1949

• Donnelly College was founded by Bishop George Donnelly (Bishop of Kansas City, Kansas) and Sister Jerome Keeler (Benedictine Sisters of Atchison, Kansas)
• The College made available a Catholic education in the urban core, where many immigrants settled — initially offering only associate degrees
• Bishop Donnelly provided a building at 12th Street and Sandusky Avenue for classrooms
• The Benedictine Sisters provided the faculty
• 250 students enrolled the first academic year

---

1971

• English as a Second Language (ESL) program established

---

1982

• Donnelly College moved into the old Providence Hospital on 18th Street and Tauromee Avenue

---

1990s

• Enrollment increased to almost 1,000 with the accelerated health science program (which ended in 1998)

---

2001

• Donnelly is federally designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution and Minority Serving Institution

---

2007

• Donnelly opens second academic building (Marian Hall) and its first residence hall

---

2009

• Donnelly opens its second residence hall

---

Present

• Faculty consists mainly of laymen and laywomen
• Donnelly now offers two bachelor's degrees: Organizational Leadership and Information Systems 
• The College serves more than 1,377 students with a student population of 37% Hispanic, 30% Black, 12% White, 9% Asian, 6% Other, 5% Two or more races, 1% Native American
• View more current information about the College in Quick Facts