2025 Recipients of the Carter T. Gunn Scholarship Awarded at ODU

On September 10, Old Dominion University announced the 2025 recipients of the Carter T. Gunn Scholarship sponsored by the Virginia Maritime Association (VMA): Cortez Coleman and Amber Talley. Both students are being recognized for their academic achievement and commitment to careers in the maritime and supply chain fields. The Carter T. Gunn Scholarship reflects the Virginia Maritime Association’s long-standing commitment to workforce development and education, preparing future leaders to serve the Commonwealth of Virginia’s global maritime economy.

The scholarship was originally established in 1978 by the Hampton Roads Maritime Association as the Eldridge H. Whitehurst Scholarship Fund, later renamed the Hampton Roads Maritime Association Memorial Fund. Following the Association’s transition to the Virginia Maritime Association (VMA) in 2006, the scholarship was updated to carry its current name: the Carter T. Gunn Scholarship. Today, it is awarded through an endowment at the Old Dominion University Educational Foundation, invested in accordance with the Foundation’s policies to ensure continued support for future scholars. Scholarship recipients must be undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Business and Public Administration, majoring in Maritime and Supply Chain Management, or MBA students pursuing a concentration in Maritime & Port Management. Each award is designed to encourage and support students who are preparing to play key roles in Virginia’s maritime and logistics industries.

By investing in programs such as the Carter T. Gunn Scholarship, the VMA continues to advance one of its strategic priorities: ensuring a strong, skilled workforce for the future. With 400 member companies across the Commonwealth, VMA is committed to building pathways for students like Cortez Coleman and Amber Talley to pursue careers in ports, logistics, shipbuilding, and maritime management. “The strength of Virginia’s maritime economy depends on the next generation of leaders,” said VMA's Senior Vice President Will Fediw. “Supporting scholarships at institutions like Old Dominion University helps us prepare students for high-demand careers that will sustain the Commonwealth’s role in global trade.”

Congratulations to Cortez and Amber for this recognition of their hard work and dedication. The Virginia Maritime Association is proud to support their educational journey and looks forward to their contributions to Virginia’s maritime and supply chain industries.