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Navy admiral, distinguished alum address graduates Strive to be original, invest in others and change the world were the lessons imparted to more than 1,500 graduates by speakers at Old Dominion’s 100th commencement exercises May 8 at the Ted Constant Convocation Center. ESPN SportsCenter anchor Alton J. Harris, a 1987 ODU graduate who was honored last year with a Distinguished Alumni award, spoke to students from the colleges of Arts and Letters, Engineering and Technology, and Sciences in the morning ceremony. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Vern Clark, who received an honorary doctorate, addressed graduates from the colleges of Business and Public Administration, Education and Health Sciences in the afternoon ceremony. “I want you to strive for original thought,” said Harris. “Find out what people want changed and change it. Teach someone what you know and teach and encourage them to think.” He also advised, “Work is important, but so is living your life. Life is meant to be lived, not pressed like a shirt or stirred or shaken like a drink. You are supposed to live life, not be consumed by it.” Clark, the highest-ranking officer in the U.S. Navy, told graduates to invest in others, much like the faculty invested in them, to help make the world a better place. “You make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give,” he said. He concluded, “There are thousands of ways to serve, but all have one element in common: a decision that you make to dedicate yourself to something bigger than yourself ... .” Back to top
Karim was selected following a nationwide search which yielded a pool of highly qualified candidates, according to John R. Broderick, vice president for institutional advancement and chief of staff, who chaired the search committee of faculty, staff, students and administrators. Karim has served as dean of engineering at the New York campus since 2000. He also was a professor of electrical engineering. He came to CCNY from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville where he was a professor and department head for the electrical and computer engineering division. Prior to joining the faculty at Tennessee, Karim was at the University of Dayton from 1986-98. He earned full professor status during his tenure there and also served as chair of the electrical and computer engineering department. While in Ohio, Karim was the founding director of the Electro-Optics Program. He also has held positions at Wichita State University and the University of Arkansas in Little Rock. Karim earned his doctorate as well as master’s degrees in both physics and electrical engineering from the University of Alabama. He received his undergraduate degree in physics at the University of Dacca in Bangladesh. According to Runte, Karim will bring a strong record to ODU in the areas interdisciplinary and multiuniversity academic and research initiatives, research infrastructure development, academic leadership, collaborative decision-making and sponsored research. He has played a major role in entrepreneurship, strategic planning and establishing partnerships with government, foundations, business and industries. “Dr. Karim’s talents, expertise and experience in building strong and highly successful research programs at several universities will add considerably to Old Dominion’s already growing research endeavor.,” Runte said. “ I look forward to welcoming him to campus and to our team. He arrives at a critical juncture and his abilities will build on our current success.” Karim also has a significant record of scholarly and research accomplishments, as evidenced by his teaching awards, contributions to books, publications and journals in his field, and supervision of more than 50 graduate students. He has generated sponsored research in excess of $4 million. Back to top Landmark Communications Foundation, campus community bolster Dominion Fund University employees recently pledged more than $137,000 to the Dominion Fund during the Campus Community Campaign, and the Landmark Communications Foundation made a donation of $100,000 to the Old Dominion annual fund drive, the first installment of a five-year, $500,000 pledge. Frank Batten Jr., chair and chief executive officer of Landmark and rector of ODU’s Board of Visitors, made the gift on behalf of the organization. The donation is to be used as a current income gift to fund scholarships of up to $1,000 per student per year for financially needy undergraduate students from Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake or Suffolk. The Norfolk-based Landmark Communications Inc. is a privately held media company with interests in newspapers, television broadcasting, cable programming and electronic publishing, as well as emerging interests in database marketing, career education and trade shows. “The gift will play a truly significant part in the lives of students with financial need hailing from this region,” said President Roseann Runte. “It will change the lives of these students, allowing them to concentrate more on their studies and less on part-time jobs. It will make university accessible to students who could not otherwise afford to attend and it will help create an educated work force in this region, building a better regional economy.” A total of 546 ODU employees, or 30 percent of the work force, contributed $137,727 to the campaign. The average gift was $252.25. The combined president’s, development and alumni relations offices won the award for the highest employee participation (70 percent) and the College of Business and Public Administration was recognized as the area with the most improved participation – from 29 percent last year to 49 percent this year. The Frank Batten College of Engineering and Technology led the way in percentage of goal at 130 percent, followed closely by the business college (125 percent) and the Office of Administration and Finance (114 percent). Back to top
