By Lindsey Weishar, Michaela Remijio and Laura McKnight
Special to The Leaven
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — On Sept. 12, 1949, Donnelly College here officially opened its doors.
Cofounded by the then-Diocese of Kansas City in Kansas and the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison, Donnelly is now celebrating 75 years of serving the community of Kansas City, Kansas, and beyond.
As an article in the Eastern Kansas Register (The Leaven’s predecessor) said in its July 8, 1949, issue, the purpose of Donnelly College has always been “to make it possible for the youth of Kansas City and its vicinity to obtain a Catholic college education without needless expense.”
This vision continues today. Part of the college’s mission of “making the love of God tangible in our world” includes beginning the year in prayer and service to others.
Oriented toward service, prayer
In keeping with the college’s values of truth, community and excellence and the Benedictine charisms of stability and hospitality, staff and faculty welcome students by pairing orientation with community service. This year, students participated in a two-day orientation, the second of which was dedicated to community service with local organizations. Over the years, students have participated in activities like neighborhood cleanups, creating hygiene kits and sorting food pantry items.
These activities make it possible for the students to together practice the corporal works of mercy, a vital component of the holistic education Donnelly offers.
Donnelly also begins each fall semester with a convocation, an all-school Mass of the Holy Spirit celebrated by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Kansas City, Kansas.
“We do not merely educate students,” said Dr. Matthew Vander Vennet, Donnelly’s director of mission. “We help to form them as human beings throughout our disciplines. Inviting our students to wonder at the created order and ponder their place in it opens them up to an experience of the divine and a contemplation of the Creator.”
New and expanding programs
Donnelly is now enrolling students in a new Associate of Applied Science in Public Health degree.
“In addition to having more students interested in pursuing a health care degree like nursing, we have also seen increased enrollment in environmental science courses,” said Ana Maradiaga, director of liberal arts and sciences. “This degree will give our students an additional way to impact local health and environmental issues through data collection and analysis, community education and policy work.”
Students interested in pursuing a career path that includes advocating for a healthy community will benefit from enrolling in this program.
“Upon graduation, students could pursue a bachelor’s degree in clinical research, health and nutrition, or a variety of other fields,” said Lisa Stoothoff, dean of the college.
In August, the Higher Learning Commission approved Donnelly’s request to add a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The program will allow Registered Nursing (RN) students to complete an advanced degree. Information about the program’s start date will be forthcoming.
The Bloch Scholars Program at Donnelly has also grown, thanks to the support of the Marion and Henry Bloch Family Foundation and the H&R Block Foundation. The program now serves 50 Donnelly students each year.
“The Bloch Scholars Program supports promising students who may have struggled in the past with school but can be successful with support to earn a bachelor’s degree,” said Dr. Karen Lombardi, the Bloch Scholars Program coordinator. “Bloch Scholars earn their Associate of Arts degree at Donnelly and then go on for a bachelor’s degree at Rockhurst University or UMKC.”
Bloch Scholars have their tuition and fees fully covered at both campuses and participate in regular coaching and programming each semester and throughout the transfer process.
For first-year Bloch Scholar Trevor Stanley, Donnelly has offered a path to learn more about his faith and grow as a person.
“I started college right out of high school, and it was very tough for me because I had a hard time focusing and keeping up with homework,” said Stanley. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I was overwhelmed with how big the campus was. So, I withdrew.”
Several years and a conversion to Catholicism later, Stanley now feels “a passion for people” and a desire to “gain more knowledge in my faith and in God, and to keep pursuing the truth.” A couple weeks into his coursework, he has been impressed by the commitment of campus staff.
“The staff truly care and want to see me succeed,” he said.
Second-year Bloch Scholar Karen Guttierez feels at home at Donnelly.
“It’s close to home,” she said, “and I’m very family-oriented. I love how welcoming it is. You can be yourself.”
In the spring, she will transfer to UMKC and pursue a degree in education. Her dream is to be a first grade teacher.
Celebrating 75 years of student-first education
While much has changed at Donnelly in 75 years, what hasn’t changed is the college’s dedication to fostering student growth.
“Donnelly’s ‘student-first’ approach encourages faculty and staff to work together to meet students’ needs in an individualized, holistic manner,” said Maradiaga.
Students appreciate this personalized approach.
“I like that Donnelly is very diverse,” said second-year student Ivone Borjas. “You see a lot of different faces. Many people here have amazing stories.”
