Expertise:
Museum management and exhibitions
Hobbies/Sports:
Biking; Golfing; Reading; Collecting Antiques; Visiting museums
Education Degrees:
Master of Arts in Museum Studies, Cooperstown Graduate Program, State University of New York (1982)
Affiliations Awards:
Board Member, The Committee on Museum Professional Training; Board Member and Scholarship Award Committee Member, The Puget Sound Association of Phi Beta Kappa; American Association of Museums; American Association for State and Local History
Number Of Years In Profession:
11
Number Of Years In Current Position:
5
What Does He/She Attribute Success To:
He attributes his success to his passion, dedication, and desire to make a difference through museums or higher education initiatives, while simultaneously impacting society.
Why did you become involved in your profession or industry?:
He became involved in his profession through a natural progression of opportunities.
Extended Bio Profile:
Mr. O’Donnell has held positions as an executive director, director, curator, and consultant for numerous museums and historical societies on the east and west coasts of the U.S. For the past 10 years, he has managed and taught at the Museology Graduate Program. Mr. O’Donnell has been working in the museology field for 25 years, took a sabbatical for one year and came back to do consulting work at the university on a part-time basis. He has functioned as a full-time faculty member, an acting director for several years, and became associate director.
Position Responsibilities and Duties:
Working with the director on planning, admissions, recruitment and development functions; Teaching four to six courses in the museology program; Advising students; Sitting on the chair of committees for student issues
Where Will You Be In 5 Years:
In five years, Mr. O'Donnell hopes to be pursuing a Ph.D. in museum studies in the United States, embarking on the development of an extraordinary individualized program, and building on the course of study that it will entail.