newsandnotes
Frank Batten makes $32 million gift to university BY JENNIFER MULLEN Frank Batten, founder of Landmark Communications and an Old Dominion University supporter for nearly five decades, has given $32 million to the university, President Roseann Runte announced March 11. It is the largest gift in university history and one of the largest gifts ever to a Virginia public college or university. “As the first rector of the Board of Visitors, I developed a strong commitment to Old Dominion University,” Batten noted. “Over the past 48 years, I have seen Old Dominion make great strides in student achievement, teaching excellence, research endeavors and state-of-the-art facilities. I hope this gift will enable Old Dominion to reach the forefront of academic and research eminence, particularly in the fields of science and technology.” According to Runte, the gift will benefit all six of the university’s academic colleges, with a particular emphasis on engineering and science. Seventy-five percent of the gift will be used to establish endowed faculty chairs and the remaining 25 percent will go to endowing research within the institution. “I want to thank Frank and Jane Batten for their leadership, generosity and belief in education as an engine to better the region,” Runte said. “This gift enables the university to carry forth its strategic plan and will help it achieve its goal of being in the top 100 universities in the nation. Frank is truly a rare and treasured friend of humanity.” The $32 million gift comes before the formal launch of a $100 million capital campaign for Old Dominion University. Prior to Batten’s gift, a $10 million anonymous donation during the previous capital campaign stood as the largest in university history. “We are extremely encouraged and energized by this gift,” Runte added. “I feel confident that we will arrive at our goal with support from our alumni and the community.” Batten’s long relationship with Old Dominion began in 1955 when he served as a member of the Advisory Board to the Norfolk Division of the College of William and Mary. Over the next few years, as the Norfolk Division campaigned to become an independent college, Batten served as a tireless advocate and promoter of the school. In 1962, he became the first rector of the Board of Visitors of the newly independent Old Dominion College. In June 1972, the university’s Batten Arts and Letters Building was dedicated in his honor. Batten’s son, Frank Jr., now serves as rector. Batten’s financial support to Old Dominion has earned him the distinction as the university’s most significant and enduring contributor. His influence has extended beyond the generosity of his immediate family, including his wife, Jane, and three children. In 1995, Old Dominion initiated the Batten Award to recognize and encourage others who, like the Batten family, have demonstrated outstanding charitable support to the university and whose philanthropic leadership encourages others to support the university. After receiving a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and an M.B.A. from Harvard University, Batten began his professional career in the 1950s when he went to work for his uncle’s two local newspapers, The Virginian-Pilot and the Ledger-Dispatch. Later he acquired a controlling interest in the newspapers. He built them into Landmark Communications Inc., a Norfolk-based, privately held media company with national and international interests in newspapers, broadcasting, cable programming and electronic publishing. In 1998, Batten passed control of Landmark to his son and currently serves as chairman of the board’s Executive Committee. Back to top New dean of business appointed Nancy A. Bagranoff, professor of accountancy at Miami University of Ohio, has been named dean of the College of Business and Public Administration at Old Dominion University, Provost Thomas Isenhour announced Feb. 13. Her appointment is effective July 1. “We’re very excited to have Dr. Bagranoff joining Old Dominion. She has vision, energy and experience,” said Isenhour. “We know she is going to be a very fine leader for the College of Business and Public Administration.” “Dr. Bagranoff is a leader who has worked and studied in a number of universities, giving her a nice breadth of experience,” said President Roseann Runte. “It is a great pleasure to welcome her to Old Dominion.” Bagranoff joined Miami University as an associate professor of accountancy in 1998 and also served as director of the master of accountancy program from 1999 to 2002. She has served as chair of the Department of Accountancy Assessment and Curriculum Committee, and as a member of the R.T. Farmer School of Business Technology Committee, M.B.A. Development Committee and Miami University Graduate Student Council Committee, among others. With more than 20 years of academic experience, Bagranoff has also taught at