Edward J. O'Donnell
Encyclopedia
Edward J. O'Donnell was the President of Marquette University
from 1948 to 1962.
As a Jesuit, he was ordained in 1942, and was named Marquette University's eighteenth president, and by far the institution's youngest leader at age 39 in 1948. Fr. O'Donnell replaced Fr. Peter Brooks, S.J. who died unexpectedly.
Edward O'Donnell grew up in the Tory Hill neighborhood and attended Gesu Catholic School. He entered the "Academy" in 1923 with plans to become an attorney. The eldest of seven children, O'Donnell graduated from Marquette University in 1931. That same year he entered the Jesuit order. After his studies, he taught and worked in the missions of Central America. Upon the sudden death of Fr. Peter Brooks, S.J., O'Donnell returned to lead Marquette University as its president from 1948 until 1962. During his tenure, Marquette advanced its reputation as one of the leading Catholic universities in America. Enrollment more than doubled to 12,000 students, while the campus expanded significantly. The "Greater Marquette Campaign" featured both capital and program priorities. O'Donnell initiated the construction of several important campus buildings dedicated to the instruction and housing of undergraduates. These buildings included the Business Administration school building (1951), the Memorial Library (1953) and the Brooks Memorial Union (1953). The Medical and Dental Schools were expanded to meet the needs of the growing interest in the health care fields. In addition, new student housing was constructed to meet the demands of the expanding undergraduate population. In 1952, O'Donnell Hall, Marquette's first dormitory dedicated to women-only opened on the upper campus. Schroeder Hall followed in 1957. Unfortunately, one of the casualties of the building program was the University football team which ceased competition in 1960 due to cost factors.
Interestingly it was during Fr. O'Donnell's tenure that the high school became a separate institution with its own leadership. In the fall of 1950, Fr. Richard D. McGloin, S.J. became Marquette High's first President and Rector of the new high school Jesuit community. That same year, the Jesuit Residence was constructed at 3400 W. Michigan Street.
After his retirement, Fr. O'Donnell assisted Rev. John Raynor, S.J. as the university's chancellor. He retired from that role in 1972. He left Marquette University for Belize and St. John's College where he had led the teacher training program during World War II. While there he concentrated on parish work. Poor health forced him to return to Milwaukee. He died at the Marquette University Jesuit Residence in 1986.
Marquette University
Marquette University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1881, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities...
from 1948 to 1962.
Biographical data
Nicknamed "Red" because of his hair, O'Donnell grew up in the shadow of Gesu Church and Marquette University.As a Jesuit, he was ordained in 1942, and was named Marquette University's eighteenth president, and by far the institution's youngest leader at age 39 in 1948. Fr. O'Donnell replaced Fr. Peter Brooks, S.J. who died unexpectedly.
Edward O'Donnell grew up in the Tory Hill neighborhood and attended Gesu Catholic School. He entered the "Academy" in 1923 with plans to become an attorney. The eldest of seven children, O'Donnell graduated from Marquette University in 1931. That same year he entered the Jesuit order. After his studies, he taught and worked in the missions of Central America. Upon the sudden death of Fr. Peter Brooks, S.J., O'Donnell returned to lead Marquette University as its president from 1948 until 1962. During his tenure, Marquette advanced its reputation as one of the leading Catholic universities in America. Enrollment more than doubled to 12,000 students, while the campus expanded significantly. The "Greater Marquette Campaign" featured both capital and program priorities. O'Donnell initiated the construction of several important campus buildings dedicated to the instruction and housing of undergraduates. These buildings included the Business Administration school building (1951), the Memorial Library (1953) and the Brooks Memorial Union (1953). The Medical and Dental Schools were expanded to meet the needs of the growing interest in the health care fields. In addition, new student housing was constructed to meet the demands of the expanding undergraduate population. In 1952, O'Donnell Hall, Marquette's first dormitory dedicated to women-only opened on the upper campus. Schroeder Hall followed in 1957. Unfortunately, one of the casualties of the building program was the University football team which ceased competition in 1960 due to cost factors.
Interestingly it was during Fr. O'Donnell's tenure that the high school became a separate institution with its own leadership. In the fall of 1950, Fr. Richard D. McGloin, S.J. became Marquette High's first President and Rector of the new high school Jesuit community. That same year, the Jesuit Residence was constructed at 3400 W. Michigan Street.
After his retirement, Fr. O'Donnell assisted Rev. John Raynor, S.J. as the university's chancellor. He retired from that role in 1972. He left Marquette University for Belize and St. John's College where he had led the teacher training program during World War II. While there he concentrated on parish work. Poor health forced him to return to Milwaukee. He died at the Marquette University Jesuit Residence in 1986.
External links
- Edward J. O'Donnell archive, Marquette UniversityMarquette UniversityMarquette University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1881, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities...