Family Values
Ouida Potts Randle (Clark College ’77) is the daughter of Elizabeth Long Potts, a Clark College graduate. Mrs. Potts, who was a freshman at Clark alongside her sister and brother in the early 1940s, told Ouida when she was just five years old that she, too, would attend Clark. Ouida says she had plans and a scholarship to attend another institution, but she chose Clark because of her family’s legacy. Majoring in sociology/social welfare, with a minor in alcohol and drug counsel, Ouida says she never regretted the decision and, despite her family’s ties to Clark, she learned a pivotal lesson about self-sufficiency. “I knew the history, that people would be looking, so I knew I couldn’t embarrass my family. That made me want to leave my own stamp, to make a name for myself. A lifelong learner, Ouida is now pursuing a second bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary science with a minor in African American studies at Clayton State University. Upon graduation, she has plans to open an African American research library and museum in her community and to name it in honor of her maternal and paternal grandparents. Susan Freeman first enrolled at Clark College in 1972 as an undergraduate— and while she transferred and graduated THE FOURTH GENERATION
from elsewhere, when she was choosing a graduate school program, she chose Clark Atlanta University, where she earned her teaching certificate and master’s degree in education in 1991. Susan’s mother, Ferra Hall Cosby, earned a master’s degree from Atlanta University. Her father attended Clark College during the 1930s and was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame. Her sister Vivian graduated from Clark College. Susan says what she values about Clark was being seen, supported, and connected. “The environment was nurturing, the classes were smaller, and the professors truly knew and cared
about me. I was able to build a strong sense of community and develop meaningful professional connection. Clark felt like home.” Suan was admitted to Clark Atlanta University’s doctoral program in education in 1995, which she says prepared her for a career as a school administrator. She retired in 2015. Susan’s other sister, Lynda Cosby- Pinnock, chose Clark Atlanta University for her graduate program. In 1995, she earned a master’s degree in education to prepare her for a career change. She says she chose CAU because she needed to be able to work full-time, but she got even more than she had expected. “I was exposed to pedagogy from the professors as well as working professionals throughout the Atlanta area. The lessons taught were authentic and relevant to the actual classroom settings.” In addition, she got invaluable hands-on experience while meeting her substitute teaching requirement at the Atlanta Detention Center. She recalls, “In working with at-risk youth, I learned
Clark felt like home. “
I was able to build a strong sense of community and develop meaningful professional connections.
Fall 2025
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