In the early 1990s, O'Donnell[15] was also an associate professor of family studies and the founding executive director of the Southwest Center for Fathering on the campus of Abilene Christian University. The Center was the first university-based center for fathering in the United States. O'Donnell was interviewed for his work in the area of fathering in The Chronicle of Higher Education.[16][17] O'Donnell trained over 400 certified fathering small group leaders in the U.S. and overseas.[18][19][20][21][22] Also, the Center for Fathers and Families in Sacramento, Calif., was formed after attendees returned from a seminar held by O'Donnell at Abilene Christian University.[23][24]
Heart of the Warrior: A Battle Plan for Christian Men, College Press Publishers, Joplin, Mo., 1996.
O’Donnell M.A., et al. Initiatives for Families: Research, Policy, Practice, and Education. Minneapolis, MN: National Council on Family Relations, 1995.
Home From Oz: Finding Contentment In Your Family, Thomas Nelson/Word, Dallas, Texas, 1994; Novo Ink, E-Book, 2011.
Parenting and Family Skills: Instructor's Manual, Spring Arbor University, Spring Arbor, MI, 1989.
Family Theory: Instructor's Manual, Editor, Spring Arbor University, Spring Arbor, MI, 1989.
Awards and honors
Some honors and awards include: In 1992, then-Governor President Bill Clinton appointed Dr. Michael O'Donnell as an "Arkansas Traveler";[36] he also has had induction into Kappa Omicron Nu Family and Consumer Sciences Honor Society (1991); inducted into Psi Chi Psychology Honor Society (1997); selected as the Coons-Farrar Lecturer for Harding University (1992); selected as the President B. Garrison Lecturer for Henderson State University (1993); a Fine Arts Lecturer on Fathering and the Media for Lander University (1994); selected as the Dr. Bruce Everist Endowed Lecturer for Louisiana Tech University. He was invited in 2002 by then-Prime MinisterGoh Chok Tong to be the keynote speaker of Singapore’s National Week of the Family.
In 2012, he was selected as a Catholic Press Association Award-Winner for his monthly column, Family Matters in The Colorado Catholic Herald.[37]
References
^New Man magazine, "Successful Kids Believe," November/December 1997.
^Stinnett, Nick, & John DeFrain. 1985. Secrets of Strong families. Boston: Little, Brown & Co.
^Abilene Reporter News, "Survey Says Normal, Happy Teens Do Exist," Jerry Daniel Reed, July 11, 1994.
^Cited in DeFrain, John and Sylvia M. Asay. “Strong Families Around the World: An Introduction to the Family Strengths Perspective.” Co-published simultaneously in Marriage & Family ReviewHaworth Press Vol. 41, No. 1/2, 2007, pp. 1-10; and: Strong Families Around the World: Strengths-Based Research and Perspectives (ed: John DeFrain, and Sylvia M. Asay) The Haworth Press, Inc., 2007, pp. 1-10.
^Cited in DeFrain, John ; Asay, Sylvia M., "Family Strengths and Challenges in the USA", Marriage & Family Review: Vol. 41, Issue 3 & 4, 2007.
^USA Today, "One Last Trip Before Kids Fly the Coop," Linda Temple, September 4, 1997.
^Delaware County Sunday Times, "O'Donnell Will Address United Nations," June 18, 1995.
^Optimist, "Family Matters: Professor to Present Research to United Nations Committee," Erin House, June 1995.
^Raising Teens (published by Better Homes and Gardens), "Seven Secrets to Raising Great Kids," December 1999.
^The International Family Life Institute, Inc. was responsible for funding the Center for Fathering for $10,000 on the campus of Abilene Christian University and funding the National Adolescent Wellness Research project with the University of Alabama for an additional $15,000.
^Troy Eccentric[1], "Good Examples! Hills Author Basks In National Spotlight," Jay M. Grossman, October 24, 1996.
^Chronicle of Higher Education, "Reforming Phantom Fathers," Katherine S. Mangan, June 1996; The Ruston Daily Leader, "Lecture Series to Feature O'Donnell," October 31, 1997.
^Jet (now Ebony magazine) "Experts Tell How to Set Age-Appropriate Limits for Teens", May 2008.
^PBS Radio, To The Best of Our Knowledge, June 1996.
^"Daddies Should Develop Relationships with Children," Associated Press, June 20, 1993.
^"Promises to Keep: Daily Devotions for Men of Integrity," Nick Harrison, HarperCollins Publishers, May 28, 1996. Cites Dr. O'Donnell's professorship with Abilene Christian University and work as director with the Southwest Center for Fathering in its biographical appendix.
^"Dads: Fathering Walks A Political Minefield These Days," Staff, June 18, 1995, Houston Chronicle, Outlook section, Page 2, 2 Star Edition.
^Cited in Parenting 911: How to Safeguard and Rescue Your 10 to 15 Year-Old from Substance Abuse, Sexual Encounters and Other Risky Situations, Giannetti, Charlene and Sagarese, Margaret, Random House, 2004.
^Cited in Fechner, Kellie M (2006) "Resilience: A Case Study of the Personal Characteristics, Skills and Coping Strategies of Educationally Successful Adolescents", Woodcrest State College.
^Cited in "Family Therapy Review: Preparing for Comprehensive and Licensing Examinations", Lawrence Erlbaum Assoc Inc. (publishers), 2011, Robert H. Coombs, editor.
^O'Donnell's book, Heart of the Warrior, is cited in The Men's Bibliography: A Comprehensive Bibliography of Writing on Men, Masculinities, Gender and Sexualities, compiled by Michael Flood, 19th edition, 2008, [2].