Behind every successful university is a network of alumni volunteers. They counsel incoming students, host chapter events and lobby state legislators in order to help build support for their alma mater's initiatives. Old Dominion has a tradition of alumni support, but there is always a need for new volunteers to pitch in. "Never before has the need for alumni volunteers been so great or the response been so heartwarming as it has been of late," said Charlie Roddy, director of alumni relations. Among Old Dominion's many outstanding volunteers are the following who have distinguished themselves in recent years:

Jane Pearsall, a 1989 graduate with a bachelor's degree in secondary education and marketing, has been president of the Alumni Association's New York/New Jersey Pride (chapter) for two years. Sales and marketing director for the Best Western Woodward in New York's theater district, Pearsall has played a significant role in alumni gatherings in the New York area, home to some 200 Old Dominion graduates. Pearsall hosted a send-off party last August for newly admitted Old Dominion students, which incorporated a performance by the University Choir, which was in New York to perform at St. Patrick's Cathedral. She also organized a St. Patrick's Day event for a group of 20 alumni. "It was unique because we had the really new people and a few from 1989," she said. In addition, Pearsall helped organize a cruise on the Hudson River last summer with representatives from four other Virginia universities, which attracted more than 400 people.

Joe Badali, who received his bachelor's degree in elementary education in 1976 and his master's in education in 1980, has been particularly active in admissions outreach.

The principal at Salem Elementary School in Virginia Beach, Badali also has served as an Alumni Association representative at commencement. He recently completed his final year as vice president for university relations on the Alumni Association board and is now president-elect.

Along with other board members, Badali has attended training sessions on promoting the university among prospective students, and he often can be seen at the alumni table during events held in Webb Center.

Badali became involved in alumni activities after several years away from the university following his graduation. In the mid-'90s, he returned to the campus for a basketball game and was struck by the many changes that had occurred at his alma mater.

"Working in the field I'm in, I see all the time that people are proud of their universities," Badali said. "I thought, 'Maybe it's time I showed some school pride in my own alma mater.'"

Badali and his wife, Mary, who also received a master's degree from Old Dominion, live in Chesapeake.

Sandra Olanitori, who received her master's in community health in 1985, completed her second two-year term as president of the Black Alumni Council this May. A strong organization, it attracts up to 300 former students to its biennial reunions.

Under Olanitori's leadership, the council awarded more than a half-dozen scholarships to new students and took an active role in helping students already on campus. The council, which boasts more than 100 members, has provided study tips to students at exam time, and participated in admissions fairs and career-day events. BAC members also meet with prospective students to talk about Old Dominion.

"Somebody helped me and I had what I always called angels watching over me in my classes," Olanitori said. "Why can't I give back to help students or alumni along the way?"

Olanitori is director of the ventilator unit at Lake Taylor Hospital in Norfolk and lives in Chesapeake with her husband, Bola, who received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Old Dominion.

Ross Mugler, a 1984 graduate with a bachelor's degree in business administration, has been active with the Alumni Legislative Network since its inception in the mid-1980s.

The group lobbies the General Assembly on behalf of the university and its initiatives, including, most recently, the proposed computational sciences and engineering building. The network also contacted alumni statewide to encourage them to write or call their local legislators.

"Anybody who's ever said a word to a legislator has helped," said Mugler, who serves as commissioner of the revenue for the city of Hampton.

Mugler credits departing Old Dominion President James V. Koch for his acumen in dealing with legislators and bolstering the network's goals. "We had a president who understood communicating effectively with the legislature. He was really good at it and enjoyed it, too."

Mugler, a member of the Alumni Association board, is currently pursuing an M.P.A. degree at Old Dominion.