THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, March 8, 1995 TAG: 9503080498
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: D1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MYLENE MANGALINDAN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 45 lines
Extolling the virtues of Old Dominion University's business graduates and its basketball team, the former owner of Norfolk Beverage Co. donated more than $2 million to the university's business school Tuesday.
Theodore F. Constant and his wife, Constance, awarded the largest gift ever made to the College of Business and Public Administration. The money will be used to renovate Chandler Hall, a 32-year-old building full of classrooms, which will be renamed Constant Hall in their honor.
University President James V. Koch declined to reveal the exact amount of the award because it includes some financial assets that have not been fully valuated, he said. Koch and other university representatives presented the couple with a plaque that will be hung in the renovated building.
The Greek-American benefactors, both in their 80s, smiled widely during the recognition ceremony held in their honor for their latest donation.
``Old Dominion University's been wonderful for Norfolk and enabled a lot of people to go to school,'' Theodore Constant said. ``I'm glad to be able to do a little something for the school here.''
Although a North Carolina State University alumnus, Constant has had a long relationship with Old Dominion. He became the first commercial sponsor of the ODU men's basketball radio programs.
He also has hired several Old Dominion students who have continually impressed him with the caliber of their education, he said.
Although neither graduated from Old Dominion University, the Virginia Beach couple have donated more than $600,000 since 1982 to establish various endowments.
They donated money to the business school because they both studied and made money in that field, Constant said.
Constant sold Norfolk Beverage in 1983 to George and Steve Sampson of Knoxville, Tenn., after selling Miller brewing products for 46 years. ILLUSTRATION: Color photos
Theodore F. and Constance Constant
by CNB