Donald C. Jones '73 is an example of perseverance, dedication to education, seizing opportunities and giving to give back. Born in Louisville in 1955 as the fourth of eight children, Don learned early on from his mother, Margaret, and the priests and nuns at St. Peter Claver School in Smoketown that he could achieve anything he wanted with hard work and determination.

To understand Don, one has to go back to his days at Trinity. It started with his mother's sense that there was something special about the East End school that she wanted her sons Paul (Trinity, 1968) and Don to attend. For Don, it meant being the only African-American in his freshman class, a kid from the Sheppard Square housing project who chose to attend Trinity at a time when most kids from the West End who attended a Catholic high school went to Flaget.

Don's world changed dramatically when he enrolled at Trinity in 1969. Paying Trinity tuition was a struggle for Don and his mother. Trinity's principal at the time, the Rev. Thomas Duerr H'92, told Mrs. Jones that if her sons wanted to attend Trinity, he would make it happen. To help, Don waxed floors at Trinity during the summer and collected trash on the grounds during the school year.

Don immersed himself in Trinity and the lives of his close-knit classmates. He played varsity basketball his sophomore, junior and senior years and was popular among his classmates. His teammates and coaches took care of Don one way or another, whether it was rides home or meals at their homes. Don was closest to teammate Paul Mershon '73. At the Mershon dinner table one night, Paul proclaimed to the family, "Donnie is going to live with us now." No one flinched. Don lived with the Mershon family off and on between 1972 and 1977, and became close with E.O. Mershon, Paul's father. Over the next 27 years, E.O. was Don's biggest fan, always there as a mentor, friend and father figure.

In 1969, Don started his retail career as a cleaning porter at Fischer Shoes. Over the next 34 years, he rose through the ranks, holding executive positions with companies like Macy's, Ikea and Target Corporation, to become senior vice president of stores and operations for the GAP. In 2003, Don embarked on his career as a retail consultant and entrepreneur, founding POGAN Retail He continues to lead the company as chairman and CEO. He also serves as chairman of the Connecticut Retail Merchants Association Foundation, vice chairman of Petal Decorative Accents and general partner of Southridge Private Equity Fund.

Despite his enormous success, Don never forgot his Trinity Family. He visited Trinity on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day to speak with students about Dr. King's legacy and influence on his life and the lives of African-Americans. Don also serves on the Trinity Foundation.

In 2000, Don created the E. Ollie Mershon Memorial Scholarship to honor the man who played such a powerful role in his life, mentoring him to become a successful entrepreneur, father and husband. The scholarship is awarded annually to a Trinity student.

Don resides in Ridgefield, Conn., with his wife, Mary, and children Adrian, Gabriel, Oliver and Phoebe. Don's daughter, Vernica, lives in Louisville with her son, Jalen.

Inducted 2007

J - Hall of Fame

John Jackson

The Reverend Harry A. Jansing

W. Perry Johnson

Donald C. Jones

Mike Jones