An Exciting Time! A message from the new president Dear Fellow Alumni, What an exciting time to be allowed the privilege of serving you as president of the Alumni Association! By way of introduction, I attended Old Dominion University on the G.I. Bill, graduating in 1976 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. I have been a member of the alumni board since 1998 and find myself continually fascinated and impressed with the remarkable accomplishments of our alumni and students, as well as the growth of our alma mater. One of my initiatives as president is to work with and for Old Dominion’s commuter students. As a former commuter, I am well aware of the unique situations and sense of isolation commuter students often face. Although some extracurricular activities were available, rarely did any campus organization reach out to the commuter student when I attended Old Dominion. While great changes have occurred since then, I feel that it is our responsibility as alumni to help make the college experience memorable for all students. In addition, I am looking forward to being a part of the many great things happening on the Old Dominion campus and within the alumni program. With the opening of the new Ted Constant Convocation Center, the launch of the maglev and the coming of the University Village, I can’t imagine a more exciting place to be than Old Dominion. The Alumni Association is planning many events to bring you back to campus to share in these changes. I invite each of you to join the Alumni Association in November at our tailgate parties prior to the opening Lady Monarch and Monarch basketball games at the Constant Center. I look forward to working for all Old Dominion alumni, both present and future, as president of the Alumni Association this year. I also am eager to meet many of our 84,600 fine alumni. If you have any questions or suggestions about how I can assist you or the students at Old Dominion, please let me know. Sincerely, Joe Badali ’76 jbadali3@home.com