Old Dominion University

Old Dominion University
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Name	Old Dominion University
Established	1930
Type	Public research university
Endowment	$303.7 million (2022)
President	Brian O. Hemphill
City	Norfolk
State	Virginia
Country	United States
Campus	Urban, 251 acres
Students	23,494 (Fall 2023)
Faculty	1,100+
Colors	Slate blue, silver, light blue
Nickname	Monarchs
Affiliations	Coastal Athletic Association, Virginia Space Grant Consortium, APLU

Old Dominion University is a public research university located in the coastal city of Norfolk, Virginia. Founded in 1930 as an extension of the College of William & Mary, it has grown into a doctoral research institution with high research activity as classified by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. The university is a vital component of the Hampton Roads metropolitan region and is known for its strong programs in engineering, maritime studies, and cybersecurity.

History

The institution originated in 1930 as the Norfolk Division of the College of William & Mary, created to address the higher education needs of the growing Hampton Roads area. Following World War II, enrollment surged with the arrival of veterans utilizing the G.I. Bill, prompting a move to its present campus location. In 1962, it achieved independence as Old Dominion College, and by 1969 it was granted university status by the Virginia General Assembly. Key figures in its expansion include former president James L. Bugg Jr. and Lewis W. Webb Jr., for whom the university's Webb Center is named. Its growth has been closely tied to the region's military and maritime economy, including partnerships with Naval Station Norfolk and NASA Langley Research Center.

Academics

The university is organized into several colleges, including the Strome College of Business, the Batten College of Engineering and Technology, and the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity" and is particularly recognized for its engineering programs, its School of Cybersecurity, and its School of Maritime, Commercial, and Logistics Law. Notable research centers include the Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center (VMASC) and the Center for Coastal Physical Oceanography. The university also maintains a significant commitment to distance learning, offering numerous online degree programs.

Campus

The main 251-acre urban campus is situated in the Larchmont neighborhood of Norfolk, Virginia, along the Lafayette River. Significant facilities include the Perry Library, the Ted Constant Convocation Center, and the Barry Art Museum, which houses a renowned collection of glass art and vintage dolls. The campus features a mix of historic Georgian-style architecture and modern structures, with recent additions like the Michele & Steven Dickens Hall for the health sciences. The university also operates the ODU Virginia Beach Center and has a presence at the Tri-Cities Higher Education Center in Portsmouth.

Athletics

The university's athletic teams, known as the Old Dominion Monarchs, compete in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) for most sports, with football competing in the Sun Belt Conference. The Monarchs have a strong tradition in women's basketball, winning three national championships under coach Wendy Larry, and in wrestling, producing multiple NCAA champions. Notable venues include S.B. Ballard Stadium for football and the Chartway Arena within the Ted Constant Convocation Center. The men's basketball program has produced notable players like Kent Bazemore and has made multiple appearances in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.

Student life

Student life is supported by over 300 student organizations, including fraternities and sororities governed by the National Panhellenic Conference and the North American Interfraternity Conference. The university's student newspaper is the Mace & Crown, and the campus radio station is WODU. Major annual events include ODU Monarch Festival and homecoming celebrations. The university's location in Hampton Roads provides students with access to cultural institutions like the Chrysler Museum of Art and the Virginia Opera, as well as the region's extensive beaches and military installations.

Notable alumni and faculty

Distinguished alumni include astronaut and former commander of the International Space Station Michael S. Hopkins, former United States Senator and Secretary of the Navy Jim Webb, and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Kathleen Parker. The faculty has included notable figures such as former poet laureate of Virginia Sofia M. Starnes and renowned economist David M. Kreps. Other prominent graduates are Nancy Lieberman, a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and Bobby Wilder, the inaugural head coach of the modern football program.

Category:Universities and colleges in Virginia Category:Public universities and colleges in the United States Category:Educational institutions established in 1930