American University, where she served as chair of the Department of Accounting, and George Mason, George Washington and Virginia Commonwealth universities. Her teaching has been recognized with the Outstanding Educator Award from the American University Cap and Gown Honor Society; an American University Award for Outstanding Teaching, and a Kogod College of Business Administration Award for Outstanding Teaching. Bagranoff received a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Ohio State University, a master’s in accounting from Syracuse University and a doctorate in accounting and information systems from George Washington University. She has published numerous journal articles and is the co-author of eight accounting books. Additionally, she is the associate editor of the Journal of Information Systems and has served on the editorial board of the Journal of Accounting Education. Currently, Bagranoff serves as vice president and president-elect of the American Accounting Association Information Systems section and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Institute of Internal Auditors, Institute of Management Accountants and Information Systems Audit and Control Association. She has served as chair of the Ernst and Young/American Accounting Association Technology Committee, coordinator of the 2001 and 2002 AIS Teaching Symposium and member of the D.C. Institute of Internal Auditors Board of Governors. She is the co-founder of the Washington Accounting Research Society at George Washington University. Bagranoff will succeed Bruce Rubin, who has served as interim dean of the business college since July 2000. Back to top Lecture Series speakers to cover variety of topics in coming weeks BY JENNIFER MULLEN Talks by a well-known Civil War historian, the science adviser for the hit TV show “The X-Files” and a high-profile human-rights activist will round out the spring edition of the 2002-03 President’s Lecture Series. All of the lectures will begin at 8 p.m. in the Mills Godwin Jr. Life Sciences Building auditorium. They are free and open to the public. James M. McPherson, Distinguished Presidential Lecturer in History, will give a talk titled “When Will This Cruel War Be Over: The Problem of Peace in the Midst of War” Thursday, March 20. President of the American Historical Association, McPherson has taught since 1962 at Princeton University, where he holds the chair of George Henry Davis ’86 Professor of American History. He is the author of more than a dozen books on the Civil War era and editor of another dozen books in various fields of U.S. History. His 1989 book, “Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era,” won the Pulitzer Prize in history. His most recent book is “Crossroads of Freedom: Antietam” (2002). Anne Simon, Distinguished Presidential Lecturer in Science, will give a talk titled “The Real Science Behind ‘The X-Files’” Thursday, March 27. As the science adviser for the hit television series, she viewed her consulting work with the program as a service to science in dispelling stereotypes about scientists. In her new book, “The Real Science Behind the X-Files: Microbes, Meteorites and Mutants,” she examines many issues that are blended in “The X-Files” stories – topics such as cloning, aging, genetic engineering and life on other planets. Also an eminent plant virologist, Simon is editor of the international journal Virology. Kerry Kennedy Cuomo will deliver the final talk in the spring edition of the lecture series, “Speak Truth to Power,” on Thursday, April 3. Cuomo started her work in the field of human rights in 1981, investigating abuses by U.S. Immigration officials against refugees from El Salvador. She established the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights in 1988 and has worked on diverse issues such as child labor, disappearances, indigenous land rights, ethnic violence, the environment and women’s rights. She is the author of “Speak Truth to Power: Human Rights Defenders Who Are Changing Our World,” which features interviews with many well-known human rights activists, including Marian Wright Edelman, the Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu and Elie Wiesel. For more information about the lecture series call 683-3114. Back to top
