Dr. Dunn enjoyed an illustrious and fulfilling career in higher education administration.
DUBUQUE, IA, January 20, 2023 /24-7PressRelease/ -- M. Catherine Dunn, BVM, PhD, has been inducted into Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Dr. Dunn enjoyed an illustrious and fulfilling career in higher education administration, serving for 22 years as president of Clarke University, a highly respected Catholic academic community. She became the institution's 14th president in January 1984, just 111 days before a disastrous fire destroyed one-third of the historic buildings on campus. Undeterred, she overcame that tragedy and oversaw the rebuilding of the college and its subsequent growth and expansion; today, she considers facing that challenge to be a highlight of her career. Since retiring from the presidency in 2006, Dr. Dunn remains deeply involved as the institution's president emerita, where she utilizes her considerable fundraising expertise to strengthen the university's financial standing.
Dr. Dunn's performance in her field was born of her academic journey. After obtaining a bachelor's and master's degree from Arizona State University, Dr. Dunn began her career teaching eighth graders in Lincoln, Illinois. After teaching a brief summer course at Clarke University, she accepted a role as a member of the institution's education department in 1973. During her six years on the faculty, she impressed university leaders with her work on a multimillion-dollar Title III grant, and at the same time, continued her own education by earning a PhD in curriculum development in higher education from Arizona State University. In 1979, she was invited to serve as Clarke University's vice president of institutional advancement, a position she held until becoming the university's president in 1984.
Well regarded for her contributions to the field, Dr. Dunn has received numerous awards throughout her career. These have included a 2020 Leadership Award from Crescent Community Health Center, a 1996 Gilbert Chavanelle Award, a 1993 Distinguished Civic Service Award from the Dubuque Chamber of Commerce, a 1986 First Citizen Award from the Telegraph Herald, and a 1986 Bronze Award and 1985 Silver Award from the Clarke University Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. Additionally, she was named one of the 50 Most Influential Iowans by the Des Moines Register in 2000, and she has earned honorary degrees from Loras College, Mount St. Clare College (now Ashford University), the University of Dubuque and St. Ambrose University.
Long dedicated to civic advocacy, Dr. Dunn served 12 years as chair of the Iowa Department of Transportation — the first woman to serve in the role — and, during her tenure, helped connect the city of Dubuque to several major highways. She has sat on the boards of the Junior Achievement of the Tri-States, Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, American Trust and Savings Bank, Tri-State Community Health Center, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, Council of Independent Colleges, Council for Advancement and Support of Education, Iowa College Foundation and the Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. As a commitment to her profession, she is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She previously volunteered at the Crescent Community Health Center, a clinic for Dubuque residents who lack health insurance.
Dr. Dunn attributes her success to her education and her teachers, both in the public school system and at the Catholic Schools she attended; these individuals taught her well and influenced her deeply through her formative years. While her mother was, unfortunately, abusive toward her as a child, Dr. Dunn managed to learn from her ill treatment. And she is extraordinarily thankful for her father, a loving man whose strength kept her going through difficult times. In her retirement, Dr. Dunn spends her free time walking, reading, traveling and playing with her dogs.
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