2010–11. Clark received her associate degree in sports management from Harcum later that year and moved on to the College of Coastal Georgia (Brunswick), graduating magna cum laude in psychology in 2013. Clark returned to Harcum with a desire to become a physical therapist, having torn the ACL in her right knee at Harcum and the ACL in her left at Coastal Georgia. At the same time, she was working in the college’s admissions department and assisting the women’s team. Two years later, Clark was promoted to head coach. “I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time,” she said. When her 2017–18 team reached nationals, Clark’s checklist was complete. Clark is still unsure of her future. She’s presently a graduate assistant for Virginia Tech University women’s hoops and is working toward her master’s in education in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis on instructional technology. Clark’s brother, Tim, is the team’s director of basketball operations. “We’re able to really get front-row experience at this level, which is very beneficial to me for whatever I do moving forward,” said Brittany Clark, whose father, Tom, continues to coach basketball for Trinity College of Florida. “I don’t know if my end goal necessarily is to be a Power 5 head coach, but I’m pretty lucky that I get to spend two years witnessing what it’s like to be one.” Lauren Fura ’16 is a fighter with persuasive skils. If anyone could coax a timid bear to 18 WHERE ARE THEY NOW? “ IF THERE IS A CHALLENGE, YOU’RE GOING TO FIGHT.” try to cross the Schuylkill Expressway during rush hour, it’s a Bear of the Harcum sort, alumna Lauren Fura. Now working as a dental hygienist for Roland & Wetmore Dental Associates in Reading, Fura has a second career as a motivational speaker, if she so chooses. “I always say, ‘Don’t ever go through your life without learning a lesson or taking a risk,” Fura said, pausing, “as soon as you stop learning, you die. You have to keep your mind fresh.” “A blessing” is how Fura describes her days (she enrolled in 2013) at Harcum. When she arrived on campus, Fura didn’t expect to continue with soccer, the sport she played—and played well—at Reading’s Holy Name High School. But a little prodding from staff and students early on at her new home put Fura back on the soccer pitch and on the front line as one of the Bears’ top strikers. It “was one of the best decisions I made,” Fura said, proudly. “You have to be very disciplined to wake up early and go to practice, eat healthy, be a teammate on and off the field, be a good friend on and off the field. I think when you graduate and go out into the workforce, it’s important that they know you’re an athlete because that tells them that you’re disciplined, you work hard, you’re not afraid of a challenge. If there is a challenge, you’re going to fight. It was an amazing experience for me, and it opened a lot of doors.” Fura still wakes up early: 5 a.m. She hits the gym before work. Work got a lot more interesting in July when Fura’s brother, Lee, joined the practice as a dentist. Both siblings were patients at Roland & Wetmore growing up. “This is exactly where I want to be,” Lauren Fura said. “I’m very happy with my life. I have a great family. I got a dog, which was something I was pushing for.” Three years ago, Fura was tasked with inspiring fellow graduates. As the vice president of the Harcum Student Government Association, she delivered a beautiful commencement speech. Better yet, Fura picked up her associate degree in dental hygiene, capping an unforgettable stage of her life.
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