Reservations Due Sept. 23 for Founders' Day Luncheon
September 19, 2013
Old Dominion University's Founders' Day luncheon, a tradition on the campus since 1987, will include the presentation of several awards this year, including the new Monarch Legacy Award, which will go to four recent graduates.
The luncheon is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, in the Big Blue Room of the Ted Constant Convocation Center. A limited number of seats are still available. Tickets are $20 per person ($10 for students) and reservations are due by 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23. To reserve a seat call 683-5759.
The following awards will be presented at the luncheon:
The ODU Community Service Award will go to the Human Services Association and the Student Veterans Association. The award is presented in recognition of the contributions of faculty, staff and student leaders to service in communities in Hampton Roads and elsewhere.
The Monarch Legacy Award, a new honor, will go to ODU graduates Josh Darr '13, Luis Ferreira '11, '12 and Fred Tugas '13 for their role in the commissioning of the new Big Blue statue in Webb Center, and to Kurnia Foe '06, '13 for founding the ODU student organization Global Student Friendship. This award was created to recognize a member or members of the ODU community whose actions made a significant impact on the campus community.
The Rita M. Costello Town-N-Gown Community Service Award will be presented to Gail Easley, executive director of the Crispus Attucks Cultural Center. The recipients of this award are honored by the board of directors of Town-N-Gown, an independent, informal association of men and women dedicated to developing a mutual understanding between ODU and the various civilian and military communities of Greater Hampton Roads. The award recognizes individuals from many aspects of the larger community who have demonstrated unusual concern for and commitment to serving others.
The Albert B. "Buck" Gornto Jr. Regional Service Award will go to the Rev. Kevin Turpin, associate pastor of New Life Providence Church and founder of the Life Enrichment Center. The recipient of this award must be a resident of Hampton Roads and someone who has shown outstanding commitment and service to this region of the commonwealth.
The Distinguished Entrepreneurial Award will be presented to Bruce L. Thompson, a long-time leader in the travel industry. He is the founder of Professional Hospitality Resources and co-founder of Gold Key Resorts. This award is given in recognition of individuals who, through their creative spirit and entrepreneurial leadership, have strengthened the vitality and progress of the Hampton Roads business and educational communities.
Also at the luncheon, the winner of the inaugural Founders' Day Cup Challenge will be announced. The challenge, sponsored by the Student Ambassadors in partnership with the Student Government Association, is designed to test students' "Monarch knowledge."
The challenge itself will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, in the Webb Center lobby. Students can register for the challenge in the lobby from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24. All students who participate will receive a free ODU T-shirt.