Town-N-Gown is an organization that endeavors to foster a closer relationship between the community, national defense forces (the “N”), and Old Dominion University.  Over the years, it has provided its hundreds of members a variety of programs designed to appeal to adults in the Hampton Roads area.  The organization started with a sherry in 1965 shared by two outstanding community couples:  Mr. and Mrs. Hugh T Fortescue (Town) and Dr. and Mrs. John R. Tabb (ODU). Through their vision and perseverance Town-N-Gown was first originated as a viable group.

Town-N-Gown operated as a committee of the Faculty Wives Club from 1965 to 1970, and in 1968 the military was added, thereby changing the name from Town and Gown to Town-N-Gown (“N” for Navy).  Efforts headed by Dr. Tabb led to university sponsorship of the committee with greatly appreciated financial and service support.

In 1970 Mrs. Robert L. Stern took steps to increase community awareness of Town-N-Gown, pointing out in a letter to area groups that “Town-N-Gown is a road, a discussion group, a telephone, and a connection between the Tidewater area and ODU – which seeks to improve understanding in the community and the university by exchanging information about the activities of both.”   Town-N-Gown dramatically expanded its range of activities and become an independent organization of ODU in 1971 under Mrs. Stern’s leadership and by efforts of Dr. Tabb.  The name was revised in 1982 with the “N” representing “National Defense”.  To support this, we now have a military appreciation speaker at our Annual Meeting, and we include military programs and activities on and off campus whenever possible.

Recent years have seen the evolution of Town-N-Gown into a significant support organization for Old Dominion University.  In 1986 the Town-N-Gown Scholarship Endowment Fund was established at the university.  The income provided much needed student support.  The fund now stands in excess of $140,000.  In addition, as funds permit, occasional, one-time student scholarships are provided.  Additionally, other scholarships and programs at ODU have received donations from Town-N-Gown and its members.  These have included a section of the Old Dominion University Wall, Friends of the Library, ODU Capital Campaign, and Teletechnet Center.  In response to a proposal from the university president in 1988, Town-N-Gown accepted the role of cosponsor of Founders’ Day at ODU.  Town-N-Gown has provided support for a variety of activities and cosponsored programs such as the History Department five-year project “Remembering World War I”,  the Annual ODU International Festival, and the multi-media “Birth of An Answer” production, the Pretlow Planetarium’s movie “Firefall”, the History Department Commemoration of Martin Luther’s Reformation, Ignite Food Pantry, the Military Connection Center, in memory ODU alumni in Virginia Beach tragedy, Pretlow Planetarium, Lunar Landing 50th Anniversary, the Engineering Motorsports Club, and other projects listed on pages 22-25.

The great vitality of Town-N-gown assures its continued development of additional programs, socials, tours and activities that will appeal to an ever-widening community.