By Jonah Grinkewitz
From the integration of Old Dominion University and Eastern Virginia Medical School to create Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University to the opening of the Ellmer College of Health Sciences Building, this school year marks a significant new chapter in the University’s history.
With these changes in mind, the 2024-25 Annual Campus Theme is “Transitions: Our Experiences, Development and Adaptation.” The multidisciplinary initiative will give students, faculty, staff and the ODU community opportunities to engage, learn and reflect on topics of change at the local, national and global levels.
The Annual Campus theme – first launched in 2021– combines academic courses, public lectures and exhibits, film showings and other events to engage students and the entire community in a collective learning experience about a timely, relevant issue.
"Over the last couple of years, we've witnessed the campus undergo many changes – organizationally, physically and technologically,” said Marissa Jimenez, executive director of ODU’s Academic Success Center, which organized this year’s Annual Campus Theme. “Change done well often takes time, so we thought this was the perfect time for the campus and community to reflect on the shifts that must have occurred to propel changes forward.”
There will be a kickoff event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 12 in the 1st floor Learning Commons at Perry Library with displays, discussions and collections that support the Annual Campus Theme as well as free pizza, swag and other prizes for attendees.
While there, guests can check out “Transitions: A New Foundation Exhibition” on view through Sept. 20 in the Perry Library’s gallery space. Ceramic students, teachers and artists from ODU and Hampton Road collaborated on the exhibition which focuses on spaces and structures that have a positive impact on the community.
A year-long program – “Operation BLUE: Bridging Life and University Experience” – will focus on helping ODU’s student veterans transition from military life into their higher education and professional careers. Some of the activities include “ODU Resources and You” on Sept. 10 and a Veteran Resume Workshop on Sept. 26.
In addition to events, ODU faculty and students will participate in the Annual Campus Theme through coursework.
Emily Culver, an assistant professor of art, will teach a class called “Radical Jewelry Makeover” this fall. Collaborating with Virginia Commonwealth University and Longwood University, students from each university will collect donations of unwanted, unused or broken jewelry from the surrounding community to be turned into artworks. Students will also receive instruction on ethical and sustainable practices alongside traditional jewelry and metalsmithing techniques.
Master Lecturer Cathleen Rhodes will incorporate the theme into her Queer Studies course, contextualizing local LGBTQ history by charting it in a visual timeline alongside national queer history. The students’ work will be shared with the community in digital and print formats at the end of the fall semester.
Visit the Annual Campus Theme website to learn more about programming and coursework. Faculty interested in participating in the Annual Campus Theme can email LaShay McQueen, director of academic initiatives, at lwyatt@odu.edu.