Old Dominion University facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Old Dominion University

Former names	Norfolk Division of the College of William & Mary (1930–1962) Old Dominion College (1962–1969)
Type	Public research university
Established	March 13, 1930; 95 years ago (March 13, 1930)
Accreditation	SACS
Academic affiliations	CUMU SCHEV Sea-grant Space-grant
Endowment	$265.8 million (2020)
President	Brian Hemphill
Academic staff	867
Students	23,494
Undergraduates	16,678
Postgraduates	4,816
Location	Norfolk , Virginia , United States 36°53′12″N 76°18′19″W / 36.88654°N 76.30522°W / 36.88654; -76.30522
Campus	Midsize city, 251 acres (1.02 km2)
Other campuses	Hampton Portsmouth Virginia Beach
Newspaper	Mace & Crown
Colors	Monarch Blue      Silver Reign      Sky Blue
Nickname	Monarchs
Sporting affiliations	NCAA Division I FBS - Sun Belt American
Mascot	Big Blue

Old Dominion University (ODU) is a large public university in Norfolk, Virginia. It started in 1930 as a special school for working adults and military members. It was called the Norfolk Division of the College of William & Mary.

Today, ODU is a big university with over 23,000 students. It is one of the largest universities in Virginia. The main campus is about 250 acres (1.0 km²) big. It is located near the Elizabeth River. ODU welcomes students from all over the world.

The university offers many different study programs. You can choose from 175 undergraduate and graduate degrees. ODU got its name from Virginia's nickname, "The Old Dominion." This name was given by King Charles II because Virginia stayed loyal to him. About 165,000 people have graduated from ODU. They live in all 50 states and 67 countries.

ODU is known for its strong research. It is classified as an "R1" university. This means it does "Very high research activity." In 2021, ODU spent over $73 million on research.

History of Old Dominion University

Norfolk Division of The College of William & Mary

Old Dominion University began in 1930. It was an extension of the College of William and Mary in Norfolk. Leaders like Robert M. Hughes and J. A. C. Chandler helped create it. Joseph Healy started organizing classes in 1924.

On March 13, 1930, the two-year branch was officially formed. The first class was held on September 12, 1930. There were 206 students. Classes took place in an old elementary school building. Tuition for the first year was only US$50.

In 1931, Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech) also offered classes there. This helped more teachers and engineers study. The college grew during the Great Depression. It received money from President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal. This money helped build the Administration Building (now Rollins Hall) and Foreman Field.

Lewis Warrington Webb joined the faculty in 1932. He is often called "the Father of Old Dominion." Webb became assistant director in 1942. He also led a program for defense and war training. This program helped the school stay open during World War II. Many women learned skills like aircraft repair. In 1946, Webb became the Director. He dreamed of the Norfolk Division becoming its own school.

Rollins Hall along the Williamsburg Lawn

The Norfolk Division became a four-year college in 1962. It became independent from William and Mary. On February 16, 1962, it was renamed Old Dominion College. Webb was the first president of Old Dominion College. He served from 1962 to 1969.

Frank Batten, a newspaper publisher, became the first rector in 1962. The College of Engineering is named after him. In 1964, students could live on campus for the first time. Dorms like Rogers Hall and Gresham Hall opened.

The college grew, adding more students and research. In 1969, Old Dominion College became Old Dominion University. This happened under President James L. Bugg Jr. During his time, the first doctoral programs started. The Army ROTC program also returned.

In the 1970s, under President Alfred B. Rollins Jr., ODU worked with other groups. These included NASA and the U.S. Navy. The university also started its own police force in 1971.

Since then, ODU has continued to expand. It now has over 24,000 students. It also has campuses in Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, and Hampton.

Leaders of Old Dominion University

The Jacobson House is where the university president lives on campus.

Academics and Learning

Old Dominion University offers many different programs. These include studies in arts, sciences, health, technology, and business. Students can earn 73 bachelor's degrees. There are also 60 master's degrees and 35 doctoral degrees.

Because Norfolk is a big port city, ODU focuses on global business and cultures. It also has strong programs in science, engineering, and technology. This includes marine science and aerospace. Many departments work with NASA. ODU is one of the few universities that offers special business degrees in shipping and port management. It also has great programs in marine science and engineering.

