I was the Keynote speaker for ISTAS 2001 in Stamford, CT, and Brian was my amiable host. Recently, I was asked to prepare some notes on ethics for my professional society and I remembered most well my time at ISTAS so I started an internet search for its home page. My surprise and shock, as belated as it is, must be no different from that of his friends and colleagues at the time of his death, particularly if they had not known of his illness.

It’s been a while and I was trying to remember what it was that drew us together but drawn we were. A search through my archives indicates that it was slide rules and, perhaps, he introduced me to the Oughtred Society. [...] we sat together over dinner and chatted about my old “slippery stick.”

Lee Saperstein
Nantucket, MA

2010 Brian O'Connell Lecture

The Brian O’Connell Lecture Series is scheduled for April 14th at 3pm in the Constitution Room of the Student Center at Central Connecticut State University.

The speaker is Dr. Joseph R. Herkert on the topic Ethical Challenges of Emerging Technologies.

For directions to campus and a campus map, click here:
http://www.ccsu.edu/page.cfm?p=1378

Courier Article

ISTAS 2009, Phoenix, AZ

Presentation to Sarah Cox at International Symposium on Technology and Society (ISTAS ‘09), Phoenix, AZ, June 19

Presentation to Sarah Cox at International Symposium on Technology and Society (ISTAS ‘09), Phoenix, AZ, June 19 (left to right: Sarah Cox, Janet Rochester, Joe Herkert)

Pictures From Memorial Lecture

Attendees viewing demonstrations after the lecture.

First Annual Brian O'Connell Lecture

First Annual Brian O'Connell Lecture
May 6th, 2009

NASA Scientist to Speak

Dr. Susan Hoban, Senior Research Scientist for the NASA Goddard Earth Sciences and Research Center, will present a lecture entitled "From STEM to Stern(e): Actually, It Was the Other Way Around - Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education today." Dr. Hoban holds the Ph.D. in astronomy and has conducted research in commentary science at Goddard Space Flight Center. In addition to articles in scientific journals, she has also published "Irish Pubs Across America." She has a particular interest in contributing to the STEM foundation of our nation's K-12 educators.

This lecture will be held on Wednesday, May 6th, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. in the Student Center, Philbrick-Camp Room on the CCSU campus and is part of the activities for the International Year of Astronomy. It is the first of an annual series of lectures in memory of Professor Brian O'Connell of the CCSU Computer Science and Philosophy Departments and is sponsored by Computer Science, Philosophy, Physics & Earth Sciences Departments, and Institutional Advancement.

Reflections of a Student

I came across this site today after I had seen the CCSU Brian O'Connell Fund page on facebook. I had no idea Prof. O'Connell had passed away or had even been sick and I am sad to hear of his passing. I wanted to pass along the message that Prof. O'Connell was a great teacher and a great person.

I took Philosophy of Law with him as a student at CCSU about 10 years ago and it still stands out as my favorite course. His teaching style, demeanor, and enthusiasm made the class exciting, interesting, and fun. Now to make jurisprudence fun is no small feat, but that was Prof. O'Connell. I still have some of the papers I wrote in class along with his insightful notes.

I remember the stories he'd tell us about his previous life as an attorney and all of us thinking and asking amongst ourselves why he would give that all up to teach, and I believe it was because he was a born educator and he knew that he could make a difference in more young people's lives by teaching rather than being stuck in a courtroom. I'm sure he was a great attorney, but I know he was an excellent teacher.

With his assistance, a few other students and myself went onto re-establish the Pre-Law Society at CCSU. He was always ready, willing, and able to help us with anything or meet with us last minute. After I graduated CCSU I stayed in touch with him, I asked his advice on law school, careers, among other things and he was always there. As time went by I lost contact with him, but I know years later if I had a question or needed advice he would answer the phone or reply to an email. He went above and beyond his role as simply an educator, he was an advisor and a friend to his students and there are very few teachers I can say that about.

I feel sorry for all current and future students that they will never be able to learn from him, and I wish that they are lucky enough to have a teacher like him. I'm sure I am just one of hundreds of students that have the same story and can offer the same praise, but I wanted you to know that I am one more life that he affected and one more student he inspired. Godspeed Prof. O'Connell and thank you.

Sincerely,

Chris D'Orso
CCSU Class of 2000