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A scrapper --- in war, playing on the field, even on the campground! --- Don McKiernan '51, M.S. '54, is a symbol of his proud generation. In 1947-48, registration at Ithaca College reached an all-time high of 1,414. Eight hundred seventy of those students were veterans whose tuition was financed by the G.I. Bill. This generation of veterans formed the foundation of our current society, beginning their college careers older, wiser, and already proven leaders.
The spring of 1948 found him in the undergraduate program in physical education and --- at the ripe age of 28 --- the oldest member of the College track team. Coach Isadore "Doe" Yavits had a lot of faith in the team that year, but as added insurance, he promised them some special meals for extra effort. The school had no money for new track uniforms, and a fond memory of McKiernan and his fellow athletes is of the first time they competed against the University of Rochester. Rochester came out in fancy, new, black and gold uniforms, sneering at the Ithaca men in their ragtag outfits. The sneers soon turned to looks of amazement; the Ithaca team won handily that day --- and went on to its first undefeated season. McKiernan left Ithaca in 1951 with a B.S. degree, one semester of graduate work, and two children, Dawn and Michael, born in 1949 and 1950. He was to return, however, in 1954 to finish his master's degree. Ithaca's surroundings proved helpful --- he, Yolana, and their children camped at three different state parks near the College while he continued his studies, completing his graduate work in physical education/administration in August 1954. After graduation the College remained dear to his heart. He worked closely with Lillian Vail '21 in her tireless efforts with the Ithaca College Alumni Association. He served as president of the association from 1965 to 1966 and in 1971 he was given the annual Distinguished Alumni Award for the Mid-Hudson Valley Club, which he had helped organize in 1954. He went on to become a leader in his career, too. As the director of physical education at the Poughkeepsie YMCA and the association's executive director, he introduced many of the programs that are in existence today. He worked with the Junior Olympics and Senior Olympics, and was inducted into the Dutchess County basketball and softball halls of fame and the Sports Museum of Dutchess County Hall of Fame. He is on the honor roll of the Sioux Indian YMCA and the Gustav Heye Indian Museum of the Smithsonian Institution. In 1967 Dawn McKiernan (Caporaso '71) also returned to Ithaca, this time as a student. She'd been born in Tompkins County Memorial Hospital and coincidentally, because of a shortage of dorm space at the College when she enrolled, her first residence as a student was back at the hospital. In 1988 the McKiernans moved to Carlsbad, California, where they have been active volunteers in the senior center, elementary schools, and many local organizations. They play on the senior softball league and in a local bowling league. Don and Yolana passed another milestone, celebrating their 50th anniversary in September. McKiernan has also published poems over the years, including his "Who Am I," which was published in the California Poets Anthology. |
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Don McKiernan '51, M.S. '54, has always
been a leader. He served as a tank destroyer commander and saw combat in
Normandy, northern France, Belgium, and central Europe before returning
home to marry Yolana on September 13, 1947. He brought his new bride to
Ithaca College that same year.