Olivia Donahue, a junior athletic training major, wasn’t thinking about awards when she jumped into action to help a bystander at a University of Delaware basketball game last season. However, her quick thinking and calm demeanor earned her the recognition of the university police department.

Donahue works part-time as an usher at the University of Delaware’s Bob Carpenter Center. She knew exactly what to do when a fan had a heart attack in her section. With another spectator, Donahue performed CPR and called the paramedics. In addition, she also removed a young boy from the scene and kept him calm.

“At first, I was nervous, but my adrenaline kicked in. I checked for a pulse and I got everyone away.  It was very under control,” Donahue recalled.

Donahue was given her award at the University of Delaware Police 2018 Summer Recognition Ceremony. The ceremony was held in the Bob Carpenter Center Auditorium on July 10, 2018.

She credits her emergency skills with the training she received through the Neumann University’s athletic training program.

 “We had an entire course for CPR our freshman year. We also do brief training courses. The professors always stay on top of this for us,” Donahue said.