Old Dominion University (ODU) is a state University located in Norfolk Virginia, United States, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. It has an AACSB accredited school of business, has received 25 Virginia Outstanding Faculty Awards, the highest honor for teaching in the state, rated best Southeastern College by Princeton Review, and ranked in the Top 15 for Global Management M.B.A. by Entrepreneur. It was established in 1930 as the Norfolk Division of the College of William & Mary. ODU awarded its first bachelor's degrees in 1956, became Old Dominion College in 1962, and attained university status in 1969. ODU offers a full range of degree programs and is one of the nation's largest providers of online distance learning courses. Old Dominion University derives its name from one of Virginia's state nicknames, "The Old Dominion." Given to the state by King Charles II of England for remaining loyal to the crown during the English Civil War, the nickname serves as a reminder of ODU's royal roots.