Rock Solid – Neil O’ Donnell Retires from Keyano

Growing up right by Lake Ontario fostered a love for rocks in Neil O’Donnell as a child.

“I was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. My parents had a house right on the eastern beach of Lake Ontario. The front of the house was on the boardwalk, then the beach, then the lake. I was always interested in beach sand, pebbles and boulders, wave erosion, and fishing,” he remembers.

That interest became a profession and made Keyano College his third career in 2000. After 22 years he retired this year in late June.

Neil completed his B.Sc. - General – geography and Russian from the University of Toronto in 1962 followed by another B.Sc., in Geological Engineering from Queen’s University in 1966 and M.Sc. - Science; Pleistocene (commonly called the Ice Age) and Economic Geology in 1973.

His 55-year career has seen him work in mining, exploration, and the oil sands. In fact, even in underground gold mining in Quebec. He joined Syncrude Canada’s Mine Technical department in 1977 and stayed there until 1996. At Keyano he taught Environmental (ENVT) Technology, Earth and Atmospheric Studies, and Engineering until retirement.

“Fate brought me to teaching. I always liked it. As a grad student, I assisted in labs during short courses internally in my career. I never have had formal education instruction. I have been very fortunate to have had much instruction and direction from supervisors, colleagues, and Keyano training and professional development opportunities to compensate,” Neil shares.

He was the Acting Chair for the Environmental Technology program and the Engineering Technology program. He also sat on Keyano’s Individual Rights Committee for several years as an advocate and adviser. And, helped organize the Kangaroo Mathematics competition for three years for students from local schools. Neil frequently attended the College’s sports events along with this wife, Cynthia – who also retired from Keyano last year after 27 years as a Business Instructor.

As for his best Keyano memory, he says there are “far too many to mention. Most valuable memory in terms of student learning were the four to five years of week-long fall semester field trips for students to Jasper, Banff, and Waterton parks. The trips were to allow the ENVT students to see, experience, and appreciate a relatively pristine natural environment.”

“The biggest change I’ve seen at the College has been the effect of Covid on classes - staff and students had to adapt on short notice to online teaching.”

“The ENVT lab – rocks, minerals, fossils,” he comments are his legacy at the College.

Jean-Pierre De Villiers, Chair, University Studies and Environmental Technology at the College comments, “Neil has been a significant contributor over his long years of service to both our Environmental Technology and Engineering programs.”

“As an instructor, program chair, and long-serving and high-ranking member of APEGA (Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta), he has always served with distinction and professionalism. Former students speak very highly of Neil, for the care he showed for their learning and well-being, for the patience he showed when they asked for help, and for his hands-on style. Neil hosted memorable field trips over the years, and alumni speak of these long rambles through the geology of Alberta with great fondness. The phrase I hear most often is ‘Neil’s rocks.’ Anyone who has been here for any length of time is likely to have taken in one of Neil’s many demonstrations and talks around his prized collection, acquired over years of exploration across the country. Although Neil may be leaving us, his extensive and weighty collection has pride of place in the ENVT lab and awaits discovery by the next generation of curious minds.”

Sandra Efu, Dean, School of University Studies, Career Programs & Academic Upgrading congratulated Neil on his retirement.

“We wish Neil well in his future endeavours. The Environmental Tech Department would not have been the same without him. His infectious enthusiasm for all things geology will always be remembered. We thank him for his service.”

His plans for retirement?

“I’m planning to remain in town. Always happy to consider some contract employment.”

“I will miss the daily interaction with both students and colleagues. Every day was different with new challenges. I am really sorry to leave Keyano. I had a wonderful third career here and am grateful to the College for the opportunity it afforded me at this stage in my professional career. But it’s time!”

Thank you for your time with us Neil. Congratulations on your retirement.

For more information about our programs, view our A-Z Programs page.