When the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica joined forces with the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas to establish Donnelly College in 1949, the vision of having a Catholic college in the urban core of Kansas City was about much more than providing an affordable higher education option to those who wanted one. The founders also wanted the college to serve as an institution that promotes personal development and transformation –impacting the economic trajectory of families and creating a strong educational foundation for the broader community. Most importantly, the leaders wanted all students who attended Donnelly to form a set of values they would take with them throughout their lives.
Each graduate of Donnelly College has forged their own path in life, creating their own life story. The Donnelly College Alumni Hall of Fame was established in 2010 to help tell those stories by recognizing individuals, living and deceased, who have served the community in a variety of ways, while upholding the mission, honor and values of their alma mater. During the past eight years, Donnelly College has inducted 38 alumni into the Hall of Fame.
BILL REARDON ‘61
Inducted in 2018
“Each of the colleges I attended provided me with a high-quality education that prepared me for both of my careers. Donnelly, however, instilled in me something of far greater importance — the value of community and public service. This epiphany was more than career-enhancing, it was life-altering.”
DIANE HENTGES ‘66
Inducted in 2015
“Donnelly was the foundation for the formal higher education that was to follow. The Benedictine influence was strong and Donnelly challenged me to achieve through the coursework and nurtured me to be prayerful and Christ-like in my daily life.”
PAT CALLAGHAN ‘59
Inducted in 2012
“When I first attended Donnelly, the Benedictine Sisters welcomed me, accepted me unconditionally and helped me see myself through their eyes. It affirmed my self-worth and made a lifetime impression.”
LUCY SAUNDERS ‘68
Inducted in 2016
“I loved Donnelly because of the way that the instructors taught the classes with the needs of the students in mind. One of the reasons I chose to come to Donnelly was because of the Christian-influenced setting.”
FATHER PETER JARAMILLO ‘75
Inducted in 2013
“The light of Donnelly College shines brightly as a beacon to ordinary people who have potential to excel in extraordinary ways. Anchored by Christian core values and Catholic beliefs, Donnelly offers an abundance of opportunities to grow in self-confidence.”
AHMED AWAD ‘84
Inducted in 2017
“My Donnelly professors helped me to learn English and to become familiar with American culture through the various gatherings they arranged. The friendships that I formed are some of my fondest Donnelly memories.”
REV. DESMOND LAMB ‘00
Inducted in 2018
“Donnelly College played a huge part in getting me where I am today. If it wasn’t for Donnelly I would have never returned to the college classroom as a student. I am now in my fifth year as an adjunct instructor for the school that gave me a second chance at life. I love Donnelly and I hope to continue to give back to this wonderful place that has given me priceless opportunities and gifts. Donnelly is a place that values diversity and disrespects no one regardless of creed, culture, religion or race.”
LIZA RODRIGUEZ ‘01
Inducted in 2017
“Donnelly helped me grow and be proud of who I am and where I come from. It also prepared me for the academic challenges and the commitment required to succeed as I moved forward with my professional goals.”
LARRY WARD ‘56
Inducted in 2013
“Donnelly offers the same value to young people today that it provided me in the 1950s. It’s reasonably priced and the dedicated staff and faculty enable students to get a strong start in college.”
JONATHON WESTBROOK ’07, ’13
Inducted in 2016
“The teachers and staff at Donnelly were instrumental in instilling the desire and passion to serve my community. The essentials of leadership were taught and modeled, and through those examples, my passion for family, community and God have matured and continue to grow.”
To nominate an alum: If you know an alum who has demonstrated actions that express the spirit and mission of Donnelly College, visit www.donnelly.edu/hall-of-fame to nomatinate them for the Hall of Fame.
To learn more about all hall of fame inductees, visit www.donnelly.edu/hall-of-fame