Joetta Clark, a three-time Olympian and America’s most successful middle distance runner, will provide the keynote speech at the opening ceremonies for Women’s History Month, March 2, 11:30 a.m., in the Hazell Center Ballroom.

This year, Women’s History Month celebrates "Women in Athletics." Clark will be introduced by NJIT’s woman athlete of the year, Rita Oseni.

A graduate of the University of Tennessee and Columbia High School in Maplewood, N.J., Clark has competed in track and field for 25 years and has been ranked in the top 10 Americans for 18 years. Clark was ranked sixth in the world in 1993 and 1994. For five years, she has used her experience and expertise to help athletes, coaches and sports administrators excel.

Clark, the daughter of Joe Clark of the movie "Lean on Me" fame, has been sought after by colleges, high schools and corporations to instruct and motivate individuals to maximize their performance. She is a commissioner for the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, a Nike spokesperson, and a hometown hero for New Jersey Youth.