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Mayor of Uruapan, Michoacan in Mexico visits Donnelly Men's soccer team takes home first place honors Donnelly offers six-week Scripture series
Donnelly hosts annual Scholarship Dinner
Donnelly announces appointment of new president
Second Scholarship Dinner to honor Benedictine Sisters
First five graduates earn BA degrees at Donnelly
$2.865 million federal grant enables two new programs
MAYOR OF URUAPAN, MICHOACAN IN MEXICO VISITS DONNELLY COLLEGE
Kansas City, Kan., October 28, 2008 — Donnelly College, in Kansas City, Kansas, welcomed Mr. Antonio González Rodríguez, Mayor of Uruapan, Michoacan in Mexico, on Friday to discuss a nursing program partnership that is currently in the works between the two sister cities.
The mayor came to Kansas City to attend various sister city events which included a visit to Donnelly College to meet with area nursing school representatives to discuss this partnership.
“It was an exciting day for Donnelly,” said Donnelly College’s Vice President and Dean of Instruction, Kevin Kelley, Ph. D. “Mayor Antonio Rodríguez,along with Mexico’s Department of International Relations and the local sister city committee is the driving force of this upcoming partnership.”
The partnership would allow nursing students from Uruapan to come to Kansas City and immerse themselves in the culture of the United States healthcare industry. Likewise, Kansas City nursing students would be sent to Uruapan to gain practical experience by observing nursing students in the Hispanic culture.
“This exchange program would directly expose Kansas City nursing students to the Hispanic culture, giving them an opportunity to perfect their Spanish skills,” said Cyrus Shadfar, Associate Dean of International Studies at Donnelly College. “Having healthcare professionals with this kind of cultural experience would greatly benefit our community because of the growing Spanish-speaking population that resides in KCK. “
“Today, students have a significant advantage in the world of medicine if they are able to speak both English and Spanish,” said Anita Krondak, Director of Nursing at KCKCC. “The partnership would build these skills, but at the same time it would arm students with the ability to understand their field within the setting of another culture, setting them apart from other nursing students."
The Kansas City, Kansas/Uruapan, Michoacan Sister City Committee is lead by Delia Marin Hernandez. In 1978, Delia’s father, Roberto Marin, and Mayor Jack Reardon traveled to Uruapan to sign the first sister city agreement between Kansas City, Kansas, and Uruapan. “It is an honor to work with Mayor Joe Reardon to carry on the tradition of sister cities that was started by our fathers,” said Delia Hernandez, Chair of the sister city committee. “We have various initiatives of common interest we hope to begin implementing with the help of our sub-committee members here locally and in Uruapan.”
The Sister City Committee’s sub-committee in education is comprised of representatives from Mexico’s Department of International Relations, Donnelly’s Department of International Studies, KCKCC’s Department of Nursing, and the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Together, they plan to first create a pilot program that would exchange two students from Uruapan’s nursing school, Cetis, and two students from Donnelly’s Licensed Practical Nursing Program.
“We want our students to return to Mexico as more well-rounded nursing professionals,” said Oscar Valdez Pimentel, Director of International Communications for Mexico’s Department of International Relations. “Upon their return, they can share their experiences with other students and give us a sense of which parts of the program are working.”
Plans for the launch of this program are now underway, with hopes to begin the first exchange in June 2009. To continue to move forward, the colleges will be looking at Uruapan’s nursing curriculum requirements to determine the level at which students would be entering the exchange program.
To learn more about this exclusive partnership, please call (913) 621-8720 or send an e-mail to cshadfar@donnelly.edu. For more information about the KCK/Uruapan sister city committee, please call (913) 677-3103 or send an e-mail to dhernandez4@kc.rr.com.
MEN’S SOCCER TEAM TAKES HOME FIRST PLACE HONORS
Kansas City, Kan., October 9, 2008 —Donnelly College's men's soccer team finished off their second season on top, taking home first place honors within the All-American Indoor Sports Division 3 league. This year marks the second season for Donnelly’s soccer club teams, but it already seems they are making a name for themselves.
“The team played exceptionally well,” said head coach Jaime Fuentes. “I was so proud of each and every one of them.”
The game began slowly with neither team appearing to have the edge. “I think we were all nervous in the beginning,” said team captain Fernando Ramirez.” It took us a while to get warmed up.”
Donnelly ended up scoring the only goal of the first half. The opposing team answered with a goal early in the second half, but Donnelly quickly responded by scoring five consecutive goals. The final score was 6-1.
