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Donor Spotlight and News

You, Old Dominion University donors, create the most important opportunities for the Monarch Community-propelling students to reach their goals and attracting the most extraordinary faculty members. We enjoy sharing the inspiring stories about what motivates donors to give so generously. Learn more about ODU's donors by reading our stories below.

2022 capital campaign

ODU Launches Capital Campaign

Old Dominion University has launched “Forward-Focused: For Dreams and Beyond,” a $500 million capital campaign to fund scholarships and research opportunities for students, attract top faculty, invest in health sciences, deliver new athletic scholarships and ensure the campus continues to offer top-caliber, modern facilities for living and learning. With the support of generous donors, the five-year campaign has already raised $275 million. Read More
ellmer baseball gift story

Dennis and Jan Ellmer Donate $2.5 Million to Renovate ODU’s Baseball Stadium

One of the region's most generous philanthropic families has donated $2.5 million toward a planned $20 million renovation of Old Dominion University's antiquated baseball stadium. Read More
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Thurmond School Puts ODU at the Forefront of Sales and Negotiation Education

Many years ago, Dick Thurmond saw two salesmen at a local car dealership taking advantage of a young woman's lack of negotiating skills. Read More
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ODU Launches Virginia’s First Four-Year Major in Manufacturing Engineering Technology

Old Dominion University (ODU) will launch Virginia's first four-year major in manufacturing engineering technology (MfgET) at its Norfolk campus and at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), in Danville. Read More
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Jena Virga Named Executive Director of the Old Dominion Athletic Foundation

Old Dominion University President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D., and Director of Athletics Wood Selig named Jena Virga executive director of the Old Dominion Athletic Foundation (ODAF). Read More
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ODU, EVMS and Sentara Sign Agreement to Explore Closer Collaboration

Leaders from Old Dominion University (ODU), Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) and Sentara Healthcare met Friday to commit in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore ways closer alignment or affiliation could enhance their collaborative efforts to strengthen educational research and health-care outcomes in Hampton Roads. Read More
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ODU, HRMC Announce Maritime Innovation Initiatives

The Hampton Roads Maritime Collaborative for Growth & Innovation (HRMC) and Old Dominion University (ODU) unveiled two major maritime initiatives to advance the region's economic development during a Nov. 4 event: Read More
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ODU, NSU, EVMS Sign Memorandum of Understanding for Regional School of Public Health

The presidents of Old Dominion University, Norfolk State University and Eastern Virginia Medical School signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish the commonwealth's first School of Public Health during a joint meeting Thursday on the campus of ODU. Read More
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ODU Leads in Climate Research

ODU Highlights Climate Resilience Leadership During Legislators’ Visit to Campus. Read More
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President Hemphill Outlines Guiding Principles for ODU During Monarch Nation Tour

President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D., and First Lady Marisela Rosas Hemphill, Ph.D., started a weeklong Monarch Nation Tour on Aug. 9 at the Penthouse at Center in the Square in the heart of Roanoke. Read More
pt andy wallach story and gift

Monarch Physical Therapy Helped ODU Alums after Devastating Crash

Monarch Physical Therapy Helped ODU Alums after Devastating Crash. In Gratitude, They Will Donate $2 Million to the Facility. Read More
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Greetings, Monarch Nation!

A message from the Office of the President Read More
Gary Gilmore

New Educational Foundation Board Chair

The ODU Educational Foundation welcomes our new board char, Gary A. Gilmore '76. Gary is the retired president of PAPCO, a world fuel services company. An active member of the Educational Foundation board since 2015, he has served on the Development and Finance & Audit committees and most recently served as Treasurer of the Foundation. Read More
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President John R. Broderick and First Lady Kate Broderick Scholarship Programs

Old Dominion University has raised almost $2.5 million for scholarship programs in honor of President John R. Broderick and First Lady Kate Broderick, Kay A. Kemper, rector of the Board of Visitors, announced on April 22. Read More
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Radford President Brian Hemphill Named Old Dominion University’s Ninth President

Old Dominion University’s Board of Visitors announced Friday that it selected, by unanimous vote, Dr. Brian O. Hemphill, the president of Radford University, to become the ninth president of Old Dominion this summer. Dr. Hemphill will be Old Dominion's first African American president. Read More
ODU's Day of Giving

Record Number of Donors Contribute to ODU’s Day of Giving

More than $108,000 was raised due to the generosity of 1,078 donors. Read More
beazley foundation

