Ron Shaich Pledges Landmark $20 Million for Clark University’s Strategic Transformation
WORCESTER, MA - October 21, 2025 Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, has received a historic $20 million gift from alumnus and trustee Ron Shaich, founder of Panera Bread, in support of the school’s ambitious transformation plan amid enrollment and financial pressures.
The donation — the largest in Clark’s history — is earmarked for the “transformation plan” launched earlier this year, which seeks to modernize the institution’s academic portfolio and operational structure. Key focus areas include expanding strength in climate and environmental studies, media arts, computing and design, and health and human behavior.
Facing headwinds common to small liberal-arts universities — including declining enrollment, rising costs and competitive pressures — Clark has signaled that part of its strategic overhaul may involve faculty reductions of up to 30 percent over a three-year span, something the new gift is expected to support.
Shaich, who earned his bachelor’s degree at Clark and has long been engaged with its leadership, called the gift an investment in the university’s future and its ability to adapt in a rapidly evolving higher-education landscape.
The funding boost arrives at a critical moment for Clark, as it aims to align resources with emerging student interests, sharpen its competitive edge and enhance its global relevance. With this infusion, the university hopes to accelerate change and build a new model for sustainable excellence in undergraduate education.