Board of Trustees
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Robert Bartunek, a lawyer with Seigfreid Bingham, joined the board in 2003. He has been practicing law for 30 years and represents clients in a wide variety of industries as well as non-profit groups. He holds an M.B.A. and a J.D. from Ohio State University. He has one daughter.
"The most impressive thing about Donnelly College is the commitment of the faculty, administration and staff to serve people who would not otherwise have an opportunity to receive a quality education. Many at Donnelly could work somewhere else, but they choose to be part of the Donnelly family because of the satisfaction they receive from seeing the personal growth and progress of our students."
Robert Bartunek
George Breidenthal, owner of Kansas City Women's Professional Basketball, Inc. and a Donnelly alumnus, joined the board in 1991. He previously taught in elementary and secondary school and worked in the banking business for about 20 years. He has been on the USD 500 school board for 21 years.
"Donnelly is a dynamic institution. It's continually changing to meet the needs of the community. I think that a lot of students who start at Donnelly may want to stay and complete their 4-year degree here. I'm excited about that new opportunity."
George Breidenthal
Leon Daggett, general manager of Kansas City Board of Public Utilities, has been on the board since 2004. He has been a manager in the electric utility business for 40 years. His experience also includes management of natural gas, water and wastewater systems in Ohio. In 2002 he served as Chairman of the Board of the Kansas City Kansas Area Chamber of Commerce, and in 2003 as President of Kansas Municipal Utilities.
"I believe that everyone should work towards making a difference in life. Donnelly makes a difference in the community it serves. That is the reason I admire and respect Donnelly so much. That is the reason I am proud to be a member of Donnelly's board."
Leon Daggett
William (Bill) H. Dunn, Jr., senior vice-president of J.E. Dunn Construction Company, joined the board in 1999. He is extremely active in civic organizations and community fund raising, including Catholic Housing of Wyandotte County, KCK Area Chamber of Commerce (chairman), Providence Medical Center, and Bishop Miege High School Foundation Board. He is married and has four children. He enjoys coaching youth football and track.
Gary D. Grable, senior vice-president of Security Bank of Kansas City, Kan., is a Donnelly alumnus. He joined the board in 2003 and is the current chairman. He has been involved in banking since 1962. Grable is very involved in community affairs, including the KCK Area Chamber of Commerce, LISC (Local Initiative Support Corporation, KVC Behavioral Health Care for the State of Kansas, and the Wyandotte County Fair Association. He has four adult children and nine grandchildren.
"Over the years, we have employed many graduates of Donnelly. Their work ethic and high standards are a credit to the institution. I still remember Sr. Jerome Keeler and how she drafted me and other students to repair things at the sisters' convent and the school."
Gary Grable
Father Michael Hermes, pastor of St. John the Evangelist and Sacred Heart parishes and president of Bishop Ward High School, joined the board in 1996. He holds an MA in Gerontology from Trinity University in San Antonio, Tex., an MA in Latin American Studies from the University of Kansas, and a STB in theology from the Gregorian University in Rome. He was previously a chaplain at Bishop Ward for ten years.
"I believe that Donnelly is extremely important to the community because it gives many people who might not otherwise go to college the opportunity for higher education. The more education they receive, the more choices they have in life. That education will give them more opportunities to make Kansas City, Kan., a stronger city and a better place to live. They will be the future leaders of our city."
Fr. Michael Hermes
Joan Horan, Vice President of Human Resources at DST Systems, has served on the board since 2002. She holds an MA in Counseling Psychology from Boston College, and and MBA from Rockhurst University. She serves on a number of boards and advisory committees ranging from the Kansas City Symphony to Children International to the National Conference for Community and Justice. She exemplifies the love of learning, service and leadership in all her endeavors.
"Through all my many connections and associations with Donnelly College I have never failed to be impressed by the exceptional dedication of the faculty, staff and leadership of the college, the evolutionary nature of its mission and response to new challenges and the truly wonderful diversity of the students who have responded to the opportunity to excel in so many remarkable ways. Donnelly College is a very special gift to our community."
Joan Horan
Sister Rita Killackey, OSB, a canon lawyer in the marriage tribunal for the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, has been on the board since 2000. She holds a master's in theology from the University of San Francisco and a JCL degree from Catholic University. She has been a Benedictine sister for 42 years.
"I see Donnelly reaching out to the community in Wyandotte County to make it better. There's a real sense of mission and dedication in the faculty and staff. I think offering a baccalaureate degree will encourage people to stay in the area and contribute back."
Sr. Rita Killackey
John Mendez, Jr., former city commissioner for the Unified government and a Donnelly alumnus, became a Donnelly trustee in 1988. He is also an adjunct instructor at Donnelly. He is very active in civic activities including El Centro, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the International City/County Management Association. In 2002, he received the Cesar Chavez Community Service Award. He is married and has two adult daughters.
"Donnelly is the land of opportunity where students of all backgrounds and ethnic groups come to learn from the finest instructors that money can't buy."
John Mendez
LaVert A. Murray, Director of Development for the Unified Government, joined the Donnelly board in 2004. He has been involved in every major development occurring in Kansas City, Kansas over the last 25 years, including the GM Fairfax Assembly Plant, the new NASCAR track (Kansas Speedway) the Village West, and the Downtown Renaissance. He and his wife, Linda, have two grown sons.
"Given Donnelly's affiliation with the Archdiocese there is complete confidence that its curriculum and teaching methodology will be based on sound moral standards and without bias. When one considers Donnelly's institutional philosophy, being derived from a belief in God and the dignity of each person, the importance of this institution to our community and the students it serves becomes readily apparent."
