STATEMENT OF VARTAN GREGORIAN, PRESIDENT OF CARNEGIE CORPORATION OF NEW YORK, ON THE DEATH OF CLARK KERR, FORMER CHAIR AND DIRECTOR OF THE CARNEGIE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION
“Clark Kerr’s vision for higher education was always ahead of its time. Kerr believed that every American should have access to knowledge and the opportunity to receive formal education in a college or university setting. That vision was the underpinning of his work in every leadership position he held in academia, but it was as chair and director of the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education where that vision truly helped to shape public policy. Kerr’s voice of authority and integrity, along with the stage offered by the Commission, were a stunning combination that brought national attention to the idea of individual grants to provide students with greater access to college education, now known as the Pell Grants. Carnegie Corporation of New York and The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching both gained from Clark Kerr’s insights and service. So did the nation.”