Dr. Lora “Doc” Donoho tall on influence

By Jeana Howald, Retired Women’s Softball Coach

When speaking of faculty for Mount Vernon Nazarene College, there is probably no other person that has been more influential than Dr. Lora Donoho. During her 15 years on campus, she not only graciously changed the lives of everyone she encountered, but she single-handedly created the women’s sports program.

“Doc,” as she is known by those closest to her, has been quoted as saying, “There was always a rudimentary sports program, but it was basically men’s basketball, no women’s sports.”

She and her beloved husband, J.J. (John), came to Mount Vernon, where Donoho accepted the position as Athletic Director, and J.J. became the Dean of Students. I give credit to my success as the women’s softball coach to my time with Doc.

I wouldn’t be where I am today without the advice, leadership, and love shown to me by Doc. Her influence on me during those pivotal years is why I am a coach today. There are so many memories and good times that I could talk for days on all of the ways Doc has been an inspiration to me.

One memory that is shared among fellow athletes is how Doc went to Mavis Sporting Goods, an athletic supply store owned by the family of former Mount Vernon Mayor Richard K. Mavis. Doc approached Dick Mavis and said, “I don’t have any equipment, and I don’t have any money. I thought maybe you could give me a little time to pay you.” Mavis agreed to allow her to gather what she needed and budget for it in the next academic year. That was the beginning of women’s athletics for MVNC!

Standing shy of 5 feet tall, but with a Goliath-sized personality, all you have to say is “Hey, do you know Doc,” and the response you receive is typically a large grin followed by the word, “SPUNKY!”

She has never met a stranger and Doc Lora casts a noticeably big shadow. There are few people in the world that change a room the minute they walk in and she is definitely one of them.

I have many fond memories with Doc and to this day, we still spend time together when she comes to Mount Vernon.

I occasionally travel to Michigan, or Florida, where Doc is spending her retirement years. She continues to be an active supporter of my softball coaching career as well as MVNU athletics as a whole. She not only supports financially but is always just a phone call away and prayerfully remembers me and the student athletes every day.

The lessons that Doc Lora showed her athletes, as well as her colleagues, still resonate with her former players to this day. In May of 2019, she returned to MVNU and was recognized along with players of her first team. It was an honor for the ladies to spend time reminiscing and for Doc to see all the changes that have been made to the University and the athletic programs.

We are eternally grateful for the tenacity and wit that Doc Lora had in creating a program that included female athletes. We know that we wouldn’t be where we are today without her foresight and tireless work for the Cougars.

Every time we take the field, the court, or compete as a Lady Cougar, we are continuing her legacy. She is one special lady, and we thank God for blessing us with her friendship, love, and continued support.

In 1996, she was inducted into the Cougar Wall of Fame as the third inductee and first woman. Her legacy in helping to start women’s athletics at MVNU is remembered in the annual athletic endowments offered and the Donoho Recreation Center, respectfully named after John and Lora Donoho and their service as Dean of Students and Director of Athletics.

This story originally appeared in the Fall 2021 edition of The MVNU NOW.