May 11, 2007 News for Faculty, Staff, Students & Friends www.odu.edu/courier

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NORFOLK, VAPERMIT NO. 49

O L D D O M I N I O N U N I V E R S I T Y

Whitehurst donates congressional diaries to library

Grads advisedto serve fellowman, to protectenvironment

Nearly 1,800 students receiveddegrees and were given wordsof advice by speakers Marian

Wright Edelman, founder and presi-dent of the Children’s Defense Fund,and R. Brooks Hanson, deputy editorfor the physical sciences at Sciencemagazine, at Old Dominion’s 106thcommencement exercises May 5 at theTed Constant Convocation Center.

Edelman, who spoke to more than850 graduates of the colleges of Artsand Letters, Engineering and Technol-ogy and Health Sciences at the morn-ing ceremony, received an honorarydoctor of humane letters degree.

She told graduates to ask “not howmuch can I get, but how much can Igive. ... Service is the very purpose oflife, not something you do in yourspare time.”

Edelman also shared lessons fromher book, “The Measure of OurSuccess: A Letter to My Children andYours.” Among them: there is no freelunch, set goals, take risks and assignyourself. “If you see a need, don’t ask

First building inInnovationResearch Parkopens May 16

Gov. Tim Kaine and PresidentRoseann Runte will officiallylaunch Innovation Research Park

@ ODU, an $80 million economic devel-opment project, with the opening cele-bration for the park’s first building at41st Street and Monarch Way May 16.

The event begins at 4:30 p.m. with aformal program, followed by tours anddemonstrations throughout the building.Norfolk City Councilman Barclay Winnand Wexford Science+TechnologyPresident James R. Berens will join in theceremony.

Located in the University Village,Innovation Research Park @ ODU is aunique public-private partnershipdesigned to merge university intellectualcapital, faculty and students with private-sector companies to pursue research,technology development and business-creation opportunities.

Designed by UJNM architects ofPhiladelphia, the park’s first structure is a100,000-square-foot, five-story Class“A” office/lab building. WexfordScience+Technology, a national real-estate investment firm headquartered inTowson, Md., is the project owner-devel-oper for the building and GVA Advantisis the exclusive leasing agent and proper-ty manager.

ODU offices occupy about 60 percentof the building, including the Office ofResearch, Research Foundation, LeanManufacturer Institute, Mid-AtlanticRegional Spaceport, Computational

(See RESEARCH PARK, Page 3)Perry Library’s Special Collectionsrecently received a special collec-tion, indeed, when G. William

Whitehurst, Kaufman Lecturer in PublicAffairs, donated a copy of his personalcongressional diaries.

The 20 bound volumes, presented toUniversity Librarian Virginia O’Herronat an April 26 reception, featureWhitehurst’s private accounts of eventsthat transpired during his 18 years asVirginia’s Second District representativeto the U.S. Congress, which began in1969. The entries also include his unvar-nished personal opinions of the politicalfigures of the day whom he encountered.As he noted at the event, “There are ele-ments in the diary which are uncompli-mentary about some people on both sidesof the aisle.”

A Republican, Whitehurst retired fromCongress in January 1987 to assume thelectureship at Old Dominion.

Whitehurst’s nine terms as a congress-man covered the period of the VietnamWar, Watergate scandal, ABSCAM scan-dal and the oil crises of the 1970s. Hespent his congressional career as a mem-ber of the House Armed ServicesCommittee, and also served a six-year

term on the Select Committee onIntelligence, and two years on the EthicsCommittee.

He donated the original copies of hispersonal diaries 20 years ago to thelibrary at Washington and Lee University,where he received his bachelor’s degree in1950.

At the April 26 ceremony, Whitehurstexplained that he was prompted todonate the second set after some of hisODU students complained about havingto drive all the way to W&L to read thejournals for their research papers. “Lastfall I got an attack of common sense,which I should have gotten years ago,”Whitehurst admitted. “So I called W&Land asked to borrow the diaries to makecopies. I wanted them to be available forthis generation and future generations ofscholars.”

The diaries, he noted, are unique inthat he was the only congressman at thetime who kept such a journal.Whitehurst’s wife, Janie, who worked in

(See WHITEHURST DIARIES, Page 7)

Music on the mall will return May 24with a free concert by the VirginiaSymphony, under the direction of newassistant conductor Matt Kraemer.

The concert will mark the 30-year-oldKraemer’s first public appearance withthe orchestra.

The 7 p.m. performance on KaufmanMall will include a piece by ODU’sAdolphus Hailstork, “Settlements 5,”written in honor of the 400th anniver-sary of the founding of Jamestown.

Those who attend are encouraged tobring lawn chairs and blankets. TheUniversity Theatre will serve as the rainsite.

Va. Symphony to performoutdoor concert May 24

‘Why doesn’t someone do something?’Ask, ‘Why don’t I do something?’”

She urged graduates to take familylife seriously and to be careful of work-ing just for money, noting, “Don’t con-fuse wealth or fame with character.”

Hanson told graduates at the after-noon commencement that their genera-tion “can instill the importance of sci-ence” in the political and educationalprocesses affecting the quality of humanlife on Earth.

Speaking to 900 graduates of theCollege of Business and Public Admin-istration, Darden College of Educationand College of Sciences, he said science

tells us that “we have a big change com-ing, and it’s going to profoundly shapeyour generation.”

For the past century, fossil fuels havebeen the basis of the global economy,Hanson noted. “But a change isrequired for two reasons. The first issimple: within the next 20 to 30 yearsor so, we will begin to run short of oil.The second reason is a bit more compli-cated, but it is now extremely wellunderstood that the burning of thosefossil fuels is warming our climate.”

Video of both ceremonies can beviewed online at www.lions.odu.edu/dept/ao/ss/commencements/2007_spring.

PHOTO BY CHUCK THOMAS

Big smiles were the order of the day May 5 for members of the Class of 2007.

PHOTO BY CHUCK THOMAS

Whitehurst speaks to friends and facultywho attended a reception at the library.

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2 theCourier, May 11, 2007

newsandnotes

Volume 36, No. 10 • May 11, 2007

EditorSteve Daniel

Contributing WritersSusan MalandrinoJennifer MullenJim Raper

PhotographersChuck ThomasBradley Smith

The Courier is published monthly for the faculty,staff, students and friends of Old DominionUniversity by the Office of InstitutionalAdvancement: John R. Broderick, vice presidentfor institutional advancement and admissions.

Letters to the editor and manuscripts for“Commentary” should be sent to Room 100, Koch Hall, Old Dominion University, Norfolk,Va. 23529. Telephone: 757-683-3093. E-mail:sdaniel@odu.edu. Fax: 757-683-5501.

The editor reserves the right to select representa-tive submissions and edit all material to conformwith Associated Press style and available space.

For updates on university news betweenCouriers, visit the Web page: www.odu.edu/news.

Old Dominion University is an equalopportunity/affirmative action institution.

New ODU center will aidurban, at-risk students inNewport News schools

In an effort to assist urban and “at-risk” students, Old Dominion formallylaunched the Center for Teacher Qualityand Educational Leadership (CTQEL)and signed a partnership with NewportNews Public Schools April 25 at the uni-versity’s Peninsula Higher EducationCenter.