The Virginia Symphony Orchestra will give two free performances at 7 p.m. June 2 and 9. The popular Three Thursdays series, which ran four years before succumbing to budget cuts in 2002, returns June 2 with “Hands Across the Sea,” a salute to the 60th anniversary of D-Day, and June 9 with “Beethoven 5 & Mozart’s Night Music.” Back to top
ODU joins group aimed at increasing minority Ph.D. students in marine science Old Dominion has joined forces with Hampton University and the College of William and Mary to increase the number of under-represented minority students earning doctorates in marine and ocean sciences through a program supported by a $1.1 million award from the National Science Foundation. The Hall-Bonner Program for Minority Doctoral Scholars in Ocean Sciences was announced during a ceremony April 30 on the HU campus. “Today, there are excellent programs that reach out to minority students at the K-12 and undergraduate levels, but data show that these students are not taking the final step and getting their Ph.D.s,” said Gregory Cutter, director of the ODU component of the program and professor of ocean, earth and atmospheric sciences. “This is what the Hall-Bonner Program seeks to achieve, to prime the pump, and as such make itself irrelevant after some time.” The program will build on the recognized strengths in graduate-level education in the marine and ocean sciences of the region’s two major state-assisted universities. Students will earn their degrees following the normal doctoral curricula at either ODU or William and Mary, and then take additional specialized courses at Hampton. The Hall-Bonner program will provide full support for tuition and stipends. Six students are currently members of the program. Andrea Rocha, who earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M, will study biological oceanography at Old Dominion under Margaret Mulholland, assistant professor of ocean, earth and atmospheric sciences. The program is named for two leaders who helped establish marine science education at Hampton University – the late professor Anita Hall and the retired dean of the School of Science, Robert Bonner.
The symposium, to be held on campus, will bring together experimentalists and theorists working on spin structure functions and their moments at low and intermediate energies. Previous symposiums were held in Mainz, Germany, and Genova, Italy. The symposium will consist of 20 invited talks, 30 contributed talks and two topical sessions with roundtable discussions on topics ranging from the Gerasimov-Drell-Hearn Sum Rule with real photons and its extensions to virtual photons and spin polarizabilities and Compton scattering. For more information: www.physics.odu.edu/GDH2004. Back to top
Undergraduate winners in the U.S. category included:
Graduate student winners in the European category included:
Three other university publications captured Awards of Distinction, the competition’s second-highest honor: Old Dominion University magazine, Year in Review and the Japan Forum program brochure. All of the award-winning pieces, which were judged on layout and design, were produced by the Office of Publications. Quest is designed by Sharon Lomax; the alumni magazine and Year in Review are designed by Karen Smallets; and the Japan Forum program brochure was designed by Shara Weber. Back to top
The play, which tells the story of an unassuming English shoe salesman forced to take his dead uncle on a trip to Monte Carlo to get a $6 million inheritance, will be performed at the Governor’s School Theater, 254 Granby St., Norfolk. Performances are scheduled for 8 p.m. May 20-22 and 2 p.m. May 23. The cost is $15 for adults and $10 for groups. Call 683-5549 for reservations. Back to top
The complete schedule is available at www.clt.odu.edu/facdev. Registration is required. For more information call Susan Boze at 683-3712. Back to top
Sponsored by the ODU Hoops Club, the event offers fans an opportunity to talk with Monarch players and coaches. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. For tickets call 683-5484. Back to top
The contribution will support scholarships for deserving junior and senior majors in risk and insurance. Back to top
