Brian O’Connell '53, a Tisch College founder and Board of Advocates member, recently established the Brian O'Connell Library at Tisch College. Comprised of books from his personal collection, all visitors to Tisch College are invited to visit the library and read the volumes which address citizenship and civic education, the nonprofit sector, and philanthropy.
O'Connell served as Tufts professor of citizenship and public service from 1995 to 2006, is a trustee emeritus of Tufts and also recieved Tufts Distinguished Alumni Award.
Additionally, O’Connell is founding president of INDEPENDENT SECTOR, the national umbrella organization for philanthropy and voluntary action and served as president and chief executive officer of INDEPENDENT SECTOR from 1980 to 1995. Previously, he served as president of the National Council on Philanthropy and executive director of the Coalition of National Voluntary Organizations. Throughout his career he has bridged the worlds of action and writing.
His latest book is Fifty Years in Public Causes: Stories from a Road Less Traveled. He serves on the boards of The Bridgespan Group, The Cape Cod Foundation. He is an elected Fellow of the American Public Health Association and the National Academy of Public Administration and has received several honorary degrees including a doctorate of humanities from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and of laws from Indiana University. He is director emeritus of the National Mental Health Association, president emeritus of INDEPENDENT SECTOR and did his graduate work at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse.
