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HIGHLIGHTS E-newsletter from the Office of the President | DECEMBER 2017
Dr. Harry L. Williams, left, joined by his wife, Dr. Robin Williams, receives the Order of the First State from Delaware Gov. John Carney during this year’s seventh annual President’s Scholarship Ball, an affair in which he and his family were the recipients of a number of accolades.
Now, It Begins Again
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In 2018 and beyond, continue to embrace DSU’s greatness As 2017 ends, Delaware State University is looking forward to a new year. The year 2018 is sure to usher in an era of accomplishment that will enable DSU to move on to even greater heights, toward greater enrichment of an outstanding legacy of which I was proud and privileged to have had custodial care for eight years. This pivotal period in DSU’s history will prove to be a time of continued growth. I have been blessed to work with some of the most talented and most dedicated professionals in the world. I have met and interacted with some of the most tenacious alumni and friends that a university president could hope for. Your passion for DSU has been admirable and inspirational; your kindness and your willingness to put shoulder to the wheel for DSU has been energizing. I know that you will support Dr. Wilma Mishoe and Dr. Devona
Williams in their respective interim roles as DSU president and Board of Trustees chair. They will steer DSU into the next era of greatness with your help and collaboration. And so, as we depart this great institution, Robin, Austin, Gavin and I are comfortable in our confidence that you will guard the legacy that we have wholeheartedly embraced. We wish you all the very best for the holidays and the New Year. Remember always to “Expect Greatness,” for greatness is in DSU’s DNA and greatness is — and has always been — our destiny. Fondest regards,
Harry L. Williams, Ed.D.
Dr. Wilma Mishoe named interim president In November, Delaware State University’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously to elect Chairwoman Dr. Wilma Mishoe as interim president of the University, and Vice Chairwoman Dr. Devona Williams as Interim board chair while DSU searches for its next president. The changes will be effective in January 2018 as current President Dr. Harry Williams transitions from his post to become the president and chief executive officer of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
In August, Drs. W. Mishoe and D. Williams made history by being named the first-ever board chairwoman and vice chairwoman respectively in the University’s 126-year history. The board also named John Ridgeway as second vice chair. A trustee since June 2016, Ridgeway is the corporate manager of Toyota’s Eastern Territory Service Center, which is based in Owings Mills, Md. He is also a Class of 1975 DSU alumnus.
Dr. Wilma Mishoe
A Presidential Search Committee is anticipated to be named in the coming weeks and will include a wide variety of University stakeholders. They will begin their work in January. Read More
EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL AT DSU
ECHS honored by Wilmington NAACP
From left are Dee G. Myers, DTTC director; Dr. Vita Pickrum, vice president of Institutional Advancement; Dr. Harry L. Williams; Judy Diogo, CDCC president; and Jocelyn Stewart, senior director of community relations for Barclaycards.
DSU Training and Technology Center a new community resource The Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce (CDCC) joined DSU in holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the University’s new Training and Technology Center (DTTC) that will serve Central Delaware and beyond as a technology enhanced site for training and workshops. President Harry L. Williams and Judy Diogo, CDCC president, cut the ribbon to celebrate the new center. Diogo said such a state-of-the-art facility is much needed. “It is a magnificent facility and it is very generous of DSU to open this facility up to the community to use,” the CDCC president said. “DSU has filed a void for us yet again. Thank you DSU!”
Dr. Evelyn Edney, director of the Early College High School (ECHS) at Delaware State University, recently accepted the Martha Evans Excellence in Education Award during the Freedom Fund Awards Banquet sponsored by the Wilmington Branch of the NAACP. The ECHS, now in its 4th year of existence, was recognized for its academic program that not only prepares students for college, but also gives them the tuition-saving opportunity to earn as many as 60 college credit hours while completing their high school education.
Dr. Evelyn Edney
There are currently 450 students in the 9th through 12th grades– which include 70 students that will be the school’s first-ever graduating class in 2018. All members of the ECHS Class of 2018 have applied to enroll at DSU.
Counseling center named for alumna Dr. Reba Hollingsworth
The DTTC is powered by Barclays Bank, which made contributions totaling $600,000 since 2006 toward the establishment and development of the center. Located on the 7th floor of the University’s Living and Learning Commons facility on North DuPont Highway, the center will provide a place for technology focused workshops, company retreats, tailored corporate training, IT certification trainings as well as student learning sessions. Read More 2
Dr. Reba Hollingsworth
The Early College High School (ECHS) named its counseling center in tribute to the career, work and advocacy of Dr. Reba Ross Hollingsworth, who is a 1945 graduate of the historic Delaware State College Laboratory High School and a DSC Class of 1949 graduate. Hollingsworth is a retired educator and former high school counselor who is renowned for her work in the field. Photo Slideshow
2017 PRESIDENT’S SCHOLARSHIP BALL
A night of memories, friends in support of student success Dr. Harry L. Williams hosted his final President’s Scholarship Ball last weekend, an affair in which he and his family were the recipients of a number of accolades.
