Former Prof. and Assistant Dean Clark F. Norton Dies at 97

August 1, 2009

August 1, 2009, Greencastle, Ind. — Clark Frederic Norton, who served as a professor of political science at DePauw for 16 years and also was the University's director of graduate studies and assistant academic dean, died July 22 at his home in Bowie, Maryland. He was 97 years old.

The Washington Post reports that in 1948, Norton "took a job as an associate professor of political science at DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind., rising to full professor [in 1952], director of graduate studies [1959-64] and assistant academic dean [1961-64]. Among his students there was Vernon Jordan, who later became president of the National Urban League. In Greencastle, Dr. Norton also served eight years on the city council." (at right: Norton with Robert Farber '35, academic dean of the University)

In 1964, Norton left DePauw to become an aide to U.S. Senator Birch Bayh (D-Indiana), where "he worked on the 25th Amendment to the Constitution, which governs presidential succession, and contributed to a major federal disaster assistance act. His expertise in that act led him to be transferred to the Senate public works committee in 1971 when an earthquake struck the San Fernando Valley in Southern California. In 1975, Dr. Norton switched to the Congressional Research Service, which he told his daughter was his favorite job. 'Imagine writing the most interesting term papers and having an impact on public policy,' he told her."

Professor Norton earned his bachelors, master's and doctoral degrees in history from the University of Michigan.

Read more at the Post's Web site.

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