ODU IN VIRTUAL COLLEGE FAIR

When Old Dominion University signed up along with about 80 other institutions to participate in a novel "virtual college fair," no one knew the indirect benefits that the deal would bring.

A story about the fair Tuesday in the national newspaper USA Today was accompanied by a photo showing ODU's "virtual booth" in the fair's "virtual exhibition hall." The ODU logo could be plainly seen on the banner hanging above the booth.

"That's publicity you literally cannot buy," said Alice McAdory, executive director of admissions.

The fair, which runs Nov. 13 and 14, allows registered participants to take virtual walks via their computer screens through an exhibition hall where the 80 institutions have admissions/recruitment booths. The participants can click on a booth that seems interesting to them and begin communications-via instant messaging, for example-with admissions personnel at the school.

McAdory said Tuesday that it was too early to tell how many prospective enrollees ODU would meet through the fair, which was organized by a group of entrepreneurs.

The USA Today article is at http://www.usatoday.com/tech/webguide/internetlife/2007-11-12-virtual-college-fair_N.htm.