ODU HONORS DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI DURING FOUNDERS' DAY PROGRAM

L to R: ROTC Cadet Delk, Dana Dickens and John Broderick, ODU's Interim President Photo Credit: Stephanie Goodie

On Friday, October 10th, E. Dana Dickens III, President/CEO of HRP was presented with the Albert B. "Buck" Gornto Jr. Regional Service Award for his outstanding commitment and service to the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. Dana came to HRP in 2005 with a distinguished background in public service in Hampton Roads, having served as vice chairman on the Suffolk Planning Commission and chair of the Subcommittee on Ordinances as well as Suffolk City Council. Dana also became the first ever "rookie" councilman elected mayor, serving two terms as mayor.

Dana currently sits on the boards of the Virginia High Speed Rail Development Committee and the Urban Land Institute. In 2006, Gov. Timothy Kaine appointed Dana to the Commonwealth Transportation Board.

Old Dominion University (ODU) Distinguished Alumni Awards went to:
• Maj. Gen. John Bednarek '75, biology
• Michael A. Franklin '95, health sciences
• Larry Kittelberger '75, MBA
• Shamina Singh '91, political science
• George T. Singley III '77 ME
and
• Tommy Smigiel '00, interdisciplinary studies-elementary/middle school education - assistant principal at Norfolk's Granby High School, 2008 Virginia Teacher of the Year and one of four finalists for National Teacher of the Year.

ODU Community Service Award was presented to Donald J.P. Swift, eminent scholar of ocean, earth and atmospheric sciences at ODU.

Town-N-Gown Rita M. Costello Community Service Award recipients were:
Jerry A. Bridges, executive director of the Virginia Port Authority (VPA) and HRP Board Member
and
Beverly K. Sell, coordinator for Five Points Partnership Inc., a coalition of citizens, businesses, churches, schools and city public safety representatives working toward revitalization the Norview area of Norfolk, also operating Five Points Community Farm Market.

Distinguished Entrepreneurial Award recipient was Luke M. Hillier '94, chairman and CEO of ADS Inc.