A 1983 graduate, Black has held several managerial positions at Teleflex during his 18-year tenure. Prior to being elected to the board and becoming president, he led the automotive and industrial groups to greater sales and profits and integrated several acquisitions in North America and Europe. Teleflex is a diversified industrial company with annual revenues of approximately $2 billion that employs more than 17,000 people. The company designs, manufactures and distributes quality-engineered products and services for the aerospace, medical, automotive, marine and industrial markets worldwide. Back to top Disney World exec coming for Womengineers Day The third annual Womengineers Day, an initiative aimed at the education, recruitment and retention of female students from elementary school through college, will be held Saturday, April 5 Sponsored by the College of Engineering and Technology, Womengineers Day is designed for students, professional engineers and teachers of future engineers. Rachel Hutter, director of attractions engineering services and quality assurance at Walt Disney World Co., will be the keynote speaker. Womengineers Day is free and open to the public, but registration is requested. For more information or to register visit the Web site www.odu.edu/engr/womengineers. Back to top
Co-sponsored by the College of Business and Public Administration, the luncheon will begin at noon at the Sheraton Waterside Hotel in Norfolk. The cost is $30 for nonmembers. Due to limited space, reservations are required two days prior to the event. Sperling served in the Clinton administration as the president’s national economic adviser and director of the National Economic Council. Known as the “MVP” of the economic team, he played a key role in such initiatives as the 1993 Deficit Reduction Act, the expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit and the technology literacy initiative. Together with U.S. trade representative Charlene Barshefsky, he successfully concluded the historic China-World Trade Organization agreement in Beijing. Sperling is a contributing writer and consultant for the NBC television drama “The West Wing.” For reservations call 683-4058. Back to top John Tabb Memorial Golf Tournament is March 24 Entries are now being accepted for the first John R. Tabb Memorial Golf Tournament, scheduled for Monday, March 24, at Sleepy Hole Golf Course in Suffolk. Proceeds will go to the John R. Tabb Endowment Fund of the Educational Foundation, which has been established to offer financial aid each year to an ODU student in international economics. Tabb, the university’s first business dean and a longtime faculty member, died Aug. 29, 2002. The cost is $65 per player or $250 per foursome. It includes golf, cart, range balls, a box lunch from Zero’s Subs and dinner from Tabb’s at Riverview. Check-in is at 9:30 a.m., followed by a shotgun start at 11. To register contact Jo Tabb Hayden at 423-5723 or jotabbhayden@cox.net. Back to top
The conference is one of the biggest events sponsored by ODU’s Humanities Institute. Faculty and graduate students from colleges and universities across Virginia and the Northeastern United States will present papers and organize sessions on various issues related to the theme. Amy Kaplan, president of the American Studies Association and author of “The Social Construction of American Realism” and “The Anarchy of Empire in the Making of U.S. Culture,” will deliver the keynote address, titled “Homeland Insecurities: Reflections on Language and Space,” at 8 p.m. Friday, April 11, in room 102 of the Mills Godwin Jr. Life Sciences Building. Artist Boris Zakic, a professor from Kentucky’s Georgetown College, will deliver a second keynote and slide show, titled “On Translation,” at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 12, in room 136 of the Diehn Fine and Performing Arts Center. The presentations are free and open to the public. More information is available by calling 683-3719 or from the conference Web site, www.odu.edu/al/hum/vhc03.html. Back to top
For more information call 683-3773. Back to top Field hockey team boasts 12 Academic All-Americans Twelve members of the ODU field hockey squad were named Academic All-Americans by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association. Janelle Engle (Mt. Joy, Pa.), Lynn Farquhar (Alexandria), Marybeth Freeman (Holland, Pa.), Cora Gerardi (Frederica, Del.), Mary Cate Gordon (Oreland, Pa.), Tara Herrmann (Perkasie, Pa.), Melissa Leonetti (Erdenheim, Pa.), Angie Loy (Loysville, Pa.), Becky Loy (Loysville, Pa.), Jenna McLane (Stowe, Vt.), Katie Moyer (Virginia Beach) and Tina Walker (Suffolk) were all named to the squad for their contributions on the field while maintaining a minimum 3.3 cumulative GPA. This is the largest group in ODU history to be named Academic All-Americans. Freeman is the university’s first four-time honoree. Back to top Monarchs visit the Tides April 1 at Harbor Park Coach Tony Guzzo’s Monarch baseball team will take on the Norfolk Tides Tuesday, April 1, in the Metrocall Scholarship Classic. Game time is 7:15 p.m. at Harbor Park. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students and children. Proceeds from the exhibition will support the baseball scholarship fund. For more information call 683-5484. Back to top MSA honors Rice, King
The Muslim Students Association honored ODU’s former police chief, Cliff Rice, and recently resigned director of student and scholar services, Scott King, at a dinner program March 4.
