Hillsdale College Honors Michael Clark With the Emily Daugherty Award for Teaching Excellence

Clark, associate professor of economics, received the award at Hillsdale’s Spring Convocation.

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HILLSDALE, Mich. — Hillsdale College honored Michael Clark, associate professor of economics, with the Spring 2026 Emily Daugherty Award for Teaching Excellence. Clark received the award at Hillsdale’s Spring Convocation on April 9.

“Michael Clark is a valued member of our faculty,” said Provost Christopher VanOrman. “His passion to help students understand the principles and workings of a free society makes him an outstanding teacher and a worthy recipient of this award.”

“His passion to help students understand the principles and workings of a free society makes him an outstanding teacher and a worthy recipient of this award.”

Clark has taught at Hillsdale College since 2011. He teaches introductory and advanced courses in economics, including Constitutional Political Economy, Austrian Economics, and Behavioral Economics.

Clark earned his B.A. from Hillsdale College and his M.A. and Ph.D. from George Mason University.

“Studying economics at Hillsdale taught me to look beyond good intentions and seek the understanding that would actually enable me to help people,” Clark said. “It is a joy to pass along these lessons to my students — to send a spark to those who come after me — and I am honored to receive this award.”

The award is named in honor of Emily Daugherty, who taught in elementary and secondary schools and personified the finest traditions of the teaching profession. She devoted her life to transmitting knowledge, wisdom, and virtue to her students. The award consists of annual monetary prizes given to an untenured assistant professor, a tenured associate or full professor, and their academic departments.

For a headshot of Clark, click here. For photos from Convocation, click here. For photos of Hillsdale College, click here. For a high-resolution copy of the Hillsdale College clocktower logo, click here.

About Hillsdale College

Hillsdale College is an independent liberal arts college located in southern Michigan. Founded in 1844, the College has built a national reputation through its classical liberal arts core curriculum and its principled refusal to accept federal or state taxpayer subsidies, even indirectly in the form of student grants or loans. It also conducts an outreach effort promoting civil and religious liberty, including a free monthly speech digest, Imprimis, with a circulation of more than 7.5 million. For more information, visit hillsdale.edu.

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Media inquiries may be directed to:
Emily Stack Davis
517-607-2730 (work)
517-803-3745 (cell)
[email protected]
For all other inquiries contact Hillsdale College at 517-437-7341.