On Thursday, August 18, faculty, staff and friends of the College of Nursing and Health Professions paid tribute to Dean Emerita Gloria Donnelly.  From the start of the program to its flash mob finish, all that was said and done lent itself to a truly personal tribute to Dr. Donnelly.

 

The event provided an opportunity to appropriately recognize her significant contributions to the nursing profession, health education, scholarship, and, of course, to the College.  Touching tributes and well wishes were used to create a tribute book for Dr. Donnelly who also received recognition for her contributions in a Proclamation from the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

 

Dr. Donnelly was also formally recognized by Michael Loughran, President of AON Affinity, as well as Julie Rempfer and Anne Woods of Wolters Kluwer Health on the occasion of her serving as Editor of the Holistic Nursing Practice Journal for 30 years. It was wonderful to hear from our significant benefactors, Steve and Sandy Sheller, and from Drs. Rita Adeniran, Al Rundio, Ron Comer, Patty Gerrity, and her daughter, Carolyn Riley. It is nice to know that the Dean’s comedic efforts will continue to benefit our students in the form of the Dr. Gloria Donnelly Student Emergency Fund.  Everyone’s remarks were truly heartfelt and impactful.

 

Dean Emerita Donnelly and her family unveiled her portrait, a gift from faculty, staff and friends.  John Ennis, the portrait artist, captured Dr. Donnelly’s essence and that the portrait will serve as a reminder of her visionary leadership as the inaugural Dean at the Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions for years to come.