The three-credit general education course, New Portal to Appreciating Our Global Environment, was approved by a 19-13 vote. ODU will begin offering the classes next spring. Approximately 2,000 students will meet weekly for a lecture and twice-weekly in discussion groups led by graduate students. Lecturers will include both outsider speakers and ODU faculty in fields ranging from oceanography to geography. Harold Wilson, chair of the Faculty Senate’s Undergraduate Curriculum and Programs Committee, praised the course’s innovative features at the meeting, and answered senators’ questions and concerns, which ranged from the impact the course would have on teaching assistants, to why the course was proposed as mandatory instead of optional, to whether it would be appropriate for freshmen. Sen. James English, who spoke at the meeting in favor of the proposal, said the course offered not only an opportunity to raise environmental awareness, but also a chance “to put us on the map.” Among the goals of the course are to provide students with multidisciplinary perspectives on environmental issues and to raise their awareness of the interdependence of various perspectives and issues. “I am delighted the Faculty Senate has adopted the Global Environment course,” President Roseann Runte said. “As educators we must look to the future and try new ways of teaching and collaborating. Interdisciplinary initiatives making good use of technology are very important. As responsible citizens, we must recognize the importance of our environment and share our knowledge on this topic with future generations. As a ‘green campus,’ with a remarkable array of environmentally friendly initiatives, it is appropriate that our teaching features a similar emphasis. “The environment belongs to each one of us and has regional and international implications. Science, literature, history and politics are all integral to the study envisaged by the proposal. “I congratulate the committee which has worked for well over a year on this exciting proposal. I believe that students from across the country will seek admission to Old Dominion to be part of this At its April 27 meeting, the senate voted to recommend several issues, including:
McNeal, who was selected from among 12 nominees as HACE Staff Member of the Year, has worked in the School of Nursing since 1995. Nominated by Kay Palmer, undergraduate program director for the nursing school, McNeal was cited for her compassion, communication skills, outgoing and friendly personality, initiative and organization. Many of her letters of recommendation came from students. One wrote about her first introduction to McNeal, whom she went to see when her textbooks had not arrived in time for the start of classes. “She went to various instructors and collected the books I needed as ‘loaners’ so I would have them for class. She also took time out of her incredibly busy schedule to call me when my books did arrive and she even separated them and packed them in boxes that were easy for me to carry.” Another student said, “At a time when I was down the most about how tough school really is, she took the time to just sit and chat with me on a ‘human being’ level, not in the role of staff. When she hadn’t seen me in months, she gave me a hug as if we were long lost friends.” Benny Jackson, supervisor of the moving and hauling office, also praised McNeal for her organization efforts and positive attitude in preparing the nursing school for its recent move from the Technology Building to Hughes Hall. Thorpe, a 2003 ODU graduate who has been a classified employee for approximately 10 months, was selected for the HACE Rookie Staff Member of the Year. He was nominated by his supervisor, Jennifer Kingsley, coordinator of the Campus Information Center. “I receive continuous feedback from various staff members and ODU guests about how easy and enjoyable it is to work with Dan,” she said. “This is a testament to his own customer service skills, hiring of quality students, and his leadership and role modeling of excellent customer service to these students.” Don Stansberry, director of student activities and leadership, said of Thorpe, “He is truly a role model, mentor, friend and effective adviser for the students that he works with.” As winners of the 2004 HACE awards, both McNeal and Thorpe received athletic tickets, two passes to a Global Spectrum event at the Constant Center, a $50 gift certificate to the bookstore and $25 worth of Monarch Dining Dollars. They also received $200 and $100, respectively, from the Jill Nolte Endowment Fund, and McNeal was awarded a reserve parking space for a year. Back to top
This was such a meaningful way to pay tribute to our fallen heroes and provide for their children’s college educations. The ROTC units did a magnificent job in both the logistical and emotional support behind this community project. They should be proud of the message they sent around the globe! I am grateful that First Command Financial Planning was allowed to participate in a small way. We were all very honored to run for those that have been killed, and their families. We, like Old Dominion University, appreciate and are thankful for the freedoms we enjoy, as those that wear the cloth of the nation serve and protect our way of life. Norfolk and Hampton Roads understand this more than most, but the Run for Freedom showed the world how we feel! Thank you. – Jeffrey S. Geraci
Memorial donations should be sent to: Office of Development, 129 Koch Hall, ODU, Norfolk, VA 23529. Back to top
