On Campus
(above left) Dr. Harold Tanner leads a discussion with Mandarin students. (above right) James O’Donnell leads the St. Mark’s choir in a master class.
Willard E. Walker ’66 Visiting Scholar
Robert E. Dennard Visiting Scholar
Brought to campus by the Willard E. Walker, Jr. ’66
St. Mark’s continued to celebrate the installation of
Visiting Scholar Program, Dr. Harold Tanner,
its new organ with world-renowned organist and
China expert, history professor, world traveler, and
music director James O’Donnell, who currently
the first Visiting Scholar in the field of Chinese,
serves as the Organist and Master of the Choristers
shared his research with Middle and Upper School
for Westminster Abbey. In addition to his full
students in an easy and accessible way. He held six
schedule of daily choral services at Westminster
sessions with students of Chinese, Japanese, and
Abbey, Mr. O’Donnell’s responsibilities have
Foundations of World Societies, one discussion
recently included directing the music for a service
with the Chinese Club, and spoke at Middle School
in the presence of Pope Benedict XVI in 2010, the
assembly. Dr. Tanner broke down many of the
Wedding of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in
popular stereotypes surrounding Chinese culture
April 2011, and the recent service to mark the 60th
and government, and he shared some fascinating
anniversary of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth.
insights into the country’s rich history. Mr. O’Donnell spent three days on campus, teaching
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On Campus | THE PRIDE
A Fellow at the University of North Texas’ Military
master classes with the St. Mark’s choir, which is
History Center, Dr. Tanner collaborates with
rooted in a rich tradition of Anglican choral music.
educators all over the world, leading trips to China
Throughout his visit, Mr. O’Donnell also provided
for the Fulbright-Hays Program. An advocate
some stunning performances on the new Roosevelt
of undergraduate research, he spends his time
Family Pipe Organ, including a special evening
teaching, traveling, and writing numerous books
recital during which he demonstrated the full
and articles on Chinese military history.
breadth of the instrument.
St. Mark’s School of Texas