Arthur “Buttons” Speakes was the first African American athlete to be recruited by and receive a scholarship from a predominately white college in Virginia. Old Dominion Accomplishments Speakes was one of the best all-around athletes who ever came to Old Dominion University (ODU). Speakes excelled at both baseball and basketball from 1965 to 1969. An… read more »
During the 1950s and 1960s, the Norfolk Division of the College of William & Mary denied admission to African American undergraduate students to comply with the Virginia laws of segregation. History During World War II, there were several instances of African American Naval officers taking classes offered by the Norfolk Division at Naval Station Norfolk…. read more »
Ruth Wilson James was the first female student to register for classes at the Norfolk Division of the College of William & Mary, later Old Dominion University (ODU), in 1930. Student and Personal Life In the summer of 1930, Ruth Wilson James was one of three students to register for classes at the Norfolk Division,… read more »
Big Blue is the official mascot of Old Dominion University (ODU). Big Blue is a lion with a blue crown on his head and wearing either a football or basketball jersey with the number “00” on the front. History When ODU became independent from the College of William & Mary in 1962, while there was… read more »
Superdance was an event sponsored by Old Dominion University (ODU) to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. History In the fall of 1975, in an effort to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the student body organized a danceathon at the Webb University Center. Later known as Superdance, the danceathon became an ODU… read more »
The Save ODU Campaign was an initiative led by students, faculty and staff at Old Dominion University (ODU), as well as the Hampton Roads community to save ODU from a funding shortfall soon after obtaining university status. History In September 1969, Old Dominion College became Old Dominion University. One of the proponents of the institution… read more »
The Gadfly was a student literary magazine at Old Dominion University (ODU) from 1962 to 1972. History Founded in 1962 by Eric Browne and other students, the Gadfly featured poetry, artwork, satire, photography, and essays in the quarterly magazine. With English professor Leland Peterson as its adviser, the Gadfly pushed the envelope on topics related… read more »
Gray’s Pharmacy was a pharmacy across Hampton Boulevard from the Old Dominion University (ODU) campus that was heavily used by the ODU community for almost 80 years. History Established in 1918, Grey’s Pharmacy was a local hangout for students, faculty and staff at ODU. After the closure of Bud’s Emporium in the 1960s due to… read more »
The Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) was a student activist organization at Old Dominion University (ODU) in the 1960s and early 1970s. History Established by Kurt and Barbara Gayle in 1966, the Old Dominion chapter of SDS focused on local and campus issues rather than a national agenda, with the exception of the Vietnam… read more »
WODU is the student-run radio station at Old Dominion University (ODU). The non-profit station runs 24 hours a day, as well as streaming online, and includes both radio programming and television production. The organization also provides on-site training in all areas of media production. History The Norfolk Division of the College of William & Mary… read more »