Threshold Fall/Winter 2008

The Road Less Travelled Leads to Donnelly
by Barbara Ann Mayer, OSB

Donnelly College in Kansas City, Kan., honored the Benedictine sisters at its second annual scholarship dinner on Sept. 16, by raising more than $100,000 toward the creation of an endowed scholarship fund in the name of Mount St. Scholastica. Over 300 guests attended the event, including about 40 sisters.

More than 120 sisters (about one fifth of the community) have served at Donnelly since it was begun by Sister Jerome Keeler and Bishop George Donnelly in 1949.

“Donnelly continues to provide the opportunity for higher education to those who otherwise would not have it,” said Sister Constance Krstolic, class of 1964, in her welcoming remarks at the dinner. “Where would many of us be if it were not for the dedication of the sisters at Donnelly?”

John Murry, former president of Donnelly and chair of the event, gave an estimate that was well worth noting for the success of the college:
Benedictine sisters have contributed more that $4 million in services to Donnelly since its founding.

At the dinner, a permanent tribute to the sisters was unveiled and is now prominently displayed in the front hallway of Donnelly.

The Robert Frost poem, “A Road Less Travelled,” 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 travelled,” said Larry Ward, class of 1956 and chairman emeritus of Shughart, Thomson & Kilroy law firm. “Almost 60 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.

“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. Steven LaNasa, the new president of Donnelly. “I am extremely proud to be 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.

Donnelly now offers bachelor’s degrees, expanded academic programs, and a residence hall, while continuing to keep college affordable and accessible for all, especially low-income and minority students.

Three Benedictines currently work at Donnelly, Sisters Fran Cross as registrar, Grace Malaney as math instructor, and Mary Teresa Morris in the Licensed Practical Nursing program. Sister Lucy Kramer volunteers in the tutoring center and Sister Barbara Mayer helps with publicity. Sisters Anne Shepard and Rita Killackey serve on the board of trustees.

Sister Constance Krstolic, master of ceremonies
for the eveningand Donnelly graduate,
with Archbishop Joseph Naumann of the Archdiocese
of Kansas City in Kansas


A familiar sight at many events is the sisters extending their hands
and singing a blessing upon those gathered.

(photos by Scott Robben of The Image Group)

Dreams Deferred
by Delores M. Jones, MSW

“What happens to a dream deferred?” Langston Hughes once asked. When it came to my dreams, I really didn’t know until I received a postcard inviting me to attend Donnelly College. The year was 1989 and I was a senior in high school. On the outside, I appeared to be a picture of health and happiness, but the truth was I was broken, torn, wounded and homeless. I wondered who I could trust to help me despite my family’s secret that I had carried for almost 2 years.

The day I walked down the halls of Donnelly, I was greeted by the hearts and hands of nuns, staff and various people whose presence assured me that I was now safe to pursue my education and my dream of being like Oprah Winfrey. None of them laughed; they simply smiled and encouraged me to begin to build my foundation. With their support I studied, even at times by candlelight in the abandoned home in which I lived at the time.

My commitment to excellence, faith in God and the staff’s constant interest in my wellbeing paid off. I maintained a 4.0 GPA, which qualified me for a scholarship that paid my tuition. I became a model student, serving as a Donnelly Ambassador within my community. After graduating, I was accepted into the number one journalism school in the nation, the University of Missouri School of Journalism in Columbia. I now hold a bachelor’s in broadcast journalism and a master’s in social work.
Today I am living various elements of my dream as an award-winning radio host, columnist, social worker and business owner (at www.DeloresInspiresMe. com). My efforts and successes even caught the attention of Dr. Bill Cosby and yes, Oprah Winfrey. On October 4th, 2007, I was invited center stage by Oprah after sharing my story with her during her show in Chicago. In fact, a portion of my ”path from victim to victor” is also captured in the book Come on People: On the Path from Victim to Victor by Drs. Bill Cosby and Alvin Poussaint (p. 225-26).

I am happy to share that, on those pages, I also honor the significant influence that Donnelly College played in my victory. Donnelly College is where my heart is and I know that it is also a place of hope for those wanting to reach their dreams, goals and aspirations.


Growing Roots
by Anita J. Dixon, President, Cultural Convention & Visitors Services

Below is a portion of Anita Dixon’s speech at the Donnelly banquet.

I have been “attending” Donnelly College for over 25 years. It all began when I ran away from a destructive marriage and landed with relatives in Kansas City with $100, a three year old daughter, and no positive prospects for the future.

After working as a cocktail waitress, bartender and anything else I could get, I went with my sister-in-law while she enrolled at Donnelly. Little did I know that this institution, my personal beacon on a hill, would become such a part of my life. In 1982, I walked in with a nervous heart. Understand that it had been over a decade since I had been in school and, armed with just a GED, I was somewhat skeptical of making it in college.

My fears were quickly alleviated as I began to learn the origins of the college, the wonderful Benedictine sisters and their mission. I had heard about Catholicism and nuns but had never been in such close proximity to them.

I remember thinking, how odd to WANT to sacrifice your entire life for others and not experience what we as women are taught to strive to achieve: children, a husband and picket fences. I thrived in this environment and sought to get as much out of it as I could.

After graduation in 1984, Donnelly employed me and assisted me in the library as I researched scholarships. Letters from my professors were instrumental in getting me a full scholarship to Lincoln University, where I studied journalism and communication and came out to own a small newspaper, returning to Donnelly to network, and to use computers and the library.

I returned in 1991 to work in the Entrepreneur Development Center. By then, I had another daughter, diagnosed with severe autism. Devastated, I appealed to the director of the program and was again admitted to Donnelly. I started a business so that I could stay home and care for my children. All the while, Donnelly was in the picture.

In 1992, I began Missouri and Kansas’ first African American tours and attractions company, “Passage Unlimited,” one of only 15 heritage tour companies in the nation named by Black Meetings and Tourism Magazine, the Kansas City Star and Essence magazine. I’ve helped pass a bill which preserves the sites of the Underground Railroad, and have had consulting contracts with the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, the State of Missouri’s first African-American national tour, and countless family reunions, conventions and meetings.

All along, the love and support from my alma mater bolstered my courage to do more and more because I knew I could always return. It has been quite a journey. In front of the college, there are a tree and two benches our class left as a class gift. I remember seeing this sapling and envisioning how it would shade the next generations of students. After 25 years, it is over 15 feet, shades those who sit on the benches, and is my constant reminder of how deep my roots go at Donnelly. I am eternally grateful and can never repay the life I was given. God bless you all.