A. Rufus Tonelson Faculty Award Ravindra P. Joshi joined Old Dominion in 1989 as an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and was named a full professor in 2001. He has taught 17 different courses – eight of which he developed – ranging from the undergraduate to the doctoral level. He has guided 34 master’s and doctoral students at the university, and received the Outstanding Teaching Award in 2003. Joshi is also heavily involved in research, obtaining more than $8 million, including funding for individual grants and team projects. He has been published in numerous papers, journals and book chapters, and has been cited 273 times since 1989. Joshi’s colleagues say that he is a true example of a professor who contributes consistently in teaching, research and service. He is a leading scientist in his field, both nationally and internationally, and his high-quality publications have made ODU a university known for excellent scholarly work in this area. Joshi received his doctorate in electrical engineering from Arizona State University and his bachelor’s in technology and master’s in electrical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology. The Tonelson Award, sponsored by the Alumni Association, consists of a check for $2,000 and a parking decal good for one year. Back to top Eminent Scholars Hani Elsayed-Ali joined Old Dominion as a tenured associate professor of electrical and computer engineering in 1992 and was promoted to professor in 1997. Previously, he was a scientist at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics at the University of Rochester. Elsayed-Ali has developed an outstanding research program in an area of electrophysics called surface science. The focus of his research is the investigation of physical properties of the top few atomic layers from the surface of metals and semiconductors using a measurement technique called picosecond time-resolved reflection electron diffraction. In the last 10 years he has published 43 refereed journal articles, most of which are in the highly rated Physical Review. His papers receive an average of 31 external citations per year. William Cunningham joined ODU in 1974 as an assistant professor and was promoted to professor of educational leadership and counseling in 1984. He is a widely recognized expert in the field of educational leadership with a special focus on educational governance and administration. His career is dominated by his contributions to school administration literature. Cunningham has published five books, two chapters in edited books and more than 60 articles, most in nationally refereed journals. Two of his books are landmark studies used in many college classrooms. Cunningham has also been called upon to help formulate policy and improve administrative practices at the U.S. Department of Education. He has served as a consultant to more than 40 organizations and has made over 200 professional presentations. Colm Whelan came to ODU in 2001 as professor and chair of physics. Previously, he held several titles at Cambridge University, including assistant director of research. Whelan’s main research interest is atomic collision theory, and he is working to develop a more profound understanding of the atomic few body problem. He has built an active and focused research program and established a network of collaborative research projects with the leading experimental and theoretical groups in Europe, Japan, Australia and North America. Whelan’s publications include five books and more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific papers. He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and was recently elected chair of the Few Body Topical Group of the American Physical Society. Back to top Instructional Technology Awards Donald Zeigler, professor of geography, has taught at Old Dominion since 1980. Among his many accomplishments has been the development of a graduate course for teachers called Geography Connects. The course examines world geography in context with world history until 1500 AD. It is packaged on a CD-ROM, complete with original video clips and with tests and discussion forum components online. Zeigler has served as the president of the National Council for Geographic Education and president of the Virginia Social Science Association. In addition, he has served as chair of the political science and geography department. Guoqing Zhou joined the engineering technology department in 2000 as an assistant professor. A teacher and researcher for 18 years, he has specialties in photogrammetry, the geographic information system (GIS), image processing, remote sensing and the global positioning system (GPS). Zhou has published three books (one pending) and 96 papers (31 in refereed journals, 65 in academic conferences). He has worked on 43 projects as principal investigator or co-principal investigator and served as a panel reviewer for the NASA Office of Space Science. Among his four prestigious national/international awards are the Alexander von Humboldt Award (Germany) and the Talbert Abrams Award (U.S.) for outstanding contributions to the American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Both Zeigler and Zhou received $2,000 as winners of the award. Back to top Retiring faculty Maurice Berube joined ODU in 1979 and was designated an eminent scholar in 1995. He was nominated three times for the SCHEV Outstanding Faculty Award. The author of eight books, he mentored innumerable graduate students. Glynn Coates, a faculty member since 1974, was a popular teacher with undergraduate and graduate students. He directed 17 master’s theses and 23 dissertations. He was engaged in research on human adaptations to workload demands. Willard Frank joined the faculty in 1963. A specialist in the history of international relations and military and strategic studies of 20th century Europe, he also published on the topics of early American history and American religious history. Murray Rudisill taught 35 years in the educational curriculum and instruction department and has served 28 years as men’s golf coach. He helped develop the field-based graduate program which has since spread throughout southern Virginia. Back to top Retiring administrators Mikkie Baile, senior associate athletic director, joined ODU as