Our alumni and our association are a special delight for me. For more than 25 years, Old Dominion University has been an important part of my life. It sounds corny to say this in print for our more than 100,000 alumni to read, but I love the idea of Old Dominion University, and my job this year as Alumni Association president will be to share that love of alma mater with you.
If you were at ODU in the 1990s but have not been back since graduation, you will not recognize what has happened to your campus. The changes are even greater since 1980. For the long hairs of the ’70s, the transformation is shocking, and for those of you who were here before 1970, the changes are, quite literally, stunning. The university has metamorphosed from the tiniest sand particle fixed in our Hampton Roads oyster into a magnificent pearl.
Until June of next year, the end of my term as president, my goal will be to bring you back to campus so that this marvelous university can show itself off to you. You will be impressed.
ODU President Roseann Runte is a superb, indefatigable leader. Today’s faculty is more distinguished than ever. Our administrators, especially those planning the university’s future as it embarks on its next 75 years, are second to none. And the university continues to attract many of the best and brightest students, both locally and beyond.
I want you to make this promise to yourself: “I will visit the Old Dominion campus this year and see what Donna is talking about. I will travel to Hampton Boulevard to see my university… this dynamic gateway to a brighter future.”
Whether you reside in Lynchburg, Los Angeles or Lisbon, or just across the street in Larchmont, come see us. We look forward to helping you rediscover your alma mater. And, who knows, you may even find some new ways to connect with the university. Feel free to contact us at alumni@odu.edu to arrange a visit, or go to our Web site, www.odualumni.org, and look for my link.
–Donna Morris ’77
