St. Thomas Aquinas College mourns Donald McNelis, first lay person to lead college

Donald McNelis, the first lay person to serve as president of St. Thomas Aquinas College, died Aug. 13 at age 91.

His death was announced by STAC’s current and former presidents.

Prior to McNelis’ appointment to the presidency of the small private college, every president had been a Dominican Sister of Sparkill.

McNelis served as president of the college from 1974 to 1995; prior to that, he was an academic dean at the college.

During his presidential tenure, the college doubled its enrollment and physical space, including an expansion to the south side of Route 340, and balanced every budget.

STAC President Ken Daly and President Emerita Margaret Fitzpatrick said McNelis showed great professionalism and leadership and was caring and generous.

McNelis had worked as a cryptographer in the Pentagon before becoming a teacher in the 1960s. He earned his master’s and doctorate degree from George Washington University and later served as director of the campus division of the College of General Studies at the school.

As the first leader who was not a Dominican nun, McNelis was also, of course, the first man in the college’s administration. In fact, there were few male students at STAC in 1970. McNelis boosted majors like criminal justice and business administration that had a wider appeal to all students, which by default saw more men enrolling in STAC.

Upon his retirement in 1994, McNelis said in an interview that he hoped the college would adapt for the future by focusing on technology, the global economy and diversity.

McNelis and his spouse, Romaine, were in STAC’s Summa Society, a distinction granted to donors who had given more than $100,000 to the institution over a lifetime.

They also offered the Donald and Romaine McNelis Scholarship annually.

During his time in New York, he had served several positions with the Rockland Economic Development Corporation, including director.

McNelis is survived by his wife, Romaine and son, John, and two granddaughters. He was predeceased by two infants lost to heart defect.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: St. Thomas Aquinas College mourns Donald McNelis, first lay person to lead college