They were presented plaques in appreciation for their service to Muslim students. Back to top
– “Joe Sitcom” “We cannot say this is a cure to cancer. We hope it works. I’m rather on the cautious side.” (Karl Schoenbach, eminent scholar of electrical and computer engineering, on his research with Stephen Beebe of EVMS that combines biology and pulse electrical power) – “Norfolk, Va., University’s Bioelectric Center Might Help Short-Circuit Cancer” “I think six months from now [oil prices] will probably be around $25 a barrel, perhaps less.” (Steve Yetiv, associate professor of political science)– CNBC’s “Closing Bell,” March 3, 2003 “America has one of the solutions right here in Norfolk. We have people who speak all those languages. We could be the global business center for America.” (Roseann Runte, president, in her keynote address at the Community Solutions Conference in Norfolk) – “ODU Leader Says Region Misuses Key Assets” “The way you attract the greatest faculty is to give them the opportunity to work with great graduate students. It raises the quality of the whole institution.” (Thomas Isenhour, provost) – “ODU’s New Provost Has Many Talents” “I’m wearing a large smile. We’re so pleased we have the opportunity now to advance the project.” (Robert Fenning, vice president for administration and finance) – “Money from Congress About to Put ODU’s Maglev Train Back on Track” “We’re measuring exactly the power required to fly, which has never been known before.” (Robert Ash, interim vice president for research and professor of aerospace engineering) – “Latest Science Helps Bring History to Life; Wright Plane Replica Tested in Wind Tunnel” “In Hampton Roads, the economic impact of a war will be magnified because about 25 percent of all economic activity within our region is directly related to the Department of Defense ....” (James Koch, Board of Visitors Professor of Economics and President Emeritus, in an op-ed piece about a possible war with Iraq) – “Estimating War’s Effect on U.S. Economy” “Neither you nor I would be sitting here had no one given us a second chance somewhere in our lives. Why should the classroom be different?” (Nancy Wade, associate professor of biological sciences, in a story on ODU’s grade forgiveness policy) – “If Students Don’t Succeed, Often They Can Try Again” “It is a war without guns.” (Mahesh Hanjagi, president president of ODU’s Indian Student Association, in a story about students watching a World Cup cricket match on TV between India and rival Pakistan) – “Cricket Match Unites ODU Crowd”
Old Dominion senior Linda K. Wolfe of Camp Verde, Ariz., received honorable mention in the 2002-03 USA Today All-USA College Academic Team competition. Wolfe was one of 83 students chosen from nearly 1,000 applicants nominated by colleges and universities across the country. Judges – all educators – considered grades, academic honors, leadership roles on and off campus, students’ use of their talents beyond the classroom and the ability to express themselves in writing. An interdisciplinary studies major with a 3.95 GPA, Wolfe takes classes at the Verde Valley campus of Arizona’s Yavapai College via Old Dominion’s TELETECHNET distance learning network. She hopes to find a job in the public service or community development professions after graduation. She is a founding member of Hispanic Outreach, a service organization for the diverse community of Yavapai County, and has served as a mentor for student support services at the college. Wolfe’s research on Navajo culture and Latino work force development has been adopted by college officials as the basis for developing policies and programs to serve those communities in Yavapai County. In her essay for the USA Today competition, Wolfe said, “While many studies, proposals and programs address Latino and Native American issues in terms of struggle, barriers and challenges, I believe my documents provide a fresh view (through a local lens), using the language of growth, potential and enriched resources.” She added, “Though I may have missed some of the glamour and glory of a residential campus community, the TELETECHNET opportunity allows me to think globally and act neighborly. It also gives me an opportunity to enlighten others across the country about my homeland.” Wolfe is the third Old Dominion student to be named to the prestigious USA Today teams. Kristine Gonzalez, a 1999 graduate from Suffolk, and Rosemarie Liu, a 2002 graduate from Burke, Va., were named to the competition’s third team in the last three years. Back to top
The annual fund drive, which raises money for various campus needs, such as library materials and scholarships, kicks off March 18 and will wrap up the last week of April. Last year, a total of 667 employees and emeriti faculty contributed just over $124,000 to the campaign, and the development office has set a goal of $125,000 for the 2003 fund drive. Ron Tola, assistant vice president for facilities, and Alice McAdory, director of admissions, are serving as campaign co-chairs. “The Old Dominion University Dominion Fund affords each of us the opportunity to support a wide variety of programs and initiatives which advance the scholarly life of each ODU student and the overall mission of the university,” Tola said. “It is through the little sacrifices we make every day that we open the doors to discovery for our students and support the efforts of our faculty as they challenge the student body to dare and to do.” McAdory added, “ODU is our community and we take particular pride when our students, co-workers, colleagues or faculty gain