The transition in presidential leadership occurred without fanfare, but Roseann Runte's first week on the job was anything but quiet.

On Monday, her first day as Old Dominion's seventh president, Runte met with two vice presidents, one dean, the Student Senate president, three members of the local media, and an untold number of students and parents.

Her day concluded with an evening reception at NATO headquarters.

The week's schedule also featured meetings with other university administrators and members of the media, as well as a Civic League dinner, which Runte is hosting at the president's house this evening.

In between all of these appointed rounds, Runte found time to talk with Charles Midkiff, president of the university Research Foundation board of trustees, and to meet with William Greer, president of Virginia Wesleyan College, and Kay Tucker Addis, vice president and editor of The Virginian-Pilot.

By the end of her first week Runte also had begun setting up the search committee for a new provost.

All in a week's work.

Runte, who was selected a year ago to succeed James V. Koch as president, noted that "everyone has been so helpful" since she arrived in town June 27. Between now and the start of the fall semester she will have met with many state legislators, written her first State of the University address, which she will deliver Aug. 23, and talked with many more faculty, administrators, staff and students.

"I will be working with different sectors of the campus community in the coming weeks to help make their dreams become a reality," she said.

Formerly the president of Victoria University, part of the University of Toronto system, Runte also was giving some thought this week as to how best arrange her office furniture to make the area a welcoming environment.

Don't look for any prized possessions or personal collections adorning her office on the second floor of Koch Hall, however. Runte's primary concern is that the president's office serve as a place where she can meet with members of the campus community, as well as visitors from outside the university.