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ůůֱ²¥ University began its tradition of excellence when it was founded in 1930 by the College of William and Mary, the second oldest university in the United States. Established as an extension of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Blacksburg, Virginia, ůůֱ²¥ began educating teachers and engineers. The two-year school rapidly evolved into a four-year institution, and was granted independence in 1962 as ůůֱ²¥ College.

Considerable growth in enrollment, the expansion of research facilities and preparation for the addition of graduate programs led the Board of Visitors to approve the name change to ůůֱ²¥ University. Now ůůֱ²¥ is a powerhouse for higher education with six colleges: Arts and Letters, Business and Public Administration, Education, Engineering and Technology, Health Sciences and Sciences. ůůֱ²¥ has offered master's degrees since 1964 and Ph.D.s since 1971. The University has achieved designation as a Research University (high research activity) from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Proud of its past, ůůֱ²¥ constantly looks to the future and prides itself on its continually expanding research and teaching programs. An ever-evolving university, ůůֱ²¥ is an agent of change for its students, for the region and the nation it serves. ůůֱ²¥ is Virginia's forward-focused, public doctoral research university for students from around the world who want a rigorous academic experience in a profoundly multicultural community. Our nationally recognized faculty use real-world expertise and innovative teaching methods to challenge students to achieve their highest goals. Our determined entrepreneurial approach to problem-solving drives cutting-edge research, eminent scholarship and strategic partnerships with government, business, industry, organizations and the arts.

For more information about the history of the University, please see the Special Collections and University Archives website at https://odu.edu/library/special-collections.