Episode 59 - President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D.

But everything else that you've mentioned, those, that's work that collectively as a team, um, that we worked on together, I. Um, and I feel good about that, that particular work, um, because I have some amazing vice presidents, I have outstanding deans and, and we really work together to lean in to, to, to look at how we could stand up these additional schools that could, could advance the institution. We've worked very hard on the merger, as you mentioned, the Sunbelt Conference move.

Um, there've been a lot of things that we are definitely proud of. If I had to pick one, well, one, can I pick two? That we're really proud

I know that this has been talked about for 20 years and so we've feel very fortunate to be in a place that we're so close to getting it done. We're just, Looking toward Richmond for a budget because we already have the enabling legislation to approve the merger. So we're excited about that. The second thing that I will tell you that I'm, I'm really excited about, um, and, and the, and the nature of the, the form that we're on today.

I'm really excited about the move to the Sunbelt conference that could not have been a better move, for our institution. And, um, when we think about what we've provided for student athletes, when you think about the footprint of where we travel now, it's, it's really the old Atlantic Coast Conference when you think about it.

And so when we think about the, the wellbeing of student athletes, their academic, academic commitments in their work, Opportunities for them to compete in this conference is, is outstanding from that vantage point. And then when you just look at the quality of the competitors and like schools, it is one that, that's, that's something I'm really proud of that we were able to deliver. I did not think in my first two months on the job, I would be hit with.

By the way, we might need a new home because there are a lot of things that are going on in in college athletics. And right now the last thing I'll say is that you look at what's going on right now in terms of the Big 12, the PAC 10, and there there are articles that are being written about the Sunbelt being one of the most stable conferences in the country along with the S e c. And so I feel good about about that, that decision as well. So those are two biggies that I'm really proud of.

15, 20 years that we were able to achieve that early on in my tenure and being here and something that we're really proud of. And so that was one of the initial pieces that I, I really was focusing on of how do we, we we travel that, and travel that particular path and grow the research for the institution to become an R one. So that was a part of division The second. I came in the door knowing that we needed to, to secure the merger and, and grow in health sciences.

And that was an important component of, of that vision. Ultimately, it was looking at how we position this institution to have a national brand and really having a name across the country for the great work that we are doing, um, in our research, whether it's coastal resiliency. Whether it's maritime, whether it is it's work we're doing in engineering, how do we raise the profile and the brand of the institution and tell the O d U story in ways that are, that are profound?

And I feel pretty good about what we've, the steps that we've taken in terms of, of that particular path. Because we, I think we're positioning the university in a way that will, will make us strong for, for decades to come.

looking at the, the work of online education and programs that we will then begin to market for them to help grow. Um, we've taken a look at our, our, our budgets and how the budgets will integrate our systems. all of that work, it needed to successfully put us together and merge. And, and have them become a part of Old Dominion really is about probably 85 to 90% done. And so we are, we are, are, are working hard to, to finish that work as we are waiting for this budget.

And so as I, as I sit here today, um, I will tell you that, that. I have no doubts that we will be ready on January one. Now will there be work that we'll have to do on January 2nd? Of course, the work doesn't end at that point, but I feel good about, about where we sit today and the deliverables that, that, that we have to provide for the governor, for the House and the Senate, um, for them to sign the documents for us to officially merge.

They've already passed the legislation, but there's one more signature or a couple of signatures that will be needed to make it official. And that includes my signature and Alfred's as well. And so, um, so, so yeah, we, the, the merger is in a strong place and you gotta remember what the merger's about. The merger's about. Looking at how we grow the research infrastructure and grow research for both, uh, uh, uh, as one entity. How do we compete nationally?

Not for five or $6 million from N I H. How do we compete for 50 to 75 and a hundred million dollars? With N I H funding, having an academic health sciences center, this is about health disparities. When you look at health disparities across Hampton Roads, specifically in Norfolk and Portsmouth, when you look at black and brown people, we have some of the worth health outcomes. In the Commonwealth of Virginia and leading the nation and others, how do we improve and grow?

