2007 Recipient- Bertha Staples Tucker receives the award from Bille Jo Matelevich-Hoang, Esq (above)

In June of 2001, a hardy band of Core Faculty gathered to launch the very first Pennsylvania Victim Assistance Academy.  Two years of careful planning had brought us to this point and the first PVAA teaching team was primed and ready.  We were an innovative partnership of five energetic faculty members drawn from various departments within The University of Scranton and five outstanding practitioners from the field of Victims’ Services.  George Donnelly was an enthusiastic member of the faculty from the field.

 George’s investment in the Academy was evident from his first contact.  Emails flew back and forth asking what he could do help build the project.  He participated in the creation of the PVAA training manual in writing, editing and reviewing.  He brought enormous energy and motion to the most mundane parts of planning.  It became clear that George approached all of life with a ferocious zest and a full-throttle optimism.

 As a 2001 faculty member, George taught several challenging instructional sessions that were well received.   In addition, he quickly established himself on the team as a master cut-up.  His co-leadership in the daily Academy review sessions raised the hilarity level to a deafening roar.  To balance this, there was a quiet and very serious side to George in his work with the Academy.  He served as point person and counselor for participants in need of support.  George went about that effort with serious commitment, connecting with students outside of class to walk with and be present for those in need.

 It was those combined forces, the amazing joy, the overwhelming exuberance and the quiet care and compassion that made George the outstanding contributor he was.  He was, first and foremost, a loving father and husband, an ordained clergy and part-time pastor of a local congregation, a licensed psychologist, a adjunct college professor, a licensed helicopter pilot, a Ground Zero first responder, a victims’ service provider through the Center for Victims of Violent Crime and much, much more. 

 George died suddenly and unexpectedly in November of 2001at the age of 42.  The Pennsylvania Victim Assistance Academy awards the George R. Donnelly Award annually to a class participant who brings an exceptional enthusiasm, a special humor and a serious commitment to field of Victims’ Assistance.  This is one small way the Pennsylvania Victim Assistance Academy has chosen to honor the memory of a man who made a difference for so many.

 The Donnelly award has been historically chosen by the PVAA core faculty.  The 2007 PVAAcademy “George” Award was chosen by the core faculty AND the students.