When Donna and David Marks accepted the Patricia Wilmeth Award at College Possible Wisconsin’s Dream Big Dinner, they shared their personal story. Their story begins not in a boardroom or a university lecture hall, but a small town in rural Alabama and reflects the power of education and the opportunities it creates for generations to come.
Donna’s parents, Don and Laura Harrison, grew up in Garden City, Alabama during World War II. Opportunities were limited, and neither came from families with experience navigating higher education. Yet both possessed strong-willed determination to build a different future.
Donna’s father earned a scholarship to attend college after winning an oratory competition. When he arrived on campus, he quickly realized how unprepared he was academically. A professor saw his potential and invested in him, providing tutoring, guidance, and encouragement that helped him thrive. He graduated, went on to medical school, and ultimately became a nationally recognized academic physician.
Donna’s mother faced her own challenges. Raised in a home without electricity or running water, she became the first person in her family to attend college. To make it possible, she worked for a full year to save money before enrolling and then worked 40 hours a week while completing her degree. The transition was difficult. She was far from home, felt academically underprepared, and often questioned whether she belonged. But she persevered.
Education changed their lives.
What began in a small Alabama town eventually led them to opportunities across the country, from advanced medical training in Boston to leadership roles at Stanford University. Despite their success, they never forgot where they came from or the role that educational opportunity played in shaping their futures.
That belief became a guiding principle for their family.
Through the Harrison Family Foundation, Donna’s parents dedicated themselves to expanding educational access for others, establishing a mission focused on “fostering educational opportunities to improve life outcomes.”
Today, Donna and David continue that legacy through their support of organizations like College Possible Wisconsin.
Their story serves as a reminder that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not always accessible. For many students, earning a college degree requires more than hard work and determination. It requires guidance, encouragement, and someone willing to help them navigate the path forward.
That is why College Possible exists.
By providing personalized coaching and support from high school through college graduation, College Possible helps students overcome barriers, persist through challenges, and achieve goals that can change the trajectory of their lives and families.
As Donna reflected during her remarks, education changed the course of her parents’ lives and, in turn, created opportunities for future generations.
Through their generosity and commitment to educational opportunity, Donna and David are helping ensure more Wisconsin students have the chance to write stories of their own.
“Keep persevering,” Donna imagined her mother saying. “Life’s doors will open as you continue to pursue opportunities to learn.”
It is a message that continues to inspire the students, families, and communities College Possible Wisconsin serves every day.