University Accreditation

Old Dominion University is officially approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS/COC). This means it can give out bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Many of its specific colleges and programs also have special approvals. For example, the Engineering College is approved by ABET.

Colleges and Schools at ODU

ODU is made up of several colleges and schools. Each one focuses on different subjects.

College of Arts and Letters

This college offers programs in subjects like art, history, music, and languages. It also includes communication, political science, and sociology.

College of Sciences

Here, students can study biology, chemistry, computer science, and math. Other subjects include ocean science, physics, and psychology.

College of Health Sciences

This college has schools for dental hygiene, nursing, and rehabilitation. It also covers community and environmental health. A new School of Public Health is being planned. ODU is also joining with Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS). EVMS will become the medical school part of ODU by July 2024.

School of Data Science

A new School of Data Science is being created. It will offer degrees in this growing field.

Batten College of Engineering and Technology

This college offers degrees in many engineering fields. These include civil, computer, electrical, and mechanical engineering. It also has programs in modeling and simulation. ODU was the first in the US to offer all degrees in modeling and simulation.

School of Cybersecurity

In 2020, ODU opened the first School of Cybersecurity in the country. It offers bachelor's and master's degrees in cybersecurity.

Strome College of Business

This college offers programs in economics, finance, and marketing. It also has schools for accounting and public service. The college has a special trading room with Bloomberg terminals. It was renamed after the Strome family donated $11 million. The college also has an Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship. This helps students and the community with new business ideas.

Darden College of Education and Professional Studies

This college trains future teachers and leaders in education. It also has programs in counseling, exercise science, and fashion merchandising. Students can learn about early childhood education and special education.

Perry Honors College

This college is for high-achieving students. It offers special classes and research opportunities. Students get to work closely with top professors.

The Graduate School

This school supports all the master's and doctoral programs at ODU.

Distance Learning (ODU Global)

ODU started offering online courses in 1994. Now, ODU Global offers over 100 online degree programs. It also works with community colleges across Virginia. ODU has programs for military personnel too.

Research at ODU

ODU research teams get about $88 million each year. This money comes from grants for over 400 projects. These projects are supported by groups like NSF, NIH, and the Department of Defense.

The university is known for its "Very high research activity."

Virginia Modeling, Analysis, and Simulation Center

Some of ODU's research centers include:

• Center for Accelerator Science
• Center for Coastal Physical Oceanography
• Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics
• Virginia Modeling, Analysis, and Simulation Center (VMASC)

Center for Accelerator Science

This center works with the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. It trains scientists and engineers. They learn to build and use advanced accelerators. These tools are used for many types of research.

Center for Telehealth Innovation, Education & Research (C-TIER)

C-TIER focuses on new ways to use technology in healthcare. It helps educate people about telehealth.

Climate Change and Sea Level Rise Initiative (CCSLRI)

ODU's location near the ocean makes it perfect for studying climate change. This initiative researches how to adapt to rising sea levels.

International Maritime, Ports & Logistics Institute

This institute teaches about managing ports and shipping. It helps meet needs for maritime education and research. In 2011, ODU was ranked eighth in the world for port research.

Social Science Research Center

This center helps with many types of social science research. They conduct surveys and analyze data. They work with others to understand people and communities.

ODU Campus Life

Norfolk Main Campus

The main campus is in Norfolk, Virginia. It is located between two rivers. It has buildings for classes, dorms, dining, and sports.

Williamsburg Lawn

This is the oldest part of campus. Buildings like Rollins Hall are here.

Kaufman Mall

Several main academic buildings are around Kaufman Mall. These include the business college and student union.

Runte Quad

This area has seven newer dorm buildings. Owens House is designed for students studying cybersecurity and STEM. The Student Recreation Center is also here.

University Libraries

Perry Library

ODU has several libraries. The main one is the Perry Library. It has over 3 million items. The first floor was updated in 2011. It is now called The Learning Commons.

Elizabeth River Area

The western side of campus is along the Elizabeth River. Some dorms and sports facilities are in this area.

Colley Bay Area

More student dorms and a dining hall are in the northeastern part of campus.

University Village

University Village

University Village is a newer part of campus. It has shops, restaurants, and student apartments. It also includes the Ted Constant Convocation Center and the University Village Bookstore. More expansion is planned for this area.