recognition. We can be confident that, through our work as a part of the ODU community, we have in some way contributed to their success. Giving to the campus campaign is just another way to contribute to the success of our university community. It’s like helping family.” Campaign gifts can be made via payroll deduction and designated for any campus area. For example, contributions may be restricted for use by a specific college, the library, athletics, academic or athletic scholarships, or the Alumni Association. Unrestricted gifts will be applied toward Dominion Fund priorities. As in years past, those who contribute $100 or more will be entered in a contest to win a reserved parking space for one year, said the development office’s Ashley Privott, coordinator of the Campus Community Campaign. Last year’s winner was David Hamel from the Office of Computing and Communications Services. Anyone who contributes $100 or more to the athletic department’s Big Blue Club will be entered in this contest as well as a drawing for two basketball season tickets. Last year’s winner was Robert Ash, interim vice president for research. Also at the end of the campaign, a trophy will be awarded to the office or area with the highest rate of participation. Last year’s winner was the president’s office (74 percent). Back to top
Winners of the competition will participate in a master class conducted by Breitman at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 23. He will give a solo recital on modern and fortepiano at 8 p.m. Monday, March 24, in Chandler Recital Hall as part of the F. Ludwig Diehn Concert Series. Breitman, director of the Historical Performance Program at the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, is equally at home with the modern piano and the fortepiano. As a soloist and collaborative artist, he is an active performer with a growing discography. The competition and master class are free and open to the public. Tickets for the concert are $15 for general admission; $10 for faculty and staff, senior citizens and non-ODU students; and $5 for ODU students with valid ID. Tickets may be purchased at the Arts and Letters box office in the atrium of the Diehn Center or by calling 683-5305. An endowment established at The Norfolk Foundation, made possible by a generous gift from Mr. and Mrs. F. Ludwig Diehn, funds the concert series. Back to top
The festival will run March 30 to April 4. All events are free and open to the public. Keynote events include a presentation by Virginia Beach resident and award-winning National Public Radio composer B.J. Leiderman, who will discuss his life as a self-described “theme-music junkie” at noon Wednesday, April 2, in Chandler Recital Hall of the Diehn Fine and Performing Arts Center. WHRV radio personality and local jazz musician Jae Sinnett will discuss “Jazz in Film” at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 1. Also on April 1, a 6:30 p.m. performance by local band Fat Tony will precede a screening of the film “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” at 7:15 p.m. The presentation, performance and film will be in the the Mills Godwin Jr. Life Sciences Building auditorium. The festival’s first public event is “Major Jewish Film Composers from the Golden Age of Hollywood,” an examination of the role of music in film, with attention given to some of the different techniques used by composers that result in particular emotional responses in viewers. Giving the presentation will be Katherine Preston, chair of the music department at William and Mary. It is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday, March 30, in the the MGB auditorium. The ODU Speech Chorus, directed by Sandra Joe Washington, senior lecturer of communication and theatre arts, will give a presentation titled “Dramatic Interpretation of ‘The Wiz’” at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 3, at the Child Study Center, second floor. Konrad Winters, associate professor of theatre, will present a selection of short films by ODU students who are currently working in video production at 3 p.m. Friday, April 4, in the MGB auditorium. The following films will be shown in the Mills Godwin Building auditorium (unless otherwise noted):
More information and a complete schedule of festival events is available by phone, 683-3828; via e-mail, filmfest@odu.edu; or on the Web, www.odu.edu/filmfest. Back to top
A native of Kernersville, N.C., Wilson joined Old Dominion, known at the time as the Norfolk Division, in 1952 and taught until his retirement from the English department in 1988. Known by his family as “Unk,” Wilson was a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Army from 1941-46. While stationed in the Philippines under Gen. Douglas MacArthur, he was part of the invasion force assembled for the final attack on the Japanese mainland. A graduate of Guilford College, Wilson received his master’s degree from the University of Miami at Coral Gables. He was a lover of the arts, classical music, drama and opera, and was named program director of the college’s fledgling radio station WMTI by then President Lewis Webb. Survivors include a sister, Iris Marus of Greensboro, N.C., a niece and three nephews. A celebration of Wilson’s life was held March 9 at St. Mark United Methodist Church. Back to top
A Norfolk native and member of Temple Israel and its sisterhood, Kruger worked in at Old Dominion for 15 years. Survivors include her husband, Theodore Kruger; three daughters, Shelley Kruger Weisberg of Williamsburg, Terri Frances Kruger of Falls Church and Dr. Ellen Ruth Kruger of New Orleans; and her brother, Dr. Maurice David Fisher of Manassas. Memorial donations may be sent to the Diabetes Institutes, 855 W. Brambleton Ave., Norfolk, Va. 23510. Back to top
