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2010 President’s Hall of Fame Inductee

Tina Donikowski ‘77
Villa Maria Academy President’s Hall of Fame

Tina Cicchetti Donikowski was born in Erie and grew up on Erie’s eastside in the Lakeside subdivision. The middle daughter of Thomas Cicchetti and Edith Chimenti Cicchetti, Tina characterizes her 1960’s and 70’s upbringing as “typical Catholic, middle class and very neighborhood centric”. Life revolved around the Church, family (a big Italian family!), school, and after-school activities. Tina and her two sisters walked to Mount Calvary School, came home for lunch, played with their friends, and rode their bikes in the neighborhood. Her decision to attend Villa Maria Academy, however, took Tina out of that neighborhood and put her on a bus for a 40 minute ride (one way) across town.

At Villa, Tina found much more than just challenging academics. She was Freshman Class President, in the school play, on the Forensics team, a member of the National Honor Society and the Future Business Leaders of America. Her Villa memories include trips to see Shakespeare plays, “Sweet 16” parties, and football games. Balancing demanding classes, extracurricular activities, and a part time job, Tina looks back on those days and realizes that the foundation of her career was formed in high school. Leadership, time management, constant learning, desire to excel, hard work, and relationship building … these were skills she learned at Villa then translated to the workplace.

Tina developed lifelong friendships at Villa. During Freshman year, she met two of her closest friends, Robyn Suleski Formica and Ann Eisert Carmichael, and they remain close today. There is a strong core group of 1977 Villa grads who get together several times a year. This group also plans reunions every five years, and Tina has been involved in planning almost every one. During the reunion weekends, Tina feels like she’s back in high school, laughing and having great fun reminiscing with her Villa friends. Tina’s sisters, Geri and Ann, also attended Villa, graduating in 1976 and 1980 respectively.

Shortly after graduating from Villa in 1977, Tina started working at GE Transportation as a stenographer. Upon advice from a valued mentor, Tina enrolled at Gannon University and started working on a degree, part-time during the evenings. Tina worked hard for 6 ½ years, and graduated from Gannon in 1985 with a B.S. degree in Industrial Management from the School of Engineering. In the early 80’s, her sister, Ann, introduced her to a co-worker, Michael Donikowski, a Prep Class of ’75 graduate. Tina and Mike married a few years later on October 4, 1985. They have two sons, Joseph, currently attending Gannon University, and Thomas, a member of the Cathedral Prep Class of 2011.

Tina has worked for GE exclusively for almost 33 years, progressing through a variety of positions since her stenographer days. Upon receipt of her degree, Tina completed GE’s two-year Manufacturing Management Trainee program, then went on to roles in Quality, Sourcing, Marketing and Sales. She was promoted to her current role, Vice President, Propulsion Systems, in November of 2009. How ironic that Tina would lead the GE business that represents the same products her family posed next to when she was 8 years old!

When asked how she manages to balance a challenging career with raising a family, Tina disagrees with her contemporaries. “Balance? There is no balance! Some days the scales are tipped toward home and some days the job takes priority. The key is to make sure you make decisions consistent with your values.” Tina credits her husband, Mike, as her biggest supporter, citing his decision to retire as her career progressed. Even with a demanding work schedule, the Donikowski’s share some of the same values and traditions of the young Cicchetti family. Family time is still of utmost importance. Many extended family gatherings take place at Tina and Mike’s home, and all of them involve food…and lots of it! The Donikowski’s also enjoy travel. They spent years on the road with Joe’s hockey team and have had the opportunity to attend five Olympic Games! Another travel highlight for Tina was a 50th birthday trip to Italy with her son, Thomas, her sister, Ann, and niece, Emily. The foursome even managed to visit Preturo, the birthplace of their paternal grandparents.

When Tina was asked whom she considers the biggest inspiration in her life, she unequivocally responded, “My Mother”. Tina has enjoyed associations with some of the greatest leaders in the world, such as Jack Welch and Jeff Immelt, yet her mother holds the single greatest influence in her life. Tina says of her mother, “She taught us best through her example. She was devoted to God and her family and was the hardest working person I’ve ever met. My mother never felt entitled to anything, so therefore, everything she received was a blessing. She exemplified a “can do” attitude, humility, tenacity, creativity and was always doing something for someone in need. My mother taught us that we could do anything we set our minds to. She was a tough, “no nonsense”, loving, nurturing parent … an outstanding role model.”

Today, Tina continues to be philanthropic towards Villa because she believes that any student willing to work hard should be given the chance to have a great educational experience. It was a financial stretch for Tina’s parents to send her and her sisters to Villa. Tina helped to pay her tuition the last 2 years by working after school and weekends at McDonald’s. Tina hopes that through her contributions, a Villa education can become a reality for deserving students.

Thank you, Tina Cicchetti Donikowski, and congratulations on your induction to the prestigious Villa Maria Academy President’s Hall of Fame!

• 2011 President's Hall of Fame Inductees
• 2010 President's Hall of Fame Inductee