field hockey and lacrosse coach in 1975, holding these positions four years. She then moved to the administrative side of athletics, and was promoted to associate athletic director in 1982. Anne Rees retired in December after 25 years with the library, where she served as a science reference librarian. She compiled Internet guides and resource guides for the sciences and health sciences. Gray Simons coached wrestling for 17 years at ODU. He had five All-Americans and his teams posted a record of 136-116-2. He is a member of the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. Jean Turpin began work as a part-time employee in psychology in 1969 and moved to the M.B.A. program in 1983. She served as M.B.A. program manager from 1992 until her retirement in January. Provost’s Awards for Leadership in International Education Berhanu Mengistu has been a professor in the Graduate Center for Urban Studies and Public Administration since 1985. He has been deeply involved in development, governance and public-private collaboration efforts in various countries in Africa and China. His expertise in conflict resolution, budgetary structure and policy and public administration give him a broad platform from which he examines and addresses issues affecting countries as well as the global society, resulting in Fulbright scholarships to teach and study in South Africa (1997), Ethiopia (2001) and Ukraine (2005). Mengistu has been editor of The Journal of Global Awareness and is a founding member of the Consortium for International Conferences on Public Management, Policy and Development. Lytton Musselman, Mary Payne Hogan Professor of Botany and chair of the biological sciences department, began his career at ODU in 1973. He became a full professor in 1985 and was designated as an eminent scholar in 1993. Musselman is manager of the Blackwater Ecologic Preserve and has devoted the majority of his career to parasitic plants. His other interests include plants of the Bible and other aspects of Middle East and Western Asia ethnobotany. He is an honorary member of the International Parasitic Plant Society in Nantes, France, and received the Partnership Award from the Virginia Chapter of the Nature Conservancy in 1999. He has received a number of Fulbright awards and was elected fellow of the Linnean Society of London in 1972. Back to top Armada Hoffler Weekend College Teaching Award Mary Hing-Hickman has taught physics for Weekend College since 1998. The course provides an important component to the curriculum of several teacher education degree tracks and serves the university at large by providing a general education lab science on the weekend for returning adult students. Students appreciate Hing-Hickman’s enthusiasm and her willingness to assist them with the challenges not only of the coursework, but also of student life in general. They consistently comment on the exciting learning environment she creates, the ways in which she makes complicated ideas easily understood, and the time she takes with them through e-mails, phone calls and letters. Department colleagues have such high regard for Hing-Hickman that they’ve asked her to lead the efforts in developing an asynchronous version of the astronomy course. Hing-Hickman, who received $1,000 as winner of the award, holds three ODU degrees, including a bachelor’s and master’s in physics. Back to top J. Worth Pickering Administrator of the Year Award Sandra Waters, director of academic continuance and undergraduate services, earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communications at the University of Wisconsin-Superior, followed by a master’s in journalism at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She joined Old Dominion in 1983 in the Office of Public Information. Since then, she has served in a variety of positions, including assistant registrar, chief departmental adviser for the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and as director of advising for the College of Business and Public Administration. Waters received $500 as winner of the AUA Award. Back to top TELETECHNET Faculty of the Year Awards Gail Taylor, associate professor of educational curriculum and instruction, taught preschool and elementary school before joining Old Dominion. Her area of research interest is in the educational experiences of culturally, ethnically, linguistically and economically diverse students. Taylor’s use of applied learning techniques in her undergraduate-level classes and her creativity and genuine concern for students were frequently mentioned by students in their nominations. Many listed Taylor’s ability to make learning fun, citing the variety of instructional tools she uses to teach concepts. One student wrote, “In order to cover a particular topic like ‘emergent literacy,’ during one class period she will lecture, read a children’s book, demonstrate an effective lesson plan and show a video clip.” Kathie Zimbro, an adjunct faculty member in nursing, has taught via TELETECHNET for more than six years. She earned her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees at ODU. Currently, she works full time as a health services researcher and biostatistician at Sentara Health Management. Nominated for the graduate-level courses she teaches, Zimbro is described by students as responsive and fair. Her positive attitude, enthusiasm for her career field and flexibility help create an engaging environment that encourages student involvement, and that is conducive to the needs of adult learners. One student wrote, “I am very proud to know Dr. Zimbro and to say she is my teacher and my mentor. She is a truly dedicated professional who has an enthusiasm for her work and the willingness to share it.” Both Taylor and Zimbro received $2,500 as winners of the award. Back to top
