DU-5140 Echo Winter_FA_Layout 1 - Delaware State University

w i n t e r 2 0 1 0
a publication for alumni and friends
of Delaware State University
Our New President Dr. Harry Lee Williams
with his wife, Dr. Robin S. Williams, and their sons, Austin and Gavin
SPEARS MAKES
HIS MARK IN
HOLLYWOOD,
PAGE 16
1200 North DuPont Highway | Dover, Delaware 19901 | 302.857.6060 | www.desu.edu

1 0 T H P R E S I D E N T
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DSU selects Dr. Harry Lee Williams as its 10th president
Dr. Harry Lee Williams
The Delaware State University Board of Trustees announced the
selection of Dr. Harry Lee Williams to be the 10th president in the
history of the institution.
The board unanimously decided on the selection after deliberating over
two finalists during a Nov. 20 executive session. “DSU is at a place where
it needs a leader who can tackle the challenges before us, meet them and
find solutions. Dr. Harry Williams has proven in every job he has taken that
he focuses on strategic priorities, aligns resources and ensures the institution
is on a pathway for success,” said Dr. John Land, acting chairman of
the board of trustees.
“Equally important, we are at a turning point in history for historically black
institutions, and we need a leader who understands that and can expertly
merge our historic purpose with the need to be known as an institution of
higher education that exceptionally educates all students for a global marketplace.
The board is confident that Dr. Williams will do just that with
rigor, enthusiasm and deep commitment,” said Land.
Williams, son of Nancy Williams of Greensville, NC, succeeds Dr. Allen L.
Sessoms, who resigned at the end of August 2008 to accept a president
post at the University of the District of Columbia. Dr. Claibourne D. Smith,
chairman of the board of trustees, has served as the acting president
since Sessoms’ departure.
Smith temporarily stepped down as chairman and member of the board
to be acting president. He resumes his previous board chairmanship
responsibilities. Land, who has served as acting board chairman during
this 16-month period, resumes his post as vice chairman.
Williams, 45, has served as the DSU provost and vice president of academic
affairs since July 2008. Under Williams’ leadership, the University
established a new general education program, a distance education
strategic plan and a middle states monitoring report plan. Under his
provost leadership, the University successfully completed searches that
led to the hiring of a new dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and
Social Science, a director of distance learning, a director of the Honors
Program and an associate vice president for sponsored programs.
Prior to his arrival at DSU, Williams served at the University of North
Carolina general administration as interim associate vice president for
academic affairs beginning in September 2007 and was later elevated
in March 2008 to interim senior associate vice president for academic
and student affairs in which he focused on access and outreach for the
17 campuses of the UNC system. He remained in that latter post until
he became the DSU provost.
Williams also progressed from an associate director to associate vice
chancellor posts in the areas of academic affairs, enrollment and diversity
at Appalachian State University from 1988 to 2000 and from 2004 to
2007. From 2000 to 2004, he served as interim director of admissions
for North Carolina A&T University.
In addition, Williams has also served from 2002 to 2008 as a national
marketing and recruitment associate consultant with Noel-Levitz, the
top national consultation firm for enrollment and management solutions
in the country. In that capacity, Williams provided consultation expertise
to 14 different institutions of higher education, including Delaware
State University.
Williams earned a Bachelor of Science in communication broadcasting
and a Master of Arts in educational media from Appalachian State
University. He earned an EdD in educational leadership and policy
analysis from East Tennessee State University.
He is married to Dr. Robin S. Williams, and they have two children:
Austin, age 14, and Gavin, age 9.
DSU began its presidential search process in September 2008 with
the selection of a search committee, chaired by DSU Board of Trustees
member Wesley E. Perkins. The presidential search process was facilitated
by the Hollins Group Inc. of Chicago.
In addition to the numerous accolades Williams has received over the
years, recently he was honored by the General Baptist State Convention
of North Carolina with the Presidential Award of Distinction in Education
in recognition of his higher education career accomplishments.
Sarah Robertson, coeditor, production manager
Carlos Holmes, coeditor, writer, photographer
Lorene Robinson, coeditor, writer
Paul Dodson, writer
Charity Shockley, writer
Young Studios, photography
DSU EXECUTIVE
ADMINISTRATION
Harry Lee Williams, EdD, president
Ronald H. Blackmon, PhD, interim provost
and vice president of academic affairs
Kemal Atkins, vice president for
student affairs
Carolyn Curry, vice president for
institutional advancement
Amir Mohammadi, vice president for finance
& administration technology
Derek Carter, director of athletics
DSU BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Claibourne D. Smith, chairman
John Land, Hon. LLD, vice chairman
A. Richard Barros, Esq
José F. Echeverri
Willa Mae Jordan
Marvin E. Lawrence
Matthew Mackie, PhD
Charles S. McDowell, Esq
Wesley E. Perkins
Bennie Smith
James W. Stewart III
Leroy A. Tice
David G. Turner
Calvin T. Wilson II, MD
The Echo is a publication of the DSU Office of Alumni
Affairs and Office of Public Relations. Submissions for
future editions may be sent to Lorene Robinson, director
of alumni affairs, via email at alumni@desu.edu.
She can also be contacted at 302.857.6050.
Cover photo inset: Aaron D. Spears, courtesy of JPI Studios.
6 D S U S I G N S N E W
A G R E E M E N T S
Delaware State University officials took a whirlwind trip to China…
1 2 D S U R E C E I V E S $ 5 M I L L I O N
DSU has been awarded a $5 million research grant from the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration…
1 5 M I C H I G A N F A N S P R A I S E
D S U A M B A S S A D O R S
Numerous accolades from the Wolverine faithful poured in…
1 6 H A R D W O R K P A Y S O F F F O R
D S U A L U M N U S
It wasn’t until the end of his senior year that Aaron D. Spears
’94, of Washington, DC…
2 1 H O R N E T W O M E N 6 T H A T
M E A C X C C H A M P I O N S H I P
The Delaware State women’s cross country team placed sixth
with 155 points…
3 1 2 0 0 9 D S U H O M E C O M I N G
W E E K
DSU once again had another successful Homecoming weekend
that kicked off with the coronation ceremony…
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DSU’s 10th President
WANTS TO BUILD ON UNIVERSITY’S HISTORIC STRENGTHS
by Jamie-Leigh Bissett—Reprinted with permission of Delaware State News
Dr. Harry Lee Williams and Ladji Sacko, associate professor in the Department
of English & Foreign Languages at the faculty meeting January 6, 2010.
What is your goal for DSU in terms of maintaining its heritage?
Primarily, it is to build upon the success that other leaders have established,
and make it better. I want the University to be one of the best
Historically Black Colleges and Universities in America. We are proud of
our HBCU heritage—it is a strength for us. We want to continue to build
upon that in a positive way. I’m very excited about it.
Do you believe DSU’s heritage has been forgotten recently? No, I don’t
think it has been forgotten. It will always be here. This University was
founded with the whole purpose of educating African-American students.
That culture and spirit is the essence of this institution. No one will
change that, and I hope to enhance it.
Hobbies: I get up and run four miles every morning. I’ve been doing that
since I was in the ninth grade. Where I live in downtown Dover is a cool
area to run around in. I also love college football and I live for college
basketball.
Favorite sport and team: My favorite team is the Philadelphia Eagles.
My favorite sport is college football and my team is the (Delaware State
University) Hornets.
How do you view DSU’s athletic programs? We are part of the Mid-
Eastern Athletic Conference, which is a very competitive conference.
