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1974 Hellinger Award Winner- Donald Then
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| Donald Then, far right, is presented with the Mark Hellinger Award by University Vice President Fr. Crispin Maguire, OFM and Jim Bishop. |
Donald Then, at 27, became the oldest Hellinger Award winner when he was presented with the 1974 honors at the 21 Club in New York City on September 27th, 1974. Prior to enrolling at St. Bonaventure, Then worked as a radio intercept analyst with the Air Force for four years before attending Hilbert College, where he was named the President of the Freshman Class, was the editor of the college newspaper and listed on "Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities" while also working as a newscaster with WBFO in Buffalo. He graduated with an Associate's Degree in 1972.
At St. Bonaventure, he was employed as an announcer and newsman for WMNS in Olean and worked as a production director for WOFM, the campus radio station. His GPA upon graduation was the highest among journalism majors, and was a member of Sigma Delta Chi. Then also served as an intern for the Olean Times-Herald. He married his wife, Barbara Harenda of Olean, shortly before receiving the award. After graduation, Then accepted a job as information coordinator with the Bradford, PA public school system.