A Navy ensign and a division officer in his ship’s combat information center, Fuller was an Honors College student and a member of the ODU Blue and Gold Society, which included a term as president. He received the USAA Spirit Award and the Bob Walker Excellence Award. He was a member of Volunteers for Special Engineering, the Society of Naval Engineers and the Golden Key National Honor Society, and served as an engineering ambassador. The Kaufman Prize, which carries with it a $10,000 award, was established by Landmark Communications Inc. to acknowledge graduating seniors who have exerted exceptional and constructive influence on the university, its students or the community by demonstrating the highest qualities of leadership and service. Kimberly Tansey of Norfolk, a May graduate with a degree in physical education/exercise science, won the second-place Kaufman award, which includes a cash prize of $2,000. Tansey’s many activities included serving as president of the Student Ambassadors. She plans to pursue a doctorate in physical therapy at ODU. Back to top
The following students were presented trophies as recipients of the Alumni Association Outstanding Scholar Awards, given to the graduating seniors with the highest grade point averages from each college. Arts and Letters – Lisa L. Morin of Boykins, Va., interdisciplinary studies, 3.98; Roger Johnson, associate professor of educational curriculum and instruction. Business and Public Administration – John A. Waugh of Virginia Beach, marketing, 3.98; Ed Markowski, professor of MIS/decision sciences. Education – Jeremy A. Williams of Chesapeake, educational leadership and counseling, 4.0; Mark T. Blagen, adjunct assistant professor of educational leadership and counseling. Engineering and Technology – Brenda S. Ayers of Chesapeake, civil engineering, 3.98; Laura J. Harrell, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering. Health Sciences – Lisa A. Turner of Chesapeake, dental hygiene, 4.0; Sharon Stull, instructor of dental hygiene. Sciences – Kristen J. Davis of Ooltewah, Tenn., psychology, 4.0; Sangita Gopal, assistant professor of English. Back to top
According to Laurel Garzon, associate professor of nursing at Old Dominion, there is a shortage of nurse midwives and a shortage of programs to train them. “Start-up costs are very high for midwife programs. It just makes sense to use the resources we have to make this available in underserved areas,” she said. “This program builds on our existing distance network and is a really good example of how two schools can use their best attributes to put together a needed program.” Old Dominion and Shenandoah courses will be offered at ODU’s Norfolk campus, and its Virginia Beach, Tri-Cities and Peninsula higher education centers, as well as its distance learning sites throughout the state. Students will attend classes at Shenandoah in two- and four-week blocks during each of the last three semesters of the program. The master of science degree in nursing will be awarded by ODU and a certificate of midwifery specialty will be awarded by Shenandoah. Graduates will be eligible to take the national midwifery certification examination. Back to top
The final phase of the Office of Computing and Communications Services (OCCS) relocation will be completed the weekend of May 15- 16 with the move of the Network Operations Center to the fourth floor of the Engineering and Computational Sciences (E&CS) Building. Work will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 15, and should be completed by 5 p.m. the next day. During this time, all network-based resources will be intermittently unavailable as services are moved. Access to the campus Internet will be unavailable throughout the weekend. OCCS will close the Hughes Hall location of the Network Operations Center at 8 a.m. May 15 and will reopen the center at its new location in the E&CS Building at 8 a.m. Monday, May 17. High-speed printing (Electra) will be unavailable during the relocation and there will be no pick up of printouts or OpScan forms. Access to the Network Operations Center in the E&CS Building will be limited to 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; there will be no after-hours or weekend walk-up functions. Individuals who use the high-speed printing or OpScan services may request delivery of output. Deliveries are made at least twice daily, Monday through Friday. Another major change for OCCS is the opening of the Technical Support Center (formerly the Customer Service Center or “help desk”) at 1500 Webb Center. The new location, near the Cyber Café (across from Starbucks and the MONARCHtechstore), will provide easier access for faculty, staff and students requiring technology assistance. Student account passwords are now distributed from the Technical Support Center (TSC) and are available during the center’s open hours. Hours are posted near the TSC door and on the Internet at www.odu.edu/af/occs/contactu_us. Specific questions related to the OCCS relocation may be submitted via e-mail to occshelp@odu.edu. Back to top
The College of Arts and Letters gave the following awards. All of the honors, with the exception of the Dean’s Awards for Distinguished Service, include $1,000.