We have 17 teams altogether and most are in the MEAC. Here at
Delaware State University, we have a very diverse group: bowling,
softball, baseball, tennis, soccer — you name it, we have it here.
Students do a good job on the field, but they also perform well in the
classroom, which is very, very important. Here a student athlete is a
student first. Competing—that’s fun, but when all is said and done,
you’re going to have your education, which is going to carry you
through to the next step.
Do you agree that the school should eventually become a Division I-A
school? We are Div. I except football; we are Div. 1-AA in football. I think
we’re right where we need to be. We are a founding member of the
MEAC and that is something to take pride in. We need to compete at
that level, and perform well at that level.
DSU has played some big-name schools recently in several sports,
including Michigan and Notre Dame. Do you expect that will continue
and perhaps expand? I don’t know. We’d have to look at the pros and
cons. Playing Michigan (in football), I supported the decision because it
provided exposure that we wouldn’t have had if we didn’t play them. I
want us to be competitive in the MEAC and understand where we belong
there. I know it’s important to play the University of Delaware every year
if we can. That’s important to the state. When we played this year, it was
like a family reunion. That is a natural rivalry for us and a potential
revenue-generating source.
How would you describe yourself? I am very energetic and very positive.
I love people and I am approachable. People will see that I like being
around other people and I respect other people. I see the value that we all
play, being in a community like this. People will tell you I always have a
smile on my face. My attitude is consistent.
Do you consider yourself a leader? Oh yeah, most definitely. This is a
leadership position. You shouldn’t apply if you don’t see yourself as a
leader. A good leader is so critical at this stage in time. Historically black
colleges are at a critical stage. At one time we had more than 300
HBCUs, now we have 105 HBCUs. I need to provide the quality leadership
necessary to keep pushing us forward. We’ve been here for 100 years,
and we will be here for another 100 years.
What do you want the DSU community to know about you as a leader?
We want to be part of the community, and we want the community to be
part of DSU. We are an institution of high quality and high standards, and
we are proud of what we have here and we are proud of the people we
are affiliated with. I will be a very strong advocate of this institution. When
I travel around the state, I will carry the DSU flag, and whenever I speak,
I will be singing the praises of this University.
Do you consider yourself easy to work and get along with? Yeah, I think
so. I will have to make difficult decisions, but we are going to have openness
and transparency. We are going to have a lot of conversations with
a lot of people before making major decisions. It is important to keep the
community involved. We will have a shared governance at this institution.
The administration will have the ultimate say, but we will all collectively
talk about the issues. It’ll be very democratic.
How do you plan to boost spirit on campus? The way we do that is by
bringing people together. We need to talk about the positive things and
gear some energy around that. Not everyone is going to be happy. We’ll
have to make some difficult decisions, and what decisions we’re making
must benefit this institution. But people will be a part of that. When you
get (hundreds of) emails from the faculty on campus saying, “Congrats,
we’re glad you’re here,” that energizes you knowing that people are out
there supporting you. We’re going to get people involved and be a part of
the process. We have to make sure the community has a shared vision so
everybody will be going down the same path. As the leader, you have to
set the tone and let the community know “This is where we’re going.”
That helps with morale.
Has Delaware State been hit hard because of the downturn in the
economy? Our students have been hit hard. Our board has made the
conscious decision not to raise tuition the past two years in a row. The
kids we have coming here are first-generation college kids. Their parents
are making minimum income and taking second mortgages on their
homes. For us, when we made our presentation to the Office of
Management and Budget, it’s going to be tight, but we’re not asking for
increases. With these issues we’re going to have to look at a variety of
options in terms of generating revenue. There will be different things we’ll
be exploring, but we recognize those challenges.
One of the previous administrations’ crowning achievements was the
amount of research money that was secured for various programs,
especially in the sciences. How do you plan on continuing that trend?
We have seen a tremendous increase, and we are going to continue to
build on that. That’ll be a key component, to leverage federal resource
dollars and go after grants. We also have dynamite faculty members who
are committed to doing what is needed.
What is the most challenging issue for DSU going forward? The budget.
We have to be able to protect the academic core of this institution.
Everything centers around academics. We need to have the currency so
students can have the quality of education they need from the best
faculty members coming to this institution. When you start draining that,
that’s where you run into trouble. We are going to do everything in our
power to protect that.
If you only accomplish one thing as DSU’s president, what would you
want it to be? Moving Delaware State University up to the next level and
being one of the best HBCUs in America. Being recognized for that would
be a major goal in terms of our status in America. We want to be the best.
The selection in late November of Dr. Harry Lee Williams as the 10th president of
Delaware State University attracted a number of media interview requests. One of
the reporters, Jamie-Leigh Bissett of the Delaware State News, published the above
Q&A-style article and gave The Echo permission to publish it in this edition.
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DSU signs new agreements with 4 Chinese Universities
DSU Acting President Claibourne D. Smith and Dr. Guoji Zhang, chairman of the
Council of Hunan University (seated, L–R) sign an agreement that expands an
existing accord with Hunan University in China. Standing (L–R) are DSU Provost
Harry L. Williams and Dr. Hongxin Jiang, Hunan vice president.
Delaware State University officials took a whirlwind trip to China in the
summer of 2009 to expand DSU’s connections with institutions of higher
education in that Far East country.
The DSU delegation, led by acting President Claibourne D. Smith and
Provost Harry L. Williams, traveled to Asia during the week of June 15
to meet with officials from four Chinese universities. By the end of the
trip, DSU had expanded two existing agreements, renewed another one
and reached a new agreement with an additional institution.
As a result of the trip, a new formal collaborative agreement was established
between DSU and Jilin Business and Technology College. The new
accord will facilitate study-abroad opportunities for undergraduate and
graduate students from both institutions, collaborations in professional
training and development and academic learning in business, science
and education.
DSU has joined a coalition of universities and colleges that have committed
to take steps aimed at reducing and eventually eliminating all global
warming emissions that come from their institutions.
The DSU pledge came with the University’s Acting President Claibourne
D. Smith’s summer 2009 signing of the American Colleges & Universities
Presidents Climate Commitment. Smith joins the leaders of 650 other
institutions across the country.
“DSU understands that global warming is one the greatest environmental
challenges of our time,” Smith said. “Because human activities are
responsible for the problem, it will now take humans to work together
to solve it. Serious actions are necessary to halt pollutants that are causing
increased global warming, and DSU is committed to playing a vital part in
this work.”
In addition, new amendments were formally reached to existing agreements
with Hunan University and Beijing Sport University that will result
in Chinese students studying at DSU for a semester as part of a DSU
American culture enrichment program. The Chinese students will take
courses in English, American and African-American history, economics
and international business.
DSU also renewed a five-year agreement with Jilin University for faculty
and student exchanges, research collaborations and publication exchange.
Smith said that all of DSU’s Chinese institutional partners are committed
to support and enhance the educational value that they give to their
students. He added that DSU will benefit from the agreements, too.
“China will continue to be a major economic factor in the world. Smart
universities recognize that and will find ways to grow opportunities with
those educational institutions there,” Smith said. “We are engaging with
Chinese faculty in the disciplines of science, mathematics and energy
conservation as well as exchanging ideas in new areas of knowledge.”
DSU officials that joined Smith and Williams on the trip were Dr.
Noureddine Melikechi, dean of the DSU College of Mathematics, Natural
Sciences and Technology, Dr. Rayton Sianjina, director of education
graduate studies, Dr. Fengshan Liu, chair of the Department of Applied
Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Dr. Youngski Kwak, interim dean
of the College of Business, and Dr. Li Chen, chair of the Department of
Sport Sciences.
