ODU using $3 million gift for coastal resiliency institute

Old Dominion University and Norfolk want to become an international center of expertise for coastal resiliency, and a $3 million gift from regional philanthropist Joan Brock will help, President John Broderick announced Aug. 21.

Broderick told more than 1,400 attendees of his 12th annual state of the university address at the Ted Constant Convocation Center that the money will allow ODU to hire an international thought leader as executive director of its new Institute for Coastal Adaptation and Resilience.

The city of Norfolk is a partner in the institute, and its executive director may serve as a city resilience strategist, Broderick said. The city confirmed the partnership.