Inauguration of Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D.

Old Dominion University commemorated the investiture of its ninth president, Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D., on October 21, 2022. President Hemphill, who was presented with the academic mace and presidential medallion, vowed that Old Dominion will “serve the commonwealth as a model for creativity, discovery, excellence and progress with a keen eye toward research, teaching and service. Together, we will propel ODU to national and international prominence."

Read about the special day in the life of the University here

Investiture of Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. – Full Video

Inauguration of Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. – Weekend Recap

CELEBRATION & EVENTS

The day featured pomp, community service and fireworks.

Investiture Ceremony

Friday, October 21, 2022

Chartway Arena

---

---

Alumni Honors and Campaign Kick-Off Celebration

Friday, October 21, 2022

Hilton Norfolk The Main

Monarchs Give Back

Friday, October 21, 2022

Mitchum Basketball Performance Center

---

Community and Friends Homecoming Social with Drone Light Show and Fireworks

Friday, October 21, 2022

Sailing Center

Fireworks

---

PROGRAM & REMARKS

PRESIDENT BRIAN O. HEMPHILL, PH.D.

Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D., was appointed Old Dominion University's ninth president in 2021. He previously served as president of Radford University and West Virginia State University. Under his leadership, Radford experienced historic growth and success in program diversification and expansion, infrastructure improvements and philanthropic support. President Hemphill is committed to forward-focused leadership, student engagement and success and is an unwavering champion of educational access and opportunity, innovation and research, and diversity and inclusion. He is a member of the NCAA Presidential Forum and the Executive Committee of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. Read full bio.

Read more

INAUGURATION SPONSORS

Thanks to the generosity of the inauguration sponsors, ODU has created a Presidential Merit Scholarship to support the financial needs of eligible students while helping them achieve academic success.

UNIVERSITY HISTORY

In 1930, the world was in the depths of the Great Depression, but a small group of determined scholars pressed ahead with a plan for a Norfolk Division of the College of William and Mary. When the doors opened, 208 students entered the single building that housed the new Division.

Today, the Division is Old Dominion University, the alma mater of 164,000 graduates. That single building is now a four-campus educational powerhouse, which is conducting cutting-edge research and leveraging digital learning throughout the world.

In its early days, the Division educated teachers and engineers in a two-year program. By 1953, four-year programs were available and, by 1962, the Division was granted its independence and named Old Dominion College. That name would not last long, though. With the expansion of research capabilities and the decision to offer master's and doctoral degrees, the Board of Visitors established Old Dominion University in 1969.

In the decades since, Old Dominion has evolved into a comprehensive learning community with seven colleges: College of Arts and Letters, Strome College of Business, Darden College Education and Professional Studies, Batten College of Engineering and Technology, College of Health Sciences, Perry Honors College, and College Sciences. Old Dominion's research capabilities have been recognized by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education for the Advancement of Teaching with the coveted Research I designation for very high research activity.

Old Dominion University alumni are at work in all 50 states and 67 countries. Under the leadership of Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D., as its ninth President, Old Dominion University will continue to chart its course as a dynamic institution, evolving to meet the future as an agent of change for its students, the region, the nation, and the world.