By Philip Walzer
Old Dominion University has raised almost $2.5 million for scholarship programs in honor of President John R. Broderick and First Lady Kate Broderick, Kay A. Kemper, rector of the Board of Visitors, announced on April 22.
President Broderick is stepping down this summer after leading Old Dominion for 13 years. He will become President Emeritus and Board of Visitors Distinguished Lecturer in the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies.
At a Board of Visitors meeting, Kemper announced two new scholarships for the Brodericks, with donations totaling more than $1.3 million.
Supporters have given nearly $912,000 for the John and Kate Broderick STEM-H Scholarship Endowment, which will provide awards to students majoring in STEM-H fields, with a preference for females.
In addition, the John and Kate Broderick Athletic Scholarship Endowment has nearly $400,000. It will provide an annual scholarship to a woman participating in an Olympic sport, such as field hockey, golf, lacrosse, rowing, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis or volleyball.
President Broderick thanked Joan Brock; Richard Barry, a former rector of the Board of Visitors; Bruce Bradley, vice rector of the board; and Alonzo Brandon, vice president for university advancement, for helping launch the scholarship programs, as well as more than 70 other people who have contributed to them.
Two previously established endowments - worth nearly $1.2 million - are the John and Kate Broderick Opportunity Scholarship, funded by Patricia and Douglas Perry to help rising sophomores and juniors pursue their educational interests while making a difference in the world, and the Kate and John R. Broderick Endowed Women's Volleyball Scholarship, established by the Ripley family.
"The two new scholarship programs are a fitting tribute to the retiring presidential couple and will help perpetuate the values that distinguished his presidency, including an institutional commitment to STEM-H and equal opportunity for women in athletics and academics," Kemper said.
More than 40% of ODU's graduates major in STEM-H fields, the second-largest percentage among doctoral institutions in Virginia.
The announcement came during Building Our Dominion Week, when Old Dominion is celebrating the opening of the new Chemistry Building and Hugo Owens House, a 470-bed residence hall geared to STEM-H students, as well as the future construction of a new Health Sciences Building.
To donate to the John and Kate Broderick STEM-H Scholarship Endowment, go to https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=gjWCYT
To donate to the John and Kate Broderick Athletic Scholarship Endowment, go to https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=s2rWaj
