Obituaries

Donaldson first dual dean

Dr. Pauline Marie Donaldson, the former dean of both the School of Education and the College of General Studies, died Thursday, Jan. 31 after a long battle with Progressive Nuclear Palsy. She is survived by her husband, John; sisters, Ireta and Janice, and brother, Dale; her daughter, Dawn, and son, John II; and five grandchildren.

Donaldson received her master’s in elementary school counseling from the University of Michigan, and her doctorate from the University of Virginia. When she became a professor at Liberty University in 1979, she assisted at-risk students, while also initiating the honors program to see students get accepted into graduate schools.

According to Barbara Sherman, associate professor of education and the director for individual programs of study, Donaldson was the only dual dean at Liberty, serving as both dean of the School of Education and dean of the College of General Studies.

“Dr. Pauline Donaldson was a driving force as Liberty moved to university status,” Sherman said. “Her energy and creative work with our SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) accreditation efforts, the honors program for (students receiving scholarships), the creation of the Alpha Lambda Delta chapter in 1986 and the institution of the M. Ed. and Ed.D. graduate programs were hallmarks of her work, which evidenced a lifelong devotion to academics and to Liberty.”

“(Donaldson is a) standard bearer and a dedicated Christian servant who expected the best of herself and those about her, and she motivated us to rise to her expectations,” Sherman said. “Her life was an example of one ‘well-lived.’”

Boyd Rist, provost emeritus and senior academic consultant to the provost, considered Donaldson one of the “founding faithful” at Liberty.

“I knew her as a person of great energy, uncommon focus and personal integrity,” Rist said. “She was a builder, and her legacy continues to influence the School of Education and Liberty University. Liberty faculty in the 21st century can draw life lessons from her as they seek to influence the culture for the cause of Christ.”

A memorial service is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. at Lakewood Baptist Church in Lynchburg.

Preparing for youth work

International student Emmanuel Ijadola died Wednesday, Jan. 30. He had been transported to Lynchburg General Hospital following a fall on campus. According to Dean of the International Student Programs Bill Wegert, Ijadola suffered major blood clots and died at the hospital.

“Emmanuel (Ijadola) was a very passionate man,” former roommate Derrick Battle said.
“He gave up everything he had at home in Africa to come here and pursue youth ministries.”

According to Battle, Ijadola had only been in the States for about a year, and had not been home since.

“The first week he was at Liberty, he was feeling really homesick and didn’t have a cellphone, so a few other guys and I went out to purchase a phone that he could use to connect with his family,” Battle said. “He had a really big heart, and I’m praying for his family and girlfriend back in Africa.”

The last text Battle received from Ijadola was Christmas morning.

“Emmanuel texted me at 3 a.m. on Christmas morning and said ‘Merry Christmas — may God shower us more with His blessings. May we find life’s true meaning as we further reflect on this blessed season. More love, happiness, success and good health.’ That’s just one example of the kind of guy he was,” Battle said.

The International Student Center, along with the Campus Pastors Office, will be holding a memorial service for Ijadola, tentatively scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 7 at 6 p.m. in the Pate Chapel at Thomas Road Baptist Church.

FSN engineer loved Liberty

Jay Silvio, a Flames Sports Network (FSN) satellite engineer, died Friday, Feb. 1. He was 56 and was survived by his son, Tony.

The previous Saturday, Jan. 26, Silvio suffered a heart attack minutes after the men’s basketball game concluded. He was rushed to the hospital until he died.

According to Bruce Carey, the senior producer for FSN, Silvio was a “vital part of the team.”

“Jay handled all of our satellite and uplink requests for the last eight years for football, basketball and baseball, including out-of-town games,” Carey said. “He told me once that working here at Liberty helped him renew his relationship with God, and that he appreciated the prayers that we conduct prior to each broadcast. Liberty University always came first with Jay, and he will be sorely missed by the entire team.”

A memorial service for Silvio has yet to be announced.