Science Department with yearly funds earmarked for science equipment and technology.”

During Monday’s reception held at Shelton Intermediate School, the community was able to see firsthand the outstanding work produced by students, including the Lego League and Robotics teams from Perry Hill, Shelton Intermediate and Shelton High schools.

According to Superintendent of Schools Freeman Burr, The Shelton Education Endowment Fund, a non-profit organization, was created to support students through awards and scholarships; teacher creativity and innovation; career and college exploration and parent and community engagement.

“The sole mission will be a commitment to improving education in Shelton,” Burr said.