faculty | Old Dominion University History Wiki

Chemistry Building

2022-07-15

The Chemistry Building houses the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Old Dominion University (ODU). The building is located off Elkhorn Avenue between the Oceanography and Physical Sciences Building and the Jim Jarret Athletic Administration Building. History In 2019, construction began on the Chemistry Building to replace the Alfriend Chemistry Building, which had been the… read more »

Lambert’s Point Summer Program

2021-10-13

The Lambert’s Point Summer Program provides science, engineering, and computer literacy classes, as well as recreational events, such as swimming classes, athletics, and field trips to residents of the Lambert’s Point neighborhood, just south of the Old Dominion University (ODU) campus. History The Lambert’s Point Summer Program was established in 1992 by Cecelia Tucker, Old… read more »

Brian O. Hemphill

2024-02-26

Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D., president of Radford University, succeeded John R. Broderick as the ninth president of Old Dominion University (ODU) on July 1, 2021. Prior to serving as president of Radford University, Dr. Hemphill served as President of West Virginia University, Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Northern Illinois University, and… read more »

Safe Space Committee

2021-10-13

The Safe Space Committee, mostly made up of Old Dominion University (ODU) faculty and staff, works to provide an environment free from homophobia, transphobia, and heterosexism at ODU. History The Safe Space Committee was established in 2006. Working closely with the Office of Intercultural Relations and ODU Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA), the LGBTQIA+ student… read more »

Joseph C. “Scrap” Chandler

2024-03-28

Joseph C. “Scrap” Chandler was a former baseball, basketball, swimming, and track coach as well as the athletic director after Thomas L. “Tommy” Scott. History Arriving at the Norfolk Division in 1942, “Scrap” Chandler became the athletic director as well as coach of the baseball, basketball, swimming, and track teams. In addition to the being… read more »

Department of Ocean and Earth Sciences

2021-04-01

The Department of Ocean and Earth Sciences is one of the departments that make up the College of Sciences at Old Dominion University (ODU). Most of the classes take place in the Oceanography and Physical Sciences Building. History The oceanography program began as the Oceanography Laboratory in 1960. In 1965, the Institute of Oceanography was… read more »

Old Dominion-Norfolk State Merger

2021-11-16

To help with eliminating duplication of programs between Old Dominion University (ODU) and Norfolk State College, the federal government suggested the merger of the two institutions in 1978. History During segregation in Norfolk, African American students were sent to Norfolk Division of Virginia State College, now Norfolk State University, to complete their undergraduate education. After… read more »

Women’s Center

2020-04-07

The Women’s Center at Old Dominion University (ODU) offers programs and events that promote gender equality and addresses the unique challenges women face when pursuing higher education. History The Women’s Center was established at ODU in 1976, making it one of the first of its kind in the nation. The original purpose of the center… read more »

Women’s Caucus

2024-04-10

The Women’s Caucus is a faculty and staff organization that aims to advance the welfare of women at Old Dominion University (ODU). History The Women’s Caucus was established in 1974 by Carolyn Rhodes, a professor in the Department of English, and Dorothy Johnson, a professor in the Department of History. The organization focuses on obtaining… read more »

Dennis J. Zeisler

2020-04-06

Dennis J. Zeisler (1947-2020) was a music instructor at Old Dominion University (ODU) from 1979 until his retirement in 2018. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Music, both from the University of Michigan. Service to Old Dominion and Profession While at ODU, Zeisler served as chair of the Department of Music for 15… read more »