One of the best known products of the Howard psychology program was Kenneth Clark. Kenneth Bancroft Clark (1914– 2005) arrived at Howard in the fall of 1931 with the goal of eventually studying medicine. After experiencing Sumner’s introductory psychology class, Clark declared, “To hell with medical school. … [Psychology] is the discipline for me” (Hentoff, 1982). Clark obtained a BA and MA from Howard and remained there as an instructor while his wife, Mamie Phipps Clark (1917–1983), com- pleted her undergraduate work at Howard. For a review of Mamie Phipps Clark’s life and accom- plishments, see Lal (2002). Concerning Sumner’s influence on him, Clark said,
Professor Sumner had rigorous standards for his students. And he didn’t just teach psychology. He taught integrity. And although he led the way for other Blacks in psychology, Sumner would permit no nonsense about there being anything like “Black psychology”—any more than he would have allowed any nonsense about “Black astronomy.” In this and in many other ways, Sumner was a model for me. In fact, he has always been my standard when I evaluate myself. (Hentoff, 1982)