Funded by the General Assembly,CTQEL will help teachers and schoolleaders mobilize community resources tomeet such students’ academic and othereducational needs. It is one aspect ofODU’s commitment to PK-20 partner-ships that aim to improve student achieve-ment, leadership and teacher quality.Located at the Peninsula Higher Educa-tion Center, CTQEL is a community out-reach organization of the Darden Collegeof Education’s Program for Research andEvaluation in Public Schools.

At the ceremony, Newport NewsPublic Schools Interim SuperintendentAshby Kilgore and ODU ProvostThomas L. Isenhour signed a memoran-dum of agreement to train school princi-pals, assistant principals and teachers tohelp children in urban schools reach theiracademic achievement potential andincrease personal and social responsibili-ties associated with academic and com-munity success.

Starting in July, select teachers andadministrators will engage in schoolimprovement demonstration projects,which will be developed collaborativelywith district leaders. Areas of focus willinclude school leadership, teacher qualityand pupil achievement.

Economics Club luncheonrescheduled to June 1

Benedict Schwegler Jr., vice presidentand chief scientist of Walt DisneyImagineering, Research &Development Inc., will be the guestspeaker for the Economics Club ofHampton Roads luncheon at theNorfolk Waterside Marriott on June 1.

The program, which begins at noon,was rescheduled from April 27.

For reservations call 683-4058.

University Libraries honorsemployees of the year

The University Libraries recently hon-ored Donna Hughes-Oldenburg andHelen Ho as Librarian of the Year andStaff Member of the Year.

Hughes-Oldenburg, who is head ofthe bibliographic services department,was credited for assuming the additionalresponsibilities of acting acquisitions andpreservation services librarian and actingcataloging services librarian when thosepositions became vacant. She also spear-headed the development of the“Holocaust Remembrance” exhibit in thePerry Library lobby.

Ho was cited as “a valuable teamplayer who solves problems, ensuresquality control and streamlines process-ing of important library resources toenhance user satisfaction.” Due todepartmental vacancies, she took onextra duties and the responsibility fortraining staff and student assistants intasks related to departmental processing.

“Making Allegories” opensMay 12 at Univ. Gallery

The University Gallery opens“Making Allegories,” recent sculpture byHerb Weaver and Cliff Tresner, with areception and brief gallery talk by theartists at 7 p.m. May 12. The receptionand exhibition, which continues throughJuly 1, are free and open to the public.

Using allegory and metaphor, bothartists explore the creative process frominception to exhibition. Drawing on hisbackground in furniture design, Tresneruses wood, bronze and steel to assembleworks that appear, at times, to be func-tional.

Weaver creates a clever twist in hishand-built clay sculptures by endowingthem with layers of meaning. In workssuch as “Bushwhacker,” the title punningon the name Bush, the blades of a hand-built clay lawn mower are embossed with

casualty numbers.Tresner is an associate professor of art

at the University of Louisiana at Monroe.Weaver is a professor in the fine artsdepartment at Bethany College in WestVirginia.

The University Gallery is located at350 W. 21st St., Norfolk. For more infor-mation call 683-2355.

ODU to start two degreeprograms in Martinsville

Old Dominion will partner with NewCollege Institute to offer two degree pro-grams in Martinsville beginning this fall.The announcement was made April 26by President Roseann Runte and NCIexecutive director Barry Dorsey.

The two programs, bachelor’s degreesin motor sports technology and industrialtechnology, are the eighth and ninthdegree programs to be offered at NCI, anew educational institution establishedby the 2006 General Assembly.

NCI brings directly to Virginia’sSouthside third- and fourth-year coursesthat enable students to complete bache-lor’s degrees without having to leave thearea. The institution also offers master’sdegrees. The programs are delivered bypublic and private institutions.

“This area of the state is known forits motorsports activities,” Dorsey said.“We have an outstanding associatedegree in motorsports already offered byPatrick Henry Community College. Thebachelor’s degree builds on the PHCCprogram and makes it possible for a stu-dent to stay in this area to complete afour-year degree and be even better pre-pared to work in the growing motor-sports industry.”

He added, “The industrial technologydegree should be of great benefit to busi-nesses in our region. This degree also is anatural one for many community collegegraduates with associate degrees in tech-nology to complete.”

VTCHE sponsors annualInstitute on College Teaching

The Virginia Tidewater Consortiumfor Higher Education’s 29th annualSummer Institute on College Teachingwill be held June 3-7 at the College ofWilliam and Mary.

Institute faculty will include consult-ants with expertise in testing, lecturing,cooperative learning, teaching evalua-tions and other areas. The program isdesigned to allow faculty members theopportunity to discuss college teachingand learning in-depth with their col-leagues in a non-threatening, pleasantenvironment.

For details contact the consortium at683-3183 or lgdotolo@aol.com.

Scholarship will send student to Amman in June

Melodee Baines, a doctoral student ininternational studies, was selected toreceive a U.S. Department of StateCritical Language Scholarship for partici-pation in the Arabic program in Amman,Jordan, from June 13 to Aug. 21. Shewas one of 150 students chosen from

Leading the wayUniversity Marshal Gary R. Crossman leads the procession from Webb Center to theConstant Convocation Center for the morning commencement program on May 5.

among more than 3,300 applicants.The scholarships are part of the

National Security Language Initiative, acoordinated federal effort designed toincrease dramatically the number ofAmericans learning and teaching critical-need foreign languages.

New SGA president anative of Ghana

Kojo Asamoa-Caesar, a junior com-munication major, was elected recently aspresident of the ODU StudentGovernment Association for 2007-08.

A native of Alexandria who grew upin Ghana, Asamosa-Caesar ran for officeto combine and further his leadershipexperiences while serving fellow students.

Adventure program offerssurfing, kayaking day trips

The recreational sports department’sOutdoor Adventure Program offersLearn to Surf outings on May 19 andJune 9, and a kayak trip June 2. The costfor each is $10 for faculty and staff and$5 for students. The fee includes trans-portation, instruction, use of surfboardand kayak, and lunch.

To register or for more informationcall 683-3384.

CLT institute begins May 21Reservations are still being taken for

the Center for Learning Technologies’Summer Institute, scheduled for May 21-23. It will focus on the pedagogical andtechnical dimensions of podcasting. Fordetails visit www.clt.odu.edu/si/si07.

