Shaun Donnelly to be honored with Presidential Award during Reunion

Shaun E. Donnelly ’68, who spent 36 years with the U.S. Foreign Service, including an appointment by President Bill Clinton to serve as U.S. ambassador to Sri Lanka from 1997 to 2000, will be honored during Reunion weekend with Lawrence University's Presidential Award.

This special award is given only periodically, at the president’s discretion, to recognize outstanding accomplishment and service to career, to community, and to Lawrence.

In addition to his appointment as U.S. ambassador, Donnelly is being honored for his service in the Peace Corps, his work as assistant U.S. trade representative for Europe and the Middle East, his work as deputy ambassador in Tunisia and Mali, and his work representing U.S. business interests to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the United Nations, and the International Chamber of Commerce.

Donnelly, a resident of Thurmont, Maryland, retired from the Foreign Service in 2008.

“You have distinguished yourself on the international stage – bringing light and honor to your alma mater,” President Laurie Carter said in a letter to Donnelly.

Alumni Awards to be presented at Reunion 2023

Donnelly, returning for his 55th reunion, will be honored during Reunion Convocation at 11 a.m. June 17 in Memorial Chapel.

Donnelly last visited Lawrence in October 2021, when he spoke in classes and met with students and faculty as the Distinguished Visiting Scarff Professor.

“My message is that I think a good liberal arts education is about the best preparation you can have for working internationally,” Donnelly said at the time. “The world is constantly changing, and you’ve got to be able to adjust.”

Donnelly studied economics at Lawrence. Of his 36 years in the Foreign Service, 15 would be spent living and working abroad.