PRESIDENT RUNTE APPOINTS ACTING VICE PRESIDENT FOR RESEARCH

Old Dominion University President Roseann Runte has appointed Robert Ash of Norfolk acting vice president for research.

The new position was created when the Office of Research and Graduate Studies was split into two departments. The new Office of Research will report directly to the president, while the Office of Graduate Studies will remain within Academic Affairs.

Ash joined the Old Dominion faculty as an assistant professor of engineering in 1967 and later was named eminent scholar and eminent professor of engineering. Most recently, Ash was associate vice president for research and graduate studies at Old Dominion.

The creation of the position indicates the importance attached to the research effort at Old Dominion, according to university President Roseann Runte. It also places greater emphasis on creating a recognized leadership position for research and sponsored programs that spans the entire institution and its partnerships.

"Dr. Ash is well-known both in the scholarly community and the region," President Runte said. "He is a talented researcher himself and a strong leader. He will be able to build the bridges needed between the scholarly community and the business and government partners with whom we will be working."