Obituary of Kenneth R. Clay

Kenneth R. Clay Kenneth R. Clay, 79 of Glassboro, N.J. died on March 23, 2011 at Shady Lane Home where he was lovingly cared for the last two years. Born at Winterthur, DE, he was a resident of Glassboro for 44 years. After earning a bachelor's degree from Millersville State College (Pa.), he served in the U.S. Army. Ken began his career as a teacher and department chair in Industrial Arts in the Rosetree Union School District, Lima, Pa. He went on to complete a master's degree at Ball State University (Ind.) and earned a doctorate in education from Michigan State University. Dr. Clay began his career at Rowan University (then Glassboro State College) as professor and chair of the Department of Industrial Education and Technology in 1965. He gained recognition in his field as vice chair of the Governor's Advisory Committee for Vocational Education and chair of the Advisory Council for Technology Education. In his 26 years at the University, Dr. Clay served in several administrative positions, including assistant to the president, director of institutional planning and dean of academic administration. He also supervised an array of administrative offices including the Registrar, Intercollegiate Athletics, ROTC, WGLS Radio and Educational Media. He was instrumental in the initiation of the academic program review and administrative review processes. He provided administrative oversight for the implementation of curriculum and coordination with the faculty governance process and played a central role in several Middle States Accreditation reviews. One of his proudest accomplishments, however, was overseeing the planning of the Keith and Shirley Campbell Library, which opened in 1995. He served on the Robin's Nest board of directors from 1976-2008. He chaired the future planning committee and was instrumental in setting the agency's strategic direction in guiding the agency's growth from a small, single-service agency to the large, multi-service organization that it is today. He served on the building committee for every construction project undertaken at Robin's Nest. At Robin's Nest, the Ken Clay Training Room was dedicated in his honor. Dr. Clay was elected to the United Way Board of Directors in 1978 and for over three decades served the organization. He was a long-term member of the Operating Committee and served as vice chairperson of the Board of Directors and chaired both the Nominating and Strategic Planning Committees. His volunteer service spanned the United Way organization, helping to raise funds for agency programs. He served for many years as Gloucester County's representative to the Associated United Ways of the Delaware Valley. He also chaired the committee that planned and oversaw the renovation of the new United Way office in 2000. In 1989 he was recognized as recipient of the Volunteer Leadership Award which is United Way's highest individual honor. He spent many years as a board member of Gloucester County Habitat for Humanity. He offered expertise in planning, zoning, and property acquisition. He was an active member of the work crew that accomplished a significant portion of building projects, especially the Learn and Serve program at Gloucester County Institute of Technology. Dr. Clay was chairman of the Glassboro Planning Board for over 20 years. He is survived by his wife Dorothy E. Clay, his daughters Barbara Homack (Andrew) of Middletown, NJ, Melinda Ota (Barry), of Mount Laurel, NJ, step-sons Jay Wriggins (Kimberly) of Las Vegas, NV. And Gary Wriggins (Laura) of Newark, DE. Also, grandchildren, Kevin, Jared and Kira Ota, Lauren Homack, and Jack and Lainey Wriggins. Friends may call on Monday from 7-9pm in the Kelley Funeral Home, 125 Pitman Ave, Pitman, NJ and Tuesday 9:30-10:45am in the First Presbyterian Church of Pitman, N. Broadway, Pitman, NJ. Funeral service will be Tuesday at 11am. Interment Manahath Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Robin's Nest, Inc., 42 S. Delsea Dr., Glassboro, NJ 08028 or www.robinsnestinc.org or United Way of Gloucester County, 454 Crown Point Road, Thorofare, NJ 08086. Memories may be shared at www.kelleyfhpitman.com.