Chairmen Of The Boards
Alumni Lead Three Of ODU’s Top Boards

By Steve Daniel

Old Dominion alumni currently lead three of the university’s top boards, a rare occurrence and a fact that underscores both their volunteer commitment and their alma mater’s confidence in their leadership abilities. All are nonpaid positions.

ODU graduates from Hampton Roads now serve as rector of the Board of Visitors and as chairs of the Educational and Intercollegiate foundations. And, as recently as December, a fourth alum, Deborah Stearns ’80, chaired the Real Estate Foundation board. Stearns, who is president of the Virginia and Washington, D.C., branches of GVA Advantis, stepped down as chair after five years in that role.

Stearns, who said she thought it was time for new leadership, continues to serve on the board’s executive committee. Taking over as chair is Robert L. Dewey, a partner with the law firm Willcox & Savage. Established in 1995, the Real Estate Foundation is a private, nonprofit entity that helps the university with real estate acquisition and leasing. It took the lead in the development of the University Village.

“Old Dominion is grateful for the service and skills that our alumni share with their alma mater,” said acting President John R. Broderick. “From Ross Mugler, who leads the Board of Visitors, to Carlton Bennett and Louis Morris, who head up, respectively, our Intercollegiate and Educational foundation boards, we are blessed with alumni who care deeply about the university. We are also indebted to Deborah Stearns for her many years of service as chair of the Real Estate Foundation board.”

According to Alonzo Brandon ’85, vice president for development and alumni relations, “Years ago, a common question from alumni had to do with representation on ODU boards. Over time, the university has addressed this issue, and things have evolved to the current configuration. I see this as a good marriage between the university and its alumni, our primary constituent base.”

Many alumni have served as trustees of the Educational, Intercollegiate and Real Estate foundations over the years, which Broderick and Brandon believe is a vital component to the operation of the university and the advancement of its mission.

Broderick, who works closely with Mugler, added, “My association with Ross goes back to his days on the Alumni Association board. The one constant about Ross Mugler that I have observed over the years is his unwavering support of and commitment to Old Dominion University.”

Mugler, who worked full time while attending ODU, said he did not have an opportunity to take part in many extracurricular activities as a student, but has been proud to take an active role in the advancement of his alma mater as an alumnus. “The Alumni Association was a great opportunity for me to become fully engaged with Old Dominion, which is something I missed as a student,” he said.

Of his service on the Board of Visitors, he added, “The board has many challenges that must be met in the next year. The most significant responsibility of the Board of Visitors is to appoint a search committee and select a president to lead the university. In addition, we must develop and adopt a new five-year strategic plan that will provide a road map for the university through 2014. Lastly, the most immediate concern of the board is to maintain academic quality as we deal with significant state budget cuts while developing the budget for fiscal year 2010.

“I am proud to say that I am a part of a board that has been involved in the transformation of the ODU campus, including bringing football back, adding a record number of beds to the campus and providing enhanced amenities for our students. The university has made some great investments in bricks and mortar, and now it is time to focus on the academic success of our students and faculty to secure our reputation as the premier institution in southeastern Virginia.”

Mugler, who went through the ranks on the board, having served as a committee chair, secretary and vice rector, is only the sixth ODU graduate to lead the Board of Visitors.

Ross A. Mugler ’84, B.S., financial management (M.P.A. ’03) Rector, Board of Visitors (board member since 2002)
About the Board of Visitors: A 17-member board appointed by the governor, the Board of Visitors has the power to control and expend the funds of the university and any appropriation made to it, the power to make all rules and regulations concerning the university, and the power to appoint the president, who is the chief executive officer of the university. Board members are appointed for four-year renewable terms, and no member may serve for or during more than two successive terms. Three members may be non-residents of Virginia, and at least three members must be ODU alumni.
Occupation: Commissioner of the Revenue, city of Hampton
Resident of: Hampton
Other ODU service: Former Alumni Association board member
Examples of other community service: Current chair of capital campaign for expansion of the American Theatre

Louis G. Morris ’76, B.S., financial management, summa cum laude
Chair, Educational Foundation (board member since 2002)
About the Educational Foundation: The foundation was formed in 1955 to receive, administer and distribute funds and property to advance the educational activities and objectives of the university. It provides substantial support to academic programs through endowments and annual gifts. Support includes funding faculty chairs and professorships, scholarships, research and capital construction projects. In 2007, the foundation returned approximately $6 million to ODU’s educational programs.
Occupation: President and CEO, Old Point National Bank
Resident of: Hampton
ODU student activities: Four-time MVP tennis player, winner of Tom Scott Award as the top senior student-athlete and member of the ODU Hall of Fame
Examples of other community service: President of the board for the New Horizons Regional Education Centers Educational Foundation; treasurer of the board for the Hampton Educational Foundation

Carlton F. Bennett ’72, B.A., history
Chair, Intercollegiate Foundation (board member since 2000)
About the Intercollegiate Foundation: Formed in 1964, the foundation has a long history of support to the intercollegiate athletic programs. From basketball through wrestling, it provides supplemental funds to enhance ODU’s athletic programs. Support is provided through direct contributions and the sponsorship of many events throughout the year, all under the auspices of the Big Blue Club.
Occupation: Personal injury lawyer and traumatic brain injury lawyer, Bennett and Zydron, P.C.
Resident of: Virginia Beach
ODU student activities/awards: Member of Theta Chi fraternity, vice president of Interfraternity Council, Greek Man of the Year, 1972
Other ODU service: Co-adviser to Theta Chi fraternity chapter since 1980; IFC Alumnus of the Year, 2003-04, 2006-07, 2007-08; sponsor of Carlton Bennett Men’s Basketball Endowed Scholarship
Examples of other community service: Treasurer, North American Interfraternity Conference and board member, 1996-2002; president, the Foundation Chapter of Theta Chi fraternity and board member, 1994-98