Thomas Arkle Clark

[2]: 28 Born and raised in rural Illinois, Clark was orphaned at a young age and was adopted by an aunt.

However, Clark was a friend to the Greek community in the university, rising to lead the national chapter of Alpha Tau Omega and often supporting the system in the press.

However, Thomas' father struggled to make ends meet as a farmer there, as he was only skilled as a coal miner.

[2] Clark would use his expanded authority to shape the role of fraternities and sororities at the University of Illinois.

His first steps were to minimize the influence of the local Theta Nu Epsilon chapter, a secret fraternity.

Under Clark's direction, Illinois grew to have one of the largest fraternity and sorority systems in the nation.

Clark dismissed students caught hazing and established a program personally welcoming freshmen.

He maintained a vigilant watch on his students through contact with local police, coaches, townspeople, and Pinkerton.

Clark also despised automobiles and would expel students caught driving one unless they had an off-campus job.

Students believed that Clark operated a spy ring on campus and that he once slid down a fraternity chimney to break up an illegal party.

[2]: 43  The national chapter of Alpha Tau Omega presents the Thomas Arkle Clark Award to its most promising seniors.