Dr. Mabry Miller O’Donnell

A longtime Marietta College professor has received the highest award bestowed on alumni of her alma mater.

Mabry Miller O’Donnell is the recipient of Syephens College’s 2026 Alumni Achievement Award.

According to a release from the college in Columbia, Mo., the award recognizes individuals whose exceptional achievements in their profession or community have had a profound and lasting impact.

Over a distinguished 42-year career at Marietta College, O’Donnell shaped generations of students as a professor of communication, mentor and nationally recognized leader in her field, the release said. She served as director of the Fundamentals of Oral Communication Program and director of forensics, coaching students to record-setting success while fostering confidence, critical thinking, and excellence in communication, it said.

O’Donnell earned numerous national and institutional honors, including recognition as Outstanding Speech Instructor in the Nation, and held leadership roles within the National Communication Association.

Her dedication to teaching was matched by her ability to inspire, challenging students to exceed their own expectations and equipping them with skills that have shaped their personal and professional lives, the release said.

A trailblazer in higher education, O’Donnell advanced through the academic ranks at a time when women were underrepresented in the profession, paving the way for those who followed. In retirement, she continues to serve her community through volunteer leadership and philanthropic engagement, the release said.

O’Donnell’s career reflects the very best of a Stephens education–intellectual rigor, leadership and a lifelong commitment to making a meaningful impact, the release said.