Oral History Collection

Mrs. Elizabeth DeBedts, Professor Emeritus, served ODU from 1959-1979 as a librarian in Special Collections, Circulation, and Reference. She was also a student at ODU from 1945-1947. She was born in Norfolk, Virginia in 1925. The interview discusses her time as a student and various changes in the library (buildings, professional status of librarians, administrator differences, etc.).

Peter G. Decker, Jr. attended the Norfolk Division of the College of William & Mary for two years, 1955-1956 before continuing his studies in history and law at William and Mary. Decker was born in Norfolk, Virginia in 1935 and died February 3, 2012. He was a Norfolk attorney and community benefactor. The "interview" is actually a monologue submitted on audiotape by Decker to James R. Sweeney, University Archivist. He fondly recollects his days at ODU, including the musical programs and "campus capers," the Honor Council, fraternities, and student life.

Rodham Tulloss Delk, Sr. served as mayor of Smithfield from 1961-1964. He practiced law with A.E.S. Stephens, who is the subject of this interview. Delk was born in Smithfield, Virginia July 22, 1914 and died August 1, 2002. The interview discusses Rodham Delk's association with A.E.S. Stephens, who was a lieutenant governor, a state senator, and a member of the House of Delegates. Stephens was unsuccessful in his run for governor in 1961, possibly because of his stand against massive resistance.

Betty (Cootes) Downing attended the Norfolk Division of the College of William and Mary from 1954-1956 .In a July 1979 audiotape to Dr. James R. Sweeney, University Archivist, she recalls her days as a cheerleader, a singer with the chorus and madrigals, a field hockey player, modern dance student, a sorority member, and a Bud's patron.

Dr. T. Ross Fink, Emeritus, was the Chairman of the Department of Education from 1954-1962 and the first Dean of the School of Education from 1963-1964. From 1964-1970, he served as Chair of the Department of Elementary Education. His interview discusses his teaching background, developments in the College of Education, the primary and secondary education curricula, issues with teacher education and employment, ODU's role during massive resistance, year-round school, and various programs he established at ODU.

Albert Ira Godden, Professor Emeritus, served ODU from 1949-1984, in the Technical Institute and as Director of Off-Campus Credit programs. He was born in 1924 in Oswego, New York and died November 28, 2012. The interview discusses the early Technical Institute and its role on campus, its accreditation, its move to the Community College Division, and its move into the School of Engineering. He also discusses his role as Director of Extension and Public Services, which became Evening and Extension Programs, the PACE (Program Afloat for College Education) program, and the "Sign Post" series on WTAR-TV.

Mills E. Godwin, Jr. was Governor of Virginia for two non-consecutive terms: 1966-1970 (as Democrat), and 1974-1978 (as Republican). He was also State Senator (1952-1962) and Lieutenant Governor (1962-1966). Godwin was one of the proponents for massive resistance. Godwin was born in Nansemond, Virginia on November 19, 1914 and died January 30, 1999. The interview discusses Virginia politics, including the 1961 State Democratic Gubernatorial Primary, and the Byrd organization. Godwin also discusses highway financing, the Right-to-Work Act, and Governor Harrison.

Earl T. Gresham was born in 1918 in Norfolk, Virginia and died September 19, 2001. He was President of E.T. Gresham, Ltd, a Norfolk company. The interview discusses Gresham's personal background and life, the development of his company, and construction and restoration of Norfolk buildings. The interview took place in Norfolk, Virginia.

Rev. Moultrie Guerry was rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in downtown Norfolk from 1938-1957. This interview is in three parts. Reverend Guerry discusses his background and education, his work at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, race relations and civil rights in Norfolk.

Dr. David Hager has served ODU since 1969, when he began teaching in the Political Science and Geography Department. During his time at ODU, he has held a variety of administrative posts since 1973, including Department Chair from 1975-1976, Assistant Dean of the College of Arts and Letters from 1973-1975, Dean of Graduate Studies from 1976-1981, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs from 1981-2005, and has served as acting provost and vice president for academic affairs on five occasions, most recently from 2001-2003. He was born in Detroit, Michigan on August 13, 1941 and died December 9, 2020. The interview discusses Hager's various roles on campus, his views on various administrations, university and campus developments and transitions, streaking and "protests" in the 70s, racial integration with Norfolk State University (Va.), and ODU's role in the community. [Note: Audio portion of this interview was not deposited with the University Archives.]

Georgie L. Harris became a professional Girl Scout in 1934 and a field director of Norfolk, Portsmouth and Princess Anne County. She was executive director of Virginia Tidewater Area Council of Girl Scouts from 1937 to 1963, and she retired from the Greater Tidewater Area Council of Girl Scouts in 1972. He was born in Franklin, Virginia on September 30, 1907 and died September 28, 2006. The interview discusses her background and her involvement in the development of Girl Scouts in Norfolk. Also included with the interview are a biography and bibliography. The interview is part of the Norfolk Women's History collection and was conducted as a class project for Dorothy Johnson's History 495/595 course, "Recapturing Women's History: Local and National," in Fall, 1982.

Harold G. Hawn, Professor Emeritus, served ODU from 1953-1989 in the Music Department. This interview, in three parts, discusses his background, developments in the Music Department and its faculty and students, various music programs and televised educational programs. He also discusses numerous productions of the Opera Workshop. Part 3 of the interview has not yet been transcribed.

Joseph Ewart Healy was instrumental in establishing the Norfolk Division of the College of William and Mary, now Old Dominion University. From 1924-1930, Healy was Director of the William and Mary Extension in Norfolk. During that time, he was also Principal at Norfolk's Blair Junior High School. Healy passed away August 24, 1967. This interview was conducted by Robert H. Land, Librarian at William and Mary College, and another individual. The interview discusses the early days of Old Dominion University -- from the William and Mary Extension Program, to the acquisition of the Larchmont Elementary School and adjacent land, to preparation of the first catalog, to enrolling the first students and hiring the first faculty.

Mr. Frederic Heutte served for many years as the Superintendent of the Department of Parks and Forestry for the city of Norfolk. He was born on March 19, 1899 in Paris, France and died in 1979. The interview discusses his background, his interests in horticulture, his job with the City of Norfolk, issues of segregation, and the beautification of Norfolk and ODU.

Kathryn Hill Venner became a physician in 1944 and continued in a practice with her husband in Virginia Beach, Virginia for more than 40 years. Venner was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa on December 2, 1916 and died November 11, 1999. The interview discusses her family and educational background and her views on the changing role of women in medicine over the years. It includes a biographical sketch of Hill and a research paper on women physicians. The interview is part of the Norfolk Women's History collection and was conducted as a class project for Dorothy Johnson's History 495/595 course, "Recapturing Women's History: Local and National," in Fall, 1982.

Mr. Aubrey P. Hunter was owner and operator of Hunter Brother's Moving and Storage Company in Norfolk for 32 years from 1940-1971. He was born in Fitzgerald, Georgia and died in 1993. In his interview, he discusses his background, his career in the marines, his religious experiences, and work in the grocery and moving business. He also discusses the City of Norfolk, specifically since the 30s, the influences of the military, redevelopment and housing, segregation, and family life and sex roles. The interview took place in Norfolk, Virginia.

Dr. Perry Y. Jackson served on the faculty of the Norfolk Division from 1930-1939 in the Chemistry Department. He passed away in 1997. Dr. Jackson submitted a written "interview" based on questions submitted by Dr. Sweeney. The interview recollects the beginnings of the Norfolk Division, early students and faculty, the facilities (especially the Chemistry Laboratory), and various early programs.

Ruth James was an advocate for school desegregation in the late 1950s when Norfolk closed its public schools because of massive resistance laws. She and her family were the lead litigants in a law suit that re-opened and desegregated the schools. James was also the first female student enrolled in the Norfolk Division of the College of William and Mary, now Old Dominion University. James was born in Chesapeake, Virginia on October 13, 192 and died October 7, 1997. The interview discusses her background and involvement with the school desegregation crisis in Norfolk, Virginia. The interview is part of the Norfolk Women's History collection and was conducted as a class project for Dorothy Johnson's History 495/595 course, "Recapturing Women's History: Local and National," in Fall, 1982.

Dorothy Johnson, Professor Emeritus, served from 1961-1986 as a History Professor; she co-organized the Old Dominion University Faculty Women's Caucus and served as coordinator 1974-1975; she served as a faculty representative of the Board of Visitors 1975-1976; and, she was one of the original organizers of the Women's Studies program. She was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In Part 1 of this interview, Johnson discusses her early educational background; her early years as a faculty member in the History Department; the atmosphere on campus in 1960s; and, the organization of the Faculty Women's Caucus. In Part 2, Johnson discusses the Faculty Senate, the Webb, Rollins and Bugg administrations, the development of the Women's Studies program, the university honor system, and her philosophy of education.

Dr. Dorothy M. Jones, an Emeritus Professor in the School of Business Administration, served ODU from 1954-1976. In addition to discussing her background and developments in the School of Business, she discusses her views on sexual discrimination, distributive education and merchandising, local business collaborations, the ODU Chapter of the American Marketing Association, and her book Step Back, Please.