Old Dominion University Secures President Hemphill’s Visionary Leadership Through 2032 Following a Five-Year Tenure of Historic Milestones Marked By Transformational Impact ...

Old Dominion University’s Board of Visitors approved a contract extension for President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D., securing his leadership through 2032. The decision follows five years of transformative achievements, including the integration of Eastern Virginia Medical School into the university, completed on July 1, 2024. This merger created Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences, the Commonwealth’s largest academic health sciences center, supported by a $650 million investment over a decade. The integration was made possible through a $350 million commitment from Sentara Health and $300 million from the Commonwealth. Additional philanthropic contributions, including a $20 million gift from Joan Brock for the Macon & Joan Brock Opportunity Scholarship Program and a $15 million investment for the Joan P. Brock Institute for Nutrition Science and Health, reinforced the university’s capacity to address healthcare workforce shortages and improve regional health outcomes. President Hemphill also led the university’s digital transformation through the Forward-Focused Digital Transformation (FFDT) initiative, a $30 million strategy to modernize teaching, research, and student services. A key component is MonarchSphere, a partnership with Google Cloud that established a first-of-its-kind AI incubator in higher education, connecting students, faculty, and industry partners to emerging technologies. The FFDT initiative includes upgrades to over 180 classrooms with immersive technologies like virtual and augmented reality, alongside expanded AI applications in teaching, research, and administrative operations. The university’s enrollment and research growth, combined with increased philanthropic support, have positioned Old Dominion as a leader in innovation and regional engagement. The Board’s decision reflects confidence in Hemphill’s vision, which has reshaped the university’s trajectory through strategic partnerships, technological advancements, and expanded academic programs.