Cassidy Diaz
Staff Writer
Provost Ken O’Donnell was this month’s speaker in the “What Matters to Me and Why” lecture series Nov. 13 in the Ludwick Center Sacred Space.
Before an audience of around 50, O’Donnell talked about his inspirations for his career and life.
“I’m used to giving presentations about other things, like the work we all need to do, or how the University could do better, or how the students are doing,” O’Donnell said.
“It’s weird to get up and give a whole speech that’s just about yourself.”
O’Donnell, who has worked in higher education for 25 years, took the helm as Provost here in June, after serving as vice provost at Cal State Dominguez Hills for almost a decade, and holding faculty and leadership positions at Chapman University previously.
He started his career in the film industry. He said that what mattered to him changed from a focus on a creative career to supporting students and education.
“When I was first getting turned on to (education)… all of a sudden I’m happy because I feel like I’m helpful,” O’Donnell said.
O’Donnell said he has been inspired by leaders and intellectuals including Neil deGrasse Tyson, Edward O. Wilson and Simone de Beauvior.
“Here’s how de Beauvoir puts it: ‘Embrace the limits, embrace the finiteness, and I just love it’,” O’Donnell said.
“What it all means, where it’s all pointing, what we help each other toward matters to me desperately,” O’Donnell added.
Debbie Deacy, director of purchasing and procurement services who attended the lecture, said the talk helped her to know the new provost a little better.
“I really enjoy learning what makes people happy, and what really matters to people on campus because we’re a tight-knit community,” Deacy said.
The final “What Matters to Me and Why” lecture of the year on Dec. 4 will feature College of Arts and Sciences Dean Shannon Mathews.
Cassidy Diaz can be reached at cassidy.diazgomez@laverne.edu.
Cassidy Diaz is a senior journalism major with a concentration in print and online journalism. She is also news editor for the Campus Times, and previously served as an assistant editor and a staff writer.
