Samuel O’Donnell, philosophy and Catholic studies double major, 3.1 GPA

O’Donnell is from Mobile, Ala. He is active in Catholic Men’s Leadership and Last Chance Mass, and he was part of the unofficial football fan group known as Caruso’s Crew.

O’Donnell said one of his greatest accomplishments in the past four years was helping drape the Vatican City flag over the front of the St. John Vianney Seminary building last year after Pope Francis’ election. His favorite St. Thomas memory was driving to Whitewater, Wis. two years ago to cheer on the Tommie football team in the NCAA playoffs with the rest of Caruso’s Crew.

With one book drafted and a second work in progress, O’Donnell said most students would be surprised to learn that he is an author. He said he began writing his second book in high school.

O’Donnell will continue his formation in the seminary next year and hopes to be ordained a priest in 2018.

Editor’s note: TommieMedia staff members Eden Checkol and Alex Goering were not involved in writing or editing this report.

Anastasia Straley can be reached at stra0669@stthomas.edu.