Liu, who also directs the DSU Applied Mathematics Research Center, said
the DSU delegation gained a new understanding about the culture and
economy of China. “After we signed the agreements, there were many
students there who expressed interest in coming to DSU,” Liu said.
“Several have already started the paperwork.”
DSU joins growing list of higher education
institutions to fight global warming
Smith has established a “Going Green” task force, which is creating a comprehensive
action plan to move toward climate neutrality. The task force,
chaired by Carolyn Curry, vice president for institutional advancement, is
working toward establishing green standards for DSU’s campuses.
The Presidents’ Climate Commitment is the first such effort by any major
sector of society to set climate neutrality—not just a reduction—as its
target. This undertaking by America’s colleges and universities is inspired
by efforts like the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, the
U.S. Climate Action Partnership and other collective efforts by states
and businesses.
New Appointments
Dr. Ronald H. Blackmon has been named as the interim provost and vice president of academic affairs.
Blackmon took over the Provost Office on Jan. 6 as a result of the selection of current Provost Harry L. Williams to be the
10th president of Delaware State University. The interim provost will fill that position while a national search process is
implemented for a permanent provost.
Blackmon is a 1980 alumnus of Delaware State College with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. He earned a Master
of Science in zoology and a PhD in cell biology from Howard University.
He comes to DSU after serving as the provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at Elizabeth City State University
in North Carolina from 2005 to 2008. He has also served as dean at that university’s School of Mathematics, Science &
Technology from 2002 to 2005, and as the chair of its Department of Biology from 1995 to 2002. During his time at that
institution he progressed from assistant professor to full professor from 1989 to 2008.
Blackmon is also familiar with the Minority Access to Research Careers program that exists at DSU. He was enrolled in the
MARC program at Howard University during his graduate studies in 1985.
Dr. Peter S. Cookson has been appointed director of distance education.
Cookson received his BS and MS degrees in sociology and Latin American studies from Brigham Young University and his PhD
in adult education from the University of Chicago. He has authored numerous publications and is author and editor of three
books about program planning for continuing education and training for adults.
For the past three years he served as the academic director of Consorcio Clavijero, a higher education network of 46 universities
and other institutions that offer baccalaureate degrees via online distance education. He previously served as the director
of the Center for Education and Information Technology at a United Nations-affiliated university in Costa Rica; professor of
distance education and associate vice president of academic and research at Athabasca University, Canada’s Open University;
and associate professor and professor-in-charge of the graduate adult education program at Penn State.
Dr. Dawn Alisha Lott, associate professor of applied mathematics and biological sciences, has been named as the new
director of the Honors Program at Delaware State University.
Lott earned her PhD from Northwestern University and has been at DSU since 2003. As director of the Honors Program, She
will work with deans, department chairpersons, program directors and faculty members to develop more innovative honors
colloquia and courses in the major fields of studies and in the general education curriculum, and she will work to enhance all
other aspects of the Honors Program.
Kemal M. Atkins has been appointed for one year as its interim vice president of student affairs.
Prior to his arrival at DSU, Atkins served over the last two years as the vice provost for student affairs at East Carolina University.
In that capacity, he supervised 15 student affairs departments – 500 full-time employees and 13 unit heads – and administered
division budgets totaling $77 million. His review of the university’s student center and multicultural center construction projects
resulted in savings of approximately $20 million. Earlier in his career, from 1994 to 1996, he was assistant director of undergraduate
admissions there.
During a seven-year stint at the University of North Carolina, Atkins served as an assistant vice president for academic and
student affairs from 2007 to 2008, as the director of that same division from 2003 to 2007, and as the director for programming
and operations, GEAR UP NC from 2001 to 2003.
He was also the director of ThinkCOLLEGE, a college access program for high school and college students in Charlotte, NC,
from 1996 to 2001. Part of the nation’s largest and most effective dropout prevention program, ThinkCOLLEGE serves the 37-
school Charlotte-Mecklenburg, NC, area.
Atkins has a Bachelor of Arts in English literature with a minor in communications arts and a Master of Arts in English literature
with an emphasis in postsecondary instruction, both from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. He also completed the
NASPA Institute for New Senior Student Affairs Officers.
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Legendary jazzist Donald Byrd
is distinguished artist-in-residence
DSU Acting President Claibourne Smith (left) and Dr. Donald Byrd hold a display check,
symbolizing the new endowment established by the legendary jazz musician.
Internationally-renowned jazz musician Dr. Donaldson L. T. Byrd, known
by his colleagues as simply Donald Byrd, has returned to DSU as a distinguished
artist-in-residence.
As a distinguished artist-in-residence, Byrd will conduct master classes
and give lectures, conduct fundraising on behalf of DSU, participate in
performances when appropriate and serve as an ambassador for DSU.
“We are inspired by the fact that Dr. Donald Byrd is a legend who represents
for the young people all that they work and strive for,” said DSU
Acting President Claibourne Smith. “We are honored to have such a legendary
person with his artistry and thirst for excellence.”
Byrd served as a distinguished artist-in-residence at DSU from 1996 to
2001. After pursuing other projects elsewhere, the legendary jazz musician
has decided to return to DSU, and as an expression of his renewed
commitment to the University, the famed musician has established a
$10,000 endowed scholarship fund in his name that will benefit music
students at DSU.
In announcing the endowment, Byrd drew a parallel between his life and
the life of famed jazz trumpeter Clifford Brown, an influential 1950s
musician who attended then-Delaware State College.
“Like my father, I never drank or smoked…Clifford Brown didn’t drink or
smoke,” Byrd said. “This school is outstanding, and here I am just trying
to follow in (Brown’s) footsteps.”
Byrd, a professional jazz musician since the 1950s, became known as
one of the top trumpeters of the jazz hard-bop genre, performing with
well-known musicians such as John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Herbie
Hancock and Thelonious Monk. Ironically, at one point in the 1950s, Byrd
actually replaced Clifford Brown in Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers band.
In the 1970s, Byrd began to record jazz fusion that combined jazz with
funk, soul and R&B. While teaching music at Howard University, Byrd
formed a jazz fusion group that consisted of his best students and called
them the Blackbyrds. The group produced the 1972 album Black Byrd,
which became Blue Notes Records’ highest-ever selling album. In the
1990s, Byrd’s jazz fusion explorations expanded into the hip-hop genre.
Byrd has recorded 38 jazz albums and performed on countless other
musicians’ recording projects. In 2002, the National Endowment for the
Arts recognized him as one of its NEA Jazz Masters. As an educator, Byrd
has developed a “Music + Math = Art” education program that he has
introduced to youth across the country.
A native of Detroit, Byrd is an alumnus of Wayne State University and the
Manhattan School of Music. In 1982 he earned an EdD from Columbia
Teachers College of New York City.
DSU to host annual
Delmarva Chicken Festival in June
On June 18 and 19, the beautiful campus of DSU will be the
site of the 54th annual Delmarva Chicken Festival, an event
that is expected to draw 25,000 people in 2010.
The event provides a venue for trade shows, arts and
crafts, amusement rides, entertainment and food – and,
of course, lots and lots of chicken. The event will provide
DSU an opportunity to connect with the masses of people
who come from throughout the region and beyond for the
two-day festival.
The family-focused celebration of Delmarva’s number one
bird will feature the world’s largest frying pan (10 feet in
diameter) that can fry 800 chicken quarters at a time. There
will also be many of the standard fair food, such as funnel
cakes, corn on-the-cob, boardwalk fries, ice cream, freshsqueezed
lemonade and much more.
