Rev. Hugh O'Donnell

Years in Office: 1931-1934

In 1915 O'Donnell was a lineman for Notre Dame's football team, where he was a crucial factor in beating the University of Texas 36-7. He went on to study for the priesthood and obtain a doctorate in history from the Catholic University of America. 

Despite a rise in enrollment numbers in 1932, Father O'Donnell spent much of his tenure navigating the challenging economic conditions brought about by the Great Depression. He was in favor of a proposal to buy St. Mary's University and merge the two colleges in San Antonio, though the Congregation of Holy Cross disagreed and the proposal ultimately fizzled out.

When his term ended Father O’Donnell returned to a faculty position at Notre Dame, where he later became president. 

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