Portal to New Worlds

www.odu.edu/courier

PHOTO BY CHUCK THOMAS

theCourier, May 11, 2007 3

“Our mission is to act as a pathfinder,looking at the synergistic coupling oftechnologies that have not been cou-pled before and that would make avery big difference. We add value.”(Ahmed Noor, director, Center forAdvanced Engineering Environments)

– “ODU center boosts image with just 2words: open house”

The Virginian-Pilot, May 2

“I think if Sarkozy wins, which is like-ly to be the case, he will be tested fromthe moment he comes in. He willimmediately have to set in motion apolicy that forces the nation intochanging its ways, adapting at the levelof the citizens.” (Simon Serfaty, emi-nent scholar of political science)

– “Fixing France: Why its presidentialcandidates may look to Thatcher, Reagan

for reforms”Metro New York, April 26

“People are so afraid of making mis-takes. But it’s better to get help and bewrong than to not get help.” (JanisSanchez, chair, psychology department)

– “Maybe there should be more trainingfor attacks”

The Virginian-Pilot, April 21

“You want to keep some ethnic identi-ty. It is a pride that we want our kidsto have that they are different, yet, notdifferent.” (Vinod Agarwal, professorof economics)– “It’s crunch time for the ODU Bhangra

Maniacs”The Virginian-Pilot, April 20

“Even though we look at technology asbeing instantaneous, it’s hard to putout 28,000 e-mails at the samemoment or text 28,000 people at thesame time.” (John R. Broderick, vicepresident for institutional advance-ment)

– “In the wake of the Virginia Techshootings”

WVEC TV, April 17

“She [President Runte] always followsup. When she talks to us, she doesn’ttake notes, so students think she’s notlistening. But as soon as she gets backto her office, she starts sending out e-mails. And you see things fixed soon.”(D’Ontae Sylvertooth, student govern-ment president)– “Her field of dreams: ODU president lit

a football fire where interest and inertiamet”

The Virginian-Pilot, April 15

“I have read with great interest yourarticle on ODU’s stalled Maglev proj-ect. It also reminded me of the post-card ‘Maglev: A Streetcar NamedDesire’ which is an ironic riff onTennessee Williams’ famous play bythe same title. The postcard is part of aseries called ‘Spring Awakening,’ whichcombines poetry with images from arthistory. The postcards are currently onsale in various stores around ODU’scampus. All proceeds from these salesbenefit breast cancer research.”(Frederick Lubich, chair, foreign lan-guages and literatures, in an op-ed)

– “Stellaaaaaa!! Maglevvvvv!!”The Virginian-Pilot, April 15

“Once you’ve got the student fired up,their momentum will carry themthrough.” (John Adam, UniversityProfessor of mathematics)

– “Leave math to those undaunted bysubject”

The Virginian-Pilot, April 13

“newsmakers”

Harry Borum “Beau” Price III, a for-mer member of the Old Dominion Boardof Visitors, died April 22, 2007, inVirginia Beach. He was 70.

Price was appointed twice by gover-nors of Virginia to the ODU board,where he served from 1983 to 1991.Additionally, he taught at the university’sInstitute of Management.

Over the past 20 years, Price workedin several fields. He was president ofFamily Business Advisors, and conductedbusiness planning and estate planningwith John S. Pugh & Associates andCape Financial Inc. He was an instructorof management and leadership seminarsand management coaching with theTeren Co. and taught at the College ofWilliam and Mary Center for Executiveand Professional Development. For thepast 17 years, he served as a trustee inbankruptcy with the U.S. Department ofJustice, Eastern District of Virginia.

Price served on the Norfolk Academyboard of trustees for more than 20 years.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years,Elizabeth Wilson “Betsy” Price; threesons, Scott Wilson Price, Mark DeitrickPrice and Timothy Denny Price; threegrandsons; and two brothers, BruceDeitrick Price and Michael Wayne Price.

Harry “Beau” Price

Sara Hamburg Tonelson of Norfolk,who supervised student teachers at OldDominion for several years, died April 8,2007.

While raising two sons, she earnedboth her bachelor’s and master’s degreesat ODU in 1966 and 1969. She had a15-year career as a special educationteacher for Norfolk Public Schools, andfollowing retirement continued her workin the field of education as a supervisorof student teaching at ODU.

A member of Congregation Beth El,she was active in a number of Jewish,educational and social organizations. Shewas also an avid fan of ODU athletics.

Tonelson was preceded in death by herhusband of 61 years, former ODU educa-tion professor, administrator and alum-nus A. Rufus Tonelson ’33. She is sur-vived by her two sons, Louis Tonelson(C.A.S. ’80) of Virginia Beach andStephen Tonelson (M.S.Ed. ’76), a cur-rent ODU education professor, ofNorfolk. Survivors also include fourgrandchildren.

Tonelson and her late husband werelongtime benefactors of Old Dominion,having established an endowment for anannual faculty award in the DardenCollege of Education, which bears theirnames. A gift from the Tonelsons also ledto the creation of the Tonelson Garden atWebb Center.

Memorial donations may be made to

the A. Rufus Tonelson Athletic Scholar-ship, Perry Library or to CongregationBeth El.

Sara Hamburg Tonelson

O b i t u a r i e s

On May 11, approximately 30officers and enlisted personnelfrom Navy Expeditionary

Combat Command (NECC) at NavalAmphibious Base Little Creek completeda one-week, intensive cultural competen-cy training course at Old Dominiondesigned to help them better understandand work in foreign environments.

The 40-hour pilot course, which willbe offered to other NECC personnel ineight additional one-week sessions overthe next year, is funded by a $532,000grant from the Navy.

In partnership with ITA International,a local small business that offers compre-hensive analysis and assessments to gov-ernment organizations and private indus-try, the university developed a culturalcompetency curriculum that will helpsailors better comprehend, communicatewith and negotiate with their allied andpartner-country counterparts – particu-larly those in underdeveloped countries –in such areas as maritime security train-ing and humanitarian missions.

ODU faculty taught the first three daysof classes at the Gornto TELETECHNETCenter and the final two at the universi-ty’s facility on the Norfolk Naval Base.The classes covered the following:Fundamentals of Interpersonal Com-munications, and Home Culture Orien-tation, by Janet Bing, English; Religionand Culture, by David Loomis, philoso-phy and religious studies; Use of Inter-preters, by M’hammed Abdous, Centerfor Learning Technologies; The AmericanEmbassy/U.S.Country Team, BismarckMyrick, international affairs; U.N.Organizational Structure and Charter,and Nuances of International Govern-mental Organizations and Non-Govern-mental Organiza-tions, by MariaFornella-Oehninger, political science andgeography; and The Art of Negotiation,by Donald Smith, sociology and criminaljustice.

Overall, the course is designed to fos-ter a fundamental understanding of cul-tural diversity and interpersonal relation-ships, as well as increase knowledge ofcultural sensitivity, communication andnegotiation.

“The NECC, which is commanded byRear Adm. Donald Bullard, deploysteams to foreign countries to work withtheir militaries in such areas as port secu-rity and local security,” said DavidChase, director of military distance learn-ing programs at ODU and the universi-ty’s liaison with ITA. “This will provide

these sailors with some cultural compe-tencies and basic skills that will allowthem to interface with the local militariesin carrying out their missions.”

He added: “This project is one thatsupports the military and leverages theexisting partnerships and expertise of theuniversity. This is a good example of anarea where we are well-equipped to helpmeet the Navy’s needs, and one in whichwe can indirectly make a national andinternational impact. The faculty are veryenthusiastic about this project.”

Nancy J. Cooley, vice provost for dis-tance learning, is the principal investiga-tor for the grant, and M’HammedAbdous, director of the Center forLearning Technologies, serves as projectmanager.

Chase added that ODU will subse-quently adapt the pilot course for syn-chronous and asynchronous distancelearning formats, and noted that theNavy may be interested in having futurecourses tailored to specific regions, cul-tures and languages.

Grant funds targeted course in culturalcompetency training for Navy personnel

B Y S T E V E D A N I E L

ODU a direct-lending institution, Finch says

(Continued from Page 1)Intelligence and Machine VisionLaboratory, Center for Coastal PhysicalOceanography, Center for Advanced ShipRepair and Maintenance, NationalCenter for System of SystemsEngineering, Virginia Applied Technologyand Professional Development Center,and Office of Spatial and CartographicInformation.

