The quest to build students spiritually, as well as academically, is the school's greatest strength, Clark said. He told students and faculty during his inaugural address a few weeks ago that the school's defining mission is to inspire dedicated religious discipleship and to encourage leadership among students that will serve their families as well as the church, the community and their professions.

With the institutional trappings of academia out of the way, "we have to be motivated by the mission and the students and the thrill of being part of something that's truly great when seen with the right eyes."

In the secular academic universe, such an approach "has nothing to do with prestige. It's all about building the kingdom of God. It's all about educating truly wonderful young people" who Clark believes will become "leaders that will impact the world."

That can happen in Rexburg, he said, because "innovation will be a constant feature. This school will never 'arrive' but will always be in a state of change and innovation and development as we try to find better ways to learn and teach."

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E-mail: carrie@desnews.com