By Lisa Murray

When Frank Batten announced his gift of $32 million last year to Old Dominion – the largest in university history – he had specific goals in mind: to increase the capacity of the university to attract and retain top researchers and faculty, and to support research endeavors. Further, he challenged other ODU friends and alumni to support these and other initiatives of the Campaign for Old Dominion University.

As the founder of Landmark Communications and the first rector of the university, Batten has formed a strong and lasting commitment to the university’s ideals of education. “Over the past 48 years, I have seen Old Dominion make great strides in student achievement, teaching excellence, research endeavors and state-of-the-art facilities. I hope this gift will enable Old Dominion to reach the forefront of academic and research eminence, particularly in the fields of science and technology,” he said.

Batten’s gift benefits all six of the university’s colleges, with special emphasis in engineering and sciences. A total of $23.5 million is allocated for professorships, with the Frank Batten College of Engineering and Technology receiving $13 million and the College of Sciences, $4.5 million. The colleges of Arts and Letters, Education, Business and Public Administration, and Health Sciences each receive $1.5 million. These funds are primarily intended to match other individual contributions.
For example, the Batten funds for the College of Business and Public Administration have matched the contribution of ODU alumnus Robert M. Stanton to establish the Stanton Chaired Professorship in Real Estate and Economic Development. Further contributions will bring the value of this particular endowment to $4.5 million, resulting in $180,000 in annual funds for faculty salary and program support.

A significant endowment has been established, in the amount of $8 million, to support faculty and graduate research grants. Old Dominion faculty are already engaged in innovative and cutting-edge research, and these funds will provide critically needed support for equipment and other expenses, enabling the university to achieve its goal of becoming one of the top 100 research universities in the nation.

Frank Batten envisioned a promising future for Hampton Roads when he developed his own business and he holds the same vision for the university’s role in the betterment of the region. His contribution will greatly enhance Old Dominion’s reputation and service.

“It is a magnificent donation,” said President Roseann Runte. “This will help the university realize its potential for the region. I want to thank the Battens for their leadership, generosity and belief in education as an engine to better our community.”