And then the third is about workforce. How do we grow workforce? And we have put together a plan because if somebody's gonna provide for you between the partnership between the state and Sentara, if somebody's gonna make a hundred million dollar investment in this new venture, we had to show them what the deliverables gonna be. And we've successfully done that, probably more than you wanted to know. Sorry. But probably

But we we're taking another step with it, with the merger and looking at how we get more of resources into the communities. Because at times transportation is just a barrier for people going and get, get basic needs of health. And, um, we know that, that there are many things we can do. But poverty is one of the things we don't have the ability to, to, uh, address with this merger. And so, and, and we know that there's a barrier there around transportation.

And so for us, we we're looking at how we take some of the services to the people that will be a part of, of this particular initiative, and we want to keep that moving.

And so as it relates to the, the O D U brand, I can't tell you the official name, but yes, you'll see Old Dominion University over on that campus and get, you will see Old Dominion there as well. I wish I could let you in on the full name 'cause it's pretty cool, but can't do it. Not today, not on this show. So people will be a little upset with me. Yes.

Virginia Tech is a model for it, uh, with the Moss Center of what, what they did with the arts and engineering there on the Virginia Tech campus. And, um, and so that's a project that we're working on. We also working on a project for building around data science. Right now, in the interim, we've put our School of Data Science in Virginia Beach, in the town center. And, um, we have renovations going on there, and we are excited about that particular initiative.

Um, and then there are number of renovation projects as we work on this new master plan. Um, we are putting some things together as it relates to looking at Kaufman Hall, um, as well as, as, as our, as our former chemistry building. And so the, the, the Godwin building, if I'm not mistaken,

Once it was proposed that we would move to the Sunbelt, a move that we all love, by the way, can you take Monarch Nation behind the curtain and share what the approval process was like with the decision makers at Old Dominion?

From the Sunbelt calling our presidents, asking them what they consider coming to the Sunbelt. And I was one of the presidents, along with some others that were calling presidents in the Sunbelt asking them to come to the conference u s a. And so it was just one of those interesting, interesting dynamics that, that you didn't anticipate, but it was so much up in the air and people didn't know how it was going to settle. And so, um, so I, I got a chance to meet and talk to a lot of them.

Um, and so when, when, when it became clear the, that, that, that the footprint and the move made more sense for Old Dominion, when you look at our, our student athletes that were traveling to Texas, far, far, far West Texas, um, to, to, to, in essence, Compete in golf and tennis and some of the other sports. It was just really, really tough on the student athlete. And so as they extended the invitation, um, we, we, we thought about it, we ran the numbers, we had analyzed it.

And so in terms of look at what it meant for us in terms of, of our budget and travel, what were the exit fees would be, um, what the entry fees would be and how that would position us for the future. And looking at television contracts and future television contracts, looking at bowl tie-ins. Um, from a football standpoint, all of this was factored into the decision.

And when everything was said as, as Dr. Cick and I sat across the table from each other, um, it was pretty clear that this was where we needed to go. And so, um, it involved getting on the phone and having conversations with the president of Marshall at that time, um, the president of Southern Mississippi. At that particular time, which both of them have moved on at this point and JM U'S president. And so we all had conversations and we agreed that this is the right move.

Um, for us, and, and this could really work because in essence we filled out the east, if you will, all but southern Mississippi. We filled out that, that east with Marshall, J M U, and it developed a true east west that was pretty nice in terms of, of the footprint. So, That's behind the curtain. And, um, it was exciting, it was stressful. Um, it was invigorating when we got it done. Um, but, but really, really pleased for, for what we've been able to accomplish around that.

Um, I'm one about leading by example, and so for me, I. I, I believe in rolling up my sleeves and getting in and doing the work that needs to be done and leading by example, and not asking anyone to do anything that I haven't personally engaged in and done myself. Um, beyond performing surgery and things that I don't have those capabilities and ability, but, but asking people anything that I have the ability to do, showing them. And so from a, from a, uh, also, just a third thing I'll mention.

Said, I've always worked from a concept that all voices are important, and so, you know, you see some, some, some environments where, you know, you have, have a, a leadership teams where some of the VPs or leaders voices might not be as important as others. I don't work with that philosophy. If we had a table, it's gonna be a round table and all of the people need to weigh in because to me, you, you make sound decisions.

When you have engagement from everybody around the table, that's the important piece.

When you're looking at the role of an athletic director, what measures do you value most when evaluating performance and making big decisions with regards to your athletic program?

