District 5500 Governor Anita McDonald is Chancellor Emerita of Penn State DuBois and served in that role for 10 years prior to her retirement in December 2012. A native of Detroit, Michigan, Anita earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees in mathematics and mathematics education respectively from Wayne State University and her Ph.D. in Education from St. Louis University.DG Anita has always been an active member in the communities where she has lived. Since returning to Tucson in January 2013, she continues her volunteer work focusing primarily on her involvement in Rotary and the ALS Association, Arizona Chapter. Professionally, she serves on the Board of Directors of Walden University that has as its mission, “Fostering positive social change”, and is a Trustee for Columbia College Hollywood/Chicago. Anita will tell you that all of her chosen activities have one value in common: making a difference in the lives of others.
DG Anita has been a Rotarian since 1998 when she was invited to join the Catalina Rotary Club of Tucson. She served as Club President in 2016-2017 and Public Image Chair 2017-2019. Some of her District service includes serving as a member of the Training team, as the initial Awards chair in 2017, co-chair of the 2018 District Assembly on Leadership and for the past two years as Region 8 Assistant Governor and Annual Fund Giving chair. Anita is a level two major donor and a member of the Paul Harris Society.
DG Anita’s husband, Bob, passed away in 2016 from ALS. They have one daughter and one son living in Denver and one son in Washington, D.C. and now have seven grandchildren. In addition to the joy of being with her grandchildren, she loves music, live theatre, dancing and traveling.