Research park

With the recent increased scrutiny ofthe federal student loan system and rela-tionships colleges and universities havewith lending institutions, Veronica Finch,director of the Office of StudentFinancial Aid, wants to assure studentsand parents that Old Dominion has nopreferred lenders and does not financial-ly, or otherwise, gain from the issuanceof student loans.

Unlike some other schools, ODU is adirect-lending institution, which meansthe university works directly with theU.S. Department of Education to secureloans for students who apply, Finchnoted. Students applying for loans workdirectly with ODU and do not need toapply to a lending institution, such as abank. The university was one of the orig-inal 100 colleges and universities withwhom the education department

launched the William D. Ford FederalDirect Loan Program in 1993.

“Students fill out one form – the FreeApplication for Federal Student Aid(FAFSA) – to apply for whatever stateand federal aid as well as some institu-tional aid that is available,” said Finch.“In addition to whatever grants a studentqualifies for, loans are also offered as achoice. All students are eligible for eitherfederal subsidized or unsubsidized stu-dents loans.”

Additionally, Finch stressed that theuniversity does not publish a list of pre-ferred or suggested lenders for private/alternative loans, does not have a con-tract with any lender or guarantor andnever participated in a revenue-sharingprogram. “We are here for our students,and their well-being is our first priority,”she said.

4 theCourier, May 11, 2007

Faculty Awards and Retirement Dinner

Michael T. Zugelder, associate pro-fessor of finance, has been a memberof the Old Dominion University facul-ty since 1992.

The business law professor for theCollege of Business and PublicAdministration, he maintains an activeresearch agenda, publishing one ortwo articles each year. His studentsdescribe him as an enthusiastic andknowledgeable teacher.

He is a past winner of the college’steaching award as well as a recipientof the Outstanding Faculty Award

from the Office of Student Activitiesand Leadership.

Zugelder serves on the business col-lege’s Ethics Curriculum Task Force,serves as faculty secretary and chairsthe Nominations, Elections and andAwards Committee.

The Tonelson Award, whichincludes a $2,000 prize and a 12-month reserved parking space, isnamed for one of Old Dominion’s firststudents, the late Alan Rufus Tonelson’33, who went on to serve as a profes-sor and administrator of the university.

A. Rufus Tonelson Faculty AwardMichael T. Zugelder

Ravindra P. Joshi, professor of elec-trical and computer engineering, joinedODU in 1989. He received a bachelor’sdegree in technology (1983) and amaster’s in electrical engineering(1985) from the Indian Institute ofTechnology, and a doctorate (1988) inelectrical engineering from ArizonaState University. He is a co-recipient ofthe Martin Black Prize from theInstitute of Physics and Engineering inMedicine (2005) and recipient of theA. Rufus Tonelson Award (2004). Inaddition he earned the OutstandingTeaching Award from the Frank BattenCollege of Engineering and Technology(2006) and the Outstanding TeachingAward from the Department ofElectrical and Computer Engineering(2003).

Sheri A. Reynolds, associate profes-sor of English and the Ruth and PerryMorgan Endowed Professor ofSouthern Literature, joined ODU in1997. She received a bachelor’s degreein English from Davidson College in1989 and an M.F.A. in creative writingfrom Virginia CommonwealthUniversity in 1992. She is the 2003recipient of the Virginia OutstandingFaculty Award in the Rising Star cate-gory, and she was featured in April1997 on the Oprah Winfrey Show dur-ing its monthly book club feature. Awell-known novelist and playwright,

Reynolds is a popular faculty memberand currently serves as graduate pro-gram director for the M.F.A. programin creative writing.

Lawrence B. Weinstein, professor ofphysics, joined ODU in 1992. Hereceived a bachelor’s degree in physics(1981) from Yale University and a doc-torate in physics (1988) fromMassachusetts Institute of Technology.He was inducted as a Fellow of theAmerican Physical Society in 2005. Hereceived the College of Sciences FacultyExcellence Award in 2005 and theCollege of Sciences DistinguishedTeaching Award in 2006. Weinsteinhas been described as an innovativeand engaging professor.

Michael T. Zugelder, associate pro-fessor of finance, joined ODU in 1995.He received a bachelor’s degree in psy-chology (1974), an M.B.A. (1976)from Indiana University and a jurisdoctor degree (1980) from theUniversity of Toledo. He is the recipi-ent of the Outstanding Faculty Award(2001) from the College of Businessand Public Administration and theOutstanding University Faculty Award(1997) from the Office of StudentActivities and Leadership. He consis-tently receives high praise from his stu-dents whether he teaches in the dis-tance learning format or in the tradi-tional classroom.

University Professors

Presenting the Tonelson Award to Michael Zugelder, left, are President RoseannRunte and Ed Shelton, president of the ODU Alumni Association.

PHOTOS BY CHUCK THOMAS

Retiring faculty,administratorshonored

Provost Tom Isenhour, above, congratulates ODU’s retiring faculty. Pictured are, left to right: John P. Broderick, English; KaeChung, management and international business; Terry Dickinson, psychology; Erlene Hendrix, communication and theatre arts;Gilbert Hoy, physics; Thomas Royer, ocean, earth and atmospheric sciences; Deborah Meltsner, communication and theatre arts;Nancy Wade, biological sciences; David Johnson, art; Ronald Johnson, ocean, earth and atmospheric sciences; John Kuehl, his-tory; and Philip Raisor, English. Retiring faculty and administrators not pictured include: Colin Box, James Calliotte, CharlieCooke, Frederick Freeman, Justin Friberg, Cynthia Ghaemmaghami, Paula Justice, Richard Keplar, Christopher Lovell, LindaMorrison, Roger Richman, Don Runyon, Robert Safford, Stanley Weinstein and George Wong.

theCourier, May 11, 2007 5

Faculty Awards and Retirement Dinner

Donald H. Smith, associate profes-sor of sociology and criminal justice,joined ODU in 1974. He received hisbachelor’s (1967) and master’s (1968)degrees from California StateUniversity at Long Beach. He earned adoctorate from Emory University in1972. Smith has taught severalTELETECHNET courses, and he is

Nancy A. Bagranoff became deanof the College of Business and PublicAdministration in 2003. Shortly afterher arrival, she instituted the ConstantHall Partners program, which servesas an example of her advocacy for fac-ulty and students as well as her abilityto connect with the Hampton Roadscommunity.

Since its inception, the CHP pro-gram has grown to 18 members and

provides funds each year to supportfaculty and student development,including enabling graduate studentsto attend professional conferences topresent research.

She is currently vice president foreducation for the American Account-ing Association. Additionally, she is amember of several advisory boardsand boards of directors in HamptonRoads.

David R. Hager has more than 35years of experience as an academicadministrator and faculty member atODU. He currently holds a joint facul-ty appointment in the Darden Collegeof Education’s higher educationadministration program and theCollege of Arts and Letters’ interna-tional studies program.

His courses include a special under-graduate seminar at the UnitedNations. Hager also assists the provostwith responsibilities for institutionalliaison with the Southern Associationof Colleges and Schools Commissionon Colleges, development of facultyand program recognition opportuni-ties, and the development of an asyn-chronous R.N.-to-B.S.N. nursing pro-gram.

