Mike Clark

Profile Updated: January 8, 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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Jan 19, 2019 at 7:02 AM

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Jan 17, 2019 at 6:12 AM

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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, 2019 at 8:48 AM

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Jan 02, 2019 at 8:24 AM

Stats for December 2018.

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Jan 03, 2019 at 3:39 PM

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

Happy 2019!

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Dec 25, 2018 at 1:27 PM

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Dec 14, 2018 at 6:33 AM

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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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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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09

Nov 09, 2018 at 1:41 PM

Everyone could always have more friends ....

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Nov 06, 2018 at 6:18 AM

Posted on: Nov 06, 2018 at 6:17 AM

One reason not to vote ...

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Nov 06, 2018 at 6:16 AM

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Nov 01, 2018 at 10:03 AM

Posted on: Oct 31, 2018 at 9:11 PM

October Stats. Many more visits since September. Wishing you a great November!

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Nov 03, 2018 at 3:21 PM

Posted on: Oct 28, 2018 at 2:07 PM

Happy Birthday Gary! You are probably the best to answer .....

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Oct 27, 2018 at 6:58 AM

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Oct 26, 2018 at 2:31 PM

Posted on: Oct 26, 2018 at 1:55 PM

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Oct 15, 2018 at 10:02 PM

http://www.ddt-fit.org/class_gallery.cfm?gallery_id=57582

Sandy visited the FIT Library where the school is archiving memorabilia. You can see some of these in her gallery

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Oct 15, 2018 at 4:06 PM

http://www.ddt-fit.org/class_gallery.cfm?gallery_id=57578

Sandy uploaded some pictures of her recent visit to the Ruth Funk Fabric Museum. Here is her preamble:
.....
Originally, I had no real interest in visiting a "fabric and textile" museum. I'm sure many of you who have not visited FIT recently are thinking the same thing. I hope you will take the time to review the photos and perhaps, you'll change your mind, like I did. I was talking to friend in a class (here in Maryland) about my pending trip to Florida. I was surprised she was familiar with FIT. Turns out, her best friend recently relocated to Melbourne, where she became a docent at the Ruth Funk Center. I touched base with Sandy Thomas and she offered to provide a tour. I extended the opportunity to all on my Melbourne DDT mailing and really only expected the tour to be Rosann, Lori and me. Deb Heystek was organizing the Squamish Reunion and asked to extend the tour to Squamish. Sandy Thomas, the docent, was surprised to see the tour transform from "a private tour" with me to a group of 15. Sandy Thomas joined Lori, Rosann and me for lunch after the tour at "The Dove 3". Sorry, no pictures taken at "The Dove".

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14

Oct 14, 2018 at 10:01 AM

http://www.ddt-fit.org/class_gallery.cfm?gallery_id=57532&community=y

Sandy Loo posts 37 photos from Homecoming. Sample below and link here:

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