September 5, 2012

Dear Colleague:

This is a note of thanks to everyone who played a role in making the start of the 2012-13 academic year one of the smoothest ever at Old Dominion. By all accounts, it was a great success and I sincerely appreciate your efforts in welcoming our new and returning students to campus.

It may sound trite, but it does take a village. And once again, the Monarch "village" came together during our Week of Welcome to provide a terrific opening to the new school year. (WOW, indeed, as all those blue T-shirts proclaimed!) It truly took the participation of many of you to make this happen, and we all can take pride in what we accomplished. From my perspective, I couldn't be happier with the way our campus community pulled together.

Whether you volunteered at check-in, helped move students in to the residence halls, took part in REACH ODU on the first days of classes, or in the process of doing your job made it easier for students, parents or those who arranged the welcome back events, your role was a vital piece in the overall process.

In addition to all of the individuals from our Monarch "village" who deserve thanks for their volunteerism, I would like to commend the following offices that took the lead in organizing our Week of Welcome activities and performed the often-thankless job of handling logistics: Housing and Residence Life, Student Activities and Leadership, New Student Transition and Parent Programs, and Admissions.
In the end, of course, it's all about our students' success. You certainly helped them get off to a good start, and I trust that your actions throughout the remainder of the academic year will continue to support our overall mission here at the university.

Thank you again for this wonderful display of Monarch Pride!

Sincerely,

John R. Broderick
President