For 46 years, Donna Perzeski has been a familiar face, a trusted resource and, for generations of students and alumni, a key part of their experience at Kent State University’s College of Podiatric Medicine (KSUCPM). After more than four decades of dedicated service, Donna is retiring as Director of Library Services, bringing to a close an extraordinary career that began with The Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine (OCPM).
Donna’s library legacy began on May 22, 1980, when she joined the College as a Library Assistant II in Learning Resources, working under Library Director Judy Cowell. In 2000, after 20 years with the College, Donna was promoted to Director of Library Services. In 2012 following OCPM’s acquisition by Kent State University, Donna became the Director of the KSUCPM Library, marking both a key transition in the college’s history as well as her career, which had now spanned two institutions, two campuses, and an extraordinary period of transformation in podiatric medical education.
Through those changes, one thing remained constant: the person that generations of students and alumni came to know as “Donna in the library.”
Donna watched technology transform the library from shelves of books and journals into a sophisticated resource center providing access to electronic journals, medical databases, research tools and resources for students, faculty and alumni. She helped preserve the history of the College while simultaneously helping each new generation prepare for the future.
Her work extended far beyond helping someone find a book. Donna became a steward of the College's history and a connection between generations of KSUCPM and OCPM alumni. The library has long served as a home for historic materials, including old yearbooks, photographs, medical publications, instruments and other artifacts connected to the College and the profession of podiatric medicine. Donna was instrumental in welcoming and preserving many of those pieces of history.
She also became a familiar point of contact for alumni looking to give something back. Over the years, alumni donated everything from books and journals to anatomical models, medical instruments and historically significant items. Donna greeted every former student with her familiar willingness to help find a place for those pieces within the College's collection or archives.
“This truly has been a great place to work because of the people. The students, faculty and staff have made this a hard decision and my many years of wonderful
memories will include all of you. I have life-long friends made over so many years and fantastic students and alumni all over the country.” Donna reflects on her retirement.
