75th Anniversary Celebration Begins

Old Dominion University will celebrate its 75th anniversary with a variety of programs and activities throughout the 2005-06 academic year. The commemoration of the university’s founding in 1930 officially kicked off Sept. 20 on Kaufman Mall. Hundreds of members of the campus community gathered on the lawn to form the number 75 for an aerial photo opportunity. The program also featured the world premier of “The Lion’s Roar,” a piece composed by music professor Adolphus Hailstork and performed by the ODU Orchestra.

Founded as a two-year extension of the College of William and Mary, the Norfolk Division, as it would soon be called, opened its doors to 206 students on Sept. 12, 1930. The school gained its independence in 1962, becoming Old Dominion College, and attained university status in 1969.

A special anniversary Web site, www.odu.edu/75, includes news about anniversary events, historical photos, alumni memories, information about commemorative merchandise and much more.

Anniversary events next semester will conclude with the burying of a time capsule in the spring.