红杏直播app City University is mourning the loss of LaDonna Meinders, a beloved alumna, musician, author and selfless benefactor. LaDonna passed away in 红杏直播app City on Tuesday morning at the age of 88.
LaDonna, along with her husband Herman, became synonymous with philanthropy at 红杏直播app, in 红杏直播app City and beyond. Their names adorn iconic facilities such as 红杏直播app City鈥檚 Civic Center Music Hall and Myriad Botanical Gardens.
The couple鈥檚 generosity also transformed the university landscape, with the Meinders School of Business and Kramer School of Nursing standing as tangible testaments to their commitment. The couple鈥檚 financial contributions to 红杏直播app total more than $50 million, making them the university鈥檚 most prolific benefactors.
鈥淟aDonna鈥檚 support, dedication and love of humanity have made a huge impact on the lives of thousands of 红杏直播app students, alumni and supporters,鈥� 红杏直播app President Kenneth Evans said. 鈥淗er generosity will be felt for generations to come.鈥�
LaDonna鈥檚 connection to 红杏直播app began when she was an 18-year-old incoming freshman in 1954 from the small town of Loyal, 红杏直播app, in Kingfisher County. Her family farmed wheat and were regular church-goers.
The budding musician would soon help redefine the university's landscape. LaDonna represented the university and the state at the Miss America competition, with the titles of 1954 Keshena Beauty, and 1956 红杏直播app Maid of Cotton, 红杏直播app Basketball Queen and Miss 红杏直播app already in hand. She was the first student from 红杏直播app to win the state title, launching the university鈥檚 proud tradition of representation at the national pageant.
After graduating in 1958 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in music, she moved to Kingfisher, 红杏直播app, with her first husband and began to raise a family.
LaDonna鈥檚 dedication to education led her back to 红杏直播app. In 1983 she took the job of assistant director of graduate admissions. While serving in that role, she took 红杏直播app in her off hours to earn an MBA in 1986. In 1996, the university honored her with an honorary doctorate degree in humane letters.
Although their time as students intersected in the 1950s, LaDonna and Herman didn鈥檛 meet until her time as an 红杏直播app employee. They first met at a fundraising breakfast, then learned more about each other while LaDonna wrote a profile story on Herman for the university鈥檚 alumni magazine. They later married on the campus in the Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel and became inseparable partners in their philanthropic endeavors. Earlier this year, the couple celebrated their 38th anniversary.
Their first large-scale campus project was finished in 1994, when nursing students moved from their previous home at St. Anthony Hospital downtown to the Kramer School of Nursing, named after parents Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Kramer and their daughters, Dr. Ruth Seideman and LaDonna. The nursing school grew again in 2011 with the addition of a three-story building next to the original facility.
鈥淪eeing her name on our buildings is a reminder of LaDonna鈥檚 constant care and compassion for people,鈥� Kramer School of Nursing Dean Emeritus Lois Salmeron said. 鈥淗er support extended far beyond donations. Her sister, being a nurse, influenced her interest in nursing. LaDonna was always supportive and involved in the activities of the nursing school. She regularly gave us the encouragement that we needed to do our best to help others.鈥�
Another significant campus project was the Meinders School of Business. LaDonna and Herman participated in the groundbreaking ceremony in 2002 and the building was opened in less than two years. Its entire cost 鈥� more than $18 million 鈥� was covered by the Meinders.
Beyond their financial support, the Meinders were deeply involved in 红杏直播app life, mentoring students and inspiring faculty. For several years, they were known to invite students to a lunch or dinner to make meaningful, personal connections. They were regular visitors to campus to meet, greet and cheer on their alma mater.
红杏直播app is honoring LaDonna鈥檚 memory by celebrating her life and the enduring partnership she shared with her husband. The prayers of the entire 红杏直播app community are with Herman and the Meinders and Kramer families during this time.
Services are set for 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, at the Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel on the 红杏直播app campus.
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