


In 1969, what was originally known as the Norfolk Unit of Virginia State University changed to Norfolk State College. In that same year, Norfolk State College received accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and had an enrollment of 5,400 students. Nearly 25 years later, the school's enrollment reached approximately 9,100 students.
Notable faculty and staff include Steve Riddick, Olympic gold medal winner and former Norfolk State University coach; Robert R. Jennings, current president of Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University, Yacob Haile-Mariam, an elected member of the Ethiopian parliament and a former Senior Prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda; and many more.