Old Dominion University has a rich tradition of changing lives by providing an excellent and affordable education. Nonetheless, the cost of obtaining that education is just out of reach for many students. Scholarships can make the difference.

Many ODU alumni themselves bene- fited from such support when they were students. They and other fellow alums are continuing to step up to the plate to help those who have come after them pursue their own educational dreams.

According to the latest available data (2001-02 academic year), 81 percent of ODU's full-time undergraduate students are eligible for financial support, but current resources are only meeting the needs of 25 percent of those eligible for aid. The average debt load of an ODU graduate is $16,500.

Attracting the best and brightest students to Old Dominion is an ongoing goal, and one that requires significant scholarship support.

“As a result of the increase in our academic standards, we have seen a greater number of high-ability students interested in attending Old Dominion. This has produced an increase in the level of competition for these awards,” said Karen Rostov Kendall ’89 (M.P.A. ’96), the university’s scholarship coordinator.

Alumni have created endowed scholarships as individuals, through their companies, through their alumni chapters and even as families whose members all went to Old Dominion. Alumni who establish an endowed scholarship create a named fund that will support students for years to come. With a minimum endowment gift of $25,000, scholarship funds of at least $1,000 will be available annually for a deserving student. A portion of the interest earned is paid back into the principal, enabling the value of the fund to continue to grow.

Based on the wishes of the donor, scholarships can include various eligibility criteria, including specific degree program, class year, a student’s geographic region and minimum grade point average.

“Currently, Old Dominion has an overall scholarship endowment of $17 million, but more is needed to help current and future students complete their education,” said Richard A. Massey, ODU’s foundations manager.

The reasons for establishing scholarships are as diverse as the students who receive them. The donors featured on these pages, a sampling of the many alumni who have established endowed scholarships through the years, explain why they chose to help students at their alma mater as their unique way of investing in the future.

Over the years, the Wildermann family has established a total of five scholarships at Old Dominion. The Fritz and Marcy Wildermann Scholarship and Aubrey and Lucille Machen Scholarship were both created as a tribute to the parents of Robert Wildermann ’64 and his wife, Nancy Machen Wildermann ’64 ( above right). After Robert died in July 2000, Nancy established the Robert and Nancy Wildermann Scholarship in his memory. One of their two sons, Carl, graduated from ODU in 1992 with a degree in engineering, and Robert’s father, the late Fritz Wildermann, taught physics at Old Dominion from 1961-66.

“We want people to have the opportunity for an education as both my parents did. An attribute I hope each recipient possesses is the willingness to help others achieve their educational goals – in other words, pass that gift of education on to someone else. Robert and I were successful in our careers because we had an education from a good school. We think others should be given the same opportunity. These scholarships will help others to achieve their dreams of education, and this will be a fitting memorial to these special people.”
– Nancy Machen Wildermann ’64
Hillsborough, N.C.

A member of the ODU Intercollegiate Foundation board of directors, Jeff Chernitzer has established an endowed scholarship to support the men’s basketball program.
“As a longtime supporter of ODU men’s basketball, I wanted to invest in the future success of the program. In starting the endowment now and completing it with a planned gift, I can enjoy the impact it makes on the players and coaches in the years to come.”
– Jeff Chernitzer ’79
Norfolk, Va.

The Nora Barnes Endowed Scholarship provides tuition funding for a student majoring in political science.
“When I was a student at Old Dominion, I saw firsthand the potential a university education offers an individual. I’ve been fortunate in my career to make the most of opportunities, so in a very real way it was ODU that changed my life. With this scholarship, I hope that a new generation of students will gain the same benefits from this wonderful university as I did.”
– Nora Barnes ’76
Norfolk, Va.

Neil Kelley and his wife created the D. Neil and Susan Kelley Endowed Scholarship, which benefits graduate students of oceanography.
As a student, Kelley majored in biology, all the while wishing ODU had an oceanography degree program, something that would happen after he graduated.

“It is important to leave something behind. It is an important way to share our values and to do something positive for the future.”
– Neil Kelley ’62
Pacific Palisades, Calif.

The Clark-Nexsen Dominion Scholarship was established by Ken Stepka ’74 (far right ) and these fellow alumni who work at the Norfolk-based architecture and engineering firm. Their contributions were backed by a generous donation from the company. Income from the endowment goes to an entering freshman who is a Virginia resident and plans to major in engineering.

“ODU is now competing for the brightest students who may have also been accepted at ‘flagship’ universities such as UVa, William and Mary and Virginia Tech. One of the ways that we can level the playing field is to offer sizable scholarships to these students. We, as ODU alumni, will certainly see the perceived value of our diplomas increase along with the elevation of the university’s image. As employers of Old Dominion graduates, we will certainly benefit from the enhanced pool of possible future employees, because many of the graduates will choose to remain in the Hampton Roads area.”
– Ken Stepka ’74
CEO and Vice President
Clark-Nexsen