Broderick Named Acting President

John R. Broderick, vice president for institutional advancement and admissions and chief of staff, was appointed by the Board of Visitors in April to serve as acting president of Old Dominion University from July 1, when President Roseann Runte stepped down, until the arrival of a permanent successor.

Runte, Old Dominion’s seventh president, resigned to become president of Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario. The ODU Presidential Search Committee had not announced a successor by press time.

“Broderick has spent the past 15 years of his career encouraging people to appreciate–and make the most of–the region’s largest university. And he’s been good at it, which explains why ODU’s Board of Visitors has named him to fill the gap as interim president. It’s a smart choice.”

–The Daily Press

“With his significant institutional knowledge and considerable experience and abilities, Mr. Broderick will ensure that the leadership and momentum provided by President Runte continues,” said Rector Marc Jacobson.

Broderick joined ODU in 1993 as director of public information and has served as a vice president since 1996. His areas of responsibility include admissions, athletics, community relations, governmental relations, licensing, marketing, media relations, military affairs, photography, publications, special events, student financial aid and the campus Visitor Center.
In addition, he serves as executive editor of both the alumni magazine and Quest, the faculty research magazine. Broderick recently chaired the committee to select ODU’s provost, and he currently heads university-wide initiatives for branding, enrollment management and emergency communications.

Broderick was one of four finalists for the PR News’ 2006-07 Professional of the Year award for an academic institution.

In addition to his administrative duties, he annually teaches the School, Community Relations and Politics course to graduate students in the Darden College of Education and has written articles for the Chronicle of Higher Education, Hartford Courant, Baltimore Sun, Sporting News, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press.

Prior to coming to Old Dominion University, Broderick was a faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh and an administrator at St. Bonaventure University. He also served as the tourism director for The Island of Martha’s Vineyard and as a reporter for several newspapers in Massachusetts and Connecticut.