School shooting victim honored as Kiwanis-family hero

Ryan “Stack” Clark seemed to be everywhere on the Virginia Tech University campus. The senior psychology/biology/English major maintained a 4.0 grade-point-average. He played the baritone in the school’s marching band. He was a member of the Virginia Tech Circle K club. And he was a resident hall assistant.

Virginia Tech University Circle K’er Ryan “Stack” Clark was among the first victims of an April shooting rampage in which 32 students and faculty members died. Ryan rushed into a dorm room in an attempt to protect a classmate.

Stack died this past April 16, 2007, one of the first victims in a shooting rampage that killed 32 students and faculty members at Virginia Tech. He was shot after rushing into his dormitory to assist a classmate in the first moments of that tragic day. In recognition of his bravery, the Kiwanis International Foundation awarded Stack the Robert P. Connelly Medal for Heroism.

“Ryan Clark, without thought for his own safety, rushed immediately to the aid of a dormitory resident—fulfilling his responsibility as a resident assistant—and unselfishly rushing to assist one of the residents in his charge,” wrote Cathy S. Reed, a member of the Sandy Springs, Georgia, Kiwanis club, which nominated Ryan for the foundation medal. “In this act, as well as his life of service, Ryan truly was a hero and personified the Objects and goals of Kiwanis.”

The foundation board also approved a US$50,000 gift to endow a Kiwanis Circle K Ryan “Stack” Clark Memorial Scholarship at Virginia Tech University.