Norfolk State University (NSU) is a public historically black university located in Norfolk, Virginia. As a member of both the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the Virginia High-Tech Partnership, NSU plays a significant role in higher education for African American students and technological advancement within the state. NSU provides various undergraduate and graduate programs, contributing to the diversity of educational opportunities in the region.
On September 18, 1935, the Norfolk Unit of Virginia Union University was founded, marking the beginning of the institution. Eighty-five students attended the first classes.
In 1938, Dr. Lyman Beecher Brooks, a Virginia Union alumnus, succeeded Mr. Samuel Fischer Scott as director of the institution.
In 1942, the school became independent of VUU and was named Norfolk Polytechnic College.
By 1950, the 15th anniversary of the college founding, the faculty had grown to fifty and the student enrollment to 1,018.
In 1952, the college's athletic teams adopted the "Spartan" name and identity.
In 1953 Norfolk State was a member of the Eastern Intercollegiate Conference.
In 1955 Brown Hall, formerly Tidewater Hall, opened as the first permanent building on the new campus on Corprew Avenue.
In 1956 the future Norfolk State College granted its first bachelor's degrees.
In 1960 Norfolk State was no longer a member of the Eastern Intercollegiate Conference.
In 1962 Norfolk State was a member of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
In 1963, Lyman Beecher Brooks served as provost of the institution.
In 1969, Lyman Beecher Brooks served as the first president of the institution.
In 1969, the college divided from Virginia State College and was named Norfolk State College. The college was issued accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools the same year with an enrollment of 5,400 students.
The Spartan "Legion" Marching Band was founded in 1974.
In 1975, Lyman Beecher Brooks term as president ended.
In 1975, the first master's degrees were awarded in Communications.
In 1979, the college was granted university status by the General Assembly of Virginia, and it changed its name to Norfolk State University.
On February 22, 1980, WNSB (FM) radio was established.
Norfolk State University celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1985 with a year of observances and with an enrollment of 7,200.
In 1995 Norfolk State University's enrollment reached 9,112.
In 1996 Norfolk State was no longer a member of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
Upon the retirement of Dr. Harrison Benjamin Wilson in 1997, Marie Valentine McDemmond became NSU's third President.
In 2001, Hampton was the last MEAC in-state rival to win as 15 seed.
In 2001, the Spartan Suites Apartments were built.
In July 2005, Alvin J. Schexnider became interim president.
Carolyn Meyers was selected as the fourth President and began service on July 1, 2006.
In 2006, the Marie V. McDemmond Center for Applied Research was built.
In 2007, The Spartan Legion was featured performers in the Honda Battle of the Bands.
In 2007, the new police station was built.
In 2008, The Spartan Legion was featured performers in the Honda Battle of the Bands.
In September 2009, the New Student Center facility opened.
In 2011 Tony Atwater was announced as the new president becoming the fifth president.
The 2011–12 Norfolk State Spartans men's basketball team won the 2012 MEAC men's basketball tournament championship.
In 2012 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament, the Spartans, a 15 seed, defeated the #2 seeded Missouri Tigers in the second round, 86–84.
In 2012, state-of-the-art library was built.
On August 23, 2013, Tony Atwater was removed by the board of visitors of Norfolk State University.
On September 13, 2013, Eddie N. Moore Jr. was appointed interim president of Norfolk State University.
On September 23, 2013, Eddie N. Moore Jr. started serving as interim president of Norfolk State University.
In December 2013, the university was placed on probation by its regional accreditor, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, for "financial and governance issues."
In January 2015, the construction of the New Nursing and General Classroom Building was completed.
Eddie Moore Jr. became the 6th president of Norfolk State University on January 10, 2016.
In late September 2017 President Moore announced his retirement.
In the fall 2017 NSU opened a new G.W.C. Brown Memorial Hall, a three-story, 154,000-square-foot academic building, which houses the School of Business, College of Liberal Arts, and Mass Communication and Math Department.
On January 1, 2018, Dr. Melvin Stith assumed office as interim president.
In 2018 the Spartan “Legion” was featured in the official music video for the song Heavy Metal by French house act Justice.
On June 24, 2019, Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston became the 7th president of Norfolk State University.
Construction of a new four-story residential facility began in 2019.
In 2020, Norfolk State received $40 million from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. Her gift is the largest single gift in Norfolk State's history.
In 2023 the Spartan “Legion” performed at the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, CA.