Many thanks! Especially to the 4,000-plus alumni who participated in our retreats, baseball outing, ballet event, men's and women's basketball receptions and the many other activities we sponsored over the last year. With your support, as well as that of the board of directors and its Executive Committee, plus the steadfast help from the alumni relations office, including Charlie, Claire and Christy, I was the fortunate captain of a ship that successfully sailed through last year's many activities. It was one of the most successful years Old Dominion alumni and the university have seen in a long time (see chart below.)

A special note of thanks goes out to past president Bob Hardison '67 for his contributions over the last three years. Without his super efforts, the year we just had as an alumni program would not have happened.

Also, on behalf of the Alumni Association, I extend a special thanks to Old Dominion President James V. Koch and John R. Broderick, acting vice president for institutional advancement. Their efforts in supporting the Alumni Association and allowing us to support the university have been remarkable in the last two years. And, finally, thanks to Charlie Roddy, assistant vice president for institutional advancement and director of alumni relations, who worked so hard to make the past year a big success for alumni programs.

To all alumni, as we pass through the summer of 1997, may your relationships with the university, with this community and your families be the best they've ever been. I hope you will be able to relax and enjoy the remainder of the summer, for as we move into the fall, we will again be calling on you to be that strong, supportive element your alma mater needs to help it be the best it can be.

As your outgoing president, I say farewell and bon voyage and to the incoming president of our Alumni Association, Steven Winter '80, I extend a hearty "welcome aboard."

- Frank D. Tehel '75
1996-97 Alumni Association President