Careers Services’ Gaynor Honored with Lifetime Impact Award from FloridaACE

Some 30 years ago, Dona Gaynor helped a Florida Tech engineering student named Charles Wendling land his first internship at NASA. She had recently been promoted to director of the university’s career services office after about six years on the job.

One key service the office offered was assisting students in facilitating what was likely their first exposure to their chosen profession. Some learned the job was not what they wanted. A majority found their calling.

Wendling, it would turn out, was in the latter category: He retired from NASA after a 30-year career. And so it was that he found himself on a panel of Florida Tech alumni convened by Student Life in March, talking about his career.

Wendling “let the whole audience know it was Dona that helped him receive his internship with NASA 30 years ago, starting his career path and changing his life,” recalled Kimberly Ryan, associate director of career services and Gaynor’s colleague for the last decade. “There are countless stories like this, and the impact Dona has had in shaping students’ careers is immeasurable, particularly in STEM fields.”

And it wasn’t just students Gaynor helped. Through her leadership and support of the Florida Association of Colleges & Employers (FloridaACE), the St. Petersburg-based industry association she has led as past president and supported in myriad other roles, she has helped the profession itself.

“For almost four decades Dona has served our profession and given countless hours of her time and talent to FloridaACE and its membership,” said Ray Rogers, also a FloridaACE past president and director of career services at Texas State University. “Our association is the envy of the state ACEs, and it is in no small part because of Dona Gaynor.”

For her career of distinction and influence, grace and scholarship, Gaynor was recognized in June with FloridaACE’s highest honor, the Myrna P. Hoover Lifetime Impact Award. She is just the second recipient of the prestigious honor, the first being Hoover herself in 2022. Now retired, Hoover was

the longtime director of career services at Florida State University and a leader and dedicated supporter of FloridaACE.

“I looked up to Myrna as a role model and mentor so receiving this award was very special,” Gaynor said. “I was very honored to receive the award and to be recognized by my peers in Florida for my achievements as a career-services professional and as a leader in the Florida Association of Colleges & Employers.”

Ryan said in her letter of recommendation for the Hoover award that Gaynor was and remains a sterling example of a hard-working, conscientious, supportive boss.

“Her work ethic is exemplary; all staff and faculty can count on Dona coming in early or staying late to ensure events are running smoothly; she has never missed a Career Fair in all my years with her; and I can barely recall any days Dona has called out of work at all,” she said.

In his letter of recommendation, Texas State University’s Rogers said Gaynor has been so much to so many.

“She has been a reliable teacher, mentor, colleague and guide, consistently working on stage and behind the scenes, supporting our profession’s causes and initiatives,” he said. “While she would not recognize this herself, Dona is a pillar of our profession and a model for us to follow.”