Old Dominion University (ODU) is a unique, public institution located in historic Norfolk, Virginia. In addition to a major center for research and development, it has a special mission for the Commonwealth in commerce, and in international affairs and cultures. This 188-acres campus stretches from the Elizabeth River to the Lafayette River in Virginia. With tree-lined walkways, a mix of old and new buildings, and colorful gardens and ponds, ODU offers a small-college look and feel, although situated in a metropolitan setting. In 1930, the institution was first founded as a division of the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. In 1956, the college awarded its first bachelor's degrees. It became an independent institution in 1962. The college achieved university status in 1969. Today, ODU is one of only 101 public universities with a Carnegie/Doctoral Research-Extensive distinction. ODU offers a wide array of undergraduate and graduate programs, all of which meet national standards of excellence. It has 67 bachelor's, 65 master's, 26 doctoral and two educational specialist degree programs. The total enrollment is approximately 20,802, including 14,209 undergraduate and 6,593 graduate students. There are approximately 591 full-time and 287 part-time faculty members. Old Dominion University library is fully-automated, with more than 2.8 million items. Accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the University is a home for extensive scientific and technological activities in marine science, aerospace, ship design and construction, advanced electronics, and nuclear physics. Apart from learning, the university encourages the involvement of its faculty and staff in community service. Various ODU extracurricular activities and experiences help students to develop a personal system of values, to think and act autonomously, to achieve physical competence, and to establish a sense of their own identity. The enrichment of the student’s life there is also fostered through cultural activities, fine and performing arts events, and intercollegiate athletics. There are roughly 200 student organizations on campus. The college’s athletics teams are members of the Colonial Athletic Association. Old Dominion University’s extended campus centers include the Peninsula Higher Education Center, Hampton; the Virginia Beach Higher Education Center, Virginia Beach; the Northern Virginia Center, Sterling; and the Tri-Cities Center, Portsmouth.