Brian Uhrmacher a senior Criminal Justice major enjoys the real world experience that Professor Jeffrey O'Donnell exhibits through his teaching methods. Criminal investigation, criminal procedure and community policing are the three classes offered at Point Park University taught by this unique professor.
"The personal experience that Professor O'Donnell is able to bring to the classroom from his career as a local police police officer in Findlay Township is very valuable to his success as a teacher. He is always willing to meet with his students and offer insights and advice for those who are interested in a career in law enforcement." Said Uhrmacher.
Jeffery O'Donnell always had a passion for teaching, graduating with a bachelors in secondary education from the University of Pittsburgh, O'Donnell originally hoped to teach high school and coach baseball and basketball teams. The demands of life led O'Donnell on a slightly different path. Newly married, with no teaching position in sight, O'Donnell's brother traversed him to a path of bravery and service, law enforcement. "I never expected to be involved in a career such as this, but it's been nothing but fulfilling" Said O'Donnell. Teaching never left O'Donnell's desires and both law enforcement and Point Park University have presented teaching opportunities for O'Donnell.
Having been a team member of law enforcement for fifteen years, O'Donnell has held many diverse positions. Currently O'Donnell is a part of the Findlay Township Police Department and holds the position of a police patrolman and a crime prevention specialist. The Federal Bureau of Investigation was also included in O'Donnell's repertoire, just under two years O'Donnell served in the violent crimes division of the FBI. Located in Buffalo, New York the job mainly called for responses to bank robberies that occurred every week. "Being an agent was similar to the demands of policing, we're just investigating different violations that have become federal law." States O'Donnell. Cooperation with people is a main objective of O'Donnell's career. "As police officers we do have a lot of opportunities to help people on a daily basis, but some, from the start want to create adversarial relationships." This does not stop O'Donnell's perseverance to present the duty of policing. "We don't always welcome the hard persona people sometimes attach to police officers, most of us are here to treat people like human beings, even when people make mistakes, it comes down to all of us being pretty much the same and we all have certain responsibilities that need to be taken care of." O'Donnell said. Training and teaching others is hard to avoid in a field such as this and O'Donnell was presented an opportunity of good fortune with favorable circumstances.
Linda Scott, a resident of Findlay and friend of O'Donnell knew about O'Donnell's FBI experience and her sister, Debbie Bateman, a COPA instructor at Point Park University made the connection and provided the networking for O'Donnell to reach new heights and become a Professor of Criminal Justice. "This was something I really enjoyed." Stated O'Donnell.
Anais Terry, a senior Criminal Justice major has had the experience of O'Donnell's classes and believes his real world experience he brings to the classroom offer students exclusive learning exposure. "Professor O'Donnell makes it easy to absorb a lot of info, his style of teaching is unique, he uses many different methods of learning such a study guides, quizzes, chapter outlines, and presentations, he uses real world experience from being an officer and videos as demonstrations which makes his classes memorable and interesting." Said Terry. O'Donnell's teaching is not the only quality that draws students to his persona. O'Donnell's willingness and genuine heart keeps students coming back. "His friendly attitude and his willingness to help all his students learn to their highest ability the best way he can, is what makes O'Donnell stand out from all the rest." Stated Terry.
O'Donnell encourages hands on experience for students and insists of assisting students for anything they might be interested in. "Professor O'Donnell allowed me to accompany him when the Findlay Police Department was completing their annual in-service shooting qualifications, and was willing to answer and assist with any questions or recommendation letters that I had." Uhrmacher said. The best part of O'Donnell's job is is interaction with people. "Anything I can help my students with, I write a lot of letters." O'Donnell stated. University level teaching is not the only instruction O'Donnell is involved with. The busy police officer and professor also teaches the anti-drug DARE program for elementary, middle and high school aged kids. "The most important thing to me is helping the youth before they go down a path of destruction ."
While balancing a growing family, students and the people of Pittsburgh, it is no doubt that this man has the patience, compassion, fortitude and dedication to helping others.
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