Joe Clark, a former high school principal who was the subject of the film, “Lean On Me,” will speak at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 1 at the Elon College Community Church. Sponsored by the Liberal Arts Forum, Clark’s speech, “Laying Down the Law,” is free and open to the public.
A former Army drill instructor, Clark was principal at Eastside High School in Paterson, N.J., from 1982 to 1990. Clark brought discipline and authority to the school, which was ravaged by crime and drug abuse. His “get tough” approach included carrying a baseball bat through the school hallways and warning students that their actions carried consequences.
His speeches focus on the importance of direction and a sense of purpose for young people to lead successful lives.
Since 1995, Clark has worked with juvenile offenders at the Essex County Youth House in Newark, N.J., where he has improved living conditions and eliminated drug use, as well as raising test scores.
-30-