A LETTER FROM PRESIDENT RUNTE

November 6, 2002

Dear Colleague,

I would like to thank you for your support at the polls yesterday. I appreciate all of those who worked at the polls, distributed lawn signs, personed the phone lines, and who made speeches and donations in support of the higher education bond referendum. I thank you for voting and for encouraging your friends to vote.

In particular I would like to thank Vice President John Broderick and Elizabeth Wallace who lived and breathed the referendum for the last six months; Claire Geiger Ackiss and the Alumni Association for their donation and letters; Tom Isenhour for working the phones and Tom and Oktay Baysal for their letters to the editor; Don Stansberry, Director of Student Activities and Leadership, along with, Dianna Benner, Larry Woods and the Student Senate for their leadership and participation in rallies and passing out lawn signs; Cheryl Samuels and Shirley Glover for their work in rallying the health sector; Dana Burnett for coordinating activities with the students; and Ellie Costulis for helping me attempt omnipresence.

This is a truly significant moment in Old Dominion University history. We can now plan our future growth in a rational fashion. This is truly a $44 million day! Let us rededicate ourselves with purpose to our mission, knowing that the people of Virginia believe in higher education and support us. Firm in the knowledge that the importance of higher education is recognized, we now must move forward to assure accessibility and excellence, economic and social development, and the discovery of new ideas and ancient worlds.

Sincerely yours,

Roseann Runte
President