MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Two Middle Tennessee State University alumni were in the spotlight as honorees for the 2025 American Red Cross Heart of Tennessee Chapter “Heroes Luncheon” held Thursday, March 13, on campus.
Gloria Bonner, dean emeritus of the College of Education and retired administrator, was named this year’s Red Cross Hero. Ray Wiley, interim co-director and associate director of facilities at MTSU Campus Recreation, was honored for his tireless volunteer efforts.
Around 400 Red Cross patrons packed the Student Union Ballroom, where Heart of Tennessee Chapter Board Chair Ginny Williams and Vice Chair Robert Coggin presented a year in review highlighting the results of nearly 29,000 volunteer hours and 14,588 units of blood donated.
“Red Cross is there to help everybody,” said Williams, touting programs offered by the Red Cross such as disaster relief, blood services, first-aid courses, smoke alarm installations and support of military, just to name a few.
Bonner: ‘Gift of service’
Childhood experiences with the Red Cross made lasting impressions for both of this year’s honorees and spurred them to a lifetime of service to the international nonprofit.
“I remember as a little girl how helpful the Red Cross was to families in times of emergencies,” Bonner recalled. “However, the thing I appreciate most is the humanity that comes with the American Red Cross.”
Red Cross provisions proved lifesaving for Bonner, who battled colorectal cancer and twice battled breast cancer over the past 13 years.
“The Red Cross provides platelet donations for those of us who need an extra boost as we fight cancer,” said Bonner, who was the 2019 honoree for Wine Around the Square fundraiser benefiting Saint Thomas Rutherford Foundation’s Power of Pink breast health initiative.
Even as she fought cancer, Bonner continued a legacy of community service by giving of time, treasures and talents to countless nonprofit organizations. “I’m serving on 15 or 17 boards right now,” she told the crowd, chuckling. “My parents gave me a gift of service to others by modeling it for me.”
With a strong faith in God and supportive family, Bonner said she has chosen to “live as if everything is a miracle.”
“I’m overwhelmed with gratitude. This recognition is really a celebration of the outstanding American Red Cross. I’m so grateful to God. I owe it all to him,” said Bonner, whose lifetime of service was spotlighted in a video story produced by award-winning journalist Nick Paranjape.
Watch the video tribute:
Wiley: Blood drive ‘labor of love’
Following the video tribute to Bonner, Paranjape stepped on stage to interview Wiley about his longtime dedication to volunteering with the Red Cross.
Wiley’s involvement in the nonprofit agency dates back to his teenage years when he took his first lifeguard course later leading hundreds in life-saving courses through the Red Cross programming. He credits the Red Cross for providing training that proved vital in saving his son’s life during a choking incident. Today, that son is a flight nurse.
In addition to teaching those courses, Wiley has been committed to being a lifeline for those fleeing natural disasters. In the early 2000s, Wiley led the initiative to get MTSU certified as a disaster relief shelter.
In 2013, Wiley took the helm of the campus committee for the annual “100 Miles of Hope” friendly blood drive “battle” held every fall in advance of the rivalry football game between the MTSU Blue Raiders and Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.
“The difference the blood makes in the lives of others, so many people are impacted. That is what excites me. We know it works,” said Wiley, explaining that up to three lives can be saved through one unit of blood. “We need your blood.”
For the 2024 season, MTSU collected 405 units during the three-day blood drive effort, 36 more than WKU, which collected 369 units. Since the blood drive began in 2010, MTSU has collected over 6,950 units.
“It’s a labor of love,” said Wiley, quickly noting the numerous “outstanding volunteers” that he works with in service of the Heart of Tennessee Chapter.
Wiley used the opportunity on stage to “spread the word” about some of the programs offered by the Red Cross and encouraged the community to get involved.
“The Red Cross is a place to get plugged in,” said Wiley.
Learn more about the American Red Cross Heart of Tennessee Chapter at https://rdcrss.org/41rbRvO.
— Nancy DeGennaro (Nancy.DeGennaro@mtsu.edu)
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