LaVert Murray
Archbishop Joseph Naumann became a member of the board in 2005. A native of St. Louis, Mo., he was appointed Archbishop of the Kansas City in Kansas Archdiocese in January, 2005. He is chairman of the Kansas Catholic Conference and serves on the Committees on Pro-Life and Marriage and Family Life of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
"I am very proud of Donnelly College and its mission to provide the opportunity for higher education to many, who otherwise would not have the chance to attend college. Donnelly College is an important expression of how the Catholic community strives, in very tangible and practical ways, to bring the love of Jesus Christ to everyone in the Kansas City Metro community. Donnelly College has, for more than 50 years, successfully helped individuals to develop their God-given talents and abilities in order that they might be able to provide for themselves and their families and be great citizens of the Kansas City community."
Archbishop Joseph Naumann
Sister Anne Shepard, OSB, prioress of Mount St. Scholastica, Atchison, Kan. , has been on the board since 2005. A native of Washington, DC, Sister Anne is a graduate of Mount St. Scholastica College (now Benedictine College). She holds a doctorate in education from Columbia University in New York. She has been a teacher, a high school principal, and superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.
"The Benedictine sisters support Donnelly not only because we were involved in the founding of it, but because of the mission to serve the clientele that attend the school. While the demographics may have shifted over the years, the men and women who want an education to advance temselves and their careers has remained constant."
Sister Anne Shepard
Paula Willett, Vice President/Community Development Officer of Central Bank, joined the board at Donnelly in 2003. She works with many non-profits and understands the needs of the community. She serves on the boards of Kaw Valley Habitat for Humanity, Neighborhood Housing Services of Kansas City, Mo., Local Initiative Support Corporation and the Police Athletic League that works with inner city youth. She has one daughter and one granddaughter.
"I have always had a passion for wanting to fight poverty by helping people help themselves. I see Donnelly's role as offering people a chance for a better life."
Paula Willett
Richard Flanigan, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Cerner Corporation, has been on the board since 2006. He holds a master's in Administrative Science from Johns Hopkins University. He previously served as general manager for Cerner's clinical and financial business units that developed, sold and implemented solutions for healthcare organizations around the world. He is married and has four children.
"Higher education creates sustainable leaders and Donnelly can be the place where that happens. Donnelly will not change KCK, but needs to be part of the growth and improvement of the urban core."
Richard (Dick) Flanigan
Dr. Rita Burnett, a dentist in Kansas City, Kan., joined the board in June 2007. She is a graduate of the UMKC School of Dentistry and has been in private practice in family dentistry for 24 years. She is a member of the Minority Scholarship Board at UMKC, the American Dental Society, the Kansas Dental Society, and the Wyandotte County Dental Society. She and her husband Bret L. Ferguson have two children and two grandchildren.
"Donnelly is a 'neighborhood' school and has always been on hand for English as a Second Language for many new citizens, including one of my staff from Russia. I was delighted to be asked about my interest in being part of the board. I always have students in my office and understand the crucial need to continue the mentoring process. I look forward to a perpetual relationship with the college and am always available for anything needed."
Dr. Rita Burnett
Wendell Maddox, president of United Way of Wyandotte County, joined the board in June 2007. He is a graduate of Sumner High School and holds a certificate of completion from the Johns Hopkins University School of Professional Studies in Business and Education. He is married and has six children and nine grandchildren.
"I think Donnelly distinguishes itself in the Kansas City metropolitan area as the higher education institution that understands the plight of disadvantaged citizens. I believe its focus is to ensure that low-income and minority citizens have the same opportunity to get a quality education as those who have more resources. That fact that it remains in the urban core shows a great deal of compassion and concern for the community."
Wendell Maddox
Lonnie Scott is president and CEO for the Minority Supplier Council based in Kansas City, and a Donnelly alumnus. He holds a BA degree in business administration from the University of St. Mary and a master's in Personnel Administration and Hospital Facility Management. In 1966, he received a Kansas City Home Town Hero Award and the Black Achiever of the Year from the Southern Leadership Conference. He has two adult children and four grandchildren.
"I agreed to be on the Donnelly board because it would provide opportunity to help students from the community I grew up in and a college that helped jump start my career."
Lonnie Scott
Dan Haake, co-owner of Hutchins & Haake, LLC, Certified Public Accountants, joined the Donnelly board in June 2007. He is a graduate of Rockhurst University. His civic activities include membership in the Greater Kansas City Estate Planning Council and the Planned Giving Committee for Children's Mercy Hospital.
"Donnelly has been an integral part of my family's life. My wife Patricia (Bryant) Haake attended and received her associate's degree from Donnelly and has many fond memories of her time there. I strongly embrace the values of a Catholic education. The mission of Donnelly needs to be preserved, and the service it provides to the community needs to be protected and nurtured."
Dan Haake
Helen Skradski, owner and operator of Skradski Funeral Home, joined the board in June 2007. She is a graduate of Bishop Ward High School and attended night classes at Donnelly. She holds an associate degree in Mortuary Arts from Kansas City Kansas Community College. She has three grown children and four grandchildren. She is a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in KCK.
"I believe in higher education for everyone no matter what their ethnic background, religious beliefs or financial status. I feel if given the opportunity and the right resources, people can learn and help us continue our growth here in Wyandotte County. There is no better tool for a good job than education. I hope in some way to enable others to attain this. I feel privileged to have been selected for the Donnelly board of trustees."
Helen Skradski
Bill Miller, executive vice-president of Kross Office Outfitters and city commissioner for the Unified Government, joined the board in 2007. He holds a BS in Accounting and Business Administration from the University of Kansas. He was nominated Leader of the Year by KCK Housing/National Community Development in 1997 and selected to Ingram's 40 Under 40 Power Elite Class of '98. He is married and has two children.
"I'm excited about serving on Donnelly's board. I believe in creating opportunities for young people to pursue post-secondary education."
Bill Miller