“This is only our second season together, and already we are truly playing like a team,” said Ramirez. “It was great to capture the first place win and it really sets the bar high for us next season.”
“Both the men’s and women’s teams did a fantastic job this year,” said Fuentes. “I’m looking forward to the next season.”
If you have any questions about the game, please contact head coach Jaime Fuentes at (913) 621-8789.
DONNELLY COLLEGE OFFERS SIX-WEEK SCRIPTURE SERIES TO KICK OFF CAMPUS MINISTRY PROGRAM
Kansas City, Kan., October 1, 2008— Donnelly College is kicking off their new campus ministry program with a six-week scripture series on the life of St. Paul the Apostle. The series will be offered on the college’s campus beginning Wednesday, Oct. 8, from 1 – 2 p.m. and will focus on Paul’s three missionary journeys and the Letter to the Romans.
The presenter will be Fr. Freddie Thomas, a biblical scholar who teaches Scripture at Holy Trinity Major Seminary in Punjab, India. He holds a master’s degree in Scripture from Urbanian University in Rome, and is currently in the United States preaching for the missions of his diocese.
“Fr. Thomas is truly a profound scholar and we are fortunate to have him come and speak,” said Joseph Multhauf, professor and Campus Ministry Coordinator at Donnelly College. “This series is the perfect way for us to kick off our Campus Ministry program and create a buzz about the growing amount of student-life activities available to the students at Donnelly.”
The lecture series is free and open to all who want to learn more about this charismatic apostle and author of 14 letters in the New Testament. Presentations will be held on the next six Wednesdays, Oct. 8 – Nov. 12, from 1 – 2 p.m., in the college’s first floor meeting room. No previous Scripture background is necessary and listeners do not need to attend all six sessions.
For more information, please call (913) 621-8790.
DONNELLY COLLEGE HOSTS ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP DINNER, RAISING MORE
THAN $100,000
Kansas City, Sept. 16, 2008― Donnelly College hosted its Second Annual Scholarship Dinner to honor the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica on Saturday, Sept. 6. The dinner proved to be a huge success, raising more than $100,000 towards the creation of a Benedictine Sisters Endowed Scholarship Fund.
More than 300 guests attended the event, featuring keynote speakers Lawrence (Larry) Ward, Class of 1956, and Anita Dixon, Class of 1984. Welcoming remarks were made by Sister Constance (Connie) Krstolic, OSB, Class of 1964. Krstolic described the unwavering mission of Donnelly and recognized the stead-fast involvement of the Benedictine sisters.
“Donnelly continues to provide the opportunity for higher education to those who otherwise would not have it,” said Sister Connie. “Where would many of us be if it were not for the dedication of the sisters at Donnelly?”
The Robert Frost poem, “A Road Less Traveled,” provided a perfect theme for the dinner because it illustrates the bold vision of the college and its partnership with the Benedictine sisters.
“The sisters have, without question, taken that path less traveled,” said Larry Ward, Chairman Emeritus, Shughart Thomson & Kilroy, P.C. “Almost sixty years later, the mission of Donnelly College remains strong. The need is still here for a Catholic college to serve those who would not otherwise have the opportunity for an education.”
Since Donnelly’s founding in 1949, the Benedictine sisters have contributed more than $4 million in services to Donnelly. To honor the contributions of these wonderful women, the college unveiled a permanent tribute to the sisters that is prominently displayed in the front hallway of the main building. Alumni and friends are encouraged to stop by and see this impressive tribute.
Prior to the scholarship dinner, guests attended an open house event held in Donnelly’s main building. Here they had the chance to mingle with the college’s new president, Dr. Steve M. LaNasa, other alumni, students, faculty members and friends of the college.
“In looking at Donnelly’s rich history, it is clear that the Benedictine sisters and all others involved have repeatedly taken the road less traveled,” said Dr. LaNasa. “Our approach has 'made all the difference' to thousands of students and members of the Kansas City community. And today, Donnelly ranks among a very small number of private institutions nationally so committed to the form of educational access we provide. I am extremely proud to be a part of an institution with so much potential for growth—growth made possible by our continued commitment to the mission laid out by the Benedictines 60 years ago.”
Today, Donnelly strives to honor its incredible legacy by serving students in new ways. It now offers bachelor’s degrees, a residence hall and new academic programs, while continuing to keep college affordable and accessible for all, especially those who might not otherwise be served.
