There is also a Marymount University scholarship award in Danny's name with a lovely tribute posted online at MU Today.
Dr. John P. (Jack) Newton never attended Marymount, and neither did any member of his family. Yet his ties to the University are as close as any graduate’s. In fact, Dr. Newton spearheaded a scholarship drive to create an endowed fund at Marymount that today exceeds $50,000. And he himself has donated generously to that fund. All of this came about as the result of a close and lasting friendship.
In 1993, an air-conditioning technician named Daniel Mack Cornell received his associate degree from Northern Virginia Community College, finishing his course of study with high marks. Hoping to earn a bachelor’s degree in Communications and become a writer, he applied for admission to Marymount.
Newton, a longtime friend of the Cornell family, loves to tell the story of Dan’s initial experience at the University. When he arrived for his interview with Communications Department Chair Dr. Janet Fallon, she came out of her office, looked at him some distance down the hall and said, “Are you Daniel?”
Dan later told his friends and family that this personal touch made him feel immediately at home; here was what he was seeking—a university where the faculty knew their students by name. Newton says, “That encounter, along with the excellent reputation of MU’s Communications Department, was a major factor in helping Dan decide to attend Marymount.”
Recipients of the Scholarship must exemplify Dan Cornell’s academic attributes of hard work, persistence, creativity, and commitment to doing one’s best.
Daniel Mack Cornell graduated summa cum laude from Marymount in 1995, with a major in Communications and a minor in Graphic Design. Sadly, Dr. Newton reflects, Dan completed his studies “by the skin of his teeth” shortly before passing away at the age of 37.
By December 1994, Dan had enough credits to graduate. Though he was seriously ill, he was looking forward to participating in the May Commencement ceremony. One day, in intensive care, he received a surprise visit.
Sister Eymard Gallagher, RSHM, then-president of Marymount University, and two of Dan’s professors, Dr. Fallon and Chris Haggerty, arrived at the hospital to present him with his diploma. Newton remembers, “It was quite a moving event and a very special occasion for Dan and his family and friends.”
With obvious pride and affection, Newton recounts that Dan worked diligently at Marymount to polish his writing skills. He wrote for the student newspaper and had three articles published in regional magazines. Newton reflects, “He was really quite successful, seeing that he had not yet graduated from college. To become an accomplished writer and to be published like that made Dan feel very gratified and thankful for what he had achieved.”
Dan also put serious effort into his design work. Newton says, “He wasn’t an artist, but his graphic designs were so nice that I still have several of them hanging at my house. Dan expressed his creativity in the fine details and the thoughtfulness that he put into all his work.” He adds, “Dan was a perfectionist. He would turn in a project, and after it was critiqued, he would ask if he could take it back and improve it. That was very impressive about him—working on something until it was as good as his skills could possibly make it.”
Daniel Mack Cornell was the first person in his family to attain a four-year college degree. Newton says that meant a lot to Dan, because he was leading the way for his nieces and nephews.
After Dan’s death, Dr. Newton chose Marymount to be the benefactor of a scholarship fund drive in his friend’s honor. Newton was the primary donor to the fund, but many other contributors, especially faculty and alumni who knew Dan as a student, have joined him in this endeavor. “I wanted a fitting memorial to Dan,” Newton says. “And since he was such a dedicated student, always striving for an A, I thought he would be a good example to other students, especially those of non-traditional age. I would say he was an inspiration to everyone he met.”
Newton explains the vision that guides the annual selection of the Cornell Scholarship recipient: “My idea is that it be awarded totally on the basis of merit and the potential of the applicant. No other consideration should be important, although student leadership and contributions to society may also be taken into consideration.
“The scholarship benefits students so they can have a positive impact on society. As the recipients graduate and become successful in their professions, it is hoped that, through their honest intellectual work and their writing, they will improve the group they associate with and the environment around them. I’m hoping that these graduates, like Dan, will appreciate the opportunities they’ve had and feel a debt of gratitude to their alma mater.
“It is the wish of the donors,” he continues, “that the scholarship recipients become successful leaders in their field and represent the University well. Hopefully, they will help Marymount’s Communications Department grow and make its reputation nationwide. That is why I wanted the award to be based entirely on merit, so that the very best students would be attracted to it.”
Recipients of the Daniel Mack Cornell Scholarship must have an outstanding record in Communications and maintain a minimum 3.4 grade point average. They must exemplify Dan Cornell’s academic attributes of hard work, persistence, creativity, and commitment to doing one’s best. To date, the following students have received this honor: Edward Davies 1996-97; Melissa Richard 1997-98; Allyson Schafter; 1998-99; Laura Schroff, 1999-2000; Sarah Purdy, 2000-01-02; and Sarah Joy Jordahl, 2002-03.
Summing up his long-term aspirations for the fund he established, Dr. Newton says, “It is my desire that this fund will someday reach a balance in excess of $100,000 and that its annual scholarship grant will be among the largest awarded by Marymount University and among the most noteworthy in America. My friend Dan deserves only the very best.”
The author of this article, Sarah Joy Jordahl, is Marymount University’s 2002-03 Daniel Mack Cornell Scholar. A senior majoring in Communications and Graphic Design, Sarah Joy served as editor-in-chief of Marymount’s student newspaper, The Banner, in her junior year. In 2002, she was selected to receive scholarships from the Society of Professional Journalists, Washington DC Chapter, and from The Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation.