All proceeds will go toward scholarships.
The DSU/Delmarva Chicken Festival committee is seeking
volunteers to assist with the two-day event. Alumni
interested in volunteering or selling arts and crafts should
contact Lorene Robinson, director of alumni affairs, at
302.857.6050 or visit www.desu.edu/chickenfestival.
2010 Commencement weekend date changed to May 21–23
DSU has changed the dates of the 2010 Commencement to May 21–23.
The previously scheduled dates would have conflicted with a Dover
Downs race weekend.
Dover Downs had informed DSU officials that NASCAR moved its race
weekend dates to May 14–16, prompting the University to change its
commencement plans to avoid conflict with the mass of race fans that
come to Dover that weekend.
“We sincerely appreciate Dover Downs’ consideration in making us
aware of the race weekend date changes far in advance so that the
University can comfortably revise its commencement weekend
schedule,” said Terry Coleman, chair of the commencement committee.
The revised DSU commencement schedule of events will be:
Date Time Event
Friday, May 21 9 a.m. Commencement rehearsal
Noon Honors rehearsal
6 p.m. President’s event for Class of 2010
Saturday, May 22 1 p.m. Nurse pinning ceremony
6 p.m. Honors program
Sunday, May 23 10 a.m Commencement
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Winstead returns to DSU to teach chemistry
AMERICAN COUNCIL
OF EDUCATION NAMES
Lisa Dunning ‘Rising Star’
Lisa Dunning received the Rising Star award in recognition of her work
with College of Business students.
Dr. Cherese D. Winstead works with one of her chemistry students.
About 15 years ago, chemistry major Cherese D. Winstead looked up
to Dr. Preston H. Hayward and other DSU faculty members who helped
her achieve her bachelor’s degree. Now, Winstead, a PhD, is reunited
with Hayward—as an assistant professor teaching side-by-side with
him and other faculty in the DSU Department of Chemistry.
“I am so excited to be back at DSU, but I never thought I would be
their colleague,” Winstead said. “Life takes its turns.”
A 1991 graduate of Dover High School, Winstead’s returning to DSU
also means returning to the capital city in which she spent most of
her childhood.
After earning her master’s degree at Hampton University in 1997 and
her PhD at Virginia Tech in 2002, she spent about five years in private
industry as a chemist with Whitford Worldwide in Chester Worldwide,
Chester, PA. Since returning to teach at her alma mater in 2008,
Winstead has found that her still-youthful looks have served her well
with the students she taught.
“Because I look young, some were worried that students would give
me problems,” she said. “But it has been the opposite. They relate
and feel more comfortable with me.”
It was that comfort level with students that prompted the University
to select her as the fall 2009 Convocation keynote speaker. In her
address, Winstead gave contemporary examples of role models and
anti-role models, as well as of the fruits of longevity and the failings
of short-term gratification.
“I knew students didn’t want to hear about my experiences,” she said,
“so I focused on them, where they are and things they were familiar
with in pop culture, athletics and the mass media.”
While at Whitford she founded a Young Chemist Society, and since
her return to DSU, she has established a chapter at DSU to prepare
students for education careers in the science and technology areas.
Lisa A. Dunning, director of the College of Business Advisement Center,
recently received the 2009 Rising Star Award from the American Council
of Education Office of Women in Higher Education during the organization’s
annual dinner in Dover.
The Rising Star Award is presented annually to women in higher education
in Delaware who exhibit great potential to achieve and who demonstrate a
commitment to higher education, community service and overall leadership.
“Each day the opportunity to make a difference in the education and career
paths of so many talented individuals renews my energy and uplifts my
spirits,” Dunning told the audience at the awards event. “As I peer through
an insightful lens, I see boundless opportunities for all of us in higher education
to positively guide, equip, empower and encourage our students to be
successful in their future endeavors.”
Dunning, a DSU alumna, was one of three recipients honored with the Rising
Star Award. LeaNora Ruffin, Esq., of Widener University School of Law and
Simone George of Wilmington University were the other awardees.
A 12-year veteran of the higher education vocation, Dunning is the director
of an advisement center that serves 600 undergraduate College of Business
students. Dunning has proven to be a leader in fostering the personal growth
and professional development of college students, according to her award
nominators, Genevieve Tighe, director of testing, and Kimberly Sudler, interim
assistant vice president of continuing education and institutional research.
Dunning earned both her Bachelor of Science in management (Summa Cum
Laude) and her Master of Business Administration from DSU. She is currently
pursuing a doctorate in business administration from Wilmington University.
10 11

F A C U L T Y R E S E A R C H
W I N T E R 2 0 1 0
DSU receives $5 million
NASA grant
for optics research
Optics graduate student Alissa Mezzacappa, left, expresses excitement about being
involved with research the NASA grant will fund. Standing with her are doctoral optics
student Maurice Smith, center, and Dr. Noureddine Melikechi, the principal investigator
of the research grant.
Federal Omnibus bill funds 2 DSU research projects
The effort by DSU’s congressional delegation has resulted in research funding for DSU from Congress’ 2009 Omnibus Spending Bill.
The University announced the funding during an Aug. 24 visit by Delaware’s U.S. Sen. Thomas R. Carper, U.S. Sen. Ted Kauffman
and U.S. Rep. Michael N. Castle. The Omnibus funding will support the following two DSU research endeavors:
NEW HYDROGEN STORAGE SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES
DSU has been awarded a $5 million research grant from the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration to establish a NASA-URC Center
for Applied Optics for Space Science on campus.
CAOSS will foster new NASA-related developments based on optical
sciences and technology and will enhance the national aerospace
science and technology workforce. The new center will also develop
partnerships with industry, NASA research centers, federal laboratories
and minority and nonminority-serving colleges and universities.
The CAOSS will also inspire and engage students from underrepresented
groups in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.
The research center will work in conjunction with an established optics
research center, the Center for Research and Education in Optical Sciences
and Applications (CREOSA), which will be funded through the National
Science Foundation-Center for Research Excellence in Science and
Technology program. The two centers will be merged within one year
to become the Optical Science Center for Applied Research (OSCAR).
The grant was announced during a Sept. 30 event on campus in which
DSU Acting President Claibourne D. Smith was joined by Delaware
Gov. Jack Markell and Dr. Noureddine Melikechi, the research grant’s
principal investigator, in celebrating the achievement.
“Since 1997, the University’s optics faculty has been steadily developing
the capability and infrastructure to take on more and more complex
research projects,” said Smith. “Today’s announcement of another
$5 million research grant reflects that America has a sound confidence
in our optics scientists.”
Principal investigator Melikechi is interim dean of the College of
Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Technology, as well as the chair of
the Department of Physics. Melikechi, who first arrived at DSU in 1995,
was the founder and director of both the University’s first Applied Optics
Center in 1997 and later CREOSA in 2006.
The newly established research center will initiate research programs
in planetary science, space communications and navigation, and
astrobiology. The proposed projects will support the goals of NASA’s
Exploration Systems Mission Directorate, the Science Mission
Directorate and the Space Operations Mission Directorate.
The projects will include the development of optical instrumentations
for space operations infrastructure, such as space atomic clock and
optical gyroscope, polarimetric laser detection and ranging, and an
augmented reality visor interface for human-robot interactions and
emergency medical support of astronauts.
