2025 Convocation
DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY
Tuesday, September 9, 2025
11 a.m.
Memorial Hall Gymnasium
Convocation 2025
Delaware State University
DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY
2025 Convocation
DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY
PROGRAM
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE PLATFORM PARTY
Patrice Gilliam, Ph.D., Provost and Chief Academic Officer
INVOCATION
Terrell Holmes, Ed.D., Senior Associate Vice President, Strategic Initiatives
NATIONAL ANTHEM & LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING (Please stand)
Delaware State University Approaching Storm Marching Band and Choir
WELCOME FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Debbie Harrington, Ed.D., 1st Vice Chair, Delaware State University Board of Trustees
THE OCCASION
Tony Allen, Ph.D., President
INSPIRATION
Jamar Jeffers, Ed.D., President, Delaware State University Alumni Association
Ms. Na’ja Stokes, President, Student Government Association
INTRODUCTION OF CONVOCATION SPEAKER
Tony Allen, Ph.D.
CONVOCATION ADDRESS
Ms. Loren LoRosa ’14, Senior News Producer, The Breakfast Club, Power 105.1
PINNING CEREMONY
Mr. James Lunnermon, Assistant Vice President, Student Engagement/Student Experience
ALMA MATER
Audience, Band and Choir (Lyrics are on the back of the program.)
CLOSING REMARKS AND PROCLAMATION
Patrice Gilliam, Ph.D.
2025 Convocation
DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY
CONVOCATION SPEAKER
Loren LoRosa ’14
Senior News Producer, The Breakfast Club, Power 105.1
Loren LoRosa is an entertainment news correspondent, producer, actress and lifestyle vlogger. Upon receiving her Bachelor of Science Degree from Delaware State University’s illustrious Marketing program in 2014, LoRosa set out to dominate the world of mass media and production. LoRosa currently works as the Senior News Producer at the nationally syndicated radio show “The Breakfast Club” on Power 105.1.
With over 10+ years in the game, LoRosa has worked with TMZ, FOX, and BET. Recently announced, LoRosa is also the host of a daily pop culture podcast “The Latest with Loren LoRosa” being distributed by iHeart Media and Charlamagne Tha God’s Black Effect Network.
With LoRosa’s vast skill set, gained from being a nationally syndicated investigative journalist for nearly a decade with TMZ in the daytime and prime time slot and as a producer of some of the world’s most captivating news stories via tmz.com, LoRosa has been able to further her knowledge of social media, pop culture, investigative journalism, fashion, branding, marketing and MORE!
2025 Convocation
DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Leroy A. Tice, Esq. ’02, Chair
Debbie Harrington, Ed.D., 1st Vice Chair Norman D. Griffiths, Esq., 2nd Vice Chair
Mr. William Collick
Mr. James L. Collins
Wilma Mishoe, Ed.D.
Janice E. Nevin, M.D.
Mr. Michael S. Purzycki
Mr. John Ridgeway ’75
The Honorable Matt Meyer Governor of the State of Delaware
TRUSTEE EMERITI
Mr. Chip Rossi
Marlene Saunders ’67, DSW
Tetra S. Shockley, Esq.
EX-OFFICIO
A. Richard Barros, Esq. Claibourne D. Smith, Ph.D.
Ms. Jocelyn Stewart
Ms. Bernadette Dorsey Whatley
Tony Allen, Ph.D. President, Delaware State University
PRESIDENT EMERITI
Wilma Mishoe, Ed.D. Harry L. Williams, Ed.D.
UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP
Tony Allen, Ph.D., President
Irene Chapman-Hawkins, Ed.D., ’14, ’19, Executive Vice President
Mr. Anas Ben Addi, Senior Vice President of Finance/Chief Financial Officer
Patrice Gilliam, Ph.D., Provost/Chief Academic Officer
Kenisha Ringgold, Esq., Interim General Counsel/Chief Risk Officer
Mr. Jonathan Starkey, Senior Advisor to the President
Kareem McLemore, Ed.D., ’24, Vice President of Strategic Enrollment and International Affairs
Stacey Downing, Ed.D., Chief of Staff
Mr. Darrell McMillon, Vice President of Information Technology/Chief Information Officer
Dawn Mosley, Ed.D., ’20, Interim Administrator of Advancement/Foundation/SAVP of Marketing
Mr. James Overton ’04 ’10, Vice President of Student Affairs/Superintendent of Police
Mr. C. Tony Tucker, Sr., Vice President of Athletics and Wellness Recreation/Athletic Director
Mr. Bernard Pratt, Associate Vice President of Facilities Management, Planning, Construction and Housing
Terrell Holmes, Ed.D., ’17, Senior Associate Vice President of DSU Downtown
Mr. Donald Baynard ’11, Chief of Police
Francine Edwards, Ph.D., Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
Pamela Mosley Gresham, J.D., Associate Vice President for Human Resources
Michelle Fisher, DBA, Associate Vice President of Campus Health Services
Ms. Tamara Stoner, Board Secretary/Associate Vice President of Auxiliary Services
ACADEMIC LEADERS AND DEANS
Michael H. Casson Jr., Ph.D., Dean, College of Business
Adenike Davidson, Ph.D., Dean, College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences
Gwendolyn Scott-Jones, Ph.D., Dean, Wesley College of Health and Behavioral Sciences and School of Graduate, Adult and Extended Studies
Cherese Winstead-Casson, Ph.D., Dean, College of Agriculture, Science and Technology
Lynda Hope Murray-Jackson, Ph.D., Senior Associate Vice President, Institutional Effectiveness
Melissa Harrington, Ph.D., Associate Vice President of Research
2025 Convocation
DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY
ALMA MATER
Hail Alma Mater! Thy Children greet Thee. Greet Thee with Loyalty, love, strength and truth; Here in thine ancient halls o’er Thy plains so verdant Thou art our guide in the pathways of youth. From the broad world without, come Thy sons and daughters, Bearing our laurels to lay at Thy shrine.
E’er shall we heed Thy call; ne’er shall we fail Thee,
Love Alma Mater, God bless Thee and Thine.
--Pauline Williams LeCompte, 1926 --Music by Alexis Lvov, 1833
CONVOCATION
Convocation (Latin ‘calling together,’ translating the Greek ecclesia) is a group of people formally assembled for a special purpose. The purpose of the ceremony is to honor the opening of the academic year and the unrelenting efforts to fulfill the mission of the University.
THE MISSION
Rigorously leverage a proud HBCU legacy and commitment to excellence in every field of human endeavor to enhance the recruitment and preparation of talented professionals to contribute to a sustainable, global community.
THE VISION
Delaware State University strives to become America’s most diverse, contemporary HBCU by expanding its capacity to provide a life-changing, high-quality, low-cost education to 10,000+ students; continuing our efforts to achieve R1 “very high research activity” status; and having a significant, measurable impact on the social, technological, and economic challenges that face our State, the nation, and the world.
DSU CORE VALUES
Community | Integrity | Diversity | Contemporary | Scholarship | Outreach
THE MACE
The mace, borne by the grand marshal, is a traditional symbol of authority which dates back to the Middle Ages. The use of ceremonial maces by educational institutions began in the 17th century when Cambridge and Oxford universities in England adopted the mace as an emblem to be carried on ceremonial occasions. In keeping with tradition of many colleges and universities in the United States that began using ceremonial maces in the 20th century, Delaware State University adopted the mace in 1963 as an emblem of authority to be used at especially significant University affairs. The Delaware State University mace was designed and constructed in 1963 by the late John McCollough, assistant professor of art education at the institution. At today’s Convocation ceremony, the entry of the grand marshal bearing the ceremonial mace heralds the arrival of the academic year.
2025 Convocation
Convocation 2025
Delaware State University
DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY
OATH
After each statement is read, you will say I Do!
As a new student of Delaware State University, I declare my commitment in the pursuit of academic excellence, and a lifelong commitment to the University. I Do!
I will embrace the University’s commitment to my education and my personal growth. I am part of the HORNET family where diversity is a blessing, difference is expected, and each new experience is an opportunity for me to better myself. I Do!
I will follow the Student Code of Conduct while maintaining personal integrity, respect for others, respect for property, and respect for authority.
I Do!
As a responsible member of the HORNET family, I accept the obligation of academic honesty by understanding that it is required to fulfill the fundamental goals of the University. I Do!
I accept the challenge of being a future graduate of Delaware State University and all of the responsibilities thereafter for the benefit of my family, my community, my alma mater, myself, and the world. I Do!
All together now – repeat after me: As a new student at Delaware State University, I accept my membership into the HORNET Family!
Please pin the person next to you.
Congratulations, Class of 2029!