October 7, 2025

Wheeling University Dedicates Father James A. O’Brien, S.J. Center for Service

WHEELING, W.Va., October 7 ­– Mentor, friend, teacher and servant leader are the words that best describe Father James A. O’Brien, S.J. On Sunday, his home for more than 50 years, Wheeling University, recognized his lifetime of service to the institution by naming its Center for Service in his honor.

On Sunday, October 5, University President, Dr. Dianna Vargo, members of the Board of Trustees and Father David Griffin, director of Campus Ministry, formally dedicated the new Center with Father O’Brien’s family, alumni and friends in attendance.

“His life reflects the University’s mission of educating men and women for life, leadership and service to others. In August, our 2025-2026 academic year began with faculty, staff and students performing service in honor of Father O’Brien. The shirts we wore listed his name … How appropriate,” Dr. Vargo said.

“Today, we continue to honor his legacy of service to Wheeling University and our community by naming our Center for Service the Father James A. O’Brien, S.J. Center for Service. The Center will be the hub for service activities performed by our faculty, staff and students today and for years to come,” she added.

David O’Brien, class of 1982 and Father’s nephew, extended his gratitude to the University “for honoring him in this fitting, fitting way. We as a family are very touched by this.”

According to David O’Brien, family remembers Father O’Brien as the most popular uncle – always surrounded at family gatherings by multiple generations of relatives “who adored him. He was eminently relatable and positive … He brought joy to everyone around him.”

David O’Brien admitted that he didn’t understand Father’s impact and what family meant to him, until he became a student at Wheeling. He saw first-hand how engaged his uncle was in the lifeblood of the campus. David O’Brien recalled Father’s days would start early, ending usually around 11 p.m. Each day was filled with interactions with students, faculty and staff, he recalled. “He took great, great joy in this place and this notion of family.”

“What is so appropriate here is recognizing Jim’s service. It was his everyday activity that was an example of service, it was an example of Christian living, of following in the example of Christ. It showed up in a gentle, gentle way … That gave him joy, that gave him life and it (service) was his life’s work,” David O’Brien added. 

Father Griffin, who will lead the Center for Service, said he never had the privilege of meeting Father O’Brien, but has heard how he touched the lives of multiple generations of Wheeling students and faculty. He offered a scripture passage that he believed were words that Father O’Brien.

“Faith without works is dead. This certainly means that true saving faith is not just intellectual belief, but is demonstrated through tangible actions of love, compassion and service to others, as good deeds are a natural outcome of a transformed heart. These words are not a means to earn salvation but are the evidence that one’s faith is alive and active showing a genuine transformative presence of God in their life. Father O’Brien is the epitome of this text. He is a model of faith, service and fidelity to the Gospel. It is most fitting and well deserved that Wheeling University honors his legacy,” Father Griffin explained.

Father O’Brien came to Wheeling in August 1962. Throughout his time at Wheeling University, he instilled in others what it meant to be a person for others, by organizing retreats and leading yearly service trips to Big Laurel Learning Center in Kermit, West Virginia, where students and alumni cut firewood to heat the Center. In addition to his faculty position in the Philosophy Department, Father O’Brien was the moderator of the Alumni Council, and he founded the student club, Justice and Peace in Our Time. 

Even after his retirement, Father O’Brien remained involved at Wheeling University until his death in December 2023 at the age of 96.