Norfolk State University

Norfolk State University was founded in 1935 as the Norfolk Unit of Virginia Union University. The college brought to life in the midst of the Great Depression, provided a setting in which the youth of the region could give expressions to their hopes and aspirations. In 1942, the college became the independent Norfolk Polytechnic College, and two years later, an Act of the Virginia Legislature mandated that it become a part of Virginia State College.

The college was able to pursue an expanded mission with even greater emphasis in 1956 when another Act of the Virginia Legislature enabled the institute to offer its first bachelor's degree. The college was separated from Virginia State College and became fully independent in 1969. Subsequent legislative acts designated the institution as a university and authorized the granting of graduate degrees.

Several prominent businessmen and educators were credited with the foresight to form the college. Dr. Samuel F. Scott was the first director, and Dr. Lyman B. Brooks became the second director and the first president, serving the college for 37 years. Under the leadership of its third chief administrative officer, Dr. Harrison B. Wilson, president for 22 years, and it current president, Dr. Marie V. McDemmond, the university employs over 900 people with an international faculty of about 350, the majority of whom have earned terminal degrees in their respective disciplines.

Norfolk State University carries a proud tradition of excellence. The value of the university is evident by its educational, cultural and economic impact on Hampton Roads. Additionally, its successful alumni are contributors to their communities and professions throughout Hampton Roads Virginia and the nation.

Norfolk State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate, baccalaureate, master's and doctoral degrees. NSU is a four-year co-educational, urban institution with five schools offering 39 bachelor's, 14 master's and two doctorate degrees to its international student body of 7,000. One of the most integrated universities in the Commonwealth of Virginia, NSU has grown to become the state's largest and the nation's fifth largest historically black university.

Much of the university's academic focus is on the sciences, high technology disciplines, business, liberal arts and research. In 1986, Norfolk State established The Dozoretz National Insitiute of Minorities in Applied Sciences to help address the national shortage of minority scientists. Under the leadership of President McDemmond four outstanding centers of excellence were established during the late 90's. They are the Center for Materials Research, Center for Bringing Education and Science Together, Center for Entrepeneurship, and the Center for Service and Literacy. To date, 88 per cent of the institution's graduates continue their education pursuits at dental, medical or graduate schools across the United States, and more than half of them annually receive graduate school scholarships and fellowships upon graduation from NSU.

The admission criteria stipulate that an applicant must have graduated from an accredited high school with a grade point average of at least 2.0; SAT score of 800; ACT score of 17; 20-22 course units; and pay an application fee of $25. Tuition for the 1999-2000 academic year is $45 per credit hour for residents of Virginia and $127 per credit hour for out-of-state students.

Listed among the university's famous and prominent alumni are Tim Reid, Nathan McCall, Randall Robinson, Julian Earls, Leon Carter, and Ernie Hodge.

For more information about Norfolk State University, go to their website at http://www.NSU.edu.

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