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More than 100 guests gathered in the Community Event Center on November 14th for Gratia – a day designated for thankfulness on the Donnelly campus. The tradition of Gratia gives us an opportunity to express gratitude to donors, volunteers, faculty and staff who bring Donnelly’s mission to life throughout the year.
“Gratia expresses our sincere gratitude for sharing your many gifts to help our students develop theirs,” said Donnelly Trustee and Interim President Bob Bartunek, as he welcomed the crowd.
Several individuals received special recognition at this year’s Gratia event. Dr. Tom Pierce was named Volunteer of the Year. Since 2010, Dr. Pierce has been playing a part in enhancing campus services and programs including the fitness center, the library, the Donnelly Dash as well as nursing and community health worker certificate programs.
The Kansas City Kansas Public School District was named Partner of the Year in recognition of the ambitious collaboration that has occurred during the past 18 months that led to the launch of the Donnelly’s Gateway to College initiative. (See more about Gateway to College on page 7.)
Donnelly Trustee (and Chair-elect) Dick Flanigan and his wife Laura were named Donors of the Year. “In addition to the demands of his role as Senior Vice President at Cerner, Dick has made it a priority to become actively engaged in Donnelly initiatives,” said President Steve LaNasa. “Since joining our Board, he has chaired our Annual Scholarship Event with Laura, he leads our Board’s Development Committee, and he supports numerous college activities and initiatives. The Flanigans are also among the College’s most generous donors and we are deeply grateful for their support of Donnelly’s capital campaign.”
The evening also included the unveiling of a permanent tribute to Community Event Center benefactors as well as a special tribute to President Steve LaNasa, who left his post at Donnelly on December 6.
“While we wish you could be with us longer, what remains foremost is a sense of gratitude and appreciation for all you have done for Donnelly College in your five-and-a-half years here,” said Bob Bartunek, emcee and newly-named interim president. “All of us who have worked with you have enjoyed the fun yet professional attitude you brought to every endeavor. We are forever grateful for your commitment to furthering the College’s mission.
“You challenged us all to raise our expectations, to improve our facilities, to increase our services, to boost our engagement, to collaborate broadly, to increase our investment, and frankly, to think very big - $25 million big – while still thinking very practical. Perhaps most importantly, you helped us recognize the national significance of Donnelly’s mission and our daily work. And you wouldn’t let us forget it!
“The accomplishments Donnelly has made under your leadership are staggering – the largest gifts in our history, a complete campus master plan, a record-smashing capital campaign that is nearly half-way complete, more than $9 million in federal grant investment, more full-time faculty and more academic programming. This list could go on and on. But perhaps most importantly, student retention, graduation and transfer rates have all increased under your leadership. And that’s what this is all about.”
“Gratia expresses our sincere gratitude for sharing your many gifts to help our students develop theirs,” said Donnelly Trustee and Interim President Bob Bartunek, as he welcomed the crowd.
Several individuals received special recognition at this year’s Gratia event. Dr. Tom Pierce was named Volunteer of the Year. Since 2010, Dr. Pierce has been playing a part in enhancing campus services and programs including the fitness center, the library, the Donnelly Dash as well as nursing and community health worker certificate programs.
The Kansas City Kansas Public School District was named Partner of the Year in recognition of the ambitious collaboration that has occurred during the past 18 months that led to the launch of the Donnelly’s Gateway to College initiative. (See more about Gateway to College on page 7.)
Donnelly Trustee (and Chair-elect) Dick Flanigan and his wife Laura were named Donors of the Year. “In addition to the demands of his role as Senior Vice President at Cerner, Dick has made it a priority to become actively engaged in Donnelly initiatives,” said President Steve LaNasa. “Since joining our Board, he has chaired our Annual Scholarship Event with Laura, he leads our Board’s Development Committee, and he supports numerous college activities and initiatives. The Flanigans are also among the College’s most generous donors and we are deeply grateful for their support of Donnelly’s capital campaign.”
The evening also included the unveiling of a permanent tribute to Community Event Center benefactors as well as a special tribute to President Steve LaNasa, who left his post at Donnelly on December 6.
“While we wish you could be with us longer, what remains foremost is a sense of gratitude and appreciation for all you have done for Donnelly College in your five-and-a-half years here,” said Bob Bartunek, emcee and newly-named interim president. “All of us who have worked with you have enjoyed the fun yet professional attitude you brought to every endeavor. We are forever grateful for your commitment to furthering the College’s mission.
“You challenged us all to raise our expectations, to improve our facilities, to increase our services, to boost our engagement, to collaborate broadly, to increase our investment, and frankly, to think very big - $25 million big – while still thinking very practical. Perhaps most importantly, you helped us recognize the national significance of Donnelly’s mission and our daily work. And you wouldn’t let us forget it!
“The accomplishments Donnelly has made under your leadership are staggering – the largest gifts in our history, a complete campus master plan, a record-smashing capital campaign that is nearly half-way complete, more than $9 million in federal grant investment, more full-time faculty and more academic programming. This list could go on and on. But perhaps most importantly, student retention, graduation and transfer rates have all increased under your leadership. And that’s what this is all about.”