Old Dominion University

Have you ever wondered about the origins of Old Dominion University? This remarkable institution holds a story dating back to 1930. Innovator Robert M. Hughes had a vision along with J.A.C. Chandler, the then president of the prestigious College of William & Mary. An extension of the renowned college was to be born in Norfolk. Joseph Healy, the lifeblood of this extension, began the intricate process of organizing classes, setting up locations, and pulling in faculty and staff. Fast forward to March 13, 1930 - brought to life by the combined efforts of not just Hughes, Chandler and Healy, but also A.H. Foreman, the Norfolk Division of the College of William and Mary sprung into existence.

In the brick walls of the old Larchmont School building, which previously resonated with the sounds of elementary school classes, the first batch of 206 students commenced their journey on September 12, 1930. Among them were 125 young men and 81 women, all eager to shape their future. All of this started under the leadership of H. Edgar Timmerman, the Division's first director, appointed just nine days earlier, on September 3. This mode of higher education that ran for two years was more accessible to people with limited financial resources, with a tuition of just US$50 for the first year.

By the next September, the Virginia Polytechnic Institute, or Virginia Tech as we fondly know it, jumped on board offering classes of their own, thereby expanding the course offerings for teachers and engineers alike. As the institution took its first steps during the Great Depression, it was not left to fend for itself; aid arrived in the form of federal funding courtesy of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal. Landmarks such as Rollins Hall, then the Administration Building, and Foreman Field owe their existence to the Public Works Administration funds. With time, an empty field blossomed into a sprawling, vibrant college campus along Hampton Boulevard.

In 1932, a man named Lewis Warrington Webb joined as an engineering instructor, later earning the affectionate title of "the Father of Old Dominion". A decade of service later, Webb found himself elevated to the position of assistant director in 1942, also overseeing the Defense and War Training Program between 1940-1944. This program, initiated during World War II, not only allowed the school to remain operational during a time when the number of eligible students dropped due to the war, but it also attracted many women eager to acquire new skills such as aircraft repair and drafting. Webb's aspiration to see the Norfolk Division stand on its own feet as an independent institution gained momentum when he was made the Director of the Norfolk Division in 1946.

Over the years, the Norfolk Division underwent a dramatic transformation, graduating from a two-year to a four-year institution, and eventually separating from William and Mary in 1962 thanks to a piece of legislation signed on February 16 by Governor Albertis S. Harrison. The Norfolk Division was soon rechristened as Old Dominion College with Webb at the helm, serving as the first president until 1969. Frank Batten, publisher of The Virginian-Pilot, The Ledger-Star and a part of the advisory board, stepped up to the plate as the first rector on May 27, 1962, extending his service till 1970.

The same decade saw the first students transitioning to on-campus living, moving into Rogers Hall and Gresham Hall, both named after advisory board members. Preparations for introducing graduate programs and expansion of research facilities were underway throughout the late 1960s, leading to the birth of Old Dominion University in 1969 under President James L. Bugg Jr. The defense program earlier established during Webb's reign found itself reintroduced, and an honors program was introduced under the watchful eyes of President Alfred B. Rollins Jr in the 70s.

Fast forward to the present day, the university has grown exponentially with an enrollment exceeding 24,000 students spread across satellite campuses in Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, and Hampton. Continuing to evolve, the university recently announced a $500 million capital campaign in 2022. The on-campus quarters for the university president, fondly known as the Jacobson House, remains steeped in history and memories from the past decades.

So, there you have it – the incredible journey of transformation, growth, and service of Old Dominion University. From a humble beginning inside an old elementary school to becoming one of the respected institutions of higher learning, its history is truly inspiring. As you trace the footsteps of many before you on this campus, remember the legacy it holds. It stands not only as a beacon of knowledge but a testament to the indomitable spirit of generations of visionaries, learners, and educators.