The organization will present its Outstanding Achievement Award to Michele Darby, eminent scholar and University Professor of dental hygiene. Tickets for the dinner are $20. Checks should be payable to Friends of the Library and mailed to: Friends of the Library, Author Dinner, 229 Perry Library. Reynolds, who recently received an Outstanding Faculty Award from the State Council of Higher Education (SCHEV), has taught at Old Dominion since 1997 and is a favorite among creative writing students. She is the author of three critically acclaimed novels: “Bitterroot Landing,” “The Rapture of Canaan” and “A Gracious Plenty.” “The Rapture of Canaan” reached No. 1 on the bestseller lists of The New York Times and USA Today, and was an Oprah Book Club selection. Darby has been on the ODU faculty since 1974. She served seven years as department chair and more than 17 years as graduate program director. In May 1981, she was an official guest of the Chinese Ministry of Health and Education, sharing dental hygiene techniques with Chinese dentists. She has lectured in many countries. Darby is a 1993 recipient of SCHEV’s Outstanding Faculty Award. For more information call 683-4141. Back to top
An authentic airworthy reproduction of the Wright brothers’ successful powered flying machine is undergoing aerodynamic testing at Old Dominion University’s Langley Full Scale Tunnel, an enterprise center of the College of Engineering and Technology. During this experiment, Old Dominion faculty will take the necessary measurements to determine how the 1903 Wright Flyer can be flown and controlled. They’ll use the information, not only to document the 40.5-foot-wingspan aircraft’s flying characteristics, but also to create the first accurate flight simulator to teach pilots how to fly the primitive machine. The first man to fly, Orville Wright, was on the advisory committee that established NASA’s Langley Research Center in 1917. Wright also visited Langley a number of times, and there is at least one picture of him taken in the very same tunnel where the Wright Flyer reproduction is being tested. The wind tunnel tests are part of research being done by ODU and the Wright Experience of Warrenton, Va. The Wright Experience has been contracted by the not-for-profit Discovery of Flight Foundation, also in Warrenton, to uncover and document how the Wright brothers, neither of whom finished high school, managed to conquer the principles of controlled, powered flight in five short years. During the tests the Wright Flyer, which was built with help from the Ford Motor Co. and the Experimental Aircraft Association in Oshkosh, Wis., will use two different motors. One is a gasoline-powered reproduction of the primitive engine designed and built by the Wright brothers in 1903. The other is an electric motor donated by Teco Westinghouse Corp., which can be controlled precisely during wind tunnel testing. “Rediscovering the secrets of the Wright brothers to inspire a new generation is what motivates The Wright Experience,” said Ken Hyde of the Wright Experience. “Our journey will continue through Dec. 17 this year with the flight of this 1903 Wright Flyer reproduction at Kitty Hawk. These wind tunnel tests will help us recreate the Wrights’ historic accomplishment and help us reduce the risk involved in the flight.” “We can’t predict what the weather will be on Dec. 17, 2003, when the Wright Experience plans to fly the EAA Flyer reproduction,” said Robert Ash, interim vice president for research and Wright test program manager for ODU. “We only know that the original Flyer could be flown on a cold day into a 27-mph wind. The wind tunnel test results will give us the necessary knowledge to guide and train pilots for virtually all eventualities.” The Wright Experience and ODU have already built and tested 1901 and 1902 Wright glider reproductions along with a suite of Wright propellers in their quest to “reverse engineer” the 1903 Wright Flyer and other early Wright aircraft. For more information about the Wright Experience visit www.wrightexperience.com. Information about the Langley Full Scale Tunnel can be found at www.lfst.com. Back to top
The award is given annually by Canada’s Governor General. Before coming to Old Dominion in July 2001, Runte served as president and vice chancellor of Victoria University in Toronto, Ontario, for seven years. She previously had served as principal of Glendon College at York University for six years and as president of the Université Sainte-Anne for five years. During her 11 years at Dalhousie University prior to those appointments, she worked her way from lecturer status to assistant dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science and chair of the Department of French. A writer, poet and distinguished scholar in French literature, Runte has edited 10 books and published three volumes of French poetry. Her work has been translated into French, English, Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Rumanian. She has won the poetry prize from the Académie Française in Paris. Runte is a member of the elite Club of Rome, and her work has been lauded by the United Nations Association of Canada. She is the past president of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO. Runte holds dual U.S. and Canadian citizenship. She is on the board of Prime Mentors of Canada and belongs to The Royal Society of Canada.
