John Carroll University today announced a $3 million gift commitment from William (Bill) ’83 and Sue Donnelly ’84 in honor of President Alan R. Miciak ahead of his retirement in May.
“When Al stepped into the presidency, it was an extraordinary moment for higher education and an especially difficult one for John Carroll University,” said Bill Donnelly ’83, Co-Chair of the JCU Board of Directors. “In the midst of the uncertainty of COVID and a period of real challenge for the institution, he chose to lead. That decision reflected a level of courage and commitment for which I will always be deeply grateful. Through the hard work we undertook together, I am proud not only of what we accomplished, but to call Al a trusted friend.”
Donnelly, who has served as Co-Chair of the John Carroll University Board of Directors since 2019, designated the gift to support several key priorities at the university, including the Evans Scholars Endowed Scholarship, the Donnelly School of Leadership and Social Innovation in the Boler College of Business, and the Welcome to the Work Endowed Fund.
In January of 2025, John Carroll was selected as a new national partner institution for the Evans Scholars Foundation (ESF), a prestigious scholarship program overseen by the Western Golf Association (WGA). John Carroll’s first cohort of Evans Scholars will enroll in the fall of 2026. The Donnellys’ commitment will help provide tuition support for Evans Scholars, expanding access to a John Carroll education for these high-achieving student golf caddies who have demonstrated financial need.
The Donnelly School of Leadership and Social Innovation was established in 2019 through a generous gift from the Donnelly family. The School supports the university’s Entrepreneurship and Leadership minors and offers a wide range of programs that serve both students and the broader Cleveland community. Its initiatives include competitive research grants in leadership and social innovation, the Cleveland Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for aspiring entrepreneurs facing economic barriers, the Leadership Scholars program, experiential learning opportunities such as the Inspired Business Lab and the JCU Neighborhood Project, and networking and mentorship events that connect students with industry professionals.
The Welcome to the Work Endowment was established in recognition of President Miciak’s five years of transformative leadership at John Carroll. Designed to support future John Carroll presidents, the fund will sustain strategic initiatives that continue President Miciak’s legacy and his work to expand John Carroll’s national presence and strengthen its position as a destination university for students across the country. Rooted in the Jesuit tradition, “the work” calls the university community to place students first in every decision and prepare them for lives and careers filled with purpose.
“I am deeply grateful to Bill and Sue for their unwavering support throughout my presidency,” said President Miciak. “Their lifelong commitment to John Carroll continues to provide our students with the resources and inspiration to lead lives of purpose. I am confident that the foundation we have built together is strong, and this extraordinary gift will continue to advance John Carroll’s work for years to come.”
