Lead Hampton Roads Presents Visionary Leader Award to President Broderick
Old Dominion President John R. Broderick received a 2011 Visionary Leader Award for education from Lead Hampton Roads during the organization's annual awards dinner Thursday evening, June 30. Also honored as Visionary Leaders were: Angelica Light, president and CEO, Hampton Roads Community Foundation (nonprofit category); Anne Shumadine, founder and chairman, Signature Financial (business category); and Raynor Taylor, president, Future of Hampton Roads (military category).
Broderick was named ODU president in 2009 after serving one year as acting president and 15 years as vice president for institutional advancement and admissions. Since becoming president, he has been credited with a number of initiatives, including:
Establishing the ODU Business Gateway to provide a business-friendly entry point to the intellectual capital, innovative technologies and world-class infrastructure of the university.
Launching the Climate Change and Sea Level Rise Initiative, an effort to identify the multifaceted impact climate change and rising sea levels will have on the region and to find solutions to the anticipated effects on housing, economy, ports and infrastructure.
Securing $12.6 million for ODU from the General Assembly in a time of significant budget cuts.
Launching the Office of Civic and Community Engagement to shepherd ODU's many community-oriented efforts and to explore and advance new opportunities to apply the university's expertise to community betterment.
Broderick was also one of seven college presidents selected to serve on the Governor's Commission on Higher Education Reform, Innovation and Investment.
Among those supporting his nomination for the Visionary Leader Award were former ODU president James V. Koch, Hampton Roads Partnership president and CEO Dana Dickens and Norfolk mayor Paul Fraim. "Over the past few years, President Broderick has consistently demonstrated his ability to think ahead and move in front of the proverbial curve on issues of singular importance to the University and the region," Koch said. The former ODU president lauded Broderick for his leadership regarding the climate change initiative, his proactive approach to improving safety on and off campus and his foresight in developing the ODU Business Gateway. "Finally, I must applaud the fact that President Broderick is highly visible in the Hampton Roads region," Koch added. "He is constantly sharing his views with a multitude of different groups and constituencies and is one of the region's very most active speech makers. Yes, he enunciates his vision as he does so, but he also is listening to those around him and refining his vision as a result. This is the essence of effective leadership." Dickens, in his letter of support, agreed that Broderick is "making a difference in Hampton Roads." He also recognized the president for establishing the Business Gateway, saying: "The program has already assisted more than 350 veterans and/or veteran-owned firms. They are working with existing businesses like The Virginian-Pilot with ways to improve circulation and Sentara on performance improvement. Establishing the ODU Business Gateway is the action of a true visionary." Dickens further noted: "Collaboration is also part of President Broderick's vision to enhance the region by working with leaders in Virginia Beach to promote health sciences research in the Princess Anne Commons corridor." Fraim likewise pointed to the establishment of the Business Gateway and the university strategic plan as among Broderick's accomplishments, and recognized his service on the Governor's Commission on Higher Education Reform. "No one is more deserving of this award for such a dedicated commitment to making our region a vibrant attraction in higher education for the country's future leaders," Fraim said.
Also honored at the Lead Hampton Roads dinner were: Vincent Mastracco Jr., partner with Kaufman & Canoles, PC, the First Citizen of Hampton Roads Award; Chris Jones, Virginia House of Delegates, 76th legislative district, the Regional Statesman Award; and Chuck Harris, president and CEO of YMCA of South Hampton Roads, the Julian Hirst Leadership Award.