Olander, director of the interdisciplinary studies department, was honored for her distinguished service to Old Dominion, particularly for her continued support to women and women’s issues at the university. Anita Clair Fellman, director of women’s studies, described Olander as “a fierce partisan of women on the ODU campus.” In her nomination letter, Carolyn Rhodes, professor emeritus of English and women’s studies, said, “A skilled poet and essayist and a concerned citizen, she shows students, especially female students, that they can aspire to multifaceted lives which balance volunteer work with careers. She is a role model too for many of us who are her peers ....” A former president of the Southeastern Virginia Women’s Political Caucus, Olander received her master’s in English from ODU in 1987 and joined the university the following year as an instructor of English. She served as a lecturer and academic adviser for the College of Arts and Letters from 1995 to 2000, and was named director of interdisciplinary studies in 2000. Back to top Pictures talk in Playtime Theatre’s “Off the Wall” Old Dominion’s Playtime Theatre for All Ages presents the world premier of “Off the Wall” for one weekend only, March 28-30. “Off the Wall” takes its audience on a zany trip to “the art museum of the imagination,” where pictures talk back to their painters and offer a fresh perspective on the meaning of art. Directed by Frankie Little Hardin, the play is educational, fast-paced and fun for the whole family. “Off the Wall” will be performed at the University Theatre. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $3 for children and $5 for adults. Call 683-5305 for tickets or more information. Back to top
The program will feature choreography by faculty, students and guest choreographers in a variety of styles. Special guest artist Philip Deal, a local professional dancer and founder of the Philip Deal Dance Project Inc., will perform a solo. Also featured will be the group work “Origins,” choreographed by Amanda Kinzer, assistant professor of dance, as well as the premier of her new contemporary ballet piece for six women, “Midway.” Dance program director Marilyn Marloff will present “Patchwork,” a modern dance about the nature of relationships between sisters, friends, mothers and daughters. Tickets are available at the door or in advance at the Arts and Letters box office in the atrium of the Diehn Center, 683-5305. Prices are $10 general admission, $8 for students and seniors, and $5 for ODU students. For more information call 683-3002. Back to top Delta Sigma Lambda selects favorite professors Delta Sigma Lambda, ODU’s returning women’s organization, celebrated its 48th birthday and honored six favorite professors and administrators Feb. 11 at its annual Ruth Harrell/Favorite Professor Dinner. Honored were: Mary Leigh Brewer, sociology and criminal justice; Dana Burnett, student services; Paula Justice, human services counseling; Moustafa Moustafa, engineering technology; Scott Sechrist, medical laboratory and radiation sciences; and Melvina Sumter, sociology and criminal justice. Back to top
From the Homeric rhapsodies to modern rap, from the ancient Eleusinian mysteries to the contemporary music industries, the fusion of text and melody has always been an essential component of all religious and secular cultures. The symposium will illuminate the many intersections and cross fertilizations through a variety of discourses and disciplines. The symposium opens at 9 a.m. April 4 with remarks by Janet Katz, acting dean of the College of Arts and Letters. For a schedule of presentations call 683-3973. Back to top
This exhibition and artist will be featured in the 2003 Virginia Humanities Conference hosted by the university April 11-12 (see Page 2). A reception at the gallery is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. Saturday, April 11. The exhibition and reception are free and open to the public. Zakic’s allegorical paintings are stunning in the tradition of old master technical expertise while they simultaneously mine philosophical concerns. A constant theme in the work is the integration of a single word and an image – usually a lone figure. Born in Zrenjanin, Yugoslavia, Zakic is an assistant professor of art at Georgetown College in Kentucky. Find out more about his work at http://spider.georgetowncollege.edu/art/artdept. The University Gallery, located at 350 W. 21st St., Norfolk, is open noon to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; noon to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 1-4 p.m. Sunday. For more information call 683-2355 or go to http://www.metonym.org/studio/odu. Back to top Women’s History Month Calendar of Events
Old Dominion’s celebration of Women’s History Month continues March 17. For more information about events and activities call the Women’s Center at 683-4109.
