Joseph E. Healy

In 1924, Joseph E. Healy became director of the William & Mary Extension in Norfolk -- organizing classes and finding rooms where William & Mary faculty would teach. In 1930, as Principal of Blair Junior High School, he worked with Robert M. Hughes, Sr. (alumnus of William & Mary), Dr. J. A. C. Chandler (President of William & Mary), and A. H. Foreman to create the Norfolk Division of the College of William & Mary. He was interviewed by Robert H. Land of William & Mary on June 9, 1960.

A. Rufus Tonelson

A.Rufus Tonelson was one of the first three students enrolled at the Norfolk Division in 1930. He was later a professor and administrator at Old Dominion and was also principal of Maury High School.

He discusses his memories of ODU's beginnings in a 1975 interview.

The College of William and Mary in Norfolk

Lewis W. Webb, Jr.

President Lewis Warrington Webb, Jr. was considered "the Father of Old Dominion." After serving 10 years as an instructor at the Norfolk Division of the College of William and Mary, he was appointed Assistant Director in 1942. He also served as Director of the Defense and War Training Program at the College from 1940-1944. In 1946 Webb was appointed Director of the Norfolk Division and served as the first President of Old Dominion College from 1962-1969.

He discusses his recollelctions about the Norfolk Division's separation from William & Mary in a 1975 interview.

Charles O. Burgess

Dr. Charles O. Burgess came to the Norfolk Division of the College of William & Mary in 1955 as an Instructor in the English Department. He was appointed the University's first Dean of Graduate Studies in 1970, became Vice President and Provost for Academic Affairs in 1972, and served as Dean of the College of Arts and Letters in 1985.

He discusses his recollelctions about the Norfolk Division's separation from William & Mary in a 2010 interview.

E. Vernon Peele

Dean E. Vernon Peele served ODU from 1948-1975 as Assistant Director from 1948-1956, Dean of Instruction from 1956-1966, and Dean of Arts & Sciences from 1966-1975.

He discusses his recollelctions about the Norfolk Division's separation from William & Mary in a 1974 interview.

Lewis W. Webb, Jr.

The "Father of Old Dominion," Lewis Webb became the Director of the Norfolk Division in 1946 and was the first President of Old Dominion College from 1962-1969.

He discusses Frank Batten in a 1975 interview.

Albert Teich, Jr

Albert Teich, Jr. was a student at the Norfolk Division from 1945-47 and joined the faculty in the College of Business from 1957-1992.

In a 1976 interview he says the following about Frank Batten:

Frank Batten was the strong man on that and basically what Frank wanted, Frank got. (pg. 29)

With the dream of university status realized, Lewis Webb steps down and James L. Bugg Jr. takes over as president of Old Dominion in July 1969. During Bugg's tenure, the university offers its first doctoral programs in engineering and oceanography. He establishes the Office of Information Services to keep the community, as well as the legislature, apprised of university progress and successes. During Bugg's presidency, the school articulates its mission to be known as an urban university.

Charles O. Burgess

When the college transitioned to a university, Charles Burgess became the University's first Dean of Graduate Studies in 1970. In 1972, he became Vice President and Provost for Academic Affairs. He worked closely with President Bugg.

He discusses the transition to a university in a 2010 interview.

David Hager

Dr. David Hager began teaching at ODU in 1969 as it was transitioning to a university. He has held a variety of administrative posts since 1973, including Department Chair, Assistant Dean of the College of Arts and Letters, Dean of Graduate Studies, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Acting Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

He discusses the transition to a university in a 1999 interview (no audio available).