Since making its debut in March, Monarchs Online, the ODU alumni online community, has received approximately 4,000 hits. Offering everything from a service whereby alumni can search for old friends to a real-time chat function where they can catch up on each other’s news since their good ol’ college days, Monarchs Online is quickly proving to be a valuable resource.

“I’m glad to see this launched,” said Valerie Blaes ’92. “I hope to see more ODU alumni join in on the fun. My husband and I – both ODU alumni (class of 1992) – live in Richmond. It’s nice to check in and chat with other ‘ODU-ees’ and to reunite with old friends.”

The online community also benefits recent alumni, according to Katherine van den Heuvel, who graduated in December. “I want to stay connected with the Old Dominion University community,” she said.

Alumni can now post job openings as well as search for employment opportunities and post resumes via Monarchs Online. Other services allow them to sign up for a lifetime forwarding e-mail address, post messages to discussion boards, post class news and photos, register for alumni events and submit classified advertisements, all free of charge.

“Now there is no excuse for not getting back in touch with your old friends,” said Claire Ackiss, director of alumni relations.

To access Monarchs Online, visit www.odualumni.org and click on Alumni Online Community. First-time users will be asked to enter their unique ID number, which is listed above the address on their Old Dominion University magazine mailing label.

Confidential information will not be viewable by anyone unless users want it to be, Ackiss said.

For more information about Monarchs Online, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 683-3097 (toll-free at 888-ODU-3435) or alumni@odualumni.org.