Old Dominion University | Old Dominion University History Wiki

Darden College of Education and Professional Studies

2023-04-25

The Darden College of Education and Professional Studies is one of the colleges at Old Dominion University. Located in the state-of-the-art Education Building at the corner of 43rd Street and Hampton Boulevard, the college is named after Colgate Darden, Jr., U.S. Representative from Virginia (1933-37, 1939-1941), Governor of Virginia (1942-1946), Chancellor of the College of William & Mary (1946-1947),… read more »

H. Edgar Timmerman

2023-01-13

Appointed the first director of the Norfolk Division, H. Edgar Timmerman was just 29 when he came to Norfolk in the fall of 1930. Prior to the appointment, Timmerman was a doctoral candidate at Columbia University and an instructor in the History Department at New York University. He was well liked by both students and faculty… read more »

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 »