Service for O’Connell is planned

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22, in Bond Chapel, for Charles O’Connell, former Vice President and Dean of Students in the University. O’Connell died Saturday, Dec. 22, at the age of 78.

The Rev. Michael Yakaitis, Catholic Chaplin at the University Calvert House, will preside at the service, which also will include guest speakers who were O’Connell’s close colleagues.

Scheduled speakers are Hanna Gray, President Emerita and the Harry Pratt Judson Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus in History and the College; Leon Kass, the Addie Clark Harding Professor in the Committee on Social Thought and the College; Robert Streeter, the Edward L. Ryerson Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus in English Language & Literature and the College; and Charles Wegener, the Howard L. Willett Professor Emeritus in the College. In addition, O’Connell’s grandnephew Bill Clements will pay tribute.

The Motet Choir will perform two musical selections during the ceremony, and Thomas Weisflog, University Organist for Rockefeller Memorial Chapel, will perform a prelude and postlude.

A reception in Swift Hall Commons will follow the service.