Clark Kerr - Legacy and Honors

Legacy and Honors

There are Kerr Halls on the campuses of U.C. Davis, U.C. Santa Barbara, U.C. Santa Cruz, and U.C. Berkeley.

The Berkeley facility is located a few blocks from the main campus, and includes residences and sports practice facilities. The Spanish-style residential complex houses 700 students and features landscaped gardens and a conference center. It was previously the site of the California School for the Deaf and Blind, and was acquired by The University after a court battle. (The University was not a party to the case. It was offered the site after the Schools for the Deaf and Blind relinquished it to the State as surplus property.)

The Clark Kerr Medal is named in his honor.

Another legacy was his wit—after writing a serious book "The Uses of the University", Kerr surprised an audience with this riposte--"The three purposes of the University?--To provide sex for the students, sports for the alumni, and parking for the faculty."

And after being fired by California's Governor (future President) Ronald Reagan, Kerr responded that he left office as he had begun--"Fired with enthusiasm".