Delaware State University

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Delaware State University
Motto: "Making our mark on the world" and "Go forth and Serve"
Established: 1891
Type: Public, HBCU
President: Allen L. Sessoms
Staff: 168
Undergraduates: 3,722
Location: Dover, Delaware,
United States
Campus: Suburban
Sports: Hornet
Colors: Cherry Red and Columbia Blue
         
Website: www.desu.edu

Delaware State University (DESU), the second-largest university in the state of Delaware, is a historically black university. Over the last 116 years, it has evolved into a fully accredited, comprehensive university with a main campus located in Dover, Delaware and two satellite sites. It encompasses six colleges and a diverse population of undergraduate and advanced degree students. The graduating class of 2008 is the largest in the University's history, consisting of over 500 seniors and graduate students.[1]

The DSU's current president is Dr. Allen L. Sessoms, who began his tenure at the university in 2003.

Contents

[edit] Campus location

The 400-acre main campus is located in Dover, Delaware. It is two hours away from Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., and three hours away from New York City. DSU also has satellite sites in Wilmington and Georgetown. The main campus in Dover contains 30 buildings, including:

  • Alumni Stadium
  • Memorial Hall
  • The Mishoe Science Center
  • The MBNA America Building
  • Warren-Franklin Hall residential hall
  • Medgar Evers Hall residential hall
  • Harriet Tubman Hall residential hall
  • Laws Hall residential hall
  • Jenkins Hall residential hall
  • Conwell Hall residential hall
  • Delaware Hall
  • Price Building
  • The 280-year-old Loockerman Hall
  • A state-of-the-art administration building
  • The new apartment-style University Village residential hall complex
  • Willam C.Jason Library
  • University Courtyard Apts

[edit] History

Presidents of Delaware State University
Wesley P. Webb 1891–1895
William C. Jason 1895–1923
Richard S. Grossley 1923–1942
Howard D. Gregg 1942–1949
Oscard J. Chapman 1949–1951
Jerome H. Holland 1953–1960
Luna I. Mishoe 1960–1987
William B. DeLauder 1987–2003
Allen L. Sessoms 2003—

The university was established by the Delaware General Assembly on May 15, 1891 as "The State College for Colored Students" in response to the 1890 Amendments to the Morrill Act, which required that states either open their land-grant colleges to all races or else establish a separate land-grant educational facilities for blacks. The first class graduated in May 1898.

In addition to four-year bachelors programs, the university offered a 3-year normal course leading to a teaching certificate.

In 1893, the university added a Preparatory Department for students who were not qualified for college work upon admission. In 1916, this program was converted to a Model Grade School and in 1923, a Junior College Division was added. The High School Division was discontinued at the end of the 1951–52 school year.

In 1944, the university received provisional accreditation by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. In 1947, its name was changed to "Delaware State College." In November 1949, Middle States revoked its accreditation. However, full accediation was restored in April 1957 and has been maintained since. Finally, on July 1, 1993, the college was renamed "Delaware State University." Maurcie E. Thomasson served as acting president from 1951–1953.[2]

[edit] Students, faculty, and financial aid

Enrollment: 3,722 students who come from 28 states and 31 countries.

Faculty: 168 faculty members in 20 academic departments. 140 have doctorate degrees. 40 have reached the academic rank of full professor.

Tuition (2007–2008): $6,146 in-state; $13,100 out-of-state. Estimated costs for room and board for 2007–2008 range from $8,600–$9,010.[3]

About 83 percent of undergraduates receive scholarships, grants, loans, or work-study income.

[edit] Academics

The university consists of six colleges: College of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Technology; School of Business; College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; College of Health and Public Policy; College of Education; and College of Agriculture and Related Sciences.[4]

As of Fall 2005, the University has about 3,700 students, of which about 340 are graduate students. The University offers Ph.D programs in Applied Mathematics/Mathematical Physics and Neuroscience, doctoral program in education and Master's programs in various fields of sciences, nursing, social work, education, MBA program, and natural resources.

[edit] Degree offerings

The university offers 66 undergraduate degrees, 20 graduate degrees, and two doctoral degrees. Degree options include the disciplines of mathematics, natural and social sciences, education, airway sciences, visual and performing arts, management, accounting and finance, agriculture, natural resources, nursing, social work and others.