Additionally, he serves as the uni-versity’s research integrity officer.

Maria L.Fornella-Oehninger hasgiven superlativeservice as thedirector of theModel UnitedNations pro-gram, which shehas facilitatedsince 1993.

With asuperb grasp ofinternational

Instructional Technology Teaching Award

Donald H. Smith and Lawrence B. Weinstein

Provost’s Award for Leadership inInternational EducationDavid R. Hager and Maria L. Fornella-Oehninger

J. Worth Pickering Administratorof the Year AwardNancy A. Bagranoff

40 YearsRobert L. Ash, Aerospace Engineering;Jim Jarrett, Athletics

35 YearsDana D. Burnett, Educational Leadershipand Counseling; Lawrence G. Dotolo,Virginia Tidewater Consortium; WayneK. Talley, Economics

30 YearsJames A. Calliotte, University College;Edward J. Fraim, Athletic Development; Jane Hager, Educational Curriculum andInstruction; David E. Johnson, Art;Lucien X. Lombardo, Sociology andCriminal Justice; G. Steven Rhiel, Infor-mation Technology and DecisionSciences; John M. Ritz, Occupational andTechnical Studies

25 YearsA. Osman Akan, Dean’s Office,Engineering and Technology; Deborah B.Bauman, Dental Hygiene; Oktay Baysal,Dean’s Office, Engineering and Technol-ogy; Janet M. Bing, English; Judith M.Bowman, Academic Affairs and Univer-sity College; Kenneth G. Brown, Chemis-try and Biochemistry; Narasinga RaoChaganty, Mathematics and Statistics;Gregory A. Cutter, Ocean, Earth and

Atmospheric Sciences; Don D. Davis,Psychology; Terry L. Dickinson, Psychol-ogy; Jacqueline F. Hines, Student SupportServices; James W. Kosnik, Music;George C. Maihafer, Physical Therapy;Zia Razzaq, Civil and EnvironmentalEngineering; Allen Sandler, Early Child-hood, Speech-Language Pathology andSpecial Education; Alan Savitzky, Biolog-ical Sciences; Marek Wermus, Informa-tion Technology and Decision Sciences

20 YearsElizabeth R. Anders, Athletics; Chris-topher B. Colburn, Economics; Jennifer J.Foss, Student Health Services; MiekoIshibashi, Foreign Languages and Litera-tures; Drew Landman, Aerospace Engi-neering; Wendy S. Larry, Athletics;Marilyn F. Marloff, Communication andTheatre Arts; Pamela D. Morgan, LibraryCollections and Bibliographic Services;Ravi Mukkamala, Computer Science;Mohammad Najand, Business Adminis-tration/Finance; Gary Schafran, Civil andEnvironmental Engineering; Scott R.Sechrist, Medical Laboratory andRadiation Sciences; Resit Unal, Engineer-ing Management and Systems Engineer-ing; G. William Whitehurst, History;Mohammad Zubair, Computer Science

University Service Awards

President Runte presents the award to Nancy Bagranoff, right.

responsible for launching the criminaljustice online program. Students havebenefited greatly from his innovationand expertise, not only in his subjectarea but also in his application oftechnology.

Lawrence B. Weinstein, professorof physics, joined ODU in 1992. Hereceived a bachelor’s degree in physics(1981) from Yale University and adoctorate in physics (1988) fromMassachusetts Institute of Technology.He was inducted as a Fellow of theAmerican Physical Society in 2005.He received the College of SciencesFaculty Excellence Award in 2005 andthe College of Sciences DistinguishedTeaching Award in 2006. Weinsteinhas engaged in activities inside andoutside the classroom that promote,integrate and implement high-tech andlow-tech technologies in both formaland informal education.SMITH WEINSTEIN

issues, she encourages students, admin-isters a complex program and attendsto the various elements that lead to asuccessful conference.

Fornella-Oehninger has taughtModel U.N. courses and prepared stu-dents to participate in college-levelModel U.N. programs around thecountry. She instituted a U.N. Dayobservance at Old Dominion andhelped with the Model Arab Leagueprogram and various Joint Forces StaffCollege programs, while teachingother courses in international relationsand comparative politics.HAGER

President Runte presents one of thetwo Provost’s Awards for Leadershipin International Education to MariaFornella-Oehninger, left.

6 theCourier, May 11, 2007

profacts

Wilson Hays Dotolo Forbes

ProFacts welcomes post-announcements fromfaculty and staff regarding professional achievements.Items may be submitted for: Appointments/Elections,Awards, Books, Certifications, Commis sions,Compositions/Arrangements, Degrees, Exhibi tions,Performances, Papers/Presentations and Publi cations.Send your submissions to: sdaniel@odu.edu.

Appointments/ElectionsLAWRENCE DOTOLO, president, Virginia

Tidewater Consortium for Higher Education,appointed to the subcommittee on “Increasing Need-based Aid for Access and Success” as one of the 300participants invited to the U.S. secretary of educa-tion’s March Summit on “A Test of Leadership:Committing to Advance Postsecondary Education forAll Americans” in Washington, D.C.

PHILIP LANGLAIS, vice provost for graduatestudies and research, elected vice president (2007-08)and president-elect (2008-09) of the Conference ofSouthern Graduate Schools.

Awards/HonorsBEVERLY FORBES, director of experiential

education, Career Management Center, a $10,150grant from the Virginia Space Grant Consortium forthe Engineering Early Advantage Program forWomen for summer 2007.

DOUGLAS GREENE, professor of history,author and owner of Crippen & Landru, publisherof short story collections of both classic and contem-porary mystery authors, the George N. Dove Awardfrom the Detective/Mystery Caucus of the PopularCulture Association and American CultureAssociation. The award recognizes outstanding con-tributions to the serious study of mystery and crimefiction.

DANICA HAYS, assistant professor of educa-tional leadership and counseling, a research grantaward from the Association for Counselor Educationand Supervision for her study, “Exploring CulturalBias, Perceived Client Functioning and DiagnosticVariance Among Counselor Trainees.”

LUISA IGLORIA, associate professor ofEnglish, a $1,000 prize as winner of the NationalWriters Union 2006 Poetry Contest for her poem,“Descent.” It will be published in Poetry Flash.Another of her poems, “Venom,” was selected forthe 2007 James Hearst Poetry Prize from the NorthAmerican Review.

ALICE JONES, director of student and alumniprograms, Career Management Center, the EmergingLeader Award at the Virginia Association of Collegesand Employers annual conference in Roanoke.

CHARLES WILSON, interim vice provost forUniversity College and University Professor ofEnglish, the David Bottoms Distinguished AlumnusAward from the University of West Georgia. Wilson,who earned his bachelor’s degree from UWG, gave atalk, titled “Ernest Gaines’ ‘Manhood’: Contempor-ary Applications,” during the visit to his alma mater.

Papers/PresentationsJOHN ADAM, University Professor of mathe-

matics, “Patterns in Nature” at the University ofNevada-Las Vegas Forum and to “Z-Arts!”, the ZionCanyon Arts & Humanities Council in Springdale,Utah. Also, “Mathematics in Nature,” the keynotespeech at the 2007 the Virginia MathematicalAssociation of Two Year Colleges conference inHampton. Also, “The Rainbow: Portraits in Art,Culture and Science” to the students and faculty atPhillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire.

