May 1, 2015
MARSHALL, Texas (4/28/15) - The School of Education at East Texas Baptist University hosted a retirement reception for its Dean, Dr. Donna H. Dooley. The reception was attended by family, friends, students, faculty and staff and held in the Phillips Great Room of the Bennett Student Commons on Friday afternoon, April 24, 2015.
Dr. Dooley came to ETBU in 1997 as a professor to teach in the Department of Teacher Education. She was named Dean of the School of Education in June 2008. Dr. Dooley holds her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Louisiana Tech University. Prior to coming to ETBU, she taught for 10 years in Louisiana public schools and for 11 years in Saudi Arabia.
"When I think of Dr. Dooley I think of a person who has been committed to education for children in every arena," said ETBU Assistant Provost and Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Tommy Sanders. "She believes in what is possible in the lives of children."
ETBU Interim President Dr. Lawrence Ressler asked those gathered to describe in one or two adjectives "when you think of Dr. Dooley what comes to your mind?" The answers from colleagues around the room were "curriculum," "eloquent," "unparalleled," "energy," "intense," "careful," "professional," "always smiling," "kind, helpful," and "diligent." A former student of Dr. Dooley shared, "she does not give up on anyone."
During Dr. Dooley's leadership as Dean a graduate program was developed in the School of Education. The Master of Education program had its first cohort in May of 2011 and is a 12 month program designed for working professionals and traditional students. The program offers four different master's degree career tracks: Sports and Exercise Leadership focus, Teacher Certification, Principal Certification and Curriculum and Instructional Focus. At the upcoming ETBU Spring Commencement to be held May 2 a total of seven will be receiving their Master of Education degrees.
During her time in the Middle East and immediately after her return to the United States, she traveled to more than 20 countries doing teacher training. She also has written textbooks for elementary schools in the areas of Reading, Language Arts, and Mathematics for McGraw-Hill Publishing Company.
Judy Hogberg, who worked 30 years in public education before coming to serve at ETBU four years ago, shared how she responded to a person who asked her one time, "What is like to work for Dr. Dooley?"
"I don't work for Dr. Dooley, I work with her because she has the leadership style that she wants to work with you," said Hogberg, who is the Certification Officer in the School of Education. "To me that makes all the difference in the world."
Before the reception came to a close Dr. Dooley addressed the well-wishers expressing her thankfulness.
"I really cannot express how much I appreciate the last 17 years at this institution. It has been a wonderful journey," expressed Dr. Dooley. "I have been so very fortunate to work with all of you because I know how much you love our students, how much you care about what happens on this campus, and I cannot even begin to thank you for all the help and support you have given me and the faculty of the School of Education."
The reception ended with Dr. Sanders, along with Dr. Ressler, presenting her with an engraved decorative crystal bowl as a token of her service. The inscription on the gift read, "In Appreciation of Faithful Service, 1997-2015, Dr. Donna H. Dooley."