WORCESTER, Mass. — The Clark University community is grieving the loss of Professor Amy Richter, a beloved educator, historian, and department chair, who passed away on June 2, 2025, following a brief illness. She was a central figure at the university for more than two decades, leaving what colleagues described as “an indelible mark” through her teaching, leadership, and unwavering dedication to students.
Professor Richter joined Clark’s History Department in 2000, specializing in 19th- and 20th-century American cultural history, with a particular emphasis on women’s and urban history. Over her 25 years at Clark, she earned multiple honors, including Outstanding Teacher and Distinguished Academic Advisor of the Year, a testament to the profound impact she had on generations of students.
“Everything she did was excellent,” said Dean of the College Laurie Ross. “Whether it was drafting a proposal, mentoring a student, or leading a program — Amy brought thoughtfulness, clarity, and care to every task. She offered perspectives that could change how you looked at a challenge or opportunity.”
Richter was also known for her warmth, humor, and humility — qualities that enriched both her teaching and her relationships with colleagues. Professor Ousmane Power-Greene, a fellow historian and close collaborator, remembered her as a sharp intellect and tireless supporter.
“She was always thinking of how she could help you thrive — in the classroom, in your research, in building community,” Power-Greene said. “Amy wasn’t just a brilliant scholar. She was incredibly generous. She connected people across the university, and across Worcester.”
One of Richter’s most enduring contributions was her work with The Clemente Course in the Humanities, a program that provides free college-level education to adults facing economic hardship. Beginning as a U.S. history instructor, she eventually became academic director of the Worcester chapter, where she played a pivotal role in expanding its reach and outcomes. Under her leadership, graduation rates rose and many participants went on to find jobs or pursue further education.
“She believed fiercely in the power of education to transform lives,” said Power-Greene. “When the pandemic hit, she was among the first to push for a return to in-person courses, because she knew how much Clemente meant to its students.”
Richter’s leadership extended to her role as director of the Higgins School of Humanities (now the Alice Coonley Higgins Institute for Arts and Humanities) from 2013 to 2017, where she curated lecture series and campus events that challenged the Clark community to engage with urgent social and cultural issues.
Her colleagues described her as a “master problem solver,” someone who could navigate the complex demands of academia with grace and humanity. Professor Elizabeth Imber called her “magical — brilliant, funny, kind. There was no problem she couldn’t think through.” Professor Nina Kushner added, “Amy had an eye for the little things. She noticed people. She appreciated beauty in the everyday — a new mug, a colorful scarf — and made you feel seen.”
As department chair, Richter devoted countless hours — including winter breaks — to the painstaking work of faculty support and reappointment reviews. She was, as Kushner put it, “deeply committed” to the History Department and to making the academic environment one where both students and colleagues could flourish.
The legacy of Professor Amy Richter is one of excellence, empathy, and enduring influence. She was a teacher, mentor, and advocate whose spirit will continue to resonate through the lives she touched — in the classroom, in the Worcester community, and far beyond.