Presidential Aide and Corporate Leader Never Forgot His Roots
Last month, UMass Lowell said goodbye to one of its greatest champions, Richard K. Donahue ’91 (H), who passed away at the age of 88. Donahue served as a presidential aide and as president of one of the best-known corporations in the world, yet his commitment to his native city and its institutions was steadfast and lifelong.
Born and raised in Lowell, Donahue practiced law with the Lowell firm his grandfather founded, and became a highly respected adviser not only to President John Kennedy, but also to Robert and Ted Kennedy. In 1990, he was named president of Nike and served on the company’s board until 2008.
Throughout this high-powered career, Donahue and his wife, Nancy ’13 (H), were tireless advocates for the university, while also raising 11 children. Richard served as a university trustee from the mid-1970s until 1990, and was the board’s chair from 1987 to 1990. He was awarded an honorary degree in 1991, and in 1993 Donahue Hall was named in his honor.
The Donahues helped to underwrite many campus programs, including the UMass Lowell String Project and the Mary Jo Leahey High School Summer Band Camp. Most recently, they funded the Donahue Endowed Professorship of the Arts and the Donahue Endowed Fellowship in Values and Ethics. They also served as early supporters of Our Legacy, Our Place: The Campaign for UMass Lowell, joining the campaign’s task force in 2013.
“Over the years, Richard was an especially valued adviser to all the chancellors at UMass Lowell, including myself,” says Chancellor Jacquie Moloney. “We will always be grateful to him for the contributions he made to the university.”