THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Saturday, March 25, 1995               TAG: 9503240016
SECTION: FRONT                    PAGE: A10  EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   47 lines

HOW ODU'S KOCH EARNED HIS RAISE

Regarding ``Students ask Koch to return most of raise'' (news, March 4): It is customary to reward a business leader who has dedicated himself to his organization and changed the organization for the better. James V. Koch is one of the best university presidents in the nation.

I was fortunate to have been president of the Old Dominion University Alumni Association when Dr. Koch was named president. In our meetings with Dr. Koch, it was apparent that he had goals that would make Old Dominion University unique and, if accomplished, secure its future.

Dr. Koch went to work immediately, visiting community leaders, faculty, students and civic organizations and meeting with all the state legislators to market his vision for the university. The result of this early effort is that ODU receives excellent support from the state as well as the local community.

Many Old Dominion University departments are recognized as the very best in the nation, and this distinction is due largely to Dr. Koch and his vision.

Dr. Koch changed the direction of the Alumni Association. He involved alumni all over the United States. He met with them and helped form alumni groups and pockets of support for ODU.

While on vacation or out of the area supporting an athletic event, Dr. Koch would take time to meet with groups and discuss the university. He also met with high-school students throughout Hampton Roads and in the areas of his travels to promote Old Dominion. He invited students to visit and consider making it their school of choice for continuing education.

Rather than jet to and from various locations to promote the school, Dr. Koch, along with alumni, faculty and staff, rode a bus. The bus was Dr. Koch's vehicle of choice because it afforded him the opportunity of flexible and unlimited stops along the way to visit high schools, alumni, etc.

The bus tours and personal visits resulted in widespread support, including large financial commitments to the university and fresh new faces in the classroom. Accordingly, the alumni association, the educational foundation and all other university-support groups have grown and prospered and now better represent ODU.

Dr. Koch earned every penny of his recent raise.

EDWARD A. STAYLOR JR.

Portsmouth, March 15, 1995 by CNB