A Cook, a Superhero or Both?
![John Donley '14 poses for a photo in Prague. He studied political science in the Czech Republic during the fall semester of his junior year.](/images/donleyss1.jpg")
John Donley '14 poses for a photo in Prague. He studied political science in the Czech Republic during the fall semester of his junior year.
By MaryAlice Bitts-Jackson
Healthy, purposeful living is a mission for John 鈥淒raper鈥� Donley 鈥�14.
He鈥檚 a student-athlete and captain of the lacrosse team who hopes to help save lives as a volunteer
for the American Cancer Society. He also enjoys preparing nutritious food. After graduating this spring, Draper plans
to combine two of these interests in a dramatic way and then pursue a career in
the third. Learn about his upcoming summer adventure, who makes him laugh and
the most important things he鈥檚 learned so far.
Major:
Clubs and organizations:
, (team captain).
On choosing to attend Dickinson:
I wanted to be able to pursue the
love I had for lacrosse and also get a great education. I was looking at other schools, but the first
time I met , I knew this was the place for me. He is a
phenomenal leader and role model.
Favorite class:
My senior seminar, Comparative
Political Corruption, with [award-winning] Professor [Mark] Ruhl.
Favorite place on campus:
The Durden Athletic Training
Center.
Favorite book:
Lone Survivor, by Marcus Luttrell.
Favorite movie:
Stepbrothers.
On studying abroad:
In fall of my junior year I
studied in Prague, Czech Republic. It was interesting to study politics in an
area of Eastern Europe that was still under communist rule less than 25 years
ago.
As a kid, I wanted to be . . .
. . . either a cook or
superhero.
Favorite Dining Hall food:
Banana-bread bar.
Little-known talents/hobbies:
I love to play golf with father
when I have some downtime. I also love
to work out and just kick it with my friends.
Post-Dickinson plans:
Next summer I will embark on the
adventure of a lifetime. I was accepted
by the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults and the 4k for Cancer to bike across
the United States. It will be a 70-day,
45,000-mile trip, beginning June 1 at Inner Harbor, Baltimore, Md., and
ending Aug. 9 in San Francisco, Ca.
I am dedicating this ride to
three individuals who have all been affected by cancer: my cousin, Merle Peace; one of my mom鈥檚 good
friends, Anne Braig; and my friend鈥檚 grandfather, Donald Lopez. All three of these people have been
influential in my life, and they all continue to fight this awful disease. After I finish, I hope to attend the Culinary
Institute of America in St. Helena, Ca., where I wish to pursue my love of
food. Eventually I would love to own a
few successful restaurants all over the country.
The most important thing I鈥檝e learned so far:
Coach Webster has taught me many things over the past four years. The most important is his notion that we [must] always be good men. No matter where I am or who I am with, I always represent Dickinson with pride.
In a perfect world . . .
. . . people would care more about being healthy. Also, golf would be free.
If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be . . .
. . . Will Ferrell. I don鈥檛 think I would be able to stop laughing the entire time. The guy is the best at what he does.
My biggest influence:
At this point in my life my mother has been my biggest influence. She has cheered me on in
every aspect of my life. She
taught me how to love by example, and if I can be half the parent and spouse that she has been,
I will live a pretty awesome life.
Published February 14, 2014