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Why Choose Our Catholic College?
A Catholic college is a community bound together by a common love, the love of knowledge in all its dimensions and depths. In love, a Catholic college dedicates itself to the cause of truth and the joy of its discovery in every field of knowledge believing the words of Jesus Christ, “The truth will set you free.”
Donnelly College invites students on a journey of freely searching for and discovering the truth, goodness, and beauty of all things illumined by the light of the One who made them. As a Catholic college, Donnelly focuses on the whole person – academically, spiritually, and socially – so that our students might become the best version of themselves, that is, so that they might become saints.
At a Catholic college everything is connected. At many colleges today, a student’s course of studies is fragmented within a maze of specializations. Donnelly students participate in a holistic and unified liberal arts curriculum within which they can explore various areas of interest.
Here, faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit can rise to the contemplation of truth. Each course in the curriculum naturally opens to the big questions of life; while courses in theology give students the opportunity to explore these questions in their infinite and mysterious depths through the light of revelation in Jesus Christ.
With a priest as the college president and a chaplain on campus, faith is seen and felt throughout the college. While religious observance is not required, mass is offered daily, and the sacrament of reconciliation is always available. The chapel is continually open for students to visit throughout their daily routine. At Donnelly the spiritual formation of students is as vital as their academic formation.
- Campus Ministry
- Daily Mass
- Sacrament of Reconciliation
- Eucharistic adoration
- Rosary prayer
- Spiritual direction and counseling
- Bible studies
- R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)
- Pro-Life Club
- Service projects
Donnelly’s vision is to provide the most accessible and transformative Catholic education in the country. We do this by making a Catholic liberal arts education available for all. This means we have a truly diverse student body. In fact, Donnelly is the most diverse college in the Midwest. Students from all backgrounds are welcome and dialogue between those of various traditions is encouraged. Within the context of joyful fidelity to the revelation of Jesus Christ and the search for truth within a robust liberal arts curriculum, students grow in knowledge and love for each other and are well prepared to engage the world around them.
Current or prospective students with questions are encouraged to reach out!
Matthew T. Vander Vennet, Ph.D.
Director of Mission & Assistant Professor of Theology
See what Donnelly students have to say:
“I’m not a very religious person, but the first thing that was super impactful was a Sister opened her class with prayer. We’re in the heart of Wyandotte, and there’s just so much stuff going on, trying to pull me away from going to school. Being able to sit in a classroom feels safe. Prayer is being said. It just really makes me feel at home." - Niesha K. '17
"Before attending Donnelly College, I can honestly say my connection with God was fading, but ever since I arrived here, I knew this college was different spiritually. It has opened my mind to change certain ways within myself and the way I think."
– Saira, ‘23
“Attending a Catholic college has been an important part of my formational experience in my studies toward the Catholic priesthood. Donnelly College is incredibly diverse religiously, economically, and ethnically. This diversity has formed an environment in which I can personally encounter others whose individual circumstances cannot be understood through a lecture in a seminary classroom.
Ultimately, it has helped me grow in understanding of the mystery of the Incarnation in which Almighty God becomes one of us, suffers like us, and converts our hearts by loving us to the end, a love I must imitate as a future Catholic priest.” - Br. Martin N., '19
Need more information? Contact:
Matthew T. Vander Vennet, Ph.D.
Director of Mission & Assistant Professor of Theology
Mission Support Specialist