作者:菲利普·沃尔泽

上校. 珍妮特日子99, the first Black woman to serve as commanding officer of Naval Station Norfolk, the world’s largest naval base, will be the keynote speaker at Old Dominion University’s 退伍军人 Day observance.

The event will be held at 2 p.m. 11月. 10 on Kaufman Mall (or the lobby of Webb University Center in case of inclement weather). To attend the ceremony, RSVP 在这里.

Old Dominion President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph值.D., and Stephanie Trossbach, secretary of ODU’s Student 退伍军人 of America chapter, will also give remarks. The ceremony will honor campus employees who are veterans, as well as Marine Corps veteran Wayne F. Handley, a doctoral student in counselor education and supervision.

“Old Dominion University has always had close ties to the military, and we are taking the time to say, ‘Thank you for your service,’”罗伯特·克拉克说, the University’s director of military activities and special projects. “今年, we are taking the opportunity to specifically recognize our very own ODU employees that are veterans. This special group of dedicated people has faithfully served their country and are now continuing that service right 在这里 at ODU.”

About 25% of Old Dominion’s students are affiliated with the military. The University was ranked No. 1 in Virginia in the 军事 Times’ Best for Vets rankings for 2022. ODU also has a gold ranking as a 军事 Friendly® School from militaryfriendly.com. 

Days received her commission through the 汉普顿 Roads ROTC Consortium, which includes Old Dominion, 汉普顿, Norfolk State and Regent universities and Tidewater 社区 College. She described it as a “fantastic program.”

Days graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in communication. She later received a master’s degree in business administration from the Naval Postgraduate School.

She was also the first Black woman to serve as executive officer at Norfolk Naval Station. Her previous positions include executive officer and commanding officer of USS McFaul and executive officer and director of maritime warfare at Surface Warfare School Command in Newport, 罗德岛州.

Days’ awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious 服务 Medal, Meritorious 服务 Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (seven times), Army Commendation Medal (two times), Army Achievement Medal and Afghanistan Campaign Medal.

She recently was recognized as a Distinguished Alumna by the ODU 校友会. At Town-N-Gown’s annual meeting in June, 她说, “my responsibility is to create an environment w在这里 people love their jobs and want to come to work.”

In other military-related events, Old Dominion will hold the Tri-Warrior Bowl, a flag football game between the Army and 海军后备军官训练队, 下午6点.m. 11月. 1 at Kornblau Field at S.B. 巴拉德体育场. It is free and open to the public.

Old Dominion’s 军事 Appreciation and NATO Day football game will be at the stadium 11月. 4, with the Monarchs facing Coastal Carolina. Halftime will feature a flag presentation including the NATO nations.

The University’s 退伍军人 Business 外展 Center will hold a ceremony honoring veterans beginning with a networking reception 9:30 a.m. 11月. 9 at 140 Independence Blvd.弗吉尼亚海滩. 点击 在这里 资源预留.