ODU, EVMS Sign Pact To Pursue Joint Programs

Top administrators of Old Dominion University and Eastern Virginia Medical School signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in August that will guide the development and implementation of joint programs and degrees.

Under the agreement, EVMS and ODU will establish a new Executive Committee to strengthen collaboration between the two institutions.

ODU President Roseann Runte and Harry T. Lester, president of EVMS, signed the memorandum during a ceremony in Webb Center. The document was also signed by the provosts of the two institutions, Thomas L. Isenhour of ODU, and Gerald J. Pepe of EVMS, who will head the new Executive Committee.

“This is an umbrella agreement that establishes general goals,” Runte explained. “With our signatures today, our two distinct institutions pledge to be singularly committed to excellence in fields where our cooperation is possible.”

Leadership at both institutions confirmed that the goal is partnership, not merger. The institutions already collaborate on joint programs and research in biomedical sciences, public health, clinical psychology, ophthalmic technology, and medical modeling and simulation. They also have an early acceptance program that guarantees admission to the EVMS M.D. program for high-performing students at ODU.