By Grace Potts
Louisville, Kentucky, has three female university presidents: Bellarmine University’s Dr. Susan Donovan, the University of Louisville’s Dr. Neeli Bendapudi and Spalding University’s Tori McClure.
Donovon almost did not go to college at all. Today, she is the first female president of Bellarmine University, becoming the school’s fourth president in February 2017.
Donovan said being the first female president of Bellarmine was not a rare feat for her. She said, “It’s not unusual for me. I was the first female of a lot of things at my previous university.”
Donovan said she felt as if her being president of Bellarmine was, “more of an adjustment for others,” than it was for her.
She was a first-generation college student and graduated Buenavista College, 90 miles from home in Iowa. Donovan said she decided to follow in her sister’s footsteps to go to college, but almost did not attend.
She earned a master’s degree and doctorate at St. Louis University, where she also decided she wanted to go into higher education administration.
Donovan said having two other female presidents nearby has been a great support. The three presidents have been on multiple panels together, Donovan said.
She also said some local university presidents have had dinners together to keep in touch and work together.
Donovan said having thick skin, being resilient, finding mentors, collaborating with others, having courage to be bold and being confident are all qualities that can help young people striving for success.
Bendapudi is the first female, first person of color and first immigrant president of the University of Louisville.
She is the 18th president of the school.
Bendapudi became president of the university in April 2018. She has also held higher education positions at the Ohio State University and Kansas State University.
Having two other local female university presidents has been a “great encouragement,” she said.
Bendapudi said when she first became University of Louisville’s president, she brought local university presidents together for dinner and said she tries stay connected with them.
Bendapudi said she strongly encourages young women to consider leadership positions.
“We need more women to step up in leadership at every single level,” she said.
Knights Media Network made repeated attempts to interview McClure, but she did not respond to the requests.
According to Spalding University’s website, McClure became university president in 2010 after serving as a vice president and trustee.
She earned a bachelor’s degree from Smith College, a master’s degree from Harvard University, a law degree from the University of Louisville and another master’s degree from Spalding University.
McClure rowed solo across the Atlantic Ocean, becoming the first American and the first woman of any nationality to do so. Following this excursion, McClure wrote a memoir titled, “Pearl in the Storm: How I Found My Heart in the Middle of the Ocean.”
McClure also skied 750 miles to the South Pole, according to Spalding’s website.