ominion Colleagues, a new program established this year to foster lasting partnerships between the university and companies in Hampton Roads, should prove beneficial to all concerned. For Old Dominion, it means additional financial support plus benefits for members of the campus community. And, for the partner companies, it promises increased exposure and services for the businesses and their employees.

In exchange for their support, corporate colleagues can gain enhanced access to students for internship and employment opportunities through the university's Career Management Center, for example. Further, they can take advantage of high-profile exposure via select naming opportunities or affiliation with athletic programs or individual colleges.

Several spaces are available for naming opportunities within two facilities currently under construction, the Ted Constant Convocation Center and the renovated Constant Hall.

Sponsorships also are available for a number of annual events, including the President's Lecture Series, Literary Festival, and the Film and Video Festival.

"We're creating opportunities to enhance relationships between Old Dominion and corporations," said Lisa Murray, director of corporate and foundation relations for the university development office.

"Our goal is to facilitate the exchange of information and services that will provide financial support for university programs, and we want to promote the value of the university to the business community. Collaboration through the Dominion Colleagues program results in benefits to both partners."

Faculty, staff and students also can benefit from certain Dominion Colleagues partnerships. Wachovia Bank, one of four charter members of the new program, offers its "Wachovia At Work" customers special savings on a variety of financial services, including checking, savings, investments, credit cards and loans. An additional benefit is the offer of a standard safety deposit box for one year, with no rental fee (subject to availability).

Other charter members of the new corporate colleagues program are Bank of America, Norfolk Southern and Coca-Cola.

"Through scholarship support, capital campaign commitments and other alliances, these companies are taking a leadership role with the program," Murray said.

To learn more about the Dominion Colleagues program, visit the Web site web.odu.edu/development and click on Corporate and Foundation Relations, or contact Murray at lmurray@odu.edu or 757-683-4471.