To view photos from the Second Annual Scholarship Dinner and the Open House event, click here.
DONNELLY COLLEGE ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF NEW PRESIDENT
Kansas City, Aug. 19, 2008 - The Board of Trustees of Donnelly College has announced the appointment of Steven M. LaNasa, Ph.D., as the school's sixth president. LaNasa will begin his position on Sept. 2, and is currently serving as the Associate Dean and Assistant Professor of Higher Education in the School of Education at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
LaNasa's attraction to Donnelly is rooted in his long-standing interest and commitment to college access and opportunity, especially for those students from limited means.
"Educational attainment and equality are the most pressing issues facing both our region and country now and in the coming decades," said LaNasa. "I have been tremendously impressed by the support and commitment of the faculty and staff, the Archdiocese and Sisters, as well as the community at large who all ensure Donnelly fulfills its mission to provide students access to the education they deserve.
"Donnelly's faculty and staff are on the forefront of working with first-generation and non-traditional college students," said LaNasa. "The school's mission and orientation are not only unique to our region, but rank the college among a very small set of institutions nationally that serve students in this way."
In the last decade, LaNasa has collaborated and published on college access and opportunity for disadvantaged students, and the institutional infrastructure and experiences needed to support student success. Prior to serving in UMKC's School of Education, LaNasa was Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Planning at UMKC and prior to that served in various administrative roles at George Mason University. LaNasa earned his Doctor of Philosophy from The Pennsylvania State University, while serving in the Center for the Study of Higher Education.
Since relocating to Kansas City in 2003, LaNasa has been active in several educationally related initiatives in the community, including service on the Institute for Urban Education's Partnership Consortium, on the UMKC Charter Schools Advisory Board, and is a member of the partnership opening the Southwest Early College Campus in the Kansas City Missouri School District. LaNasa also serves on the research advisory board for the National Research Center for College University Admissions.
His interests in the study of higher education and college access made him stand out among the other candidates, according to George Breidenthal,'69, President of the Donnelly College Board of Trustees. "His expert understanding of the educational issues we are trying to address at Donnelly will enable him to serve as an exceptional leader," said Breidenthal.
LaNasa intends to build upon the great work of President Ken Gibson, Ph.D., who consistently moved Donnelly forward in many ways during his nine-year term, most significantly by leading the college to offer its first bachelor's degrees and a Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program.
"Dr. LaNasa will make an excellent president for Donnelly College," said Gibson. "He has a big heart and I think his presence at Donnelly will both inspire and motivate. I expect great things for Donnelly under his tenure."
Kevin Kelley, Ph.D., Donnelly's Interim President and Dean of Instruction, believes LaNasa possesses an excellent blend of administrative and academic preparation. "His research and applied experience will strengthen Donnelly as we continue to develop new academic programs and expand our campus."
The Board of Trustees is excited to continue the momentum generated by recent additions of a residence hall and Donnelly's second academic building on campus.
"This is an exciting moment in the history of Donnelly College. Dr. LaNasa's experience and expertise, combined with the recent enhancements to the programs offered by the college, situate Donnelly for a very bright future," said Archbishop Joseph Naumann of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, who serves as an ex-officio member on Donnelly's Board of Trustees, as well as on the college's corporate board.
LaNasa will be attending Donnelly's upcoming Open House and Scholarship Dinner on Saturday, September 6. Members of the community, alumni, and friends of Donnelly are invited to stop by the Open House at Donnelly College and meet LaNasa from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. For more information on purchasing tickets to the scholarship dinner honoring the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica and introducing LaNasa, click here >>
LaNasa resides in Liberty, Mo., with his wife and two sons.
SECOND SCHOLARSHIP DINNER TO HONOR BENEDICTINE SISTERS
Donnelly College's Second Annual Scholarship dinner will honor the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica. The dinner will be held on Sept. 6 at Reardon Civic Center in Kansas City, Ks. Dr. John Murry, President Emeritus of Donnelly (President 1988-98) is serving as event chair.
Proceeds from the dinner will be used to create an endowed scholarship in the name of the Benedictine sisters and to support the annual scholarship fund.
The theme of the dinner will be "The Road Less Traveled" based on the poem by Robert Frost. It honors the tradition of the road less traveled at Donnelly College - whether by the Benedictine sisters, the school's alumni of first-generation college graduates, or the college's alternative model for higher education.