The College of Business and Public Administration presented six awards for 2003-04. Each honor includes an award of $500.
The Frank Batten College of Engineering and Technology presented awards in five categories to faculty and a staff member who excelled in a particular area. Each winner receives a commemorative plaque and a reserved parking space for a year.
The College of Sciences presented two awards, each of which includes $1,000:
The University Libraries presented two awards. Both recipients receive $200 and will have their names engraved on a plaque displayed in Perry Library. Librarian of the Year – Paul Showalter. Perry Library’s business reference librarian since July 2001, he is committed to providing the best customer service to both external and internal customers. He also has developed excellent working relationships with the business faculty. One of his many achievements was handling the library’s annual book sale, which generated the largest amount of proceeds last year in its history. Staff Member of the Year – Mona Farrow. A university employee since 1973, Farrow has been with the library since 1990, where she is Microforms Services supervisor. She was cited for her willingness to accept additional responsibilities. She serves as the library liaison with the photocopy contractor and is credited with revitalizing the second-floor collection. She was also cited for her excellent customer service and her work as “a tireless advocate for the library user.” The Friends of the Old Dominion University Library presented its 10th annual Outstanding Achievement Award to Cynthia Jones. Jones was honored for her research in the area of fisheries science and applied population ecology, for which she has received national and international recognition. Her award reads in part, “The vast oceans encircling our planet and teeming with an almost infinite variety of living creatures are not only the subject of Dr. Cynthia Jones’s research, but the oceans could also serve as a metaphor for this distinguished scholar’s breadth of expertise. As director of the Center for Quantitative Fisheries Ecology, she works in a multidisciplinary environment which calls upon her knowledge of biology, chemistry, statistics and computer science.” The Office of Disability Services presented its Outstanding Teacher of the Year award to Kerry Kilburn, senior lecturer of biological sciences. She received a $100 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble and a plaque. One of 12 faculty nominated for the award by Old Dominion students with disabilities, Kilburn was cited for her accessibility, effective teaching methods, ability to convey knowledge of the subject matter, willingness to assist and consideration of students’ individual needs.
– “College Graduation Helps Us All” “People will want to come to this university and take this course. I understand the concern. It’s new. It’s different. It’s a change. But we believe we can pull this thing off, and we want the opportunity to try.” (James English, associate professor of environmental health) – “ODU to Require Freshmen to Take New ‘Global Environment’ Course” “There was something kind of noble about the idea of teaching, the sense I would make a concrete difference in the lives of my students.” (James Oleson, assistant professor of sociology and criminal justice) – “A Creative Teacher, Known for His Class on Murder, “It would be big for ODU, big for Hampton Roads. We’d all like to see it work.” (Ross Mugler, 1984 ODU graduate and member of the Board of Visitors, on the maglev) – “ODU’s Train Project Close to Getting Back on Track” “Off-shoring and globalization are good things for Americans. We can make this notion easier to accept, however, if we pay for job retraining and increased education, create more jobs and extend our social safety net to catch those who crash.” (James V. Koch, president emeritus and Board of Visitors Professor of Economics, in an op-ed commentary) – “The Pros and Cons of Off-shore Jobs” “Regardless of your political beliefs, we have a strong military willing to stand for the freedoms this country was founded on and make the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that those freedoms are always upheld.” (Jason Redman, senior and battalion commander of ODU’s Navy ROTC) – “Nearly 400 Volunteer for Relay Run to Honor the Dead in War on Terror” “That would just be multiplied if you have all your children overseas. Children are children. Whether they’re 30 or 5, you’re going to worry about them.” (Michelle Kelley, professor of psychology, on the stress of wartime deployments) – “The Family that Serves Together, Worries Together” “We all need to support the funding of Virginia’s state colleges and universities at a level that will educate a workforce prepared to expand our economy. Included must be support for proven distance learning programs, such as the Old Dominion University - Virginia Community College System partnership.” (Mark C. Halsey, of Roanoke) – “Letter to the Editor”
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