During his presidency the IUAA has been engaged in an ambitious membership drive. The results please Dr. Boone, who notes that membership has increased by about 20,000. He would still like to see more minority representation, however. "We need to attract and retain more minority members into the IUAA and encourage their involvement in alumni affairs," says Dr. Boone, who was the association's second African-American president.
Promoting diversity is something Dr. Boone learned during his undergraduate years from his mentor, Chancellor Herman B Wells. As one of Dr. Wells' housemen, he witnessed how one person can make a difference in the lives of others. Prior to Dr. Boon entering IU, then-President Dr. Wells demanded that residence halls and recreational facilities be made accessible to African-American students. Dr. Wells also closed the Memorial Union barber shop until it began accepting all patrons regardless of race.
Dr. Wells' commitment to diversity and his encouragement of young Clarence to make the most of his future had a lasting impact. Today, Dr. Boone is president of Gary Medical Specialists Inc., a diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, medical director of Planned Parenthood of Northwest Indiana and former medical staff president of the Methodist Hospitals of Gary.
"I am where I am today because of mentors like Dr. Wells and teachers who helped me realize how to achieve my goals," he says. "So when I tell students to keep their dream alive, I'm speaking from experience and trying to instill the same determination that others instilled in me at a young age."
As a ninth grader, Dr. Boone sought advice from his homeroom teacher about what he needed to do to become a doctor. Five African-Americans entered IUSM in 1952. Although all eventually graduated, Dr. Boone was the only one to graduate with his class in 1956. Besides medicine, he learned another important lesson while in medical school. His camaraderie with his classmates taught him that when individuals work together, things get accomplished.
"We all faced the same struggle, but we helped each other as much as possible and got through medical school together," remembers Dr. Boone. He has applied that lesson in the power of collaboration throughout his life, working with others to improve the state's public education system, the Indiana University system and his own community.
Dr. Boone will now serve the IUAA as immediate past president and will continue serving on the IIU Foundation board and the IUN Chancellor's Council. When asked what he's most proud of, Dr. Boone says it's seeing the life achievements of students he's mentored, babies he's delivered, or patients he's cared for. "When someone from 30 years ago remembers some small thing I did to help them out and says, 'Thanks for what you did,' it means a lot. That's the kind of accomplishment I'm proud of."
"A man's legacy is not determined by what he amasses, but by what he leaves behind."
- Clarence Boone, MD