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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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