Creation of the Ellen S. Clark Hope Plaza was made possible by the generosity of many donors, including Robert G. and Ellen Clark, longtime friends of Washington University. The plaza recognizes the indomidable spirit of Ellen Clark, who passed away March 16, 2010, three months before the plaza’s formal opening. Before Ellen’s death, the Clarks worked with designers Maya Lin and Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc.
Robert Clark (in photo above, far left) is chairman and chief executive officer of St. Louis-based Clayco Construction Co., one of the nation’s largest design-builders. He and Ellen Clark (in photo above, center, in blue) were married for 25 years and had five children and three grandchildren.