ARHU’s Julie O’Donnell Wright Honored With President’s Distinguished Service Award

Wright is the “go-to person on virtually every question of finance and administration.”

By Sala Levin ’10

Julie O’Donnell Wright has been an essential contributor to the university’s operations for nearly 40 years, developing and implementing new financial systems, refining procurement processes, training staff in new administrative software and more.

Wright, now the assistant dean for finance and administration in the College of Arts and Humanities (ARHU), is “indispensable to the operations of the college,” says Dean Stephanie Shonekan. “She is literally the go-to person on virtually every question of finance and administration. Across all of the college’s operations, Julie offers cogent advice and consistent wisdom to every query she faces.”

Wright graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Boston College and earned an MBA from the George Washington University. She came to UMD in 1987, working first in the comptroller’s office under the vice president for administration before joining ARHU in 2007.

One of Wright’s key successes has been in designing and enacting improved budgeting systems. She was a critical part of teams that developed innovative online transaction and reporting processes that streamlined complicated departmental finances. As a college business officer, she also serves on committees that address human resource issues, administrative process improvements and research regulations.

Wright is also a charter member of the College Budget Officer Advising Committee,where she advises senior leadership across the university on new policies and procedures that impact faculty affairs. She’s developed and conducted many training workshops and financial presentations, and since 2021 she’s served as a lecturer for UNIV362, a course that helps students plan their transition out of college. She also represents UMD in the Big Ten Academic Alliance.

“Julie Wright was and is a pivotal contributor to college administration and planning,” says Bonnie Thornton Dill, former ARHU dean. “She is a significant positive force for progress and development in administration and finance on campus.”

Wright will be honored in absentia at Faculty & Staff Convocation on September 18, 2024, in the Memorial Chapel.

Headshot by Taneen Momeni.