This is adapted from a communication that President Janet L. Steinmayer to faculty, staff and alumni.
Colleagues and friends mourned the passing of former faculty member Donna Cole, who passed away on December 4 at age 83 following a long battle with cancer. Cole was an associate professor in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She taught English Writing and Composition from 1980 until her retirement in 2011.
Cole’s obituary is posted on Legacy.com and her family suggests donations to Lesley’s Urban Scholars Initiative in her memory.
On hearing of Cole’s passing, several of her former colleagues shared fond memories of her time at Lesley.
From Professor Emerita Christine Evans:
Donna Cole, in addition to her work at the Center for Academic Achievement, was a long-term faculty member in the Humanities Division. Her expertise in writing, composition and first-year experience allowed her to take a leading role in crafting the college’s robust first-year writing sequence. Among the literature courses she taught was one on America Women’s Memoirs, which invited students to think about women’s experience and how they took stock of it at different points in their lifetimes. Donna was a wonderful colleague – always ready to wade into work and projects, a calm and reliable voice in discussions, a kind and generous presence in our academic and social gatherings. She had a melodious speaking voice and lovely singing voice, which made her comments even more welcome.
From Professor Emeritus Paul Fideler:
On this cold and blustery morning, I think of Donna's warmth and caring, no matter what the occasion that would have brought us all together. And, if the day's agenda was difficult or divisive, Donna could be counted on to suggest a path that was both thoughtful and nonpartisan. Essential qualities!
From Professor Emerita Anne Larkin:
Donna was one of the warmest, most considerate people I’ve ever met. She was someone who really cared about her students and her colleagues. She was always there if you needed her.
From Kimberly Johnson, director, LD/ADD Academic Support Program, and Anhar Mulla, associate director and online tutoring manager in the Center for Academic Achievement (CAA):
Donna was one of the founding members of the Center for Academic Achievement. As the Associate Director, Donna was responsible for the recruitment, hiring, training, and continuous supervision of 30-35 peer tutors throughout the academic year. In addition, she met individually with students to develop their writing skills, particularly for advanced writing requirements such as capstone projects that enabled many students to attain their degrees.
Donna’s legacy continues as three current members of the CAA’s professional staff were originally hired by Donna as tutors. Those who knew her remember an incredibly erudite, kind, and elegant person, who was always able to bring order to chaos and who provided exactly the right guidance that the occasion called for.
From Dan Newman, executive director of Disability Support Services:
I remember Donna’s absolute dedication to every individual student's success, and her love of literature. She was also an accomplished poet herself.
