Terry Clemens, a Captain Jack High School graduate, is pictured during his time serving in the Pennsylvania State Police.
By LILY HICKS | Journalism Student, Mount Union Area Senior High School
Mount Union, Pa. — Terry Clemens is a 1960 graduate of Captain Jack High School. He went on to become the highest-ranking Pennsylvania State Trooper to graduate from Mount Union/Captain Jack High School.
Clemens said he enjoyed his time in high school and later worked his way up through the Pennsylvania State Police. He shared that he was a member of the football team at Captain Jack, which taught him teamwork and sportsmanship. He also mentioned that his coach, Dave Dolbin, and teacher, Mike Tree, were very influential during his high school years. He explained, “They were both easy to approach and always had the time to listen whenever I needed someone to talk to.”
After graduation, Clemens attended the Pennsylvania State Police Academy and became a state trooper in 1964. While serving, he also studied at Harrisburg Area Community College, where he earned an Associate of Science degree in Police Science. In 1971, he was promoted to corporal and became a supervisor of the Crime and Traffic Unit. At the same time, he attended Pennsylvania State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Law Enforcement and Corrections.
Following his graduation from Penn State, Clemens was promoted again in 1977 to sergeant. In this role, he served as a member of the Governor’s Committee on Criminal Justice Information Systems while also attending Shippensburg University, where he earned a Master of Science degree with a focus on Personnel Management. In 1980, he became a lieutenant within the Pennsylvania State Police. He was later promoted to captain and served as Pennsylvania’s representative to the National Association of State Drug Enforcement Officers. Clemens eventually became a major, the second-highest rank in the Pennsylvania State Police. He explained that these promotions were achieved through time served, performance evaluations, and exam scores. Clemens noted that earning the rank of major was his most satisfying accomplishment, as it is the highest rank that can be achieved based on merit.
After retiring, Clemens opened his own business, Clemens Landscaping. He said he decided to start the business because he enjoyed working outside in his spare time. “I had a hobby farm and after spending thirty-one years in a uniform or suit, I was ready to work in jeans and a sweatshirt,” he said. While serving as a state trooper, he also took landscaping courses at Penn State.
Through his business, Clemens completed several projects, including the Juniata College baseball field renovation, the college’s intramural fields, Cowans Gap State Park renovations, and landscaping and grounds maintenance for First Quality in Lewistown. He also gave back to the Mount Union community by working on the Mount Union Little League and Teener League fields, the Kistler ball fields, and by serving as a repeat sponsor for Mount Union youth and high school athletic teams.
Reflecting on his career and his time at Captain Jack High School, Clemens said his alma mater had a lasting impact on him. “The high school experience I had taught me that my future was mine to make. It encouraged me to take advantage of both educational and employment opportunities,” he said. He encourages current and future Mount Union students to take advantage of the opportunities available to them while in school. He also advises students to “make your time in school mean something. School is the first step and a short period of time in life. Don’t waste the opportunities available.”
This article was published as part of Ms. Dimoff’s Journalism class at Mount Union Area Senior High School.
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