Old Dominion University Celebrates Inauguration of Ninth

NORFOLK, VA, Oct. 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Old Dominion University commemorated the inauguration of President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D., during Homecoming weekend with a historic investiture ceremony, the launch of a capital campaign and the kickoff of “Monarchs Give Back,” an annual community service project.

President Hemphill was installed as the ninth president of Old Dominion University by Bruce Bradley ’78, rector of the Board of Visitors, during an investiture ceremony Friday morning in Chartway Arena. Before an audience of students, faculty, staff and representatives from across higher education and the community, Bradley bestowed the presidential medallion, and Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Austin Agho, Ph.D. presented the academic mace.

“Brian is perfect for these times because we are at an inflection point and entering a time of great opportunity,” Bradley said, later adding, “The future of Old Dominion is very bright indeed.”

Reflecting on his first year at the University, President Hemphill said, “When we began this journey together on July 1, 2021, we made a commitment to excellence, accountability, transparency and student-centeredness. Without question, Old Dominion University’s longstanding reputation and proven success in providing access and opportunity are the cornerstone of our efforts and will continue to guide us as we move forward together.”

President Hemphill noted higher education is changing.

“Now, we can allow skyrocketing tuition, growing student debt, the enrollment cliff, the value proposition, or the challenging post-COVID environment to define us and limit our possibilities, or we can embrace innovation and opportunity,” he said. “And, in turn, we will be a forward-focused institution in our research, forward-focused in our teaching and forward-focused in our service.

“The universities that engage in innovative approaches and visionary changes will remain at the…