Degree: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting
Profession: Chief financial officer, Seaward Marine Corporation
Board tenure: Third year on the board; second as treasurer and chair of the finance committee
Why I joined the Alumni Association: I have enjoyed watching the growth of Old Dominion University in the years since I graduated. We have been doing great things, and I wanted to see that growth firsthand, as well as use the platform to engage fellow alumni.
How did Old Dominion University help shape who you are today?
I was a nontraditional student, and I worked full-time during my years at . I had to schedule classes around work and sometimes that meant the elective courses available were not necessarily something that interested me. I didn’t initially embrace being forced out of my comfort zone and had a poor attitude. I quickly realized that I was going to either be miserable or accept the situation and make the best of it. I chose the latter and that has helped me in countless situations both personally and professionally.
What is something you learned inside or outside the classroom, that you still carry with you?
As a commuter student, I was constantly struggling with parking. It seemed that no matter the building I needed to be in, the parking garages were not close. Thus, street parking was the norm. Running out between classes to see if they had marked the tire. Moving the car across the street. Wiping off the chalk mark. Whatever it took to be able to go to class and not get a ticket. That experience has made me a master at finding parking to this day.
What’s a favorite memory from your time as a student that still makes you smile?
After graduation, three of my classmates and I rented a room at Webb Center to have a party with our families. We were all nontraditional students who had to balance the demands of families, jobs and academics. It was an emotional time for all of us and was the perfect ending to our undergraduate experience.
What’s a favorite University tradition you enjoy sharing with current students and recent graduates?
My wife and I recently attended a wedding of a pair of graduates. The couple hired the DJ that emcees football and basketball games. About halfway through the reception, the DJ called all alumni out onto the dance floor. When the bride and groom made it to the front of the dance floor, he started playing “Ice Cream and Cake.” It was such a blast. While this wasn’t a tradition when I attended , I really enjoy “Ice Cream and Cake” and having something that is exclusively is very cool.
What’s one piece of advice you share with recent graduates about staying connected to their alma mater?
To steal from the old (oof, very old) Nike slogan — JUST DO IT. There are so many great things going on at our University. Watching and being a part of the growth up close has been an amazing experience. Additionally, our University is turning out some of the brightest, most driven and energetic graduates in the world. Maintaining ties to gives you the opportunity to be a part of helping our University and graduates reach even more impressive heights.