Inspired by a Mentor: Kathryn Clark's Commitment to Future Public Health Professionals

For Utah State University alumna Kathryn Clark, giving back is more than an act of generosity — it is a continuation of a legacy that began in the lecture halls and laboratories of the biology and public health programs.

With bachelor’s degrees in biology ’89 and public health ’91, Clark has built an influential career in industrial hygiene and workplace safety, shaped by the mentors and classmates who inspired her at USU. Today, her support of the David Drown Scholarship for Public Health ensures that future Aggies have access to the same transformative opportunities.

Clark’s commitment to Utah State is rooted in deep gratitude for the education and mentorship she received, particularly from David Drown, the emeritus faculty member for whom the scholarship is named.

“I was inspired by Dr. Drown as a great scientist and industrial hygiene professional,” Clark said. “He encouraged all his students to become lifelong learners, dedicated to protecting people from workplace health hazards and improving the quality of life for the average worker. He has been a great mentor to me personally.”

Drown’s program emphasized the real-world application of science — the foundation for a profession devoted to anticipating, recognizing and mitigating occupational hazards. That practical, hands-on training shaped Clark’s nearly 29-year career at WCF Insurance, where she now serves as senior vice president of safety and risk.

Under her leadership, WCF’s team provides thousands of on-site safety consultations and educational seminars annually, which are instrumental in creating awareness and reducing workplace injuries across the region.

Clark credits her preparation for such leadership directly to USU.

“The education and field experience offered through the public health industrial hygiene emphasis, pioneered by Dr. Drown, prepared me for a rewarding career in occupational health and safety and guided me through leadership roles,” Clark said. “Many of us from Dr. Drown’s USU program have gone on to succeed in senior leadership positions at outstanding companies. I attribute this success to the mindset and preparation we gained through his mentorship at USU.”

But her Aggie impact extends beyond her own professional achievements.

“The people I met during my studies at Utah State University have remained lifelong friends, and many have helped shape my career after graduation,” Clark said. “I currently work with one of my classmates, Charles Pugh, on the senior leadership team at WCF Insurance. Another classmate, Flint Belk, serves on my safety and risk consultation leadership team. They are both dear family friends, and I have learned so much from them.”

As a woman working in the sciences, Clark’s experience at Utah State stands out. While research has documented persistent challenges women face in science fields, she remembers a supportive and empowering environment.

“While I encountered these challenges at times in my career, that was not my experience at Utah State University — particularly in the biology department,” she said. “I was treated fairly and encouraged to excel in my career pursuits. Since I will likely never be a professor in academia, I want to provide that same encouragement by sponsoring students in a field I am passionate about.”

Her gifts to the David Drown Scholarship for Public Health — an expendable fund supporting students majoring in public health — are an extension of that desire. By easing students’ financial burdens, Clark hopes to open pathways to professions that improve worker health, safety and well-being.

Ultimately, her motivation to give back is grounded in gratitude and in a belief that success is built on community, mentorship and shared purpose.

“Remember those who gave you a boost and whose shoulders you stood on as you advanced in your career,” Clark said, hoping to inspire today’s generation to give back. “As you graduate and move forward, offer the same support to the next generation. Never forget that we are more intelligent together than we are individually, and that fulfilling relationships are the key to true success in life.”

Through her leadership, her example, and her generosity, Kathryn Clark has created a meaningful Aggie impact — one that honors her mentor, strengthens her profession and invests in the future of public health students at Utah State University.

Student success is at the heart of Utah State’s mission, and your gift ensures that every deserving Aggie has the chance to thrive. Whether supporting scholarships, basic needs, or hands-on learning, your generosity helps students reach the finish line with confidence. Create Your Aggie Impact by supporting the programs and pathways that matter most to you.