O'Donnell grew up in the Tory Hill neighborhood and attended Gesu Catholic School.
O'Donnell initiated the construction of several important campus buildings dedicated to the instruction and housing of undergraduates.
The Medical and Dental Schools were expanded to meet the needs of the growing interest in the health care fields.
In addition, new student housing was constructed to meet the demands of the expanding undergraduate population.
Unfortunately, one of the casualties of the building program was the university football team which ceased competition in 1960 due to cost factors.
He left Marquette for St. John's College, Belize, where he had led the teacher training program during World War II.