Description
Father David A. O'Connell succeeded Father Friel as Director in 1953 and remained so until 1957. Father O'Connell was born in New York City, NY, on September 9, 1914. Educated in St. Catherine's parochial school in New York City, Fr. O'Connell went on to study at St. Francis Xavier's College, NY, Providence College, RI, St. Rose's in Springfield, KY, St. Thomas College, River Forest, IL, and the Dominican House of Studies, Washington, DC. On May 31, 1940, Father O'Connell was ordained by Archbishop Michael J. Curley of Baltimore, MD. During the war years, from 1941 to 1944, Father O'Connell taught at Providence College. Returning to Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC in 1944, Father O'Connell began his doctoral studies and received his S.T.D in 1948. Father O'Connell then returned to Providence College to continue teaching philosophy until 1959.As director of the Summer School of Sacred Theology from 1954 to 1957, Father O'Connell continued the expansion of the program begun by Father Friel. After leaving Providence College in 1959, Father O'Connell taught at different Catholic institutions until shortly before his passing on February 6, 1994.
