Columbia College Annual Report 2013
Helping the Humanities Columbia College celebrates 162 years — and a major gift donation By Whitney Dreier
On Jan. 18, 1851, Christian Female College received its charter from the Missouri Legislature, making it the first women’s college west of the Mississippi River to be chartered by a state legislature. Columbia College faculty, staff and students gathered in Dorsey Gym to applaud the school’s history and continued success on Jan. 17, 2013. Dr. Gerald Brouder, Dr. Terry Smith, Dr. Brad Lookingbill and Nollie Moore were among those presenting at the 162nd Charter Day event. After Brouder provided his annual lecture about Columbia College and the world 150 years ago, he made a major gift announcement: M.J. Walther Donnelly ’43 had given $572,000 to the Tradition Meets Tomorrow Campaign. Donnelly’s gift, which is one of the M.J. Walther Donnelly largest in college history, will endow scholarships in her name, providing additional financial support to English majors, and support the construction of the new science building. “I am honored to recognize the significant, continued support of M.J. Walther Donnelly,” Brouder says. “This gift reflects her passion for education, which will support our core mission of teaching and thus prepare students to have a meaningful impact on their communities for decades to come.” Originally from Ohio, Donnelly attended Christian College in 1941. “The minute I saw Christian College, it is where I knew I wanted to start my college education,” she says. During her undergraduate career, Donnelly became somewhat of a fixture on campus, where she excelled in the classroom, led multiple student organizations and served as the yearbook editor. “The
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dean made it clear I needed to do superbly at Christian College if I wanted to continue my education at an eastern college,” she remembers. “I did learn a lot in my time at the college, and I continue to keep learning and will do so the rest of my life.” After graduation, Donnelly furthered her education at Barnard College, Columbia University and the University of Dayton. Donnelly, who currently resides in Nokomis, Fla., and Republic, Mich., continues to serve Columbia College as a volunteer, assisting the college with fundraising and recruitment efforts. “Columbia (Christian) College made me realize my potential,” Donnelly says. “This is why I want my philanthropy to support the college, so others might realize the potential they possess.” In return for her generosity, Donnelly’s name will live on in the M.J. Walther Donnelly ’43 Lookout Conference Room in the new science building, which opened in August 2013. Across campus, liberal arts scholars will benefit from the M.J. Walther Donnelly ’43 Scholarship, which will be awarded to English students. “I was so delighted to learn that our English program will receive a significant gift for student scholarships,” says Christina Ingoglia, assistant professor of English and creative writing. “Thanks to Ms. Donnelly’s generosity, we hope to attract top English students from across the country to our small but vibrant program.”
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