Maglev History

The campus once had a special train track for a maglev research project. It was taken down in 2023. A small part of the track still remains over Hampton Boulevard.

New Campus Facilities

ODU has added many new sports facilities. These include the Indoor Tennis Center and the Powhatan Sports Complex. A new football stadium, SB Ballard Stadium, opened in 2019.

Many academic buildings have also been updated or built. These include Constant Hall and the Chemistry Building. A new Health Sciences Building is set to open in 2023. Plans are also underway for a new Biology Building and a Student Success Center.

ODU Virginia Beach Campus

ODU has a campus in Virginia Beach. It offers many undergraduate and graduate programs. It has a Learning Commons and space for events. A new location in Town Center is opening in 2023.

ODU Tri-Cities Center

This campus is in Portsmouth, VA. It helps students in Portsmouth, Chesapeake, and Suffolk. It offers upper-level classes and student services.

ODU Peninsula Center

This campus is in Hampton, VA. It serves students in Hampton, Newport News, and Williamsburg. It also offers upper-level classes and student services.

Student Life at ODU

Student Housing

ODU has dorms for about 5,300 students. Most freshmen live on campus. There are four main housing areas. A private apartment complex also houses about 1,000 students.

Dining Options

There are three main dining halls on campus. These are Broderick Dining Commons, Rogers Riverside Cafe, and Ms. Ruby's Cafe. Many other restaurants are in the Webb Center and University Village.

Recreation and Sports

The Student Recreation Center (SRC) is a large fitness facility. It has a gym, pool, running track, and climbing wall. There's also an outdoor turf field. The University Fitness Center (UFC) is in University Village.

The ODU Outdoor Adventure program offers trips. Students can go hiking, biking, camping, and more. The campus also has sand volleyball courts and a challenge course.

ROTC Programs

ODU has an Army ROTC program. It helps students become officers in the Army. The Navy ROTC program works with nearby Norfolk State and Hampton University. It is one of the largest Navy training groups in the US.

Student Organizations

ODU has over 300 student groups. More than 8,000 students are members. These groups include clubs for different interests, majors, and cultures. There are also many fraternities and sororities.

Campus Ministries

Students can join campus ministries. These groups are coordinated by the University Chaplain's Association. They include different Christian denominations, Jewish, and Islamic groups.

Greek Life

ODU has many Greek organizations. There are thirteen fraternities and eleven sororities. These groups focus on brotherhood, sisterhood, and community service.

Athletics and Sports

Old Dominion's sports teams are called the Monarchs. There are 18 teams. They mostly play in the NCAA Division I Sun Belt Conference (SBC). The Monarchs have won 28 national team championships.

The Lady Monarchs basketball team is very famous. They won three national championships in 1979, 1980, and 1985. They also reached the NCAA Championship Game in 1997. ODU teams have won 15 national championships in sailing. The Lady Monarchs field hockey team has won 9 national titles. This is the most in NCAA history.

ODU teams have also won many conference championships. They have won 51 in the Colonial Athletic Association, 7 in Conference USA, and 7 in the Sun Belt Conference. ODU joined the Sun Belt Conference on July 1, 2022.

Notable People from ODU

Famous Faculty

• Robert L. Ash, a professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.
• Ingo Heidbrink, a History Professor.
• Luisa Igloria, a Filipina-American poet and former Poet Laureate of Virginia.
• G. William Whitehurst, a former Dean of Students and US Congressman.

Famous Alumni

• 

  Taylor Heinicke, NFL Quarterback

• 

  Kent Bazemore, NBA Player

• 

  Anne Donovan, Olympic Basketball Player & Coach

• 

  Nancy Lieberman, Basketball Hall of Famer

• 

  Justin Verlander, MLB Pitcher

• 

  Jay Harris, ESPN Sportscaster

• 

  Elizabeth Duke, Former Federal Reserve Governor

• 

  Michael Bloomfield, Astronaut

• 

  William J. Fallon, Admiral, US Navy (Ret.)

• 

  Benjamin S. Griffin, General, US Army (Ret.)

• 

  Oliver Purnell, College Basketball Coach

• 

  Dave Twardzik, NBA Player

• 

  Jodi Rell, Former Governor of Connecticut

• 

  Winsome Sears, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia

See also

In Spanish: Universidad de Old Dominion para niños