Dr. Harry L. Williams, right, presented Community Partner Awards to alumni, from left, Ned W. Brown Jr. ’71, Constance S. Hall ’92, and James “Frank” Marshall ’62 and the late Mary Marshall ’75 (represented by their daughter, Penelope Marshall, Esq.) during the event.
Supporters of the event held at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino were treated to the powerful gospel sounds of Yolanda Adams, who performed a few of her songs — including an extended version of her hit “The Battle is Yours.” After her performance, Williams presented her with DSU’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Photo Gallery
Williams also presented his annual Community Partner Awards to the following recipients: Business — Rick Deadwyler representing DuPont and Gary Stockbridge, CEO of Delmarva Power. Alumni — Constance S. Hall ’92, Ned W. Brown Jr. ’71, James “Frank” Marshall ’62 and the late Mary Marshall ’75 Community — Charles Burton of I.G. Burton Chevrolet of Milford and Ed Dulin of Independent Newspapers Inc.
Also accepting Community Partner Awards, from left, were Charles Burton, representatives of Independent Newspapers Inc., Rick Deadwyler and Gary Stockbridge, shown with Dr. Williams.
Several presentations, however, were in honor of the departing DSU president and his family.
Dr. Wilma Mishoe, chairwoman of the DSU Board of Trustees (and soon-to-be interim University president), presented Williams with the “Key to the DSU Campus” and noted that he and his family will always be welcome at DSU.
Delaware Gov. John Carney attended the ball to present Dr. Williams with the prestigious Order of the First State “in recognition of continuous service to the citizens of the State of Delaware.”
Dr. Vita Pickrum, on behalf of the University, announced the establishment of an endowed $10,000 scholarship fund in the name of Drs. Harry and Robin Williams.
RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT Dr. Melissa Harrington, right, director of the Delaware Center for Neuroscience Research, talks with Gov. John Carney at the grant announcement.
DSU Neuroscience Center awarded record $10.9M NIH grant The five-year National Institutes of Health grant awarded to DSU’s Delaware Center for Neuroscience Research allows the DSU Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) to build on successes achieved under the original $10.5 million received for Phase I of COBRE in 2012. Full Story
3 optics grants total $1.1 million Three DSU optics researchers have earned individual grants from NASA EPSCoR (National Aeronautics and Space Administration — Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) Early-concepts Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER) award in support of their projects. Read More
Grant supports Renewable Energy pilot The National Science Foundation has awarded DSU a two-year, $298,592 grant in support of a pilot Renewable Energy Engineering program that will provide students with new academic path options in the areas of alternative energy generation and environmental sustainability. Full Story
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We value and appreciate your support!
The Class of 1967 presented a $30,590 class gift to DSU at Homecoming.
You continue to enable student success and so much more with your gifts.
Major contributions celebrated during Homecoming 2017 During the 2017 fall football season, more than 300 donors in different categories of giving levels representing President’s Society donors ($1,000 or more), 5 year consecutive giving donors, DSU employees who give via payroll deduction, and season football ticket holders, were invited to attend four pregame receptions hosted by Drs. Harry and Robin Williams. Attendance averaged no less than 50 per event. The largest attendance was on Homecoming Day, Oct. 14. Donors gathered inside a hospitality tent where they enjoyed food and camaraderie before the game. A highlight of the gathering was the ceremonious presentations of seven big checks, representing contributions totaling over $700,000, which included a $450,000
VISIT DESU.EDU/GIVE
repeat gift from an anonymous donor. Donors and gifts acknowledged by DSU were: • Anonymous donor — $450,000 • DowDuPont — $100,000 for scholarships to STEM majors • DSU Hall of Fame Vision Committee — $72,190 toward a Hall of Fame facility • Delaware State College Class of 1967 — $30,590 class gift • Delmarva Power — $20,000 for scholarships • Joel ’81 and Arlene Coppadge — $10,000 endowed scholarship • Jeanel Lofland ’81 — $10,000 endowed scholarship • DSU Athletic Boosters — $10,000 for scholarships and support For photos of the presentations, Click Here.
to make your contributions before the end of the tax year. Thank you for your ongoing support!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Observance January 15 at noon Theater, Education and Humanities Building
I.G. Burton & Co. establishes $50K scholarship endowment
I.G. Burton and Co., a major Delaware car dealer, has invested in DSU students by establishing a $50,000 scholarship endowment. Students applying for the scholarship must attend full-time, possess at least a 2.80 grade point average and demonstrate financial need. Recipients will be able to apply awards toward tuition, fees, books and on-campus living expenses.
December Commencement December 16 at 10 a.m. Memorial Hall Gymnasium
Founders Day Program February 8 at 11 a.m. Theater, Education and Humanities Building
Third Annual First Lady’s Hats and Gloves Tea, now The Margaret Oliver First Lady’s Hats and Gloves Tea March 25 at 4 p.m. Martin Luther King Jr. Student Center For tickets, visit: www.desu.edu/hatsandgloves
For information about these events, call 302.857.6055.
For more information, please visit desu.edu or call the Division of Institutional Advancement at 302.857.6055.