Lewis Warrington Webb could be called "the Father of Old Dominion." After serving 10 years as an instructor at the Norfolk Division of the College of William and Mary, he was appointed Assistant Director in 1942. He also served as Director of the Defense and War Training Program at the College from 1940-1944. In 1946 Webb was appointed Director of the Norfolk Division.

Dr. Webb's dream was to see the Norfolk Division become an independent institution. He saw that dream fulfilled in 1962 when the Norfolk Division gained its independence from William and Mary and became Old Dominion College. Dr. Webb served as the first President of Old Dominion College from 1962-1969.

After retiring from the presidency he returned to teaching physics. He died in 1984, having lived long enough to see Old Dominion become a university.

The University Archives houses the Webb collection containing the material accumulated during his service as chief administrative officer on campus from 1946-1969.

A series of Oral History Interviews were conducted from November 1974 through February 1975.