Old Dominion University will commemorate the inauguration of President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D., during Homecoming weekend with a historic investiture ceremony and the launch of "Monarchs Give Back," an annual community service project.

President Hemphill will be formally installed as the ninth president of ODU during an investiture ceremony beginning at 10 a.m. Oct. 21 at Chartway Arena. The event is free and open to the public.

Following the ceremony, guests are invited to participate in self-guided campus tours from noon to 3 p.m., departing from the ODU Welcome Center located at the intersection of 49th Street and Hampton Boulevard.

From 3 to 4 p.m., volunteers can participate in "Monarchs Give Back" by bringing donated nonperishable food items to the Monarch Way entrance of the Mitchum Basketball Performance Center connected to Chartway Arena. The inaugural community service project launches an annual effort to highlight the University's commitment to partner with the Hampton Roads community. The initiative, started by President Hemphill and First Lady Marisela Rosas Hemphill, Ph.D., aims to collect 20,000 nonperishable items to benefit children experiencing food insecurity.

The day's celebration will conclude with a Homecoming Social featuring a drone light show and fireworks from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the ODU Sailing Center, located at 4551 Powhatan Ave. RSVP to attend.

For more details on the inauguration of President Hemphill click here.