Robert K. Knight

Robert Kennedy "Bob" Knight ^[1] (March 19, 1957-December 15, 2024) ^{[2] [3]} was the President of Clark College in Vancouver, Washington from August 2007 to 2019. ^[4]

Career

Knight received his undergraduate degree in engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1980 and earned an executive MBA at Golden Gate University in San Francisco. He has done postgraduate work in organizational effectiveness at Chapman University in Fort Lewis, Washington.^{[ citation needed ]}

Knight served more than 21 years in the United States Army as an infantry officer and airborne Army Ranger before retiring as a lieutenant colonel. His last duty in the army was as commander of Vancouver Barracks in Vancouver, Washington. ^{[5] [6] [7] [8] [9]}

Knight joined Clark College in 2004 as vice president of Administrative Services. In 2006, he became acting president. ^[10] Knight began serving as the president of Clark College in Vancouver, Washington, in August 2007. During his tenure, the college went from being state funded to state assisted with funding dropping from roughly 62% to under 40%. ^[11] During his time at the University, Knight would preside over award ceremonies. ^[12]

Knight retired from Clark College in 2019. ^[13]

Personal life

He was born in England. He died on December 15, 2024. ^[14] He was remembered as a "force of nature" and "one of a kind" by friends and colleagues. ^[15]

References

1. "Robert Kennedy Knight". West Point Association of Graduates. Retrieved 2022-05-21.
2. Register of Graduates and Former Cadets, United States Military Academy. West Point, New York: Association of Graduates U.S.M.A. 1984. p. 851. Retrieved 2022-05-21.
3. Register of Graduates and Former Cadets, United States Military Academy. West Point, New York: Association of Graduates U.S.M.A. 1991. p. 776. Retrieved 2022-05-21.
4. Guerra, Kristine (2012-01-06). "Budget, future plans among topics at Clark College President Bob Knight's annual address". oregonlive. Retrieved 2026-01-20.
5. "Robert Kennedy Knight". West Point Association of Graduates. Retrieved 2022-05-21.
6. Register of Graduates and Former Cadets, United States Military Academy. West Point, New York: Association of Graduates U.S.M.A. 1984. p. 851. Retrieved 2022-05-21.
7. Register of Graduates and Former Cadets, United States Military Academy. West Point, New York: Association of Graduates U.S.M.A. 1991. p. 776. Retrieved 2022-05-21.
8. Clark College website biography
9. Vogt, Tom (21 June 2016). "Clark College President Knight is 2016 First Citizen: Former Vancouver Barracks commander cited for his community service". The Columbian. Vancouver, Washington. Retrieved 2022-05-21.
10. "Retiring Clark College President Robert Knight honored at Thursday ceremony". ClarkCountyToday.com. Archived from the original on 2021-06-17. Retrieved 2026-01-20.
11. reporter, Joanna Michaud staff (2012-01-25). "Clark College no longer state supported, now state assisted". The Reflector. Retrieved 2026-01-20.
12. "Clark College president: 'Future is right now'". The Columbian. 2026-01-08. Retrieved 2026-01-20.
13. Gillespie, Katie (13 June 2019). "Clark College, community bid fond farewell to Bob Knight: President to retire this summer after 15 years at campus". The Columbian. Vancouver, Washington. Retrieved 2022-05-21.
14. "Bob Knight, former Clark College president and U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, dies at 67". The Columbian. 2026-01-20. Retrieved 2026-01-20.
15. "Former Clark College President Bob Knight passes". www.clark.edu. Retrieved 2026-01-20.