Beazley Foundation Commits 500K to ODU College of Health Sciences

The Beazley Foundation has donated millions of dollars to organizations such as hospitals, schools, senior centers and food banks Read More
george maihafer

George Maihafer Gives Back

George Maihafer was hired as an assistant professor more than thirty years ago and started two scholarships at ODU for thephysical therapy program overfifteen years ago when he was the program's chairman. Read More
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Executive Director Named for ODU Institute for Coastal Adaptation and Resilience (ICAR)

Old Dominion University announced that Jessica Whitehead has been named the founding executive director of the Institute for Coastal Adaptation and Resilience (ICAR). Whitehead joins ODU from the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR), where she served as its first chief resilience officer. Her new appointment marks a another chapter in ODU’s decade-long leadership in coastal resilience research, education and outreach. Read More
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Letter from President Broderick on Sentara's $2M Grant to ODU

I’m happy to inform you of a multi-million-dollar grant announced today by Sentara Healthcare that will benefit Old Dominion University as well as Hampton Roads by improving health care and reducing inequities. Read More
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Letter from President Broderick on State Funding

As you may recall, Old Dominion University left the 2020 General Assembly session with a total of $22 million in new funds for the biennium. Read More
konikoff donation story

Konikoffs’ Commitment to ODU’s Dental Hygiene Program Extends to Planned New Health Sciences Building

David and Sofia Konikoff's support for Old Dominion University's College of Health Sciences dental hygiene clinic spans more than a decade. Their ties to ODU run deep. Read More
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Toggling from Teaching to the Front Line

Every semester, faculty at Old Dominion University's College of Health Sciences pour their hearts into preparing the next health-care providers. Many are young, innocent souls who still have so much to learn about selflessly dedicating their lives to save others and inevitably will devote themselves "to the welfare of those committed to their care," in the words of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. Read More
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Aramark Providing Meals for More Than 600 of its Employees

When the majority of Old Dominion University's campus dining halls and restaurants closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, Aramark at ODU ensured its 620 employees were taken care of in a familiar way. Read More
joan brock and odu president john r broderick gift

Donor Spotlight: ODU Receives $3 Million for Resilience from Philanthropist Joan Brock

Joan Brock, wife of the late Macon Brock, donated $3 million to Old Dominion University's Institute for Coastal Adaptation and Resilience. The donation will allow the University to hire an international thought leader as the institute's executive director. Read More
harvey lindsay story

Donor Spotlight: ODU Expands Real Estate Education

"Harvey Lindsay has been a significant force for good both in local real estate and the civic life of Hampton Roads," Old Dominion President John R. Broderick said. "This most recent contribution from Harvey and his family will benefit not just our students but also the industry he has conscientiously served for decades." Read More
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Donor Spotlight: Former Professor Endows $1.7 million Scholarship in Physical Therapy

It's safe to say that hang gliding landed George Maihafer at Old Dominion 35 years ago. But it was the personal and professional growth he experienced on campus that kept him at the University until his retirement last year. In 2005, Maihafer set up the University's first physical therapy scholarship. He is building on that in his estate planning with a new endowment - the George Maihafer Scholarship in Physical Therapy - that will be valued at about $1.7 million. Read More
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Donor Spotlight: Harry B. Adreon Continues His Wife's Legacy Through a Scholarship

Harry Adreon grew up at the corner of Gates and Colley avenues in Norfolk. With his father working at H.B. Gilpin Company, a wholesale pharmaceutical company, it wasn't surprising that, as a student at Maury High School, Harry was attracted to young Beatrice "Bea" Rice, who planned to become a pharmacist. Read More
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Donor Spotlight: Jeff Tanner, Dean Strome College of Business

“Strome College of Business engages participants in scholarly exploration and active learning, solving business and community challenges in a global arena to accelerate success." -Jeff Tanner, Dean Strome College of Business Read More
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Donor Spotlight: ODU Grads Make A Gift To Help Future Education Students

A native of Norfolk, Jay Kossman graduated from Maury High School and headed to Old Dominion to study political science. About the same time, Jay's future wife, Joyce, graduated from Granby High and was drawn to Old Dominion due to its proximity to home, the cost and her desire to teach. Read More

When I see graduates from our program come up to me and pat me on the back - maybe a grocery store or at a meeting - and tell me how wonderful their life is going and tell me how much they appreciate their education at Old Dominion University - that's gold.

Dr. Geroge C. Maihafer
George Maihafer Scholarship in Physical Therapy