Due to a major hardware upgrade, all Banner access will be unavailable from 7 p.m. Thursday, May 1, until noon Sunday, May 4. The outage will affect all faculty, staff and student access to Banner, including Banner client (desktop and Citrix), LEO Online (Web) and LEO IVR (telephone). According to Michael Little, director of information systems and database administration, the length of time allotted for the project reflects the complexity of the upgrade, which requires that all administrative applications and data be moved to a new platform. He stresses the importance of allowing sufficient time for comprehensive user testing prior to bringing the system back online. “While we all recognize there is no good time for the administrative systems environment to be unavailable for four days, representatives of the university’s major administrative offices (Registrar, Finance, Financial Aid, Human Resources and Academic Affairs) agreed that the interruption of service was necessary. The current server is nearing the end of its life expectancy and the new environment will provide the processing power necessary to address the future administrative needs of the campus,” Little said. Impact to the campus community Academic functions
Student impact (some of the services that will not be available)
Administrative functions
During the upgrade period, project updates will be posted under the Alerts header on the OCCS Web page at www.odu.edu/occs. Back to top
Jones, a professor emeritus of educational leadership and counseling and dean emeritus of the Darden College of Education, has been concerned for some time about the compensation of junior faculty, particularly in those disciplines that traditionally offer the lowest salaries. The impetus for the fund-raising effort came in the summer of 2001 when he learned of an ODU faculty member who needed extra money to pay for a child’s operation. Insurance did not adequately cover the costs, and “a hat was passed to secure the necessary funds,” said Jones, who continues to work at the university as supervisor of the education college’s Praxis Center. While he recognizes that faculty in certain disciplines command higher salaries than those in other areas, Jones steadfastly maintains that all teaching faculty play a vital role in a student’s education, and he wants to do his part to help those who earn the least. A lack of raises from the state in recent years has hurt faculty at the low end of the scale, in particular, Jones noted. Since setting up his fund, with the blessing of President Roseann Runte and the assistance of the Educational Foundation, Jones has raised about $7,000 – including his own donation of $1,500 – and he hopes to reach $25,000. His plan is to divide the money evenly among full-time faculty who are evaluated as effective teachers and who earn $40,000 or less annually. According to current data, 70 faculty members fall into that income category, including some who make only $30,000, he said. Jones readily admits that a $300 bonus isn’t a lot of money, but he does believe every little bit helps. He also is convinced that the symbolic nature of the gesture will have value. “I am convinced it will raise their spirit and stimulate their work when they recognize someone cares.” Jones has a long history of voluntary fund-raising work both on and off campus. He is credited, for example, with raising $100,000 to complete the original Child Study Center, which he founded. For his latest fund-raising campaign, Jones has solicited donations from faculty emeriti, former students, friends and business acquaintances. He intends to make the Citizens for Faculty at Old Dominion an annual fund drive, and his goal is to raise enough money in tax-deductible donations each year to give out $1,000 bonuses. He said a committee of university personnel and local citizens will be formed to award the funds received. Donations may be sent to: Citizens for Faculty at Old Dominion, 124 Koch Hall.
In the recently passed 2003 Federal Transportation Bill, Congress included the $2 million that has been needed to resume the on-campus construction and refinements to the controls system. The bill, which is five months late, is awaiting President Bush’s signature. Once Old Dominion receives the funds, work on the maglev project is expected to begin within several weeks, said Robert L. Fenning, vice president for administration and finance. Fenning and Tony Morris, president of American Maglev Technology, said they believe the $2 million will be sufficient to complete the project, which will feature the nation’s first maglev train. After the installation of new computer controls, developed by Lockheed Martin in consultation with Old Dominion University faculty, work will resume on construction of the three stations and completion of the track. Back to top
In an age when nearly every entity and individual has a Web site and schoolchildren turn to the Internet before the library for their research, many Americans still don’t have a computer or even easy access to one. For the last two years, Old Dominion University’s Information Technology Program (ITPro) and the city of Virginia Beach have worked together to shrink the digital divide for residents in seven Virginia Beach neighborhoods. They have set up neighborhood computer laboratories and donated personal computers to those who complete computer training at the labs. To date, 140 city residents have received PCs. Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera Oberndorf recently presented Steve Bridges, ITPro technology coordinator, with the Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award for his work in coordinating ITPro student volunteers to maintain the neighborhood computer labs and refurbish donated computers. The computer labs are located in the Williams Village Apartments, Twin Canal Village Apartments and Atlantis Apartments Community Centers as well as the Trailer City Community, New Jerusalem Church of God in the Christ Education Building, Union Baptist Church Community Center and Friendship Village Neighborhood Networks Center. Knowledge Information Systems Inc. and the Virginia Beach Foundation donated the computers to ITPro and the city’s 501(c)(3) subsidiary, CARE Inc. ITPro students refurbished the computers and loaded them with Windows 98 provided through a Microsoft program for nonprofits at $5 each. “This was a win-win for everybody,” said John Gawne, ITPro executive director. “The city, neighborhoods, citizens of Virginia Beach and ODU students have all benefited.”. Back to top |