Join us for our weekly “Rock Reflections,” a series celebrating Trinity alumni. From 48 states to countries worldwide, our graduates are making an impact, and we'll share their stories on Trinity's website and social media.
This week's profile is about Donovan Sims '08
Donovan Sims came to Trinity from Parkview Middle School in Jeffersonville, Indiana. One of the reasons he attended Trinity was because his mother, Kimberly Florence, wanted more for him.
“My mom came from a big athletic family, and they all played sports. I didn’t know what Trinity was when I was in eighth grade,” Donovan said.
He received a phone call from then-Admissions Director Roger Burkman inviting him to spend a day at Trinity.
“I felt at home right away,” Donovan said. “The campus tour was amazing, and it felt good to
have Trinity interested in me. I received a Trinity hoodie during my shadow visit, and I wore it for about a month straight.”
Donovan quickly got involved at Trinity. He was a senior class officer, Dante House captain and a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He initially played basketball but switched to football. He played football all four years, including as a defensive back on the 2005, ’06 and ’07 state championship teams. He also participated in track and powerlifting.
“It was awesome to have those leadership roles and teammates,” Donovan said. “I came to Trinity not knowing a single person. To mingle with all those people and be voted by my peers as a senior class officer was a huge honor.”
In addition to activities and athletics, Donovan participated in Trinity’s work-study program for four years to help pay tuition. Students in the program work with Trinity’s operations crew during the summer and after school.
“At first I was embarrassed, but I realized what it meant for my mom,” Donovan said. “I got to know Trinity at a different pace before even starting my freshman year. The work-study program gave me a different appreciation for it.”
Donovan remembers each of his four Trinity years as being distinctly different.
“I remember as a freshman it took me half a semester to get comfortable,” he said. “We had freshman orientation day, and then – bam – this huge school showed up the next day. You figure it out. The day-to-day becomes routine.”
Donovan laughed about having neckties tied and ready to go in his car, hanging from the rearview mirror.
“I loved the dress code,” he said. “There weren’t girls, so there weren’t as many distractions. I could focus on schoolwork – or getting yelled at by Coach [Bob] Beatty. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Donovan also remembers the little moments.
“Senior Dress-Up Day was fun,” he said. “Just hanging out in the parking lot after school. The memories fade but come back in a rush. My time at Trinity was the best.”
Trinity faculty and staff made a huge impact on him. He needed support after his younger brother Chandler passed away in 2006.
“I’ll never forget Gary Owens [’88],” Donovan said. “He was here for me when I lost my brother. He allowed me time to mourn, but he also gave me the tough love I needed to move forward. I can see he was trying to show me I’m still here and still need to earn it every day.”
Donovan also remembers teacher and assistant football coach William Leach.
“It was good to have someone there who looked like me,” Donovan said. “I could have a different kind of conversation with him. He was a great person for me at the time.”
Other teachers who made a lasting impact on Donovan were James Torra H’12, who was in his first year as a biology teacher, and Lisa Kelly H’08. Although he never had Ms. Kelly as a teacher, she was instrumental in his success. Additionally, Academic Services staff Mary Ann Snyder H’22 and Jackie Carrico were mother figures for Donovan.
“I’ll never forget Henry Jackson and Roxanna Benson,” Donovan said. “They supervised the work-study guys, and I learned so much from them. They were such good and kind people.”
Donovan’s journey after graduating from Trinity was a “maze,” as he called it. His first stop was the University of Kentucky.
“I did what I thought I was supposed to do at the time,” Donovan said. "I was excited just to get to college. I just didn’t like it. It was very segregated, and I wasn’t used to that. I ate at a different lunch table all four years at Trinity. I wasn’t into Greek life. And then I got the first bill.”
Donovan left UK and enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves. He attended the University of Louisville while fulfilling his Reserve duties. Still, he didn’t know what he wanted to do.
“I was just treading water,” Donovan said. “Real life doesn’t wait for you. I had protection at Trinity. There’s no safety net in the real world.”
A friend of Donovan’s encouraged him to apply to the Louisville Fire Department with him. He attended the Louisville Fire Academy but was not accepted. He returned to college, this time to Indiana University to study business and sports marketing.
In 2013, a firefighter friend of Donovan’s told him the Fire Department was hiring again and explained the benefits of making it a career. He tried out again and was selected. Donovan has achieved the rank of captain and is eligible to ascend to the rank of major. He also serves as the Department’s public information officer. He is assigned to Department headquarters rather than an individual firehouse.
He also returned to college. He will soon earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Indiana University Southeast.
“I’m doing it for two reasons,” Donovan said. "I would love to continue climbing the ladder with the Fire Department. I also want to not feel completely bound to it. I want to be able to have options.”
Donovan has remained involved with his alma mater. He’s a Class Agent and has spoken with student groups.
“I feel more attached to Trinity than anything else,” Donovan said. "Attending Trinity was the most pivotal decision I ever made. The positive things I did and the mistakes I made there made me who I am. Those were formative years. I wouldn’t be in the public information officer role without Trinity.”
Donovan is a regular donor to the Trinity Annual Fund for financial aid.
“I feel like I owe it to give back,” he said. “For me to not do that would downplay the gratitude I have for Trinity. I give back in any way I can.”
For Donovan’s 35th birthday, his mother surprised him with a Trinity letterman jacket. He had wanted one when he was in high school but didn’t want to ask.
“Mom kept all of my patches and letters,” Donovan said. “I was in tears. I want my son to go to Trinity and experience the same things.”
Donovan and his wife, Sydney, a Mercy Academy alumna, have been married for almost seven years. They have two children, Chandler, 4, and Maliyah, 1.
Share an alumni story!
Do you know a Trinity alumnus with a compelling story? Please reach out to Travis Wagoner '90, Alumni Relations & Communications Director, at 502-736-2122 or wagoner@trinityrocks.com.
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