Past Events

11:00AM May 5, 2026 (just after board meeting)

Dr. Barbara Blake, Executive Director Internships & Co-Ops, talked about the gratification she gets from assisting ODU students with completing their internships and how appreciative they are of monetary awards they receive through organizations like Town-N-Gown. Dr. Blake says it is a win-win-win situation for the University, the Professors and the Students. The University sees increasing numbers that show ODU graduates are finding positions in a difficult job market, the professors receive positive feedback from their efforts and the students feel more confident and can show potential employers marketable experience due to their completion of internships or Co-Ops.

June 2, 2026

Town-N-Gown members are given a tour of

The Global Friendship House for International Students

assisting many with language and procedural barriers

by Manager Elaine Rodriguez from Sri Lanka

May 19, 2026

Town-N-Gown members are provided a guided tour of

The Ellmer Health Science Building

by Dean of the College of Health Sciences since 2018

Dr. Bonnie Van Lunen

April 16, 2026

Members enjoying the opening ceremony of Virginia International Tattoo at the Scope Arena.

Presented by Virginia Arts Festival, VA Is For Lovers & The Hixon Family.

April 7, 2026

Speaker for Town-N-Gown was Dr. Vinod Arguwal, Professor of Economics.

He spoke at length about the regional economy to include the 3 major influencers: Military, Ports And Tourism.

March 3, 2026

Jennifer Hoyt EdD in Educational Policy, Planning and Leadership is Head of the Department of Libraries’ Engagement at ODU. She spoke to Town-N-Gown on March 3rd about acivities being planned and implemented during the year for ODU’s 50th anniversity of the Patricia W. and J. Douglas Perry Library.

The ODU Libraries is an essential part of the teaching, research, service, and outreach mission of Old Dominion University. At a time of great change for the University and for higher education, it is more important than ever for the Libraries to be strategically aligned and focused on the future. The fiftieth anniversary of our primary library building is a great opportunity to consider where we started, how far we’ve come and where we go from here to inspire and empower current and future generations of Monarchs.

Joining the Friends of the Old Dominion University Libraries is the quickest and easiest way to support our work. There are several levels of membership:

Individual Membership: $50/year

Family Membership: $100/year - includes up to four members in the same household

Lifetime Membership: $1,500 one-time - includes up to four members in the same household for the life of the primary cardholder.

To donate to ODU libraries now go to donate.

A few select members of Town-N-Gown were invited to Naval Station Norfolk for the change of command ceremony held on Thursday - Feb 26, 2026 at the Vista Point Conference Center.

Captain Ray Glenn succeeds Captain Matt Schlarmann (Speaker for Town-N-Gown's annual awards banquet in 2025)

A wonderful visit to Le Planetarium on Sunday, February 15th. Food, live guitar music entertainment featuring Rob Grandon, and fantastic "What's in the Night Sky" presentation by Justin Mason where any question you may have had was answered.

Tuesday - February 3, 2026 TNG had Guest speaker Provost Dr. Brian Payne. He talked about VBHEC, internships, General Curriculum changes and how Trustworthy AI is being implemented at ODU.

Brian K. Payne is the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at Old Dominion University, where he is tenured in the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice.