NORFOLK, Va. \u2014 The absence of Old Dominion University\u2019s (ODU) historic seal from Kaufman Mall has sparked speculation across social media, with rumors circulating that the emblem had been stolen. However, university officials have confirmed that the seal is safe and has been temporarily removed for maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The rumors began earlier this week when students and faculty noticed that the seal\u2014an iconic symbol of ODU\u2019s heritage\u2014was missing from its usual location. Posts on various social media platforms suggested the possibility of theft, with some students questioning whether it was part of a prank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ODU took swift action to address the speculation through an official Facebook statement<\/a>. \u201cThere is a rumor on social media that our beloved Old Dominion University \u2018seal\u2019 on Kaufman Mall has been stolen. We want to assure you the seal is safe. It is just undergoing maintenance,\u201d the post read. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, Monarchs, it will be back in place shortly, for you all NOT to cross until Commencement day.\u201d This clear and direct communication from the university helped dispel the rumors and reassure the ODU community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The ODU seal holds historical and symbolic significance. According to the university\u2019s website<\/a>, the design incorporates Virginia\u2019s colonial history elements and ODU\u2019s parent institution, The College of William & Mary. The central shield, divided by a St. George\u2019s cross, reflects the royal arms of the Stuart monarchy, which ruled England when Virginia was known as the Old Dominion. The seal also features the coat of arms of William & Mary, recognizing ODU\u2019s origins as an extension of the historic college. Encircling the shield is the university\u2019s name and its founding year, 1930.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beyond its historical importance, the seal is central to a well-known campus tradition: superstition holds that stepping on the seal before graduation brings terrible luck, potentially delaying a student\u2019s ability to graduate on time. This belief has led students to avoid stepping on it carefully\u2014except during Commencement when crossing, it is seen as a rite of passage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Senior Sports Managment major Ndure Benka-Coker expressed relief upon learning that the seal had not been stolen but admitted that the change was still noticeable. \u201cA lot of us came in as freshmen, took tours, and were told that we would walk across that original seal when we graduate,\u201d Ndure said. \u201cSeeing it removed felt like it took away part of that experience we had envisioned. Many of us are taking our senior photos, and the new seal just doesn\u2019t give off the same impression as the older one. It\u2019s not a huge change, but it\u2019s still not the same.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The university has since confirmed that the seal has been successfully restored to its original location on Kaufman Mall, ensuring that ODU\u2019s long-standing tradition remains intact. This fixing is not just a physical act, but a reaffirmation of the university’s commitment to its history and the community it serves. Students can now walk around the seal once more, keeping the superstition until Commencement Day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Students can check ODU\u2019s official page<\/a> and Facebook page <\/a>for updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n