About Our Hall of Fame Inductees
2011 Inductees:
Ed Dwight, Jr., ´51, joined the United States Air Force to pursue his dream of being a pilot after attending Donnelly. He then went on to earn a degree in aeronautical engineering from Arizona State University. In 1962, Ed was selected by the John F. Kennedy Administration as the first African American astronaut candidate. After a successful military career, Ed decided to switch directions. After a short stint in both the engineering and real-estate fields, he began to focus on his lifelong passion of sculpture. While pursuing a Master of Fine Arts degree at the University of Denver in 1975, Ed was commissioned to create series of bronzes depicting the contribution of Blacks to the American Frontier. This series of 50 bronzes was exhibited throughout the U.S. and gained critical acclaim. To date, he has completed more than 115 large-scale commissioned sculpture installations and his pieces are collected by museums, institutions and art enthusiasts around the world, including the Smithsonian. Ed Dwight Studios, Inc., in Denver is now one of the largest privately-owned production facilities in the western United States.
Carmen Rodriguez, ´53, discovered her passion for education through Donnelly and its founder Sister Jerome Keeler, OSB. After graduating from DC, she became a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison, Kansas, earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Mount St. Scholastica College, and began teaching. Much like Sister Jerome, Carmen focused on instilling the importance of education in each of her students and challenging them to do great things. In 1973, she earned her Master of Arts degree in Mexican American Culture from San Jose State University and then moved back to Kansas City briefly. While in KC, Carmen taught Mexican American Cultural History at Donnelly. She then moved back to the west coast to teach a variety of subjects at Los Medanos Community College in Pittsburg, Calif. In 1988, Carmen returned to Donnelly once more to accept the College’s prestigious Delta Award for her work in education.
Susan Carroll, ´62, graduated from DC and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, psychology and English from St. Mary’s College in Leavenworth, Kan. Susan returned to Wyandotte County and worked for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas for more than 30 years in a variety of roles, including Director of Administrative Services and Human Resources and as an Administrative Consultant to the Archbishop. She also co-directed the archdiocesan Annual Women’s Retreat. In 2008, she became the Interim Executive Director for Community Housing of Wyandotte County (CHWC). After two-years, Susan decided to become a full-time volunteer for CHWC. She continues to serve in this role today, as well as on the Board of Directors for various community groups including CHWC, the YMCA, United Way, and Catholic Housing. Susan is a graduate of Leadership 2000 and an active parishioner at the nearby Cathedral of St. Peter where she serves as a Eucharistic Minister and Lector.
Gene Burdolski, ´70, attended Donnelly and then headed to the University of St. Mary where he earned his bachelor’s degree. He never forgot the tremendous role Donnelly played in his life, and remained connected to the College through his work on a number of committees and volunteer projects. Known for giving back to his beloved Kansas City community, Gene was a board member at the Good Samaritan Project and the AIDS Service Foundation. He also volunteered his time at organizations like the Hope Care Center and the Friends of Chamber Music. He was an active parishioner of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Kansas City, Mo., where he served in a variety of roles, including Eucharistic minister, lector, usher and member of the choir. Gene passed away in 2008, but his involvement and commitment to Donnelly will never be forgotten.
2010 Inductees:
Judge Thomas Clark graduated from Donnelly College in 1958 and went on to earn both a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science at the University of Kansas. In 1964, he graduated from KU Law School and was admitted to the Missouri Bar. After practicing criminal and civil law from 1964 to 1987, he was appointed to the Jackson County Circuit Court as a Circuit Court Judge where he served until his retirement in August 2008.
Albert Roos graduated from Donnelly in 1963 then completed his Bachelor of Science in mathematics from St. Benedict’s College (now Benedictine College) in 1965. Later, he earned a master’s degree in mathematics from Pittsburg State University. Roos has used his knowledge and passion for math by teaching high-school math in Kansas, Illinois, New York and Massachusetts. Presently, he teaches at Lexington High School in Lexington, Mass. For many years his expertise has been tapped as a scorer and rater for the AP statistics exam.
Sister Constance (Connie) Krstolic, OSB, Donnelly Class of 1964, is a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica and has more than twenty-five years experience as a Benedictine, teacher, religious educator, vocation/formation minister and spiritual director. She leads retreats and workshops for individuals, religious communities, corporations and institutions both at the monastery in Atchison and across the country. In 1981, she completed her M.A. in Spirituality and Scripture at St. Louis University and earned a Certificate in Spiritual Direction at the School for Spiritual Directors in Pecos, New Mexico.
Father Dennis Wait graduated from Donnelly in 1966, and has been a priest of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas for nearly 40 years. Wait has served the people of God in the Archdiocese as a pastor and assistant pastor in both rural and urban-based parishes. In 1996, he established Sanctuary of Hope, an inner-city, inter-faith retreat center just a few blocks south from Donnelly. The spirit of Sanctuary of Hope mirrors Donnelly’s mission statement in that it “seeks to continue the mission of Jesus Christ in our time by making the love of God tangible in our world.”
John Mendez, Donnelly Class of 1974, went on to earn his Bachelor of Science in public administration in 1976 from St. Mary College. In 1986, he completed his master’s in liberal arts from Baker University. Today, Mendez is widely known throughout the KCK community for his work as a city leader and community activist. He may be most well known for the five years he served on the Board of Commissioners, representing the third district. He has also given back to Donnelly by serving on the Board of Trustees for more than 15 years, and as an adjunct instructor.
Delia Hernandez was the first in her family to graduate from college, completing her associate degree (the first in her family to do so) at Donnelly in 1984. She then completed her four-year degree at the University of St. Mary and began her career at Donnelly in the admissions office. She went on to help open the Kansas Speedway and also directed development activities for affordable housing through Habitat for Humanity. Hernandez continues to give time and talent back to Wyandotte County through many community organizations, including past service on Donnelly’s Board of Trustees, and continues to serve as a community leader and supporter of the College.