“CAOSS will also be involved with Mars exploration through its research
and development of the ChemCam Mars Rover LIBS instrument and a
remotely-operated laser scanning confocal microscope for analysis of
extraterrestrial environment,” said Melikechi.
The center will collaborate with Goddard Space Flight Center,
NASA/NSSTC Astrobiology Laboratory, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory,
Los Alamos National Laboratory, Northwestern University, Juxtopia,
Vassar College and the Delaware Aerospace Education Foundation
on various projects.
Nearly $1.43 million in federal funding has been awarded to DSU to develop hydrogen storage materials and to test them in a hydrogen storage
container system for use in vehicles.
Scientists in the DSU Hydrogen Storage Center will test materials in an effort to identify the ones that can absorb and release significant quantities
of hydrogen. This would be a novel improvement in hydrogen storage capacity over the currently known low absorption performance of most other
materials. Once a suitable material has been identified for hydrogen storage, the researchers will then move the work to the University of Delaware’s
mechanical engineering scientists, who will design, fabricate and test a hydride-based hydrogen storage system for fuel cell application.
Tope Sabitu, a graduate chemistry student from Nigeria, works with
materials in a glove box as part of the research that will help DSU
develop new storage material that can adequately absorb and release
significant quantities of hydrogen.
MOBILE CRIME SCENE AND
EVIDENCE-TRACKING APPLICATIONS
Samuel Orefuwa, a graduate chemistry student from Nigeria,
works in one of the DSU Hydrogen Storage Center laboratories,
where researchers hope to develop new hydrogen storage materials.
DSU will receive $2 million to test the efficacy of day-to-day crime scene investigatory capabilities to allow greater effectiveness of law enforcement. The
DSU Department of Public Safety has designed a mobile crime scene and evidence tracking pilot project in close cooperation with other state and local
law enforcement agencies. The federal funding will enable the pilot project to be implemented.
The funding will support the testing of advance visual and analytics systems that are expected to help law enforcement more effectively
combat increasingly mobile and complex criminals as well as terrorist operations.
12
13

A L U M N I N E W S
W I N T E R 2 0 1 0
Alumnus Charles Mosley
TO RELEASE FILM IN 2010
MICHIGAN FANS PRAISE
DSU AMBASSADORS
“
IT HAS BEEN ALL TOWARD THE GOAL OF
FOLLOWING MY OWN DREAMS TO MAKE
FILMS AND WRITE MY OWN SCREENPLAYS”
DSU alumnus Charles Mosley hopes to make his movie-making mark at
a number of 2010 film festivals, including some of the major ones such
as Sundance and Trifecta.
Mosley, a 2000 graduate of the DSU mass communications/TV production
program, is currently in the last post-production stages of his first fulllength
feature film The Play-Station Killed the Puppet.
The production is a unique film that tells the story in documentary-style
of Li’l Ronnie, a former television child-puppet that was once very popular
with children but who now is an adult puppet performing in a struggling
children’s theater. The film follows the puppet as he works to recreate his
life and return to his previous glory.
But this is not a children’s film. It is a thought-provoking, mature movie
that is done with a creative puppet twist. In Li’l Ronnie’s world, he interacts
with both puppets and humans, and his life’s journey after he quits
the children’s theatre takes him through some of the seedier parts of
urban life including encounters with addicts, prostitutes, gangsters and
other derelicts.
“A lot of the film has to do with class and privilege,” Mosley said.
“There is some controversial stuff in the film concerning race,
stereotypes and labels. There are parts that some people may be
offended by, but the purpose is to get people to have a conversation
about these things.”
Mosley said Li’l Ronnie is able to overcome a number of challenges and
complications to achieve some success in his life by the end of the film.
“The moral of the film’s story is: If a puppet can find a way to be
successful, humans have no excuse,” the filmmaker said.
Mosley grew up in Frederica, DE, and graduated from Lake Forest High
School prior to enrolling at DSU. As a DSU TV production major, he made a
film documentary All Locked Up about people who wear locks in their hair.
After graduating from DSU in 2000, Mosley began working toward
making his dream a reality, working various jobs to raise the requisite
filmmaking funds. “It has been all toward the goal of following my
own dreams to make films and write my own screenplays,” he said.
His focus on making his aspirations come true has resulted in the
establishment of his own production company, Lotus Films, based in
Philadelphia, where he now resides with his wife Heather. In addition
to his first feature film, Lotus Films is currently shooting “Don’t Shoot
the Messenger,” a pilot for television, for which Mosley is serving as
first assistant director.
Mosley said his first film has already drawn some interest from local film
festivals. The release of the film will take place sometime this year.
Numerous accolades from the Wolverine faithful poured in to DSU following
the Oct. 17 Michigan game. Many were impressed with the football
players’ sportsmanship during a trying game, while others raved about
the marching band’s rousing performance.
Although the DSU football team was thoroughly outmatched by the much
larger Division I-A Michigan team, the Hornet players never let that impact
how they represented the school, and game attendees noticed. After DSU
Head Coach Al Lavan returned from the game, he listened to a voice mail
from an Ann Arbor surgeon who praised the Hornet players on how they
conducted themselves during the difficult and dominating game.
“I was really impressed with the good sportsmanship of your players.
I saw your players’ hands going out to help the Wolverine players up
after big plays. I saw a lot of hugs and slaps on the backs of the
opposing players,” said Dr. Jason Dilly, a Detroit surgeon and UM
alumnus. “Given how frustrating it was for a lot of your players,
I thought it showed amazing sportsmanship, and I know all those
good manners come from your coaches.”
Michigan fan Bill Richardson sent DSU Athletics Director Derek Carter
an email of praise. “They showed a lot of class and sportsmanship,”
Richardson said of the players. “I appreciated Delaware State’s appearance
at the Big House.”
While the team conducted themselves well, the DSU Approaching Storm
Band also left an indelible mark among the 106,000-plus who attended
the game. DSU Acting President Claibourne D. Smith, who traveled to the
Michigan game, was astounded by the response of the crowd to the
band’s performance.
“The audience at the Big House was stunned that it was watching a
band that was so atypical of what they see in the Big 10,” Smith said.
“People actually stood and gave us a standing ovation at the end of
the performance. What we saw in their emotional response was
very gratifying.”
The Big House crowd was impressed by the band’s performance, so
much so that during the subsequent week, DSU officials received a
shower of emails and postal accolades from Wolverine fans. Greg Abbas
of Beaverton, MI, who attended with his family, emailed, “I had no idea
that a band would steal the show like that and make such a great
impression. We were very impressed and enjoyed them very much.”
“I’ve attended Michigan games for almost 25 years, and I have never
seen such a talented, high-energy, exciting, fun band as the Hornets
brought to Ann Arbor,” said Stuart Berlow, a UM faithful. “This was the
first time I can ever recall our crowd applauding and cheering for an
opposing band.”
Barbara Theisen, Michigan alumna, noted that the Michigan fans are
accustomed to hearing the excellent UM band, making their response
to the Approaching Storm remarkable. “I have to say that (the DSU Band)
was special,” she said. “The applause for them was genuine and
enthusiastic, which is often a rarity for the opposing school’s band.”
Karmen Tall, the wife of a UM football coach, noted that while the
Approaching Storm may not be a “mega-band” in size, it made up for it in
the quality and the volume of its music. “I was most impressed with how
the band members seemed to truly enjoy what they were doing,” Tall
said. “They have pride and genuine love for their band, and I am sure
that that is a direct reflection on (the band director’s) leadership.”
One Delawarean who attended the game said it made him proud to tell
folks at the Big House that he was from the First State.
