Dear Monarch Nation:
Old Dominion University is honored to serve as the professional home to many outstanding individuals who proudly dedicate themselves and their careers to advancing their fellow Monarchs by creating limitless opportunities now and well into the future. One such individual is Jena Virga, who has shared her time and talent with ODU Athletics for more than a decade. Since joining Monarch Nation last summer, I have personally witnessed Jena’s passion and pride for the important work that we do on a daily basis.
For her outstanding service and many contributions, please join me in congratulating Jena on her recent appointment as Executive Director of the Old Dominion Athletic Foundation (ODAF). It gives me great pleasure in making this announcement, along with Director of Athletics Wood Selig, Ed.D., as Jena is truly a shining star within University Advancement and ranks among the best intercollegiate athletic development performers and leaders in the country.
The rationale behind such a promotion is grounded in a performance-based evaluation from Jena’s tenure at Old Dominion University. Jena has excelled in leading ODAF to unprecedented fundraising success since joining Athletics in 2010 as Director of Major Gifts and Premium Seating. In October of 2014, Jena was appointed as the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development to oversee the daily athletic development efforts at ODU. And, in the summer of 2021, Jena was promoted to Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development, a role in which she will continue to serve.
Working closely with the ODAF Board throughout her tenure, Jena has successfully recruited 14 new ODAF trustees. Additionally, for more than a decade, Jena has helped lead the organization to over $120 million in philanthropic success, personally securing over $17 million of that record total.
Jena has led the recent athletic fundraising initiative, starting in July of 2016, that has generated almost $60 million, 147% of the initial athletics fundraising goal, in support of major capital projects, such as the $72 million renovation of S.B. Ballard Stadium, the entirely privately funded $9 million Mitchum Family Basketball Performance Center, the $1 million Paul Keyes Baseball Hitting Complex, and the start-up of the ODU women’s volleyball program.
In short, Jena has been a driving force behind the fundraising success for Athletics. Now, in an expanded role as ODAF’s Executive Director, she will be charged and positioned to be the leading force for our future philanthropic efforts pertaining to ODU athletic facility capital projects, individual programmatic enhancement support, endowment and planned giving efforts, and annual scholarship funding. I would be remiss if I did not take this opportunity to thank Vice President for University Advancement Alonzo Brandon, who proudly served as ODAF’s Executive Director from 1999 through the present.
These are exceptionally challenging financial times within higher education and intercollegiate athletics. However, with Jena’s leadership and as we transition with great momentum and success into the Sun Belt Conference, our best fundraising days are ahead of us.
Without question, ODAF will continue to provide the championship effort and level of excellence that our coaches and student-athletes need to achieve national prominence for ODU Athletics. The time is now to lock arms and join me, Dr. Selig, and your fellow Monarchs in full support of Jena and her dual role as ODAF’s Executive Director and ODU’s Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development!
With Monarch Pride,
Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D.
President