"In 1949, Sister Jerome Keeler took the 'road less traveled' and founded Donnelly as a private college to serve young people of financially disadvantaged families in the urban area," said Dr. Murry. "And 'that has made all the difference' for nearly 60 years to many thousands of students who otherwise would not have had an opportunity for a college education."
Sr. Jerome was a visionary leader committed to the educational mission of the Benedictine sisters. More than 80 sisters have followed in her footsteps, contributing their time, talent, and services with minimal compensation.
"Sister Jerome was a brilliant woman who was way ahead of her time," said Pat Antonopoulos, Class of '58. "She was dignified and reserved, yet very down-to-earth. We had many incredible teachers, Sr. Kathleen (Brazzel), Sr. Sylvester (Elizabeth Coffey), Sr. Leander Cogan, Sr. Mary Faith (Schuster), and others."
Pat Callaghan, Donnelly academic advisor who retired last year, also praised the sisters. "When I came to Donnelly, I felt inadequate and uncertain about my life's direction," she said "The Benedictine sisters welcomed me, accepted me unconditionally, and affirmed my self-worth. They left a lifetime impression on me."
Don Wolf, Class of '56, a professional photographer, attributes his success to Donnelly. "Although I graduated from Donnelly over fifty years ago, I still feel the impact of that wonderful institution," he said. "Sister Faith didn't teach me photography, but she taught me something even more important. By having us write observations about what we saw, heard, and experienced throughout the day, she taught us to see shadows, textures, and shapes. She didn't know (neither did I) that she was preparing me for my lifetime vocation. And Sister Liguori (Sullivan), who remained a lifelong friend, taught me that I had worth, that I was somebody."
"Many of us were awakened to the possibilities of the future at Donnelly," said Steve Nicely, Class of '59. "In my case, more than any other influence, I have the Benedictine sisters and lay faculty at Donnelly to thank for a career in journalism. I also have Donnelly to thank for the career in education of my son, Bill. Both of us floundered after high school until we found our footing at Donnelly. And I know an awful lot of stories just like ours."
A homecoming and open house from 3:30- 5:30 p.m. at the college will precede the dinner which begins at 7 p.m. "We want alumni to come and get reacquainted with the Benedictine Sisters who will be here and get to know the Donnelly of the last 25 years," said Martha La Van, Class of '59. "We hope to make this an annual event before each scholarship dinner."
"I hope to see many alums at the Scholarship Dinner," said Nicely. "It's not the same building I attended, but it's the same Donnelly, the same mission, the same sanctified space where modern miracles occur."
Last year the dinner raised more than $80,000 for an endowed scholarship honoring Dr. Ken Gibson, past Donnelly president, and his wife, Dr. Jackie Snyder.
Call Marva Dace at 913.621.8746 for more information or to purchase tickets. Interested parties, please RSVP by August 20.
FIRST FIVE GRADUATES EARN BA DEGREES AT DONNELLY
Five graduates in the May 2008 class carry the distinction of being the first to receive the BA degree in Organizational Leadership at Donnelly College. They are Masoud Alipour (cum laude), Marva Dace, Gina Loya, Michael Dressler, and Walter Staley (cum laude).
Massoud Alipour is a native of Iran. He taught music and had a jewelry business in Iran before coming to the U.S. to study music education and be closer to his wife's family in Kansas City. He learned English in Donnelly's ESL program and went on to earn his associate degree at Donnelly in 2004. After taking courses in music theory, music composition and piano at area colleges, he returned to Donnelly in 2006 to begin the baccalaureate program. He plans to start a music academy in Kansas City and also wants to pursue a master's degree in music or business. Massoud, his wife and daughter live in Overland Park.
Marva Dace began taking college courses at Wichita State University in 1968. She discontinued when she got married and then took a few courses at Los Angeles' Harbor College in 1981-82. When her mother became ill she returned to Kansas. With strong encouragement from her mother, she began taking evening courses at Donnelly in 2001 and earned her associate's degree in 2004. Since she works as an office assistant to the president and dean at Donnelly, it was convenient for her to continue studying for her baccalaureate here. She plans to pursue her master's degree in psychology at Park University in the fall.
"At first I was a little intimidated going back to college at age 50, but I got over it," Marva said.
Michael Dressler began working on his college degree in 2000 at Neosho County Community College with a golf scholarship. He later took some courses at the University of Kansas, but when he heard that Donnelly was beginning a baccalaureate program, he enrolled in January 2006. He grew up a few blocks from Donnelly and liked the smaller class sizes and personal attention from the teachers.
