Dr. Kerry McDonald '87

On this week's episode of Always a Raven, host Janelle Menz sits down with Dr. Kerry McDonald, Benedictine College Class of 1987, for a fascinating conversation on curiosity, perseverance, and the winding road that leads to a life's calling. What began as a singular focus on football evolved into a decades-long pursuit of scientific discovery — one he never saw coming. Kerry shares how a biology degree he wasn't sure he even wanted set the foundation for a distinguished career as Distinguished Professor and Chair of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology at the University of Missouri. Along the way, he reflects on the mentors, study groups, and values rooted in his time at Benedictine that quietly shaped everything that followed. From lessons in critical thinking and communication to the surprising staying power of a liberal arts education, this episode dives into the mindset that carried Kerry through 30 years of groundbreaking research — and how the "once a Raven, always a Raven" spirit remains a cornerstone of his life today.