Old Dominion University | Old Dominion University History Wiki

ODU Tri-Cities Center

2026-09-18

The ODU Tri-Cities Center, located in Portsmouth, Virginia, is one of the three Regional Higher Education Centers of Old Dominion University (ODU). The other two sites are located in Virginia Beach and Hampton. Together, all three sites provide students with accessible, high quality education at three convenient locations in Hampton Roads. More information about the center can be… read more »

Commencement

2026-09-16

There have been Commencement exercises at Old Dominion University (ODU) since 1945, when the institution was known as the Norfolk Division of the College of William & Mary. History Students would complete their first two years of study at the Norfolk Division and then transfer to either the Williamsburg campus of the College of William & Mary or Virginia… read more »

Board of Visitors

2026-06-08

The Board of Visitors is the main authoritative body at Old Dominion University (ODU). The Board of Visitors has the power to spend funds, establish rules and regulations, and the power to appoint the president. The current board is made up of 17 members appointed by the Governor of Virginia to a 4 year term and can not serve… read more »

Lewis W. Webb, Jr.

2026-06-02

Lewis W. Webb, Jr., the first President of Old Dominion University (ODU), was born in Norfolk, Virginia on March 1, 1910. A graduate of Maury High School, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1931 and Master of Science degree in 1932 from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Blacksburg. He served as an Instructor of… read more »

Student Senate/Student Government Association (SGA)

2026-03-05

The Student Government Association (SGA) is the student government at Old Dominion University (ODU). The SGA recommends, promotes, and advises on programs and issues related to the student body to the administration of ODU. History When Old Dominion was a part of the Norfolk Division of the College of William & Mary, there were separate Women’s and Men’s student… read more »

Anne Donovan

2021-10-07

Anne Donovan (1961-2018) was a member of one of the most prolific women’s basketball teams ever at Old Dominion University (ODU). A highly sought after recruit in high school, Donovan chose ODU over 200 other schools and led the Lady Monarchs to the 1979-1980 Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) championship and was the first female recipient… read more »

Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity

2021-10-11

The Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity at Old Dominion University (ODU) “oversees, facilitates and supports the University’s efforts to ensure equal opportunity for all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex (including pregnancy), political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and… read more »

Football at ODU

2023-12-19

Football at Old Dominion University (ODU) is currently played on Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium. History Football was played at the Norfolk Division of the College of William and Mary shortly after it began in the fall of 1930. The athletic team was nicknamed “The Braves” and played games against other junior colleges and high schools in the… read more »

Old Dominion University Faculty Wives Club

2021-10-22

Faculty Wives Club Octoberfest Booth, 1976 The Old Dominion University Faculty Wives Club is a social and service organization made up of faculty wives from Old Dominion University (ODU). History Founded in 1950 by Virginia Rice Webb, the wife of Norfolk Division Director Lewis W. Webb, Jr., the Faculty Wives Club served as a source of… read more »

Phi Alpha Theta. Theta Xi Chapter

2021-10-13

The Theta Xi Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta was the local history honor society at Old Dominion University (ODU). History The Theta Xi chapter of the national history society Phi Alpha Theta was established at Old Dominion College in 1962. One of the charter members was Jack Temple Kirby who is now an historian of the twentieth-century South…. read more »