Tri-C Foundation Honors Deborah Donley for Distinguished Service
Board member recognized with Chairperson's Award
CLEVELAND — The Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) Foundation presented its 2026 Chairperson's Award to Deborah V. Donley for her dedicated service to the organization and its student-focused mission.
Established in 2019, the Chairperson's Award gives the Tri-C Foundation board chair and the College president an opportunity to recognize those who made a significant difference through engagement and passion for the College's work.
Donley joined the Foundation board in 2009. She was instrumental in establishing Tri-C Day, an annual day of giving, 10 years ago, when social media-based giving days were first taking hold. This successful event has since grown to raise over $1.5 million to date. She also has been a steady and generous supporter of the Presidential Scholarship Luncheon, the Foundation's signature event that annually raises about $1 million to provide financial assistance to Tri-C students. Donley has served on several board committees and currently is a member of the Committee on Directors.
Donley is the founder and principal of Vocon, a leading national architecture and design firm. With its family-first culture, clients can sense the close-knit environment, which has helped Vocon distinguish itself from other firms in the local and national markets. It has grown significantly under Donley's leadership to include more than 140 professional architects, designers and support personnel.
"It's no wonder that she found a similar way to make her mark here at Tri-C," said Howard Lewis, chairperson of the Tri-C Foundation Board of Directors. "Tri-C Day is successful because it reflects the personal connections that the College makes with our students and the community. It energizes board members and really connects us to the mission."
The Chagrin Falls resident also supports numerous organizations in her community.
June 25, 2026
MEDIA CONTACT: Anthony Moujaes, 216-987-3068 or anthony.moujaes@tri-c.edu