We have no doubt that many in our network have heard that Donn Vickers, a towering figure in Columbus and beyond, passed away on August 5.
His passing has touched many in on our community, but especially in our company, as Kerri Mollard, Laura Bidwa, and Karen Simonian called him a mentor and friend. Donn had an enormous, and very personal, impact, which is why the three of us co-authored this memorial message.
A steadfast mentor to a great many beyond Kerri, Laura, and Karen, and something of a pied piper of the cultural set in Columbus for decades, Donn was the founding director of the Thurber House, the Jefferson Avenue Center, and the Academy for Leadership and Governance, and co-founder of the African-American Leadership Academy.
Donn nurtured a culture of collaboration and individual betterment like no other, guiding emerging leaders, executives, and board members to be their best selves for the greater good.
We share this post today, when his memorial service is being held at the Broad Street Presbyterian Church. If you have a remembrance to share, please comment below.
I had to go underground to really get to know Donn Vickers—literally underground, to the cozy basement of the Thurber Carriage House. It’s where 10 of us arts and culture types gathered once a month to reflect on leadership. And Donn? He quietly presided and gently guided, coaxing us to open up, to really think about our own leadership styles. Many of us in that cohort — and across cohorts — remain connected.
Over the years, I cherished my lunches and conversations with Donn, and will always cherish his books and letterpressed poems (including one featuring art by my colleague Laura Bidwa!).
And a 2003 Nota Bene — a “now and again communiqué” — includes this very Vickers takeaway: “Keep at it friends; hang on to seek beauty, defend truth, and honor what is worthy. It will take all that to accomplish the valuable work our society needs us to do.” How timely; how true; how Donn. —Karen Simonian
Donn was the first boss I ever had who thought it was important and valuable that I was trying to be a serious painter at the same time I was working for him. He often said that all of us on staff should have a significant life outside of work, and I believe he meant it.
Donn patiently taught me how to be a better writer, how to stay attuned to the human person who would read my words, whether it was a personal note or a grant application. We’d sit in his little office — the smallest one at Thurber House — and he’d mark up hard copies of my drafts in ballpoint pen as he pointed out what did or didn’t really need to be said.
I saw the everlasting joy Donn took in thinking about how one person he knew might enjoy or help another person he knew, and bringing them together. Thanks to Donn, I learned that I hadpeople! And that we were wonderful together, and could help each other and other people, too, as we talked and planned and laughed and marveled our way through each day and week and year. —Laura Bidwa
I am not quite sure where to begin. When I think of all that Donn meant to me and all the leadership lessons learned, I am overwhelmed by the enormity of it all.
He was the first to truly teach me about the deep interconnectedness of people, communities, organizations, systems, and sectors — not in an academic manner, but in how he saw the world, processed information, made decisions, and led with a deep belief in humanity.
And, oh, how he led. When he formed the arts and leadership program Karen references, he did not want an application process with letters of reference submitted. No. He wanted to tap people on the should by giving them the honor of being noticed — and to invite their participation, without asking anything of them in advance.
While Donn founded organizations, launched programs, and authored books, he will be remembered for more than those statistics as it was the relationships formed that mattered most.
He was an artist at heart, and his musings and writings were often illustrative. I remember one sequence of conversations where he asked for us to think of our leadership stance by envisioning waves of water coming ashore. How we stood in that wake, how far into the water we would wade, and how we found our footing so as not to let the waves knock us over, was what he asked us to name. What did we need to know about ourselves that would steady us when the water rose and the relentless pressure might feel too much to stand firm against? Or would we just tiptoe at the water’s edge where it was safest?
Donn was known for looking out a window during the workday. Not in a time-wasting manner, but to pause, ponder, wonder, muse, and simply be still. He knew well the power of the Peter Drucker quote about effective action coming from quiet reflection.
In fact, my admiration for thinkers like Drucker came from Donn as he would always go to the wise — Mary Oliver, for instance — and what joy that has brought to my life’s work.
I don’t want to ramble, as Donn would never haphazardly fill the silence or a void. Rather, he welcomed those quiet moments and would resist the very human temptation to respond or opine — so let me end with this reflection, which came from his own words in a book of his that I will always return to when I need time to look out the window, envision my stance in the waves, and consider the words of others to inspire my effective action:
Perplexity, by Donn Vickers
Tea is slow
and therefore good
if only more
of life just could
take long to simmer
then more to steep
no doubt by bed
we’d quickly sleep
and dream of meadows
with all things calm
clay mugs of tea
that warm the palm
slow down the heart
make minds grow still
receiving peace
resolving will
fond hopes these are
yet often we rue
it’s more than we say
and less what we do
—Kerri Mollard