Was at the ncaa. Um, I've had opportunity to work with some really, really top-notch professionals who are really good at what they do, and, um, and I will sell it. I will tell you that wood is in a class that is outstanding. And I would put 'em up against any ad in the country.

His intellect, his work ethic, his delivery, his commitment to academics first and making sure that our student athletes, that their wellbeing is taken care of, his commitment to winning in all of his sports, but doing it the right way, it made it clear that this is a gentleman that I want to be my athletic director as long as I'm is here as president. He's the individual to, to deliver and make things happen. I trust him unequivocally.

and I just believe he's a great individual that's, that's doing some great work for us. And, um, I just told him I needed him to add a sport or two so beyond that and, um, so allow us to compete for that cup in the sunbelt a little bit more.

also, you know, another thing that I'm gonna play pay special attention to is that, that how is the, the, that program. In terms of the morale and those, those, those, those men and women, how are they feeling about their experience here at the university? And we know how student athletes feel has even new meaning when you think about the transfer portal now. And so how do they feel about their experience? And I'm not talking about, well, the coach was just a little hard on me today.

I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about the totality of the experience of the, of that, of that student athlete experience and how they're, they're treated and how they feel. And then the, the, the third thing is that, we don't have them suit up in those amazing colors of, of Hudson and, and, and blue and gray and the number of colors that we have out there. We don't have them suited up not to go out and compete and try to win championships.

And so we are expecting some level of, of productivity and wins. And there are some that, some programs that you know that it's rebuilding and, and you're gonna be patient and flexible with that. Over a two or three, a five or six year period. But then when it gets to a certain point, if it doesn't begin to turn the corner, then you may have to start asking yourself some of those questions. but you're still looking at everything. How do student athletes doing academically?

How do they feel about their experience? Are we doing it the right way? Are we making sure we're not trying to cut any corners that creates issues for us with the ncaa and fourth, are we winning? Are we winning? Are that is, that's something that you still have to factor in, but I will tell you that's probably fourth on the list for me as it relates to it. I expect us to compete, but we gotta check off those other three first.

'cause if they aren't graduating, they don't feel good about the experience. If you're trying to cut corners and have me in front of a panel in, in, in Indianapolis, not a good place to be. I don't wanna be there. And so it's a matter of doing it the right way.

I'm gonna let Mike lead us off with the first fun question.

Most people don't realize that Old Dominion is number two in the Commonwealth at 44%. Most people don't realize that. And so we are, we are doing a great job in graduating students with STEM H degrees and um, and we need to tout that more. And so it's just the quality of what we do and the type of graduates we're graduating, people need to know, and we, it's our job to share that.

Um, so don't judge me as it relates to that, but I, I just, I, I, he was, he, we lost him entirely too early in life because I think that, you know, when you think about his, his brilliance, when you think about his, his, his, his education that he had, most people didn't realize that he went to jut, I'm not mistaken, just the, his intellect, but also just if you go back and listen to his messages, um, there were some of 'em that were just really, really powerful.

And I think today, if he was still with us, he'd be, I. In line with Jay-Z and some of the others that have just taken off into other industries and doing major, major work. And so, um, but yeah, that, that, that would be be, be one of my favorites.

I listen to all of the voices and I am fortunate to have a group of people that are not yes people, they're really gonna tell me what they think and they're not afraid to challenge each other. And so I listen to all of that, and then when all is said and done and all the vice presidents leave, I. My chief of staff and I are the two that still left at the table to have a final conversation. And she's been my chief of staff now for 11 years.

And so we have a process where I include the, uh, appropriate vice presidents. There may be an occasion where we bring in a dean depending on that particular topic. Um, and, and so that really helps inform my decisions. But one of the things I will tell you that I also, that's important that I, that I do, that's very helpful. One of the few times you'll hear me say I is that, that I have. Public forums that I go out where I speak to all of the colleges. I had three of those today, one yesterday.

I have two or three others that are coming up. I have open forums where I hear the AP and classified staff, where I hear from students. I have open forums for students. Why do I do that? I get a sense of what's going on on the campus, not just through the lens of a vice president or dean. So I get to hear firsthand how people are experiencing the academy. That sort of helps inform where my thinking might be.

But then we have to sit down and process through the outcomes, the pros, the cons, the challenges, the potential impacts, what are the downstream implications that we create with this particular decision. And so it's a, it's a very thoughtful process and things we don't weigh lightly.