"Donnelly gave me an edge up in how to communicate and work with people," Michael said. "The teachers really know their field."
Michael is currently in Oklahoma City studying to be an air traffic control specialist. He became interested in the field through his father and learning of the job security and benefits. He will undergo extensive training and testing before returning to Kansas City. He hopes to eventually pursue a master's degree and teach at Donnelly.
Gina Loya received her associate's degree from Donnelly in 2004 and then began the 2+2 program at KCK Community College with Emporia State University to become a teacher. She changed her mind about her career and decided to return to Donnelly for the BA in Organizational Leadership in 2006. During school, she worked as an administrative assistant at Kansas Kids at Gear Up, a college awareness program for K-12. She also does cake decorating for friends. "I'd like to open a small cake decorating business some day," Gina said.
Gina likes the one-on-one help and the diversity at Donnelly. Her parents, David and Vicki Loya, are both graduates of Donnelly.
Walter Staley, a software engineer and designer for 25 years, served in the Navy, worked in IT for 13 years and then as a private contractor for 12 years with such institutions as Peabody Coal, Glaxo Pharmaceutical, and Washington University. He took college courses off and on but had no degree until 1986 when he earned his associate's at KCKCC. Then in 2004 he applied to the State Department for a GS13 position and was told he needed a master's degree to qualify for the job. When he heard about the new BA program at Donnelly, he enrolled in January 2006.
"I enjoyed Donnelly, especially the conversations about ethics and religion in the workplace," Walter said. "The classes in management and leadership were excellent."
Walter is currently enrolled in the master's program at DeVry University.
$2.865 MILLION FEDERAL GRANT ENABLES TWO NEW EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Donnelly College received a 5-year grant from the United States Department of Education, under the Title V Strengthening Institutions Grant, to improve educational services to Hispanic and low-income students. We hold the distinction of being one of the few federally designated Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) in the mid-west and the only HSI in the Kansas City metro area. Institutions are eligible for a Title V grant if their student enrollment is at least 25 percent Hispanic.
"Donnelly College's reception of a $2.865 million federal grant is just another indication of the remarkable accomplishments of the College in offering an opportunity for higher education to those who otherwise might not have the chance. I am very grateful for the many ways in which Donnelly College helps the Catholic Church realize our goal to make the love of Jesus Christ tangible to its students," said Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann.
The new funding will help us cover capital and start-up expenses for launching two new educational programs at Donnelly - a Licensed Practical Nursing program and Donnelly's second baccalaureate degree, a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. In the grant competition, we clearly demonstrated both the need for these two specific programs, and the benefits they would bring to our graduates and to the community. Opportunities in nursing and education are on the rise, as evidenced by a 25 percent growth in health and education related careers projected to occur by the year 2014.
Over the next five years, the Title V grant will provide $777,000 in construction funds for instructional rooms and laboratories, $350,000 in supplies and equipment, and $1,150,000 in personnel funding to develop and pilot the two programs. The grant will also provide up to $500,000 to match endowment funds raised through the generosity of our many friends and supporters.
"A grant of this magnitude significantly accelerates our activities in supporting the educational needs of our community," said Donnelly College's Interim President Kevin Kelley. "Without the Title V grant, the addition of the new nursing and teaching programs would have taken seven to ten years. The opportunity to train for these new professions, and not just jobs, will be accessible to the Donnelly community much more quickly. The nursing and education fields lead the list of most requested programs at Donnelly."
The grant will also increase access to both of the new programs by providing funding for online course development, including both the technology for and piloting of such classes.
The new LPN and education program classrooms, laboratories, and resources will be housed in Marian Hall, which recently became part of the Donnelly campus through the generosity of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. One-third of Marian Hall's approximately 30,000 square feet, will house three lecture halls, seven classrooms, one nursing laboratory, one elementary education instructional laboratory, and an anatomy and physiology laboratory. The remaining space in Marian Hall will accommodate additional student housing, a fitness center, and other student support activities.
"The initial stages of the LPN program approval process are up and running," said Title V Project Director Frances Sanders. "The application filed with the Kansas Board of Nursing will be up for consideration at its December 18, 2007 meeting. I am hopeful that the application will be approved as we would like to begin admitting students into the LPN program in the summer of 2008."
The elementary education program requires the approval of the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association and the State Board of Education. We will begin that approval process for the elementary education program in 2008.