Mike Clark

Profile Updated: March 17, 2019

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Residing In:

Laurel, MD USA

Spouse/Partner:

Cheryl Sumner

Occupation:

Federal US Research Scientist, Adjunct Professor since 2004, Community College since 1997.

Children:

None

Comments:

Putting the web site together was fun.Everything was there from the Yahoo site that brother George created, just organized differently.

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School Story:

Freshman year, 1972 I came to FIT on a Pennsylvanian student loan. I bought a new, shiny red surfboard and then couldn’t afford the meal plan. So I learned to live off the land, catching fish, collecting grapefruit, oranges, and the like. That first year was hard, both emotionally and scholastically. Back then; you could take as many classes as you wanted for one-fee. I toured the jungle late at night, bleary from my physics and advanced chemistry homework and played the blues harp at various pagodas. To help pay for tuition and rent, I took jobs offered by the school. First was the cafeteria as a dishwasher then a few months later I transitioned to the maintenance shop. FIT owned some houses off of University Avenue and I was sent to fix screen doors and do minor repairs. Then the big job came. Build a covered bridge. From scratch, a handful of us sank the timbers into the jungle’s muck and then raised the lumber. My two specialties were nailing the floorboards and making the rafter pieces. When that was finished, I found work at the bookstore. Does anyone remember Mr. Zimmerman, the manager? Well, it took me 6 years to complete my undergraduate degree in Ocean Engineering. A third of the cost came from student loans, a third from my mother, and a third from work. DDT Brothers were always there for me; they brought me into their lives, shared stories, and offered compassion. FIT was the glue, offering an excellent education and providing work in a sleepy little Florida town where jobs were hard to come by. My first job out of school was at Kennedy Space Center. DDT brother John Horan spoke for me and got me an interview. FIT prepared me well. I was thrilled! My salary was $12k/year in 1979. My loans were paid off in 2 years and I had a blast.

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Mar

17

Mar 17, 2019 at 11:47 AM

Happy St. Patrick's Day

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Mar

16

Mar 16, 2019 at 10:56 AM

Classic from one of the greats.... "A cannibal is one that goes into a restaurant and orders the waiter." - Morey Amsterdam

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Mar 16, 2019 at 10:51 AM

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Mar

18

Mar 18, 2019 at 8:35 AM

Posted on: Mar 04, 2019 at 6:32 PM

Here is a video from March 1st. I took my telepresence robot to an elementary school in D.C. The grades were 2nd through 6th. A friend from Australia drove the robot by using the Internet. He interacted by asking and answering questions. One child asked him if he had a kangaroo. Billy replied he saw one this morning in his yard but now it was11:30 PM where he was. So he brought out his fresh water pet turtle to show the kids. We also asked the kids why it was 110 F where he was and we had 3 inches of snow this morning. A brief geography lesson happened that I am sure they will remember because it was from Billy. The other thing I am sure of is an ear full of stories the parents received that night about robots and an australian turtle named "zeak". STEAM == science, technology, engineering, arts, and Math.

Elementary School has STEAM Day. We brought a telepresent robot to interact with grades 2 through 6th. Drivers from Australia, Texas, and Western Pennsylvania took questions and asked some too.

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Mar

04

Mar 04, 2019 at 6:17 PM

March 1st sprung past me. Here is our stats for February ....

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Feb

24

Feb 24, 2019 at 4:44 PM

Posted on: Feb 23, 2019 at 12:37 PM

Birthday Problem - a good read here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birthday_problem

Mike Clark has a birthday today.

Feb

23

Feb 23, 2019 at 4:33 AM

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Feb

15

Feb 15, 2019 at 5:27 AM

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Feb

14

Feb 14, 2019 at 10:21 AM

Happy Valentines Day!

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Feb

01

Feb 01, 2019 at 12:13 PM

Happy February 2019! Here are the January stats

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Jan

19

Jan 19, 2019 at 7:02 AM

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Jan

17

Jan 17, 2019 at 6:12 AM

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Jan

08

Jan 08, 2019 at 6:53 AM

http://www.ddt-fit.org/Sounds-of-Sickness.htm
It's the Cold & Flu Season... check out this classic song if you have empathy.

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Jan

04

Jan 04, 2019 at 8:48 AM

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Jan

02

Jan 02, 2019 at 8:24 AM

Stats for December 2018.

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Jan

03

Jan 03, 2019 at 3:39 PM

Posted on: Dec 31, 2018 at 10:06 PM

Happy 2019!

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Dec

25

Dec 25, 2018 at 1:27 PM

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Dec

14

Dec 14, 2018 at 6:33 AM

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Dec

13

Dec 13, 2018 at 4:43 PM

Posted on: Dec 12, 2018 at 7:09 AM

https://vimeo.com/304731194
I'm Back...... from 2 weeks in Brevard County. While there, made video of old surfing buddy of mine from early 70s. We are about the same age but Steve has more anti-aging atoms than me. Password for the video is "waterman" without the quotes. Place is Canal 54, on the south border of Brevard. A cold front was passing through so the skies were a little dark. Video time is 5 minutes.

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Nov

20

Nov 20, 2018 at 5:15 AM

Posted on: Nov 18, 2018 at 6:16 AM

I'm going off the grid for 2 weeks soon but will return in mid December. Meanwhile, we had 38 brothers and sisters and friends log in to the web site this month. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

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