Great Living Cincinnatians: Honorees

1914 – 1975

Rev. Paul L. O’Connor. S. J., was the 29th President of Xavier University, from 1955-1972.

Paul O’Connor was born in Joliet, Illinois. He attended Loyola University, Chicago before entering the Society of Jesus at the Sacred Heart novitiate in Milford, Ohio in 1929. He completed his studies at West Baden College, Indiana and was ordained priest in 1941. He served as Dean of Freshmen at the University of Detroit, and served in the Navy Chaplain Corps during World War II.

During his presidency Xavier opened the College of Business Administration and added Bellarmine Chapel, Alter Hall, the university center, a new library, two residence halls and a Jesuit faculty residence. Father O’Connor died September 10, 1974, while serving as Chancellor of Xavier.

– From Xavier Communique, Vol. 3, No. 1, September 1, 1972