Evening star., 1934-06-04
NOTRE DAME HEAD
DIES OF INFECTION
Father Charles L. 0'DonnelI
University President for
Six Years.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
SOUTH BEND. Ind. June A.
Father Charles L. O'Donnell, for
almost six years president of Notre
Dame University, died from strepto-
coccus infection early today.
The illness had incapacitated Father
ODonnell for more than year. The
last rites of the Catholic church were
administered to the diving priest sew
eral weeks ago. but he rallied and for
q time appeared better.
Elected eleventh president of Notre
Dame in 1923 for three-year term.
he was reelected in 1881 His term
would have expired reXt month. for
a president can serve Notre Dame only
six years.
Presented Mccormack Medal.
Father O'Donnell's last public ap-
pearauce was exactly a year ago to-
day, when he appeared at the 1888
commencement exercises and pre-
sented the golden jubilee Laetare
medal to John Mccormack. famous
singer. The 1894 commencement was
held only yesterday
Rev John F. O'Hara. c. S. c.. ap-
pointed vice president of the univer-
sity last July will serve out the
remainder of Rev. O'Donnell's term as
acting president.
Priest. educator and poet, Father
ODonnell had an important part in
the life of the university here for
many years, first as a student. then as
a professor and later as its president.
He was native HooSier, born in
Greenfield on November Is. 1884 He
was ordained a Catholic priest in 1910
In addition TO attending Notre Dame,
he studied at Holy Cross College.
Washington. D. c.. and at Harvard
and Catholic Universities prior to his
ordination.
Headed Poetry Society.
AS an English professor at Notre
Dame between 1910 and 1917, he be-
gan writing the verse which later
brought him wide fame as a Catholic
poet and in 1891 the presidency of
the new Catholic Poetry Society of
America. One of his earliest works
was The Dead Musician" written in
1916, while in 1880 was published
Rhine of the Rood and Other Poems" "
acclaimed by critics as Father O'Don-
nells greatest verse
When the United States entered the
World War in 1917 Father O'Donnell
accompanied the EXpeditionary Forces
to France as a chaplain. serving the
ll7th Regiment of Engineers in the
42d Division on the western front for
five months. He then was transfer
red to the 332d Infantry with which
he saw service in Italy and Austria
Returning to Notre Dame in 1920.
he was elected provincial of the Con-
eregation of the Holy Cross in the
United States TO succeed Very Rev.
Andrew Morrissey. His term expired
in 1926 and he was appointed gen.
eral administrator of the RELIGIOUS
COngreG alton as first assistant to Very
Rev. James w. Donahue. superior gen.
eraL He relinquished that position
July IA. 1923. to become president of
the University of Notre Dame. sue
ceeding Rev. Matthew J. Walsh. C. S. c.
Champion of Athletics.
Notre Dame experienced her great
est period of physical expansion
during Father O'Donnells admins
tration, adding eight large buildings
and great stadium to the campus.
Father O'Donneu was close friend
of the late Knute K. Rockne and as
president of the university won ma
tional recognition for his champion
ship of intercollegiate athletics as part
of college training for men.
On March g. 1882. he was awarded
the Order of the Crown of Italy by
King Victor Emmanuel III in cers-
monies at Notre Dame.