Eveling Clark
Interviewed by Phil Tonseth ‘22
Hi Eveling, welcome to the Hot Bench! I know students see you around the school and bookstore a lot, but I’m excited for them to get to know you more.
First off, where are you from?
I was born in Mexico City, Mexico, but my dad was in the U.S. Army and Navy, and we traveled and moved around a lot. By the fifth grade, I was already in my eighth different school, and I had been to 47 of 50 states. We eventually moved to southern Indiana, where my dad was from, and my dad built his dream underground house on my great grandparents land.
You worked at Harvard before coming to UVA. Can you tell me about that experience, and why you decided to make the move back here?
I was a buyer for the museum bookstore, and it was an amazing experience. I met a lot of famous people, and would go to the different museums on campus on my lunch break. I left Harvard after my dad died, as I wanted to be closer to my mom.
UVA gives its employees the ability to take paid days off to volunteer. Why do you take advantage of these and how do you use those days?
My mom and dad were Park Rangers at Shenandoah National Park (SNP) for 20 plus years. I have always volunteered at SNP, even before I came to UVA. It was instilled in me to always give back. I have seen so many budget cuts over the years, and saw the effects on my parents being given a heavier workload. I would go to work with them on my vacation and saw the effects firsthand.
We’ve chatted a lot about golf in our interactions. What’s your favorite thing about the sport, and what other hobbies do you have outside of work?
My husband plays, and I am just a beginner. I have not even been on a golf course yet, but I enjoy watching it and going to the driving range and hitting the ball as hard as I can. I also enjoy hiking, museums, plays, opera, symphony music, and historical sites.
In seeing classes shuffle through UVA Law frequently, you’ve seen your fair share of things. What would be your best piece of advice to give to students?
Trust your gut, as you know more than you know. Listen and ask questions when needed, and help when someone is needing help.
Let’s do a lightning round!
Favorite food?
Pizza—as every Saturday was family game night, and we had pizza.
Favorite place in Charlottesville?
Mr. Jefferson’s home, Monticello
Peanut butter, jelly, or both?
Both
Biggest Pet peeve?
Rude people
If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
La Jolla, California.
If you won the lottery, what would you do with it?
I would pay off my bills, quit working, get a new car, and build my dream house with a heated multi-car garage with a drain so I can wash the car. I would also build a house for my brother and his family next door, and donate money to help cats and dogs find homes.
If you could pick one song to play in the background of your life, what would it be?
Conviction of The Heart by Kenny Loggins
What is your least favorite sound?
Bus brakes screeching as they stop outside my place all the time.
Where’s a place you’ve never been, but would like to go?
Covadonga, Spain. My ancestor was the first Christian king of Spain in 717-737 A.D., Don Pelayo. He helped defeat the Moors, and built a church at the site of the Battle of Covadonga. He is buried close to the church in the mountains where the terrain helped him win the battle.
If you could make one rule that everyone had to follow, what would it be?
Everyone should be nice to others, as people are going through a lot that others don’t know about.