Gene ’79 and Ginna Donnelly—Giving at the Heart
By Danielle Adone ’13
Born and raised in Brooklyn, Eugene “Gene” E. Donnelly ’79 was the first in his family to attend
college. After receiving a scholarship to St. Francis College, thanks to his academic success at
St. Francis Preparatory School, Donnelly quickly became a part of the SFC family. From the moment
Donnelly entered the College, he was on the fast track to success, graduating summa cum laude
with a degree in Accounting. He received the top accounting award at graduation and completed
the rigorous accounting workload in only three years.
M
“
y education taught me that it is
both merit and need.
important to have a point of view and
This new level of scholarship is important
to be articulate and passionate about
because in past years, the College has supplethat point of view and to also recognize you can’t
mented endowed scholarships to make up for
lead if others don’t follow,” said Donnelly as he
higher tuition and lower returns on investment.
recalled his years at St. Francis.
While the Donnellys are the first to fully endow a
Donnelly says he still vividly remembers his
scholarship at this level, in an amazing outpouring
accounting professors. During Donnelly’s first
of Franciscanism, other supporters of St. Francis
accounting class, Professor William Yellin, who
have also pledged to meet this new standard.
taught at St. Francis for 39 years, said, “You can
A majority of SFC students receive academic
Eugene “Gene” E. ’79 and Ginna Donnelly.
do it the right way, the wrong way or you can do it
scholarships, making financial aid a vital element
my way and I am going to teach you my way.”
in allowing these young adults to attend college.
Donnelly has carried these words with him as he pursued his career.
Donnelly wanted to give future Terriers the education opportunities
After graduation, Donnelly began working and later that year married
he received. “This is something my wife and I have wanted for a while.
his high school sweetheart, Ginna.
She kept telling me, ‘You should give something back to the college.
Donnelly currently works at Convergence LLC, a financial services
Look at all the things they did for you,’ ” said Donnelly.
firm that he co-founded. Prior to that, he was the CFO at Apollo Global
In the past, the Donnellys have provided the resources for many of
Management, and also spent 25 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers in
their nieces and nephews to attend college. Now, they are extending that
a variety of leadership and client service roles.
generosity to their St. Francis family.
This year, the Donnellys created the first permanently endowed,
Donnelly will participate in other ways as well since he is also a new
full scholarship with a donation of about $350,0 0 0 to SFC. “As you grow member of the College’s Board of Trustees.
older, you start to think back on the influences on your life and I slowly
“I am excited about becoming a trustee. President [Brendan J.]
came to realize how much the Franciscan brothers had an impact on
Dugan and his team are outstanding and the college continues to
me,” said Donnelly.
progress and grow. It is very gratifying to be able to contribute to lead
The scholarship will be awarded to a deserving student based on
an ongoing mission to offer others what they provided to me.” ●
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Dr. Geoffrey Horlick
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Other groups are forming now. Get involved from the beginning
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S T. FR A NC I S COL L EGE T ERR IER | W IN T ER 2013-2014 | 11