Alumna served more than three decades
at alma mater in various roles
MURFREESBORO,
Tenn. — Always a teacher at heart, MTSU’s Gloria Bonner pledges to
continue fulfilling that God-given purpose even after she leaves her alma mater
in a few weeks.
The
woman known to so many as simply “Dr. Bonner” will officially retire March 1,
leaving in her current role as Assistant to the President in the Office of
University Community Relations, President Sidney A. McPhee announced
Wednesday (Feb. 8).
With 44
years in education, 32 of which have been spent in academic and administrative
roles at MTSU, Bonner wraps up an extraordinary career by leaving a legacy of
leadership, mentorship, passion and service that few can match.
She was
the first African-American dean of an academic unit at MTSU and has been recognized
throughout her career as a strong advocate for high academic standards at the
university, state, regional and national levels.
“As a
teacher, fundamentally, once a teacher always a teacher,” Bonner said, “whether
you’re educating people in the classroom or whether you’re educating them from
an administrative position or whether you’re educating them in the community.”
In her
current role, Bonner has worked closely with McPhee on strengthening university
outreach to and collaboration with the wider community to advance the
university’s mission of helping more people earn a college degree and get a
quality education.
“Dr.
Bonner’s service to her alma mater, Middle Tennessee State University, and our
entire community has been extraordinary,” McPhee said. “She has devoted more
than four decades to classroom teaching, research, community service and
administration at our university, most notably as dean of our former College of
Education and Behavioral Science and as my assistant for community relations.
“Beyond
our campus, she has exemplified our True Blue ideal of service through her work
with various governmental, nonprofit and educational organizations. Her hard
work and belief in the importance of forging relationships at many different
levels benefitted not only the students of our university but the citizens of
our city, county and state.
“My
wife, Elizabeth, as well as the students, faculty, staff and alumni of MTSU,
join me in thanking Gloria for her devotion to our university, her friendship
and lifetime of service.”
After
earning her bachelor’s, master’s and education specialist degrees at MTSU,
Bonner secured her doctorate in education from Tennessee State University in
Nashville. She taught in Murfreesboro City Schools and the Dekalb County School
System in Decatur, Georgia, before returning to her alma mater.
Bonner
rose up the academic ranks at MTSU to become a tenured professor in 1999 before
transitioning to administration. She eventually became dean of the then College
of Education and Behavioral Science and helped lead the transition to the new
College of Education building.
She is a
past recipient of the MTSU John Pleas Outstanding Faculty Award, the
Trailblazer Award in Education, the Distinguished Classroom Teacher Award in
Higher Education in the State of Tennessee and the MTSU Faculty Award. Among
other career highlights, she was a presenter at the University of Oxford in
England, a graduate of the Harvard University Management Development Program
and an inductee into the TSU College of Education Wall of Fame.
“Life
for me has been extraordinary,” said Bonner, who grew up in “humble, humble
beginnings” just a few blocks from campus on First Avenue. “And to be able to
fulfill my dreams — I love this university because it’s a part of who I am. I
take ownership of all of the great opportunities that people created for me.”
In
recent years, Bonner has focused on community outreach through initiatives such
as the Community Engagement Council, an advisory group of local leaders, and by
leading on-campus initiatives such as the annual Employee Charitable Giving
Campaign and the “Bleed Blue: Beat WKU” blood drive for the American Red Cross.
Giving
back to the community has always been a must for Bonner, who has shared her
time and talents through local organizations such as Main Street
Murfreesboro/Rutherford County Board of Directors, Saint Thomas Rutherford
Hospital Board of Directors and Rotary International, to name a few, and via
enrichment opportunities such Leadership Middle Tennessee. She was the 2010
recipient of the local NAACP’s Jerry Anderson Humanitarian Award for Service to
the Community.
Bonner
pledges to stay active in the community, but also looks forward to more time
with her family — husband, Ray Bonner, an MTSU alumnus, Blue Raider
Sports Hall of Fame inductee in football and a longtime football and track
coach (past three years as an assistant track coach at MTSU), and their
daughter, Tracey Nicole Bonner, a professional actress.
As
throughout her life, Bonner’s faith will guide her in this next phase. She
harkens to one of her favorite quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “Life’s
most persistent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”
“If my
future is as extraordinary as my previous years, I have a lot to look forward
to,” she said. “And that’s the thing I’m excited about.”
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