Delaware deputy attorney general Keith Brady attended the game while
visiting his son at UM. He said, “The Approaching Storm was the highlight
of the afternoon in the Big House. (The band) did Delaware State
University and the state of Delaware proud!”
According to Randolph J. Johnson, DSU band director, the representation
of the Approaching Storm apparently had some positive recruiting results.
“At least 15 school band directors from Michigan have contacted me
with interest from their band students who may want to attend DSU
and be a part of our band,” Johnson said.
The DSU Approaching Storm Band’s role has been to musically showcase
the great image of Delaware State University since the band was first
established in 1910. It has always been an ambassador for DSU
throughout its history.
The Approaching Storm Band kicked off 2009 by performing in the
Jan. 20 Presidential Inaugural Parade in Washington, DC, ushering in the
administration of President Barack Obama. The entire band performed
in September on the Rehoboth Beach band shell stage, and a split-off
group—the DSU Brass Ensemble—traveled to Germany to participate
as a featured group at Lichtenberg Brass Festival.
Justin L. Robins, a senior trumpet player for the band, said representing
DSU near and far is a great honor for students. “We understand that we
can influence a great number of students to come to DSU,” Robins said.
“People know that we can play, but how do DSU kids act? We have a
great responsibility with respect to our conduct.”
He added that it goes beyond representing DSU. “When you see the band,
you see a representation of a HBCU,” Robins said.
14
15

Aaron with Hollywood casting
director Michelle Adams
Aaron D. Spears, right, in his character as Justin Barber with
business colleague Bill Spencer, Jr. (played by Don Diamont).
Photo courtesy of JPI Studios.
HARD WORK PAYS OFF FOR
DSU ALUMNUS TURNED ACTOR
It wasn’t until the end of his senior year that Aaron D. Spears ’94,
of Washington, DC, was bitten by the acting bug that changed the
former Hornet’s career aspirations from playing in the NFL to playing
roles on screen.
Hard work and tenacity turned that fortuitous bite into a successful
acting career for Spears. He landed a role on the internationally popular
soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful and has earned roles in other
movie and television projects. In October, he was recognized as the Star
of the Week by Soap Opera Weekly magazine (Oct. 27). But not too long
ago, in college, acting was the farthest thing from his mind.
After transferring to DSU from Clarion University in 1991, Spears’
priority was pursuing a computer science and mathematics degree
and playing running back for the Hornets. His ultimate goal was to play
in the National Football League, and his impressive senior year, when he
rushed for 484 yards and four touchdowns in 1993, seemed to
indicate he was right on track.
Then, a missed assignment in speech class changed everything.
Spears asked to do a makeup paper, but his speech instructor, Dr. Damus
Kenjyatta, who was directing the spring 1994 student play, Every Man,
Every Woman, told him he could make it up by being in his production.
Despite knowing nothing about theater, Spears agreed.
What started for Spears as one part in a vignette of the play turned
into six parts in six vignettes. He found himself terminally bitten by the
stage bug.
Spears was about to graduate, and he had a dilemma. Although he wasn’t
selected in the NFL draft that year, he still received invitations for tryouts
with the New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles and
Chicago Bears as well as with teams in the Canadian Football League and
the now-defunct United States Football League.
“That was the hardest decision of my life. (Football) was my childhood
dream,” he said. Weighing an uncertain career in an injury-prone sport
against a seemingly prophetic conviction that he was meant to be on the
stage, Spears chose acting. Two weeks later, he got on an airplane with
$77 from his father and headed for California.
Initially success came easy, having landed four minor parts within his first
four months on the West Coast—three independent movies and a planned,
big-budget theatrical feature called Jack that was to star rapper Snoop
Dog. But the Jack role evaporated when one of the investors pulled out.
“That’s when the reality of making it in Hollywood kicked in,” Spears said.
In the ensuing years, Spears found himself homeless once and, during
another period, renting a room in a house with four other people, two
of whom he described as “schizophrenic.” His talent for spoken-word
performance helped him emerge from those trying times.
Spears used his poetry in the form of spoken-word performance at
the growing Hollywood Athletic Club to connect with some auspicious
Hollywood circles. Spears and some partners established Big Mouth
Productions, which provided nightclubs with spoken-word and music
entertainment in the evening before the DJs began. The connections
he made helped launch his career.
“I would catch a bus all the way to Hollywood—two hours—just to get
a drama log, a Back Stage West, look at the parts, send off my head shots
and then follow up,” Spears said. “It might be for just one line, but I would
send out emails or postcards.”
Michelle Adams, one of a few African-American casting agents in
Hollywood, said Spears made it a point to volunteer for script readings
during the audition of others, often reading the lead roles opposite the
person auditioning.
“It helped him to learn how to hit the part the first time,” said Adams,
whose casting work includes films like Cadillac Records, Black Snake
Moan, Hustle & Flow, and Madea Goes to Jail. “That is an example of the
drive and passion he has, as well as his ability to go above and beyond to
make things happen for himself in this business.”
Never discouraged, Spears constantly continued to vie for parts and to
hone his craft through acting classes. “I said I was going to keep going
around these casting directors and setting them afire,” Spears said.
He learned in the auditions that it is not just about him. “Every time a
casting director calls you in the room to perform, it is also their job on
the line,” Spears said.
The hard work paid off for Spears in 2001 when he landed his first
significant role in the urban hip-hop movie Blue Hill Avenue (2002).
That was followed by a lead role in Making Baby (2002) and a significant
role in the romantic comedy Traci Townsend (2005). In between, he took
on smaller roles in TV shows, such as Angel, General Hospital, Criminal
Minds, CSI: Miami and Everyone Loves Raymond.
In 2006, he portrayed a small role as a border guard in one of the
pivotal scenes in the Academy Award nominated film Babel. It was
only about eight speaking lines, but it gave him some important exposure.
“It opened a lot of doors,” Spears said. “Even though it was a small part,
for some reason it was a small part with legs.”
Also in 2006, Big Mouth Productions became Henna L.L.C., changing its
focus from spoken word and music to producing thought-provoking film
and television productions. The first Henna breakthrough came with the
2009 BET Network premiere of the prison-based film Mannsfield 12, in
which Spears was the lead actor and executive producer.
2009 proved a watershed year for the DSU alumnus as he landed a
regular contract role in The Bold and the Beautiful (only the third African-
American to do so in the soap opera’s 23-year history) as Justin Barber,
executive vice president of Spencer Publications and long-time friend to
Bill Spencer Jr., the company’s president (played by Don Diamont).
Spears said his work on The Bold and the Beautiful has made him a better
actor. “Any time you are working in something that involves your passion,
it can only expand you,” he said. “You are going into that fire continually,
and then you have to consistently deliver.”
During its shooting season, The Bold and the Beautiful tapes two
episodes a day, eight episodes a week. “Sometimes I have four to five
pages of script with lots of dialogue, and they expect you to know it,”
Spears said. “So it has definitely increased my memory, and it has flexed
my acting muscles.”
Spears said the show’s executive producers graciously allow the actors
on the show to do other projects, as long as they don’t interfere with the
show’s shooting schedule. That allowed Spears to star in the movie
Disrupt/Dismantle, shot in 2009. He plays an undercover officer working
to keep the Mexican cartel’s drugs out of the U.S. The part challenged
his ability to learn lines quickly and take direction effectively from
different directors.
Given what he has learned, Spears imparts this advice to DSU students:
Do something for yourselves every day to achieve whatever it is you want
to do in life—while in school and while trying to make it in the professional
world—and believe in yourself.
