Old Dominion to Sign MOU with Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division

October 22, 2014

Old Dominion University will host the commanding officer of the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) on Tuesday, Oct. 28, when a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and education partner agreement (EPA) will be signed.

The MOU, which will create a "framework of cooperation for mutually beneficial innovative research projects and activities between Naval Surface Warfare Center and Old Dominion University," will be signed by Old Dominion University President John R. Broderick and NSWCDD Commander Capt. Brian Durant.

The MOU and EPA will help formalize a stronger organizational link between ODU and NSWCDD, for areas of future coordination.

As the relationship matures, future collaborative research between the two institutions will require the formation of a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) which will signal a more formalized partnership between NSWCDD and ODU.

Also attending the event from NSWCDD will be Technical Director Dennis McLaughlin, Chief Technology Officer June Drake, Technical Partnering Office Director Mike Wood, Dam Neck F Department Head Marty Irvine and Dam Neck Business Strategic Operations Lead Terry Sellers.

At Old Dominion University, they will attend a luncheon with senior academic and administration officials, hear presentations from ODU's Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center and Applied Research Center, then tour the University's Modeling and Simulation labs, Additive Manufacturing Lab and Vision Lab.

The MOU and EPA will be signed in the atrium of the Engineering Systems Building at 2 p.m.

The MOU, EPA, and eventual CRADAs all signal a more formalized partnership Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division and Old Dominion University. ODU has had a teaching presence at the University of Mary Washington Dahlgren campus for several years, and support the advanced education and credentialing requirements of the Navy base's highly skilled scientific workforce.

Now, this formalized partnership will allow for increased collaboration across the university on research in specific need areas, the development of courses and credentialing for Dahlgren staff, and opportunities for ODU faculty and students to participate in internships and Dahlgren's Summer Faculty Research Program.