Ex-Sociology Teacher Dies; Champion of Minorities
A funeral service has been held for former Whittier College Prof. Robert O’Brien, 84, who was known for his efforts to increase minority student enrollment.
O’Brien, who served as a sociology professor for 22 years before retiring in 1975, died Oct. 17. “He pushed for diversity in hiring policies in the sociology department and in student recruitment,” said Leslie Howard, a sociology professor at Whittier.
While at Whittier College, O’Brien helped begin an overseas study program that allows Whittier students to study in Denmark for one year.
Before joining the college, O’Brien taught at several black institutions and published African-American literature. During World War II, he was director of the Student Relocation Project, which attempted to find college placement for young Japanese-American students who otherwise would have been placed in internment camps.
O’Brien is survived by his wife, Helen.
The family suggests that donations be made to American Friends Service Committee, Southwest Region, 980 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena 91103; or to the Whittier College Bonnie Bell Wardman Library, 7031 Founders Hill Road, Whittier 90608.
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