Alumna credits‘Excellent Professors’ for success 

Post Published On:

For Mary Beth Donalson (class of ‘98), the professors at Thomas University laid the foundation for her personal and professional success through their compassion.  

During her time at TU, Donalson was facing a peculiar situation as her father was frequently hospitalized.  

As a result, she could not attend all her classes, but her professors were empathic with her. They allowed her to make up assignments when she could not be there and do extra credit assignments as she pursued her degree in Business Administration with a concentration in health care.  

After she graduated her father proudly displayed her diploma, along with her four siblings’ diplomas, on the wall of his living room for everyone who visited to see.  

Her TU education has led her to become a business owner of Diversified Benefit Administrators, a third-party administrator that specializes in benefits consulting and management of partially self-funded employer-sponsored health plans.  

Mary Beth Donalson

Her business is growing. 

Donalson said she started the year with 10 accounts that included one thousand lives (employees and their dependents) with major medical coverage. Donalson said by the end of the year it is expected that she will have an additional 30 accounts. She has already hired five new employees this year to meet the increase.  

“The accounting classes have helped me to budget for my company, keep up with profit and loss statements, and complete balance sheets,” she said. “I wouldn’t have this knowledge if I hadn’t had excellent professors during my time at TU. I’m thankful to everyone there who pushed me to do better and knew my potential, even when I didn’t know it.” 

In addition to Diversified Benefit Administrators, Donalson, is co-owner of a managing general underwriter that will officially go live on September 1, 2023.  

Donalson recently became the president of the Rotary Club of Thomasville, which is a network of local business, professional and community leaders who give back to the community through various service projects.  

One that Donalson is extremely passionate about is the Big Impact Project. This project feeds local citizens by hosting a monthly produce market. This year the Rotary Club, along with their partnerships with the MNW Boys and Girls club and Second Harvest Food Bank plan to build community gardens for citizens in those communities. 

“I don’t know where I would be today if it hadn’t been for TU,” Donalson said. “I’m thankful that I had the opportunity to attend such a prestigious university and that’s also why I give every month. I hope students for years to come appreciate their professors and that they also get to attend this top-notch university.” 

Thomas University

Education that Engages
...Empowers...
Transforms

1501 Millpond Road
Thomasville, GA 31792
229.226.1621
Contact Us