Patrick O'Brien , BA / 66

Patrick O’Brien graduated from Carleton in 1966 with a BA in English and was awarded a diploma in public administration in 1990. His contributions to the Carleton community as a senior administrator, former varsity athlete, coach and alumni volunteer were significant.

O’Brien joined Carleton in 1973 as high school liaison officer in the admissions department. In 1979, he was appointed assistant director of admissions (student liaison). He went on to hold several senior administrative positions at the university, including director of public relations and information services and director of government and community liaison. O’Brien coordinated the university’s convocation ceremonies for many years and was project manager of Carleton’s University Day for high school students. In 1990, he was appointed university secretary and secretary of the Board of Governors.

A former Ravens basketball player and team captain, O’Brien was head coach of the men’s basketball team from 1976 to 1981, earning a 67 percent winning record, third highest of all Ravens basketball coaches. O’Brien was a founding member of the Carleton University Ravens Basketball Alumni Association and held several executive positions with this organization. For several years in the 1990s, he served on the university’s athletics board. He was inducted into the Carleton University Varsity Hall of Fame in 1997.

An annual charity golf tournament is held in his memory. The Pat O’Brien Golf Classic raises money for a Carleton scholarship.