ODU | Old Dominion University History Wiki

John R. Broderick

2021-10-01

John R. Broderick became the eighth president of Old Dominion University following the resignation of Roseann Runte in 2008. President Broderick was a champion for inclusiveness at Old Dominion. He implemented a reorganization of the Office of Affirmative Action into the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity, created the Office of Intercultural Relations, and set up the President’s… read more »

Roseann Runte

2024-03-28

Roseann Runte, Ph.D., president of Victoria University in Toronto, Canada, became Old Dominion University’s (ODU) seventh and first female president following the retirement of James V. Koch in 2001. After several attempts had failed over the years, President Runte led a successful campaign to revive the football program after a more than 60-year absence. Dr…. read more »

James V. Koch

2021-10-01

James V. Koch, Ph.D., president of the University of Montana, became the sixth president of Old Dominion University in 1990 after William B. Spong Jr.’s 18-month term as interim president. In the realm of academics, President Koch raised admissions standards, increased enrollment and retention, established the university’s innovative TELETECHNET distance learning program, and developed niche… read more »

William B. Spong, Jr.

2023-10-16

When President Joseph M. Marchello resigned in 1988, the board of visitors selected William B. Spong Jr. to serve an 18-month term as interim president of Old Dominion University. A former US senator who also served in the Virginia General Assembly for 12 years, Spong previously served as dean of the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at… read more »

Joseph M. Marchello

2021-10-01

Joseph M. Marchello, Ph.D., chancellor of the University of Missouri at Rolla, became the fourth president of Old Dominion University upon the retirement of Alfred B. Rollins Jr. in 1985. President Marchello brought energy and ability to the position and set ambitious plans for the development of the university, some that materialized after his tenure. Upon… read more »

Alfred B. Rollins, Jr.

2021-10-01

Alfred B. Rollins ,Jr. became the third president of Old Dominion University (ODU) in 1976 upon the retirement of James L. Bugg, Jr. President Rollins expanded the university’s state and private funding, revamped student services, and added a new general education program for undergraduates. Rollins also broadened Old Dominion’s emphasis on marine science and added… read more »

James L. Bugg, Jr.

2021-10-01

James L. Bugg Jr., Ph.D., was personally recruited by Rector Frank Batten in 1969 to become president upon the retirement of Lewis W. Webb Jr. President Bugg’s mission was to transition Old Dominion from a college to a university. He was able to grow the university despite resistance from state legislators and other Virginia schools… read more »

Faculty Emeriti Association

2024-06-18

The Faculty Emeriti Association (FEA) was established in February 1982 to help Old Dominion University (ODU) utilize all the institutional knowledge and creativity of its retired faculty. The association was founded by Dorothy Jones, Faculty Emeritus from the School of Business. Some of the first tasks of the organization included tutoring students, counseling professors and aiding disabled… read more »

Joseph E. Healy

2022-09-09

Considered one of the founders of the Norfolk Division, Joseph E. Healy served as director of the William & Mary Extension in Norfolk from 1924 to 1930. In 1930, along with Norfolk attorney Robert Morton Hughes, Healy proposed the Old Larchmont School as a site for the division to William & Mary President J.A.C. Chandler…. read more »

Julian Alvin Carroll (J.A.C.) Chandler

2021-10-11

Julian Alvin Carroll (J.A.C.) Chandler served as President of William & Mary from 1919-1934. Along with Robert Morton Hughes, Chandler was one of the driving forces behind the formation of the Norfolk Division. Faced with the threat of Tidewater area students enrolling at nearby Atlantic University, located in Virginia Beach, Dr. Chandler swiftly decided on… read more »