“You have to have the mindset that you are going to make it happen,
no matter what. If you instill that in yourself and show that drive, other
people will see that,” said Spears.
16
17

A T H L E T I C S
W I N T E R 2 0 1 0
Hornets look ahead after tough 2009 grid season
Lady Hornets hampered by early misfortunes
Sophomore running back
Jaashawn Jones
A season that featured just four home dates plus road games against
the Michigan Wolverines, Delaware Blue Hens and MEAC champion South
Carolina State Bulldogs ended on a positive note for the Delaware State
University football team. The Hornets won two of their last three games,
including a 30–20 victory over long-time rival Howard in the season
finale, to post a 4–7 overall record, 3–5 in the MEAC, in 2009.
In addition to the difficult schedule, the Hornets were beset by a number
of injuries during the campaign. However, despite the record, there were
plenty of bright spots and encouraging signs for the future.
Junior quarterback Anthony Glaud ranked among the MEAC passing leaders
in his first full season as the Hornets’ starting signal caller. Glaud was
fourth in the MEAC in passing average (143.8 ypg), sixth in passing efficiency
(108.3 rating) and sixth in total offense (153.4 ypg). For the season,
the Sicklerville, NJ, native completed 127 of 220 passes (57.7%) for
1,294 yards and five touchdowns. He closed out the year by completing
23 of 31 passes for a career-high 315 yards against Howard, the fifthbest
single-game total in team history. Glaud also tied for the team lead
with five rushing touchdowns this season.
After seeing little action in the first four games, sophomore running back
Jaashawn Jones emerged as one of the league’s most productive rushers
by season’s end. Appearing in just eight games, Jones racked up 632
yards on 151 carries (4.2 ypc) to rank fifth in the MEAC in rushing at 79
yards per contest. The Asbury Park, NJ, native rushed for at least 100
yards in each of the last three games and four of the last five. He tied
with Glaud for the team high with five rushing touchdowns.
The Hornets’ top two receivers were also underclassmen this season.
Sophomore Darius Jackson led the team with 41 catches for 476 yards
to rank fifth in the MEAC in receptions per game and 10th in receiving
Junior quarterback
Anthony Glaud
yards per contest. Jackson tied the team record with 11 catches for a
career-high 123 yards in the season finale. Junior Larrone Moore from
Hyattsville, MD, made his mark as a receiver and kick returner this season.
He was second on the team with 33 receptions for 315 yards. Moore
also ended the year with his first 100-yard game (101 on five receptions)
vs. Howard. He was also third in the MEAC and 16th in the nation in
kickoff returns, averaging 25.6 yards on 18 attempts, highlighted by a
90-yard touchdown against South Carolina State and a 51-yard effort
at Michigan. Freshman Travis Tarpley was second in the conference
and 11th nationally with a 26.3-yard kickoff return average.
Special team highlights also included a productive season by senior
placekicker Riley Flickinger, who averaged 1.1 field goals per game
(11 total) to lead the MEAC.
This year’s defense forced a total of 22 turnovers, returning three
for touchdowns.
Senior free safety Jerome Strums from Windsor, CT, was third in the
MEAC with four interceptions this season. He accounted for two of the
defensive touchdowns, returning a pick for a touchdown against
Delaware and scoring on a fumble return at Winston-Salem State. Strums
also recorded eight pass deflections and four break-ups during the 2009
campaign. Strums and fellow defensive back Avery Grant each captured
MEAC Defensive Player-of-the-Week honors during the season.
Junior lineman Andre Caroll was the team leader with 56 tackles,
including 23 solo stops. He also led the Hornets with seven tackles in
the opponents’ backfield.
Senior linebacker Ahmad Harris was second on the team with 52 tackles
and tied for the lead with two fumble recoveries. Tackle Tyron Hurst, also
a senior, led the Hornets with four sacks.
A rash of injuries, an array of unseasoned players and a challenging
schedule have proven to be a dicey combination for Delaware State’s
women’s basketball team this season. After winning their season-opener
against Lincoln (84–28) on Nov. 13, the Lady Hornets dropped their next
11 games to end 2009 with a disappointing 1–11 overall record. They
are beginning to turn things around for the rest of the season.
Delaware State’s intense schedule has included Big East opponents Seton
Hall and Syracuse, in addition to Kent State, Army, Navy, William & Mary
and Georgia State. The team also traveled to Los Angeles to compete
against Cal. State-Bakersfield and Dartmouth in the University of
Southern California’s Women of Troy Classic.
A patchwork crew of injured and new players comprised the team going
into the new season to handle the tough schedule. Four players were
unable to start the season due to injuries, then senior forward Ashley
Thompson went down with a knee injury six minutes into the opening
game. Thompson, who is out indefinitely, was the lone returning starter
from last year’s squad.
The 2009–10 Lady Hornets worked six newcomers into the line-up,
including a trio of first-year collegiate players.
Senior Selena Galloway and junior Cortney Crockett have led the backcourt
this season. Despite missing three games with an ankle injury,
Galloway leads the team in scoring at 8.8 points per game. Crockett is
second on the team in scoring (7.8 ppg) and tops in assists (24). She is
the only player to start each game this season.
McDonald makes All-MEAC in men’s XC, team takes 2nd
Senior Andre McDonald
While the Delaware State men’s cross country
team fell just short in its bid for the 2009 Mid-
Eastern Athletic Conference Championship,
senior Andre McDonald ran the 8K race in a
career-best time of 27:17.23 and finished 12th,
earning him All-MEAC recognition.
The top 15 finishers earn All-MEAC recognition.
Three of McDonald’s teammates finished in the
top 25 with him. Freshman Kouri Falconer
missed the All-MEAC mark by less than four
seconds, finishing 17th with a time of
27:49.06. Kelli Thibou was 22nd with a time of
28:14.09, and Jamaal Devore was the 23rd
runner to cross the finish line at 28:23.54.
Junior forward Brittney Washington returned to action for a win over
Winston-Salem State (57–39) on Jan. 9 after missing the previous six
contests due to back troubles. Washington was second in the MEAC in
rebounding (7.4 pg) at the time of her injury. She began the season by
reaching double-figures in points and rebounds in each of the Lady
Hornets’ first two games.
Among the newcomers, redshirt freshman Tonya Clark is fifth in the
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference with a team-high 29 steals (as of Jan.
8), while freshman Kianna D’Oliveira is among the league leaders with
10 blocks. She swatted away four shots vs. Georgia State on Dec. 16.
Despite its record, Delaware State continues to hold onto its familiar spot
as the top defensive team in the MEAC. DSU is seeking its eighth straight
MEAC scoring defense title.
The Lady Hornets are now gearing up for the bulk of the MEAC schedule.
They are off to a good start in 2010 with the win against Winston-Salem
State on Jan. 9 and a close defeat of the South Carolina State Bulldogs
(51–50) on Jan. 11.
DSU has finished in third place or higher in the final MEAC regular season
standings in each of the last seven years. The team is hoping for steady
progress in time for the conference tournament March 8–13 in Winston-
Salem, NC.
“I’m really proud of the effort our guys put forth,” said Delaware State
head coach Duane Henry. “We have a pretty young team, so I’m excited
about the future of the program.”
The Hornet men’s cross country team placed second with 100 points in
the conference championship meet at the University of Maryland-Eastern
Shore in Princess Anne, MD. It was their best team finish since capturing
the championship in 1989. Norfolk State claimed its ninth championship
title in the last 10 years with 33 points.