ROBERT ASH, director of the Wind TunnelEnterprise Center, “Uncovering the Secrets of theWright Brothers” in Milwaukee and Dayton as partof the Society of Automotive Engineers’ “Experts onTour” program.

OKTAY BAYSAL, dean of the Frank BattenCollege of Engineering and Technology, and DUCNGUYEN, professor of civil and environmentalengineering, “Large-scale Parallel DomainDecomposition: Part 1 – Computational FluidDynamics Applications” at the 30th Institute ofInformation and Technology Conference in Hanoi,Vietnam. Also, “Large-scale Parallel Computing byDomain Decomposition: CFD and CSMApplications” at the Hanoi University of Science’sCenter for High-Performance Computing. Duringtheir visit to Vietnam, Baysal delivered an ODUMemorandum of Understanding with Ho Chi MinhUniversity of Technology, Hanoi University ofScience, Hanoi University of Technology and HongDuc University.

LAWRENCE DOTOLO, president, VirginiaTidewater Consortium for Higher Education,“Consortia: How Institutions Can Work Together”at the Association of Governing Boards of Universityand Colleges’ annual conference in Phoenix. Also,“Report of the Subcommittee on Affordability” tothe State Council of Higher Education for Virginia’sStrategic Planning Committee at Richard BlandCollege. Also, “Imperatives in Higher and AdultEducation: Leveraging Resources” at the Associationfor Continuing Higher Education Region 5 annualconference in Williamsburg.

GARY EDGERTON, chair of communicationand theatre arts, “Behind the Scenes at HBO: Adapt-ing Angels in America for Pay TV” at the annual con-ference of the American Culture Association in Boston.

KOREN GOODMAN, assistant director andliaison to the College of Sciences, and HeidiMcFerron, Cyber Career Center supervisor, CareerManagement Center, “High Tech and High Touch:How to Interact with Today’s Student Using EffectiveOnline Interactive Career Tools for AdvisingAppointments” at the National Academic AdvisingAssociation’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference inMcLean.

JEWEL GOODMAN, doctoral candidate,KOREN GOODMAN, assistant director at theCareer Management Center and liaison to theCollege of Sciences, and Cheryl Griffiths, a student atTidewater Community College, “Meeting the Needsof the Nontraditional-aged Student at the Commun-ity College Level: Using the Semester-long StudentDevelopment Course as a Primary Home for MoreComprehensive Academic Preparation” at theNational Academic Advising Association’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference in McLean.

FRAN HASSENCAHL, assistant professor ofcommunication and theatre arts, “Jerusalem: TheDivided City” to the ODU Institute for Learning inRetirement in Virginia Beach. Also, “ ‘I Can HangOn’: Cartoonists Depict President Bush in the IraqiRodeo” at the annual meeting of the PopularCulture/American Culture Association in Boston.

ISAO ISHIBASHI, professor of civil and envi-ronmental engineering, “EPS Filled Used Tires as aLight Weight Construction Fill Material” at theInternational Workshop on Scrap Tire DerivedGeomaterials in Yokosuka, Japan. Co-author isSETHAPONG SETHABOUPPHA, a faculty mem-ber at Chiang Mai University, Thailand, and formerdoctoral student at ODU. Ishibashi also chaired atheme lecture session during the workshop.

WILLIAM JONES, associate professor of philos-ophy and religious studies, “Creation and Technol-ogy: Christian Responsibilities and Responses” for

the Lenten Lecture Series at Old Donation EpiscopalChurch in Virginia Beach.

SHARON JUDGE, visiting assistant professor ofearly childhood, speech pathology and special educa-tion, “Creating an Assistive Technology Toolkit forYoung Children” at the TED/TAM National Confer-ence in San Diego. Also at the conference, withKathy Puckett of Arizona State University as leadpresenter, “Integrating Content Area Literacy andAssistive Technology: Implementation Strategies.”

FREDERICK LUBICH, chair of foreign lan-guages and literatures, “Klezmer Revival inContemporary Germany” at the Hebrew Academy ofTidewater.

DUC NGUYEN, professor of civil and environ-mental engineering, and OKTAY BAYSAL, dean ofthe Frank Batten College of Engineering and Tech-nology, “Large-scale Parallel Domain Decomposition:Part 2 – Computational Solid Mechanics Applica-tions” at the 30th Institute of Information andTechnology Conference in Hanoi, Vietnam. Also,“Large-scale Parallel Computing by Domain Decom-position: CFD and CSM Applications” at the HanoiUniversity of Science’s Center for High-PerformanceComputing.

DUC NGUYEN, professor of civil and environ-mental engineering, and SIROJ TUNGKAHOTARA,graduate student, “On the Development of anEfficient Parallel Hybrid Solver with Application toAcoustically Treated Aero-Engine Nacelles” at theInternational Noise Conference in Honolulu. Co-authors are Willie Watson and Douglas Nark, seniorresearch scientists at NASA Langley Research Center.

JEFFREY STECKROTH, instructor of mathe-matics and statistics, “Technology-enhanced Repre-sentations: Tools for Problem Solving” at theNational Council of Teachers of MathematicsNational Conference in Atlanta. Also, “PreparingScience and Mathematics Teachers to Use Visualiza-tion in Whole-class Inquiry-based Instruction” at theVirginia Council of Teachers of MathematicsTeachers Annual Conference in Virginia Beach.

STEVE TONELSON, professor of early child-hood, speech-language pathology and special educa-tion, “The Commonwealth Special EducationEndorsement Programs: Distance Learning Alterna-tive Licensure Through a Collaboration of Agencies”at the 59th annual meeting of the American Associa-tion of Colleges of Teacher Education in New York.Co-authors are JANE HAGER, chair of educationalcurriculum and instruction; CHERYL BAKER, sen-

ior lecturer of ECSSE; ROBERT GABLE, eminentscholar of ECSSE; ANN MAYDOSZ, program coor-dinator for student services, CSEEP; and KIMBERLYHUGHES, research coordinator, Child Study Center.The CSEEP program was selected as a finalist forDistinguished Program in Teacher Education by theAssociation of Teacher Educators.

PublicationsTAMI AL-HAZZA, assistant professor, and

ROBERT LUCKING, professor, educational curricu-lum and instruction, “Celebrating Diversity ThroughExplorations of Arab Children’s Literature” in vol.83, no. 3 of Childhood Education.

ROB CURRY, director of advising for distancelearning, and PHYLLIS BARHAM, chief academicadviser in the School of Nursing, “AcademicAdvising in Degree Programs” in “Handbook ofDistance Education,” edited by Michael Moore(Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2007).

SHARON JUDGE, visiting assistant professor ofearly childhood, speech pathology and special educa-tion, “Constructing an Assistive Technology Toolkitfor Young Children: Views from the Field” in vol.21, no. 4 of Journal of Special Education Technol-ogy. Also, “Developmental Delay” and “Individualswith Disabilities Education Act” in “Early ChildhoodEducation: An International Encyclopedia” (West-port, Conn.: Praeger), edited by R.S. New and M.Cochran.

SHAOMIN LI, professor, and JUDY JUN WU,doctoral student, business administration, “WhyChina Thrives Despite Corruption” in the April issueof Far Eastern Economic Review.

PHILIP RAISOR professor of English, “InMuncie” in the spring 2006 issue of “5 AM”; “NotLike Any One of Us: W.D. Snodgrass’s ‘Not forSpecialists: New and Selected Poems’” in vol. 114,no. 4 of The Sewanee Review; and “The Dreams ofGulls and Robins: Peter Meinke’s ‘The ContractedWorld: New and More Selected Poems’” in vol. 46,no. 2 of Tar River Poetry.

SHARON RAVER-LAMPMAN, professor ofearly childhood special education, “The Emergenceof Inclusion for Students with Disabilities inUkraine” in vol. 22, no. 1 of International Journal ofSpecial Education. Also, “Using Embedded LearningOpportunities During Cooking for Preschoolers withSpecial Needs” in vol. 3, no. 4 of Focus on InclusiveEducation.

Anshita Kumar of Kitwe, Zambia, asenior finance major, was honored May 3as Old Dominion’s Kaufman Prize win-ner at the Student Honors and Awardsbanquet. Six other graduates were recog-nized as outstanding scholars.

Kumar, who maintained a 3.5 GPA,was a resident assistant and served invarious roles in student government. Sherecently served as student representativeto the State Council of Higher Education.

Kumar cited Don Stansberry, directorof student activities and leadership, asher most inspiring member of the facul-ty/administration, noting his guidance,leadership and confidence in her abilities.

The Kaufman Prize, which includes a$10,000 award, was established by

LandmarkCommunications toacknowledge grad-uating seniors whohave exerted excep-tional and con-structive influenceon the university,its students or thecommunity bydemonstrating thehighest qualities of

leadership and service.The following students were presented

trophies as recipients of the AlumniAssociation Outstanding Scholar Awards,given to graduating seniors with thehighest GPAs from each college. Facultyand administrators who most inspiredthe award recipients were also honored.

Arts and Letters – Sharon CortlandOsborne, Norfolk, music education, 4.0(Patti Watters, adjunct professor, music);

Business and Public Administration –Michael Loftus, Yorktown, finance, 4.0(Mohammad Najand, professor, finance);

Education – Stephanie Mavredes,Midlothian, Va., human services, 4.0 (JillJurgens, associate professor, educationalleadership and counseling);

Engineering and Technology – Benja-min Keesee, Chatham, Va., mechanicalengineering and technology, 3.93(Nathan Luetke, instructor, mechanicalengineering and technology);

Health Sciences—Denise Quattlebaum,Suffolk, medical technology, 3.99 (FayeColeman, associate professor, medicallaboratory and radiation sciences); and

Sciences – Vassiliki Pravodelov, Cyprus,biochemistry, 4.0 (Ralph Stevens, associ-ate professor, biological sciences).

Kaufman Prize winner Anshita Kumarand top scholars honored at banquet

KUMAR

theCourier, May 11, 2007 7

(Continued from Page 1)his office as an unofficial and non-salaried aide, did most of the typing.

His entries span the serious business ofgovernment service to the personal sideof politics. In one 1980 entry, he recountsthe poignant story of a woman fromPortsmouth who had lost her son inVietnam and years later appealed toWhitehurst to intervene when her sicklyhusband, a World War II veteran, wasdenied admittance to a veterans hospitalbecause they were only accepting thosewith war-related injuries. Following apersuasive call from Whitehurst, whomade it clear that the family had “paidthe ultimate price for this country,” theman was quickly admitted.

The diaries also offer rare, and some-times humorous, behind-the-scenes looksat Washington, such as what transpiredat the “gym feast,” an annual eventwhere members of the House of

Representatives gathered to dine, social-ize and hand out awards to those whoused the congressional gym. Whitehurstdescribed the dinner as “like somethingout of ‘Animal House.’”

At the Perry Library reception, hespoke about one particular gym feast heattended, when George H.W. Bush, thena congressman who was running for aSenate seat, was named runner-up for theaward of “person who had cheated themost at paddle ball,” a popular game atthe time. “Bush said, ‘I’m leaving thisplace,’ and the Democrats said, ‘Get thehell out’ and threw wet napkins at him.Two hours ago, these fellows were insolemn debate in the House and werenow acting like fraternity guys.”

Whitehurst later recalled making hisfinal diary entry. “It felt like losing achild when I finished the last volume,” hesaid. “The damn thing had just possessedme so.”

Prior to his first congressional race,Whitehurst taught history at the NorfolkDivision, ODU’s forerunner, and OldDominion College from 1950 to 1968,and served as dean of student affairsfrom 1963-68.

He hold’s a master’s degree in historyfrom the University of Virginia and adoctorate in American diplomatic historyfrom West Virginia University. A WorldWar II veteran, he served in the U.S.Navy as a combat aircrewman.

Former Congress-man Bill Whitehurstdonates a set of hispersonal diaries touniversity librarianVirginia O’Herronduring an April 26reception at PerryLibrary. The eventwas attended by fac-ulty and friends ofWhitehurst, ODU’sKaufman Lecturer inPublic Affairs.

Whitehurst donates congressional diaries to Perry Library

PHOTO BY CHUCK THOMAS

An emotional semesterThe campus community experienced and expressed a range of emo-tions over the final weeks of the spring semester, which included aprideful celebration and sharing of Asian Indian culture at “Taste ofIndia” and culminated in the pomp and circumstance surrounding theMay 5 commencement exercises. Weeks earlier, however, students, fac-ulty and staff came together to mourn the victims of the massacre atVirginia Tech and to honor members of the armed services who losttheir lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.

PHOTOS BY BRADLEY SMITH

The University Chaplains Association spon-sored a prayer vigil, left, in Webb Centerthe evening of April 17 in support of theVirginia Tech community. Rob Sanford,Baptist campus minister and chair of theassociation, said the chaplains wanted togive those at ODU the opportunity toexpress their grief about the tragic shoot-ings the previous day on the Blacksburgcampus.

President RoseannRunte, above, flankedby military officers fromHampton Roads, leadshundreds of members ofthe campus and localcommunities in theApril 21 Walk toRemember. At right,students toss some ofthe 3,400 flowers intothe water from theColley Avenue bridge,representing the numberof U.S. troops who havedied in operations Iraqiand Enduring Freedom.

Meghana Kaloji applies a tilak, a ritual red mark on the forehead of Norfolk Mayor PaulFraim, at India Fest, as economics professor Vinod Agarwal and event organizer looks on.

A member of the Bollywood Dance Troupe performs at India Fest. Also featured was aBhangra competition among college dance teams. Over 7,000 people attended the event.

8 theCourier, May 11, 2007

commentary

From preacher to teacher: Confessions of a career switcher

Back-to-school day was always bigin my churches. As minister, I wouldstand in the pulpit and salute thebrave educators celebrating (dread-ing?) the beginning of a new year.Holding my hands high in Mosaicfashion, I would call for all the hal-lowed teachers to stand. Encouragingapplause by my congregants, I sancti-fied them for another year of memo-rable service to mankind.

Little did I know then that I wouldone day be one of the sacrificial lambsled to the – well, I won’t say slaughter,that sounds so permanent. And so,Confession No. 1 is this: I neverthought I would be a teacher. Never.Never. Never!

How this sleight-of-hand occurredin my life is a magician’s trick toobothersome to tell. All I can say is thatafter nearly 25 years standing in frontof octogenarians in fashionable Sun-day hats smiling up at me with south-ern gentility, I made the leap from thesacred to the secular. One day I wasparsing Greek verbs in Matthew 11:25preparing for a Sunday sermon, andthe next day I was sitting with aroomful of bemused and somewhatconfused middle-aged adults all inmid-leap – changing careers.

Summer TrainingI will never forget that first day at

Old Dominion University, holding athick packet of information under onearm and taking a seat in the lecturehall. I did not know anyone there. Athousand doubts tore at my sensibili-ties. Was I doing the right thing?Could I actually be a teacher? Did Ireally want to be a teacher?

Nestled in between airline pilots,lawyers, nurses and sundry other pro-fessionals, I heard Ted Forte, our pro-fessor, begin with this solemn yetprophetic utterance: “It will take youfive years to learn this craft. Some ofyou will make it. Some of you won’t.”I twitched. He continued: “But if youdo survive, you will find teaching tobe a fulfilling and gratifying career.”

And with those simple words, anew future slowly unraveled beforeme. I am now at that five-year mark,and I thought I would stop and evalu-ate my progress.

GraduationAfter four weeks of intensive train-

ing in the Career Switcher program,we were all corralled into the very lec-ture hall where we had first assem-bled. It was time for graduation. Itaught three lessons that month, eachone to a class of fellow adults pretend-ing to be middle school students. Mystudents were so well-behaved. I tooknote how eager they were to learn. Noone slept. No one asked to use the

bathroom seven times. No one forgot hisor her book. They all had paper and pen-cil. Their ears were clean, their eyesbright, their hair combed. They smellednice. The boys all had belts that actuallyheld their pants up. The girls wore mod-est attire. They politely raised their handsfor questions. They laughed at my jokes.Their eyes were filled with encourage-ment, urging me on when I faltered a lit-tle or stumbled. They were forgiving andthoughtful.

I remember vividly, during my finallecture on “Developing InterestingCharacters,” thinking how delightfulteaching was. I just knew that I hadmade the right decision. My lesson com-plete, I bowed with supreme accomplish-ment as I returned to my seat blushingwith modesty. I knew it was good. If onlymy parishioners could see me here. I wasnow a teacher!

First DayMy monthlong Career Switcher inten-

sive course of study ended all too soon.The long hot summer was nearly overand I was now a job seeker. I rememberwalking into Lynnhaven Middle Schoolin Virginia Beach and telling someadministrator that I was a teacher. Hewas desperate to fill an English position.School had already started. He hired meon the spot. The next day I was standingbemused in front of a class of eighth-graders. I was petrified. I had nevertaught a single real lesson. I had neverwalked ravenous students to the lunch-room at 1:20 p.m. I had never beenmocked by a purple-haired teenager. Ihad never sent a kid to the office. Well,you get the picture. And this, I guess, ismy second Confession: I was totally dis-oriented and frightened that first day infront of those kids.

I had spoken before hundreds of peo-ple every week for more than 20 years. Ihad led countless funerals and weddings.I had soothed thousands of grieving soulsat hospital beds from Chicago to NewOrleans. I had led tour groups on treksthrough Greece, Italy and Turkey. Butthat was all irrelevant now. Because at

this moment, at this precise place andtime, I was locked inside a small roomwith 30 eighth-graders who stared at meas if I were an ape at the zoo.

My first class was what the schoolsystem calls Advanced English. I learnedquickly that this meant the studentscould read and write. They were good atthis. They liked it. I learned the next daythat Core English meant that I had bettercome up with something pretty darn fas-cinating or these kids would be planningtheir next skateboard moves and puttingon makeup.

And this leads me to my thirdConfession: I didn’t have a clue what todo with either group. In all honesty, theyall looked about the same to me – jeans,T-shirts, long hair, ennui. CareerSwitchers had done an admirable job ofteaching me instructional basics. But itwas all theoretical until this nail-bitingmoment.

Over the years, my impression ofteenagers has changed dramatically. Ihave come to see each child as unique.Each student, I have found, has a distinctpersonality, a surprising way of challeng-ing the teacher, a mood stamped with theoriginality of snowflakes. And here Imust make a fourth Confession: I lovethis aspect of teaching. Every day, everyclass, every moment in the daily lessonleads to unexplored adventures as I walkhand-in-hand with kids on the brink ofadulthood.

Quitting Time?The first month of teaching nearly

swamped me. Each night I pored overthe thick curriculum guide. For the unini-tiated, this is like a huge recipe bookwithout an index or pretty pictures ofsteaming soups and chocolate cakes. Themore I flipped through this book, themore the recipes merged and morphedinto complex carbohydrates, Delphic for-mulas with keyless locks. I couldn’t fig-ure it out. And the more I couldn’t figureit out, the more the panic swelled in mychest. On my second night as a teacher, Ibroke out in a cold sweat while pacingback and forth in my bedroom at 3 a.m.

This leads me to my fifthConfession: I nearly quit before themonth was out. Honestly. I didn’tthink I could handle the heart palpita-tions, the rivulets of anguish enduredeach night alone, the feelings of failurethat cooked my mind and tore at myself-esteem.

But somehow I slowly figured outwhat to do and slowly gained confi-dence and peace. As the years passed,I learned to acknowledge my weak-nesses and insufficiencies. At the sametime, I learned to utilize my strengthsand natural talents. And I discoveredsomething all teachers share – aninnovative resilience that says if thiswon’t work, try this or this or this.

Final ThoughtsFive years have passed since I first

stood in that little room with twowindows, a sink, a tiny televisionmounted in the corner and 30 kidswaiting for me to say hello. I think Ican honestly say now, I am a teacher.Maybe not the best or the most talent-ed or the most likely to succeed. But Ihave touched many lives – about 500to date. And that’s a congregation!Which brings me to my finalConfession: I love teaching.

Recently, one of the girls in my firstclass, now a senior in high school,came back and visited me. She satbeside my desk and told me all abouther progression through the uppergrades. While she talked I couldn’thelp but see her as she was five yearsearlier. She told me I was her favoriteteacher of all and that I had influ-enced her career choice. She wanted tobe a writer like me. I didn’t let her seemy tears. I coughed and turned for aminute. But as she left I hugged herand knew then that something realand lasting was happening in myclassrooms. I was shaping lives. Oneat a time.

David Denny served as pastor ofCradock Baptist Church in Portsmouthfrom 1992 to 2001. He received hisendorsement in middle school socialstudies and language arts and one-yeareligibility license from ODU’s CareerSwitcher program in 2002. Denny, whoplans to return to Lynnhaven MiddleSchool next fall, has two sons who arestudents at Old Dominion and his wifeis a graduate of the university. Versionsof his commentary are scheduled to runin the May-June issue of TidewaterTeachers, the June edition of VirginiaJournal of Education and the Septemberissue of NEA Today.

The Darden College of Educationoffers the Career Switcher program as analternative pathway to teaching. Since2000, the noncredit Virginia Departmentof Education Alternative TeacherPreparation program at Old Dominionhas trained more than 800 adults whohave gone on to become valued educa-tors in school districts statewide.

B Y D A V I D R. D E N N Y

A graduate of ODU’s Career Switcher program, David Denny is completing his fifth year as ateacher at Lynnhaven Middle School.

PHOTO BY STEVE DANIEL