In the past, you could see Don Clark on TV. Now, you can see him face to face just about any time in his new office in the Bakersfield College Administration Building.

The former KBAK-TV anchor is now BC public information officer. He replaces Juan Gutierrez, who took a similar job at Pasadena City College in October.

Clark is all smiles even after losing his job and going through a difficult change, but he said he has no regrets, and looks forward to his future at BC.

“I got fired,” said Clark of his position at the TV station. “My boss told me it was because of the budget crunch.”

He needed a job and he got the best he could have expected, he said.

Clark said he is enjoying his new job, and doesn’t miss being in front of a camera.

“Colleges are forward looking, everyone is really smart,” he said. “It’s really intellectually stimulating, and it’s nice to get in touch with so much wisdom.”

Walter Howald, executive director of BC’s Institutional Development and Foundation or “the boss” to Clark said he’s happy with his choice.

“I like my new employee,” Howald said. Clark quickly shot back: “And I like the guy who hired me.”

“We are back-to-back warriors for the advancement of BC,” Clark said.

The former TV man said he has found his experience at BC refreshing.

“When you think about it, what I did as an anchor was sit and talk to a piece of glass,” he said. “Here, I have 15,000 people I can talk to face to face. And I can listen, not just talk.”

Clark said he is still learning his duties and getting acquainted with his new job. So far, he has written six articles for the BC newsletter, The Source, and has interviewed several retiring professors.

Clark is excited about having his son, Josh, joining him at BC next semester, when he will take a few courses at BC.