oʊnˈiːl, nˈɪkneɪmd "ðə dˈiːn ʌv lˈʌv", wʌz nˈoʊn fɔːɹ hɪz hjˈuːmɚɹəs ˈænjuːəl wˈɛlkʌm ɐdɹˈɛsᵻz, ɛksˈɛntɹɪk ˌæplɪkˈeɪʃən ˈɛseɪ kwˈɛstʃənz, ænd dʒˈɛnɚɹəl dʒˌiːnɪˈælᵻɾi; æz sˈʌtʃ, hiː sˈɜːvz ʌnəfˈɪʃəli ɪnðə ɹˈoʊl ʌv "kˈæmpəs lˈɛdʒənd".
O'Neill, nicknamed "the Dean of Love", was known for his humorous annual welcome addresses, eccentric application essay questions, and general geniality; as such, he serves unofficially in the role of "campus legend".