Women’s Tennis is one of the intercollegiate sports played at Old Dominion University (ODU). Matches are currently played at the Folkes-Stevens Indoor Tennis Center. The women’s tennis team is a member of the Sun Belt Conference. History While tennis has been an intramural sport at ODU as far back as the 1950s, women’s tennis became… read more »
Women’s Rowing has been a varsity sport at Old Dominion University (ODU) since its inception in 2008. The main facility for the rowing team is the Women’s Intercollegiate Rowing Center located on the north side of Lakewood Park off the Lafayette River. History Women’s rowing was a club sport at Old Dominion dating back to… read more »
Women’s Basketball at Old Dominion University (ODU) has been a part of the institution since 1931, when it was known as the Norfolk Division of the College of William & Mary. The nickname for the women’s basketball team is the Lady Monarchs. Home basketball games take place at Chartway Arena at the Ted Constant Convocation… read more »
Dorothy M. Doumar served as the first female Rector of the Old Dominion University (ODU) Board of Visitors from 1978 to 1982. History In 1972, Dorothy M. Doumar was appointed to the ODU Board of Visitors and served until 1983, including four years as Rector. As a member of the Board of Visitors, Doumar took… read more »
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 »
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 »
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 »
The Technical Institute was one of the larger programs of the Norfolk Division of the College of William & Mary and provided vocational skills for those over 16 in areas such as auto mechanics, drafting, photography, and air conditioning repair. History Before World War II, the Norfolk Division established the Aircraft Instruments Institute was established… read more »
Carolyn Rhodes (1925-2019) was a professor in the Department of English at Old Dominion University (ODU) from 1965 to 1990. Early Life Born Carolyn Hodgson on May 16, 1925, in Birmingham, Alabama, only child of Lester Hodgson and Dolly G. Hodgson, Dr. Rhodes spent her childhood between Alabama and New York City. Carolyn went on to… read more »
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 »