[edit] Global connections

The University has over 20 formal international partnerships with institutions in countries such as Egypt, Nigeria, Serbia, Mexico, China, Cuba and many others, which facilitate student exchanges and research and conference collaborations.

[edit] Research

The institution has greatly increased its research endeavors over the past five years, as it has developed the research infrastructure needed to attract federal grants for projects in the areas of mathematics, applied optics, chemistry, biotechnology, and others. Major grants are awarded through Department of Defense (Department of Army), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation (NSF) and other granting agencies.

[edit] Student activities

[edit] Athletics

Delaware State University's athletic programs participate in NCAA's Division I (I-AA for football). The university's nickname is the Hornets.

The university fields teams in football, men's and women's basketball, baseball, softball, track and field, tennis, wrestling, volleyball, soccer, and bowling.

The Delaware State men's basketball team won the 2005 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship and earned a berth in the 2005 NCAA tournament. Playing as a 16-seed, the Hornets lost 57-46 in the opening round to 1-seed Duke. The Hornets also have made back to back NIT appearances in 2006 and 2007.

The Delaware State women's basketball team won the 2006 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship and earned a berth in the 2006 NCAA tournament. Playing as a 15-seed, the Lady Hornets kept the game close down by only three until 9 minutes remained in the game, but lost 62-47 in the opening round to 2-seed Vanderbilt University.[citation needed]

The Delaware State Football team won the 2007 MEAC football championship with a win over Norfolk State with a score of 28 to 21 in overtime giving them an automatic bid into the playoff. The Hornets lost to University of Delaware with a score of 44-7. The two football teams had never played each other in either schools history.

The Department of Intramural Sports provides a wide variety of quality recreational programs for students, faculty, and staff.

[edit] Residence life

There are seven campus residential halls: four for women, and three for men. There are also three apartment-style residence halls for upperclassmen. Two dining halls serve the more than 1,500 on-campus students.

[edit] Technology

Delaware State University is a part of the Internet2 initiative. The university maintains several research computer labs, including a high-performance computational cluster in its DESAC center. Almost every building has a computer lab. Each student has a dedicated data port for Internet access, their own phone, a campus email address, and Cable TV access in all residence hall rooms. Certain campus buildings offer wireless connectivity.

[edit] September 21, 2007 campus shootings

Main article: Delaware State University shooting

Two students were shot at Delaware State University on the morning of September 21, 2007. The students were shot near Memorial Hall around 1 a.m. Classes were canceled for the day. One student was hospitalized in stable condition, and another student was hospitalized with injuries that are considered serious, according to a news release on the university's Web site.[5] The campus was "locked down" with students confined to their dormitories and traffic blocked at the campus gate, through Sunday, September 23. Classes resumed on Monday, September 24. On that day, a freshman student was arrested for attempted murder in connection with the incident, and has been expelled from the University. The episode is significant because it marks the first test of a university in handling a campus shooting following the Virginia Tech shootings. One of the students, a 17 year- old freshman, died.

[edit] Notable alumni

Name Class year Notability Reference
Reggie Barnes Canadian Football League running back
Clyde Bishop ambassador to the Marshall Islands
Wayne Gilchrest U.S. Representative for Maryland's 1st congressional district, 1990–present
Jamaal Jackson offensive lineman for Philadelphia Eagles, 2004–present
John Taylor wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers, 1987–1995
Bonsu Thompson Editor-At-Large for XXL Magazine
Robert London II former DSU football standout, and current NFL Sports Agent
Darnerien McCants former DSU football standout, and NFL Player

[edit] References

  1. ^ Mike Billington. "Largest class ever graduates from DSU", The News Journal, 2006-05-22, pp. B1, B6. Retrieved on 2006-04-22. 
  2. ^ http://www.desu.edu/inst_research/2004/history_2004.pdf Retrieved 2007-09-08.
  3. ^ http://www.desu.edu/docs/year/Tuition_and_Fees.php Retrieved 2007-09-08.
  4. ^ http://www.desu.edu/advancement/pr/press_release.php?article_id=287 Retrieved 2007-09-25.
  5. ^ Associated Press. "2 Students Shot at Delaware State", Associated Press, September 21, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-09-21. 

[edit] External links

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