The S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications will name its newly renovated studio facility Dick Clark Studios, in honor of the legendary broadcaster and Syracuse University alumnus after receiving a $5 million donation for the studio renovations from the Clark family.

Kari Clark, Clark’s widow, announced at the 2013 Mirror Awards that she will be making a donation to the studio renovations due to her husband’s love for the university, according to a Wednesday Newhouse news release.

“Syracuse was always important to Dick and very close to his heart throughout his life,” Clark said in the release. “It will mean so much to see his name attached to a school and a studio facility that will literally launch a thousand careers in this business.”

The donation will follow with a naming gift, which will display Dick Clark Studios on a large monument wall in the renovated Waverly Avenue entrance of Newhouse II, said Susan Nash, building coordinator. The wall is a part of the school’s $18 million renovation of Newhouse II, which is slated to be completed for fall 2014.

The wall will be constructed where Newhouse Studio A was once located, said Lynn Vanderhoek, assistant dean of external affairs. It will feature Clark’s logo and will be backlit at nighttime, she said.

“When Cindy and Kari stepped forward and said they would help us, we were grateful and delighted,” Vanderhoek said. “We had an overriding feeling that this is the right marriage.”

Clark’s donation will ensure that students are trained in state-of-the-art studios, said Lorraine Branham, dean of Newhouse, in the release. She added Clark embodied all the qualities the Newhouse school seeks to instill through its education.

“Dick has been such a great part of the Newhouse experience,” Vanderhoek said. “He has been involved with the school for the last 30 years, and now the next 30 generations will know his name.”

Published on June 5, 2013 at 4:37 pm

Contact Annie: apalme05@syr.edu