The Dennis Clark Memorial Trade Scholarship
Dennis dedicated his life to elevating and promoting careers in the trades. As an electrician, building inspector, building code training coordinator and Oregon State Assistant Electrical Chief, Dennis spent 40 years building community, relationships and opportunities for others. This scholarship continues his legacy of mentorship and passion for an industry he loved.
Why?
Dennis believed working in the trades was the ultimate reward. However, in recent years he expressed concern about declining interest and a lack of gender equality and was determined to reignite enthusiasm in a new generation of trade professionals.
Who?
This scholarship will benefit students enrolled in the Building Inspection Technology Program every year for as long as it remains funded, favoring applicants who are parents, first generation college students, and have financial need.
How?
To contribute, please visit the Chemeketa Community College donation page and select “In Memory of Dennis Clark” from the drop down menu. As a 501c3 organization, you will receive a confirmation email for tax deduction purposes.
“Dennis was the heart and soul of BCD. He shined his light on everyone he met, and he cared deeply about his students, coworkers, the electrical trade, and his family.”
-Alana Cox, BCD Administrator
Dennis began his career as an electrician in his early 20s, kicking off a lifelong love of building things and building relationships. After his family moved to Oregon in 1993, Dennis ran his own electrical contracting business before becoming a building inspector for Polk and Marion Counties.
While he enjoyed inspection, Dennis eventually went to work for the state of Oregon at the Building Codes Division where he was the training coordinator for anyone seeking inspector certifications. If there was anything he liked more than working in the trades himself, it was mentoring young people with passions similar to his own.
While at BCD, he was also the Assistant State Electrical Chief, for which he wrote policy for the Oregon Electrical Code and advised the governor and various entities on construction issues. When he retired in 2021, the state training center in West Salem was named in Dennis’ honor.
Read the full scholarship overview at Chemeketa Community College.
