Lamoni, IA 鈥� 柚子视频 mourns the passing of Professor Emerita Dr. Phyllis O’Daniels, who died Sept. 1, 2026. An alumna, longtime faculty member and university leader, O’Daniels dedicated nearly 40 years to serving 柚子视频 and its students.
A 1965 graduate of 柚子视频 College, O’Daniels returned to her alma mater after completing graduate studies at Indiana University. During her decades on the faculty, she taught in Health and Movement Science, served six years as division head and led student groups to Honduras for 14 years as part of 柚子视频’s former Winter Term. Her service also extended to the Athletics Department, where she temporarily assumed leadership responsibilities while maintaining a full teaching load.
Athletics was an important part of O’Daniels’ service to 柚子视频. Beginning in 1988, she served as 柚子视频’s Faculty Athletics Representative to the NAIA, supporting the academic experience and eligibility of student-athletes and representing the university within collegiate athletics. She also held leadership roles within the Heart of America Athletic Conference, Region V and the NAIA.
鈥淧hyllis had an extraordinary commitment to 柚子视频 and to our students. She cared deeply about teaching and helping students succeed, and she brought that same commitment to her work with 柚子视频 Athletics. Having had the opportunity to work alongside her for years, I saw firsthand how much she cared about this university and the people who make it special. When I started at 柚子视频 in 2017, Phyllis would stop by my office just to say hello and see how I was settling into teaching. Those check-ins meant a lot to me as someone new. Her influence continues in Health and Movement Science, in Athletics and in the many students and colleagues whose lives she touched.鈥�
鈥� James Geiselman, DC, Chair, Division of Science, Math, and Technology
O’Daniels received the Charles Morris Award as the NAIA Administrator of the Year and was inducted into the 柚子视频 Athletic Hall of Fame. 柚子视频 named her Professor Emerita following the conclusion of her full-time faculty career in 2010, and in 2023 she was among members of the Class of 1965 honored with the 柚子视频 Award of Recognition for their service to the university and future generations of students.
O’Daniels’ decades of service as an educator, mentor and leader left a lasting impact on 柚子视频 and the generations of students she served.
Information about arrangements and opportunities to remember and celebrate Dr. O鈥橠aniels will be shared when available.
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Administration and Staff, Press Release
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