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On a Sunday afternoon in September 2026, Donna Hatcher ’28 stood behind a red velvet rope in Charlotte's Harvey B. Gantt Center, a living statue with one hand raised. She was one of many participants in Walk with Purpose, a fashion-as-art event celebrating survivors of domestic violence and other challenges.

Back at 91�Թ���, the sociology major has found other ways to support and encourage others. Returning to college after years in the workforce, Hatcher wondered how she'd fit in among classmates close to her daughter's age. She has been delighted to discover strong, reciprocal relationships with her classmates.

“I've connected with some of the other older students, and I have some younger students who naturally gravitate toward me. I've kind of taken them under my wing, and they've helped me, too,” she said. “I am known as everybody's aunty.”

Supporting others is familiar work for Hatcher, a family support and peer support partner and certified life coach with years of professional experience. Her colleagues had encouraged her to continue her education. The deciding moment appeared during a drive on Interstate 40, when she spotted a billboard advertising Lenoir-Rhyne's Tuition-Free Guarantee.

“I couldn't believe the timing. It felt like a sign from God,” she said.

Building upon her associate degree with the long-term goal of becoming a therapist, Hatcher’s early coursework has provided fresh perspectives on familiar subjects. 

“In the first-year experience course, we played a game similar to Jenga, and it fit because I like to focus on setting foundations, being grounded,” she said. “As we were taking pieces away, the structure became unstable. That's exactly how it is when you're faced with challenges. If you have that foundation, you remain stable, no matter what you're facing.”

That lesson echoes Hatcher's experience beyond the classroom. After years of caring for others through difficult circumstances, she recognized that she had neglected her own emotional well-being. Two years ago, she created Healing Out Loud, an advocacy movement encouraging people to acknowledge their struggles and seek support.

“I am one who always helps other people. No one could really tell that I was suffering inside,” she said. “It was compassion fatigue because I was pouring into others and not pouring back into myself. I started sharing my story and became an advocate. Healing Out Loud is basically sharing our experiences and pouring energy back into ourselves.”

Hatcher has turned that commitment into an annual retreat for women focused on healing and self-care. One woman attended the first retreat and two attended the second. She held both events anyway. This year, 12 women gathered at a lodge in Black Mountain for workshops, relaxation and opportunities to reconnect with themselves.

That same commitment brought Hatcher to Walk with Purpose in September to stand alongside fellow survivors and encourage others to form a community of healing and resilience.

“I love this fashion show because so many of us as survivors have created our own movement,” she said. “I decided to heal out loud because I suffered in silence. I want to encourage others to do the same. That's where change begins.”

As she prepares for her second semester at 91�Թ���, Hatcher plans to become even more involved in campus life, particularly through opportunities to support younger students and promote inclusion. She sees her education as another way to build on the experience and commitment she already brings to that work.

“I’m seeking out opportunities to help and get involved. That’s why we’re all here,” she said. “I'm passionate about connecting with others and making sure everyone feels understood.”