David and Donna Jo Abernethy Embody the Spirit of Pro Humanitate
4/8/2022 8:00:00 AM | General
The Wake Forest Deacon Club members and scholarship donors have bled black and gold together for more than 50 years.
Whether it be volunteering at Wake Forest football games or funding scholarships for Wake Forest's golf teams, David and Donna Jo Abernethy find ways to be involved with the University that changed their lives.
Donna Jo is a firm believer that nothing happens by chance. After spending the beginning of her college career at Campbell, she transferred to Wake Forest. One day while at the post office, she met David, who needed a date for homecoming. The rest is history, and the two are still happily married more than 50 years later.
Their marriage has a deep connection to Wake Forest Athletics, as they took their wedding party to the Wake Forest-UNC football game in 1970. The Deacs' come-from-behind 14-13 victory that day is still one of their fondest memories associated with Wake Forest.
"It was a magical day," Donna Jo said.
When their son, Jason, walked on to the Men's Golf team in 1994, it represented the next chapter in their family's black and gold story. Jason grew up with many of his fondest memories being at Wake Forest sporting events.
"It was a dream come true and something that, I may not ever have really even dreamt that big," Jason said. "Jack Lewis was my coach and I credit him with giving me the opportunity to walk onto the team. I'll forever be grateful for that."
Donna Jo fondly remembers being overwhelmed with joy at Jason getting the opportunity to play golf at Wake Forest.
"It meant the world to us," Donna Jo said. "It was a real blessing for our family, and it was amazing."
Jason's time with the Wake Forest Men's Golf program created a strong relationship between the both golf programs and the Abernethy family. All three follow along closely and attend tournaments when possible.
"It's one of my favorite things to follow," Jason said. "The golf team, Deacon Club, and Coach Haas all make me, and I'm sure others, feel like part of the family and close and included. My family and I, we all follow along with the season and then with the players and their success at Wake and on the tour… Since we live so far away, if they ever make their way out to the Northwest, we try to go to the tournament and see them and say hello. And that's a big part of why I like to contribute to the Deacon Club and the Golf Programs, because it's a way to stay connected."
Both Jason and David recalled a tournament Jason attended with his family in Oregon, where Demon Deacon golfer and now-PGA Tour member Will Zalatoris gave a ball to his son, Zack. After getting the ball Zack wanted to play a round with it, but Jason quickly shot that down knowing he needed to hold on to that ball.
David and Donna Jo have begun to contribute to scholarships for the golf programs as a way to give back to Wake Forest. The two both believe that giving to Wake Forest is the right thing to do because of the long-lasting impact Wake Forest has imprinted on their lives.
"I'm a firm believer that nothing happens by chance," Donna Jo said. "Look at what happened with us. Falling in love just walking to the post office. I think the scholarship program can be the determining factor in whether a student chooses to go to another college. If they have an opportunity to have a scholarship at Wake Forest, that may be the determining factor that wins them over to Wake Forest and let them experience the world-class opportunity here."
"Pro Humanitate," David said. "At Wake Forest you do for others and you help other people."
With the intention of helping out others and supplying opportunities that would not otherwise be available, the Abernethys recently purchased season tickets to Wake Forest Football with the intention of donating each ticket.
Both of them have grown to love the golf programs and appreciate their family-oriented nature. Donna Jo appreciates all the personal notes and affections the golf teams send to the family,
Once, Donna Jo asked if her daughter-in-law Allison could be sent a birthday card from Women's Golf Coach Kim Lewellen, as she had recently taken up an interest in golf.
Donna Jo was ecstatic to find out that not only had Allison receive a personalized card, but also a personalized Wake Forest golf bag.
"Those kinds of personal touches really grow our pride in Wake Forest, our commitment to Wake Forest," Donna Jo said.
David and Donna Jo have a special bond with Wake Forest - one where they have given back greatly to the place that gave them so much.
Donna Jo is a firm believer that nothing happens by chance. After spending the beginning of her college career at Campbell, she transferred to Wake Forest. One day while at the post office, she met David, who needed a date for homecoming. The rest is history, and the two are still happily married more than 50 years later.
Their marriage has a deep connection to Wake Forest Athletics, as they took their wedding party to the Wake Forest-UNC football game in 1970. The Deacs' come-from-behind 14-13 victory that day is still one of their fondest memories associated with Wake Forest.
"It was a magical day," Donna Jo said.
When their son, Jason, walked on to the Men's Golf team in 1994, it represented the next chapter in their family's black and gold story. Jason grew up with many of his fondest memories being at Wake Forest sporting events.
"It was a dream come true and something that, I may not ever have really even dreamt that big," Jason said. "Jack Lewis was my coach and I credit him with giving me the opportunity to walk onto the team. I'll forever be grateful for that."
Donna Jo fondly remembers being overwhelmed with joy at Jason getting the opportunity to play golf at Wake Forest.
"It meant the world to us," Donna Jo said. "It was a real blessing for our family, and it was amazing."
Jason's time with the Wake Forest Men's Golf program created a strong relationship between the both golf programs and the Abernethy family. All three follow along closely and attend tournaments when possible.
"It's one of my favorite things to follow," Jason said. "The golf team, Deacon Club, and Coach Haas all make me, and I'm sure others, feel like part of the family and close and included. My family and I, we all follow along with the season and then with the players and their success at Wake and on the tour… Since we live so far away, if they ever make their way out to the Northwest, we try to go to the tournament and see them and say hello. And that's a big part of why I like to contribute to the Deacon Club and the Golf Programs, because it's a way to stay connected."
Both Jason and David recalled a tournament Jason attended with his family in Oregon, where Demon Deacon golfer and now-PGA Tour member Will Zalatoris gave a ball to his son, Zack. After getting the ball Zack wanted to play a round with it, but Jason quickly shot that down knowing he needed to hold on to that ball.
David and Donna Jo have begun to contribute to scholarships for the golf programs as a way to give back to Wake Forest. The two both believe that giving to Wake Forest is the right thing to do because of the long-lasting impact Wake Forest has imprinted on their lives.
"I'm a firm believer that nothing happens by chance," Donna Jo said. "Look at what happened with us. Falling in love just walking to the post office. I think the scholarship program can be the determining factor in whether a student chooses to go to another college. If they have an opportunity to have a scholarship at Wake Forest, that may be the determining factor that wins them over to Wake Forest and let them experience the world-class opportunity here."
"Pro Humanitate," David said. "At Wake Forest you do for others and you help other people."
With the intention of helping out others and supplying opportunities that would not otherwise be available, the Abernethys recently purchased season tickets to Wake Forest Football with the intention of donating each ticket.
Both of them have grown to love the golf programs and appreciate their family-oriented nature. Donna Jo appreciates all the personal notes and affections the golf teams send to the family,
Once, Donna Jo asked if her daughter-in-law Allison could be sent a birthday card from Women's Golf Coach Kim Lewellen, as she had recently taken up an interest in golf.
Donna Jo was ecstatic to find out that not only had Allison receive a personalized card, but also a personalized Wake Forest golf bag.
"Those kinds of personal touches really grow our pride in Wake Forest, our commitment to Wake Forest," Donna Jo said.
David and Donna Jo have a special bond with Wake Forest - one where they have given back greatly to the place that gave them so much.
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