By Kelsey Kendall
Kelly Till ’94, the first female president and publisher of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, will be the keynote speaker for Old Dominion University’s 141st Commencement Exercises on Dec. 14 at Chartway Arena. Graduates will also receive a written message from ODU’s first female Vice President, former Board of Visitors Rector and 2024 Distinguished Alumni honoree, Kay Kemper ’80.
The 9 a.m. ceremony will honor graduates from the College of Arts and Letters, Batten College of Engineering and Technology, the College of Sciences, the School of Cybersecurity and the School of Data Science.
The 12:30 p.m. ceremony will recognize those from the Graduate School, the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies, Strome College of Business and Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University’s Ellmer College of Health Sciences and Ellmer School of Nursing. The ceremony also marks the first to celebrate graduates from Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences EVMS School of Health Professions at Old Dominion University.
In 2022, Till became the first woman to serve as president and publisher in the 172-year history of the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Under her leadership, Richmond has become one of Lee Enterprises’ top-performing markets and has led several initiatives, such as the Virginia Video Network – a full-service video studio and news platform – and the expansion of the Amplified Digital advertising agency. Additionally, “En Forme,” a statewide lifestyle magazine, was launched in 2021.
Till began her career at Landmark Communications, moving up to become vice president of advertising at The Virginian-Pilot. Till’s accomplishments throughout her career include being named to Virginia Business magazine’s Virginia 500 Power List, and receiving Virginia Business’s 2023 Women in Leadership Award, Old Dominion University’s 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award and the 2018 YWCA Hampton Roads Women of Distinction Award.
Kay Kemper was the first female vice president at Old Dominion University and served on the Board of Visitors from 2016 to 2024. Kemper is the founder and retired president of Kemper Consulting, a government relations firm, and holds a bachelor’s degree from the College of William & Mary and a Master of Public Administration in public policy analysis from ODU. As vice president for institutional advancement, she was responsible for external relations, including engagement with the Virginia General Assembly, the Hampton Roads community, alumni and donors. She also oversaw all University events and publications.
Kemper has received awards including Pioneer of the Year from the Outstanding Professional Women of Hampton Roads, the Women of Distinction Award from the YWCA of South Hampton Roads and the Port Champion Award from the Virginia Maritime Association.
“Old Dominion University is proud to celebrate the significant accomplishments of our most recent graduates,” said President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. “Kelly Till and Kay Kemper both exemplify the extraordinary excellence, sheer dedication and visionary leadership that define our passionate alumni. As our newest graduates embark on their next chapter, Monarch Nation expresses its best wishes for much happiness and success in their personal and professional endeavors.”
For more information about the upcoming commencement exercises, visit the University website.