NORFOLK, VA., June 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Old Dominion University Board of Visitors today announced a formal contract extension for President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D., securing his steadfast leadership of the institution through 2032. The extension reflects the Board's unwavering confidence in President Hemphill's visionary leadership and recognizes one of the most consequential periods of advancement, growth and transformation in Old Dominion University's history. During his first five years leading Old Dominion University, President Hemphill has overseen a level of institutional transformation unmatched in scope, scale and impact. From leading the historic integration of Eastern Virginia Medical School into Old Dominion University and securing public and private investment to driving record-setting growth in research, philanthropy, enrollment innovation and regional engagement, his administration has fundamentally reshaped the trajectory of the institution. While every president leaves a mark on an institution, few have accomplished in five years what has been achieved during President Hemphill’s administration. The Board's action reflects both recognition of those results and confidence in the future being built at Old Dominion University. Historic Integration of Health Sciences with Growing Impact The defining achievement of President Hemphill's tenure has been the historic integration of Eastern Virginia Medical School into Old Dominion University, completed on July 1, 2024. The integration established Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University, creating the Commonwealth of Virginia's largest and most comprehensive academic health sciences center and positioning the institution among a select group of universities nationwide that combine a major public research institution with an integrated health sciences enterprise. The integration was supported by a transformative $650 million investment over the decade, including a landmark $350 million commitment from Sentara Health and $300 million from the Commonwealth. Additional philanthropic investments, including a $20 million gift from Joan Brock establishing the Macon & Joan Brock Opportunity Scholarship Program, along with a $15 million investment to develop the Joan P. Brock Institute for Nutrition Science and Health, and a $20 million gift from Dennis and Jan Ellmer establishing the Ellmer Health Scholars Program, have further strengthened the institution's ability to address healthcare workforce shortages, expand access to care and improve health outcomes throughout the region. National Leadership in Technology, Innovation and the Intelligent University President Hemphill has also positioned Old Dominion University at the forefront of higher education innovation through the launch of the Forward-Focused Digital Transformation (FFDT), a comprehensive strategy with a nearly $30 million investment designed to reimagine how a modern public university teaches, researches and serves students in an increasingly digital world. Central to this effort is the University's groundbreaking partnership with Google, which resulted in the creation of MonarchSphere powered by Google Cloud, a first-of-its-kind artificial intelligence incubator in higher education that connects students, faculty, researchers, industry partners and public-sector organizations to emerging technologies and real-world problem solving. Through FFDT, the University is modernizing the academic experience by upgrading more than 180 classrooms into technology-enabled learning environments that support a range of instructional models, including active learning, simulation-based education, immersive technologies, such as virtual and augmented reality, as well as advanced digital collaboration. The initiative is also expanding the use of artificial intelligence across teaching, research, student support and administrative operations, while strengthening the technological infrastructure required to support future growth. Strategic Capital Investments Transforming the Campus Under President Hemphill's leadership, Old Dominion University has also embarked on one of the most ambitious periods of physical transformation in its history. Guided by the 2025-2035 Master Plan, the University is executing a series of major capital investments to strengthen academic excellence, expand research capacity, enhance student experiences and deepen community engagement. Among these projects are the $184 million Biological Sciences Building, scheduled for completion by 2030, and the approximately $250 million Engineering and Arts Building, the largest academic construction project in University history. This critical $250 million capital investment was introduced in the Governor's budget and was strongly supported by both the House and Senate. Additional investments include the $25 million expansion of the Barry Art Museum through the Waitzer Wing, modernization of the $24 million