The Program
Bob Ash, Rotarian of the Day, introduced his boss, Dr. John Broderick, President of Old Dominion University.
Dr. Ash pointed out that President Broderick has been in his current position for ten years. For his part, President Broderick pointed out that Bob Ash has taught at ODU for fifty years! There is much to be gained from longevity. President Broderick gave us the long view of ODU’s history: from satellite campus to commuter school to the current status with over five thousand beds in dormitories today. There are over 145,000 alumni; 85,000 alumni reside in Virginia. The university has a $2.6B impact on the local economy.
ODU has a strong partnership with Eastern Virginia Medical School, among others. Soon there will be a $75M Health Sciences building which will be going up south of Monarch Way. In case one did not read the newspapers, there was a significant payout to ODU for Pulse Biosciences stock (spun out of research at the Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics).
President Broderick also informed us of partnership with William and Mary as well as Virginia Institute of Marine Science supporting the Commonwealth Center of Recurrent Flooding Research. The Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at ODU (established January 2018) is also promoting experimentation; a retail store on Monarch Way is gearing up to sell products developed by participants in this program. Another recent addition to the campus is the Barry Art Museum which just opened in November.
ODU is in the second year of a capital campaign to raise $250M. Following that President Broderick anticipates the construction of a new chemistry building designed to support advanced and innovative research.
In the Q&A portion, Jay Kossman donated $50 to Rotary Charities to celebrate his graduation from ODU fifty years ago! There were also questions about adjunct faculty, the difficulties of foreign students (children of NATO officers) getting admission, and the Maglev track.
The presentation was packed full of interesting developments and observations about the nature of higher education in the world today.
P.S. If anyone didn’t know that ODU beat Virginia Tech in football, they would have learned about it on Tuesday.
The Meeting
Chuck Spence led us in singing. Barry Kesser asked for divine assistance for those who suffered due to the horrors of war and the extreme challenges from weather.
Our School of the Week is Campostella Elementary.
Visitation/Introduction of Visitors
Visitors included Honorary Member Paul Sykes, who is also a Past District Governor. Michelle Tapia brought along two Rotaracters from the ODU club to hear our speaker, Kelsey Alred and Chaky Ozseker. Susan Donn brought along her old friend, Patti Wainger, who was no stranger to many Rotarians.
President Pam updated club members on Executive Secretary Jane’s progress in rehab since her recent surgery.
Club Business
President Pam reminded everyone to sign up for the Holiday Party at the Mambo Room on Dec. 13th. There is also a volunteer opportunity to man the phones for WHRO’s fundraising efforts.
It being the first meeting of the month, President Pam announced all December birthdays: 3rd—Jack Kavanaugh; 10th—Joe Massey; 14th—John McLemore; 15th—Mal Branch, Barbara Lifland; 19th—Tom Ambler; 20th—Joel Heaton, Angela Kearns; 22nd—Jason Drane; 24th—Dianna Starkey; 25th—Caleb Cooper; 27th—Bob Ash, Will King; and 29th—Mike Goldsmith.
Happy Bucks & Fines
- Thanks to Bob Latimer who served as the Sergeant-at-Arms! Bob also reminded everyone that his Annual Hot Dog Day is coming up on Dec. 14th (noon at Doug’s Hot Dogs in Ocean View).
- Anthony Mia donated money in celebration of his recent vacation in Italy.
- Gus Stuhlreyer contributed because he has a new grandchild (living in Dubai!).
- John Searing was happy to announce that he has a new house in Larchmont and many Rotarian neighbors.
- Bob Ash spoke about his grandson on a football team in Ohio.
- President Pam was very happy to announce that her alma mater was invited to the Belk Bowl.
- Lois Kercher revealed that she was going to be the Coach of the Day for ODU’s basketball team on Saturday.
- Joe Massey, who had been MIA for a while, donated happy bucks in honor of our visitor, Patti Wainger, and her Break Through Program.
Rotary Minute
President Pam reminded us of our members who joined Rotary over thirty years ago this month: Bob Powell (1981), Tim Lawrence (1984), John Egan and Mark Shaw (1985). They were ready to contribute Happy Bucks but we needed to give our distinguished speaker enough time!
A team of Rotary Club of Norfolk members, Rotaract students and family members recently bagged thousands of pounds of onions and sorted thousands of pounds of donated food at the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore. On the team were (from left) Rotarians Ashley Molinaro, Mark Shaw, Walt Sobsczyk and Lorna Cochrane.