2009 MEAC Cross Country Men’s Team Results:
1. Norfolk State, 33 points; 2. DELAWARE STATE, 100; 3. Howard, 103;
4. UMES, 108; 5. Morgan State, 119; 6. Hampton, 132; 7. Florida A&M,
158; 8. Coppin State, 194; 9. NCA&T, 207; 10. SC State, 252;
11. Bethune-Cookman, 300.
18
19

A T H L E T I C S
W I N T E R 2 0 1 0
Men’s basketball team fighting hard toward MEAC finish
Hornet women 6th at MEAC XC championship
Senior guard Marcus Neal
If the effort put forth in the first half of the season is any indication, the
Delaware State men’s basketball team could be among the top contenders
in the 2009–10 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Championship.
Despite a deceptive 4–7 record on paper to wrap up the 2009 portion of
the schedule, the Hornets have made quite a fight—and have given their
fans plenty of hope for the remainder of the season.
The season highlight so far was the 75–67 win over upstate rival University
of Delaware on Dec. 1 in Memorial Hall. The victory snapped the Hornets’
Ashley Herman comes up aces
Senior forward Ashley Herman
The NCAA has recognized Delaware State University’s Ashley Herman
as the national leader in service aces per set during the 2009 volleyball
season. Herman topped all Division I players at .63 service aces per set
during the 2009 season.
She is the first Delaware State volleyball player to lead the nation in a
statistical category.
eight-game losing streak against the Hens in the first battle between the
state’s only Division I teams since Nov. 20, 2000. Senior forward Frisco
Sandidge was clearly the best player on the court that night, leading both
teams with a career-high 26 points. Senior guard Marcus Neal added 16
points, while freshman Alibaba Odd contributed 15 points to the win.
The Hornets have also been encouraged by competitive losses to Arkansas,
Ohio State and UCLA this season. In the Ohio State contest, DSU trailed by
just nine points with six-and-a-half minutes left to play in the nationallytelevised
contest (ESPNU).
Three of the team’s losses came down to the nail-biting, final shot,
including an overtime setback to Lehigh.
Neal has been the Hornets’ top scorer this season, averaging 13.5
points per game. He’s also among the MEAC leaders with 31 threepoint
field goals.
Sandidge is second on the team in scoring (12.8 ppg) and tops in
rebounding (6.5 pg).
Odd, who was named to Sports Illustrated’s 2009–10 Men’s Basketball
All-Name Team, is third on the team with a 7.2 points-per-game average.
Sophomore point Jay Threatt has spent much of the season among the
Division I leaders in steals, including a week at the top in December.
The Hornets continue to fight to the finish.
Herman totaled 67 service aces in 107 sets during the ’09 season. The
Craven, Saskatchewan, native recorded at least one ace in 26 consecutive
matches and at least two in 18 contests. She had seven aces in a win
over Coppin State on Oct. 23 and six in a victory against Navy on Sept. 12.
The NCAA will award plaques to Herman and the University in recognition
of her achievement.
As a team, DSU was fourth among all Division I schools at 1.98 service
aces per set. The team finished 20–13 overall, setting school records for
wins in a season and in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference matches (8). The
Hornets advanced to the 2009 MEAC Tournament semifinals before falling
to eventual champion Florida A&M, which captured its ninth consecutive
league title.
The Delaware State women’s cross country team placed sixth with 155
points at the 2009 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Championship, topping
their seventh place showing last year. Norfolk State claimed its first
conference title with 49 points at the 5K meet, held at the University of
Maryland-Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD.
The most wins in team history and the end of a brilliant career highlighted
the 2009 Delaware State University volleyball season. The Hornets closed
out the campaign with a loss to eventual champion Florida A&M in the
MEAC Tournament semifinals in Baltimore, MD.
Delaware State was in the tournament’s final four for the third straight
year after topping South Carolina State in the quarterfinals.
The MEAC tournament exit did not overshadow the success of the winningest
season in team history. The Hornets posted a 20–12 overall record
and a program-best 8–2 mark in the MEAC regular season. The team
posted two five-game winning streaks and a four-gamer during the year.
The ’09 season was also the swan song for Hornet senior Cassandra
Joyner, arguably the best player in team history. Joyner became the first
Delaware State player to reach 1,000 career kills this season, finishing her
career with 1,256 winners. A two-time All-MEAC First Team selection
(2008, 2009), the Claymont, DE, native also recorded 869 digs and 204
blocks at DSU. This season, Joyner, the lone senior on the team, was third
in the MEAC in points (4.11 pg), fourth in kills (3.26 pg) and sixth in hitting
percentage (.284).
Returning to lead the Hornets next season are seniors Ashley Herman,
Erica Tajchman and Sarah Wheatcroft, along with sophomore Martina
Ferrari. Herman was No. 1 in the nation in service aces (0.68 pg), as of
the Nov. 22 NCAA rankings report. She was also fourth on the team with
44 blocks. As a team, Delaware State ranked third in the nation in service
aces at 2.07 per game.
Delaware State freshman Dashera Richardson just missed earning All-
MEAC honors. She was 17th overall (out of 78 runners) with a time of
19:59.20, less than seven seconds away from being among the top 15
finishers. All-MEAC recognition goes to the top 15 individual finishers.
Kendra Mayers was the second DSU runner to cross the finish line, coming
in 22nd overall with a time of 20:25.44. Avery Klein-Cloud clocked
in at 21:40.74 to finish 35th, while Alisha Jones was right behind her to
finish 36th at 21:44.26.
Mayers, Jones and Kristen Johnson, who finished 46th at 22:41.49,
recorded season-best times for the Hornets.
2009 MEAC Cross Country Women’s Team Results:
1. Norfolk State, 49 points; T2. North Carolina A&T and UMES, 74; 4.
Hampton, 78; 5. Howard, 140; 6. DELAWARE STATE, 155; 7. SC State,
181; 8. Coppin State, 213; 9. Morgan State, 231; 10. Florida A&M, 264;
11. Bethune-Cookman, 295.
Joyner leads Hornet volleyball team to 2009 success
Senior Cassandra Joyner
Tajchman, a 2009 All-MEAC Second Team selection, was ninth in
the league in points (3.21 pg) and 10th in kills (2.72 pg). She ranked
second behind Joyner with 313 total kills for the Hornets this season.
Ferrari led the team with 378 digs to rank fifth in the MEAC this season
(3.29 pg). She was also 10th in the MEAC in assists (5.81 pg). Junior
Sarah Wheatcroft was second on the team in digs (258), blocks (57)
and assists (424) this season.
20 21

A L U M N I N E W S
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DSUAA top Legacy golfers recognized
Preparing to take flight: CJ Charleton
The Delaware State University Alumni Association’s second Annual Legacy
Scholarship Golf Outing took place on Oct. 23 at Wild Quail Golf and
Country Club in Camden, DE. Thirty-eight men and women participated
this year, coveting the first place trophy and bragging rights. We salute
all players and give special recognition to the trophy winners. Men: Walter
Macklin, first place; Dr. Dyremple Marsh, second place; David Jones, third
place. Women: Kim Kennedy, first place; Carolyn Whitaker, second place;
Crystal Griggs, third place.
Save the date for our third annual Legacy Scholarship Golf Outing
planned for Friday, Oct. 15, 2010. During the 2010 outing, we will feature
not only competition between players but also between alumni chapters.
So come out, join in the fun and help support a legacy student.
For more information, email Alfred A. Outlaw at aaoutlaