Donnelly focuses on educating students that often go underserved, both nationally and throughout the Kansas City area. Donnelly was created as a Catholic liberal arts college to increase educational access for the working poor. Today, more than 78 percent of Donnelly students are low-income.

Making God’s love tangible through higher education

 

Since 1949, when the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica and Bishop George Donnelly of the archdiocese collaborated to create a Catholic liberal arts college to increase educational access for the working poor, Donnelly College has remained dedicated to the urban core.
As one of only seven colleges nationally that operates in that unique model, Donnelly focuses intently on educating students that often go “underserved,” both nationally and throughout Kansas City. Today, more than 78 percent of Donnelly students are low-income, first generation and students of color. According to national research, students from these categories are significantly less likely to attend or complete college. Yet these are exactly the students Donnelly successfully educates.
Donnelly’s mission is rooted in Catholic values that stem from Christ’s love for everyone created in his likeness.
“Although Donnelly students face significant challenges, they succeed here at rates far exceeding national averages, precisely because those values radiate from every faculty and staff member they encounter,” said Donnelly president Steve LaNasa. “Support from Call to Share enables us to carry out our mission to make the love of God tangible by giving each person an opportunity to develop their potential and contribute to society. This year, in addition to scholarships, Call to Share support has made possible an expansion of our campus ministry program and the addition of a full-time priest faculty member.”
For most Donnelly students, cost —not ability — is the single biggest hurdle to achieving a college education, making scholarships the most critical need. Although it keeps tuition low to increase accessibility — just over $5,200 per year — 92 percent of students need scholarships, as more than half come from families earning less than $22,000 annually.
“This year, Archbishop’s Call to Share funds created much-needed scholarships for nearly 30 Catholic students at Donnelly, bringing Christ’s love into their lives and transforming their spirits and communities with the quality Catholic education they receive,” said Father Gary Pennings, vicar general and Donnelly Board member.
Last year, Donnelly served nearly 1,100 students through its associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, English as a Second Language (ESL), health care certifications, and Lansing Correctional Facility programs. Since its founding 60 years ago, the college had extended God’s love to more than 45,000 students through education.

This article is the second in a series about ministries and organizations funded by the Archbishop’s Call to Share. The Donnelly College story helps us to understand that “though we are many parts, we are all one body in Christ” and that our gifts and prayers are effectively delivering our faith, hope and love to others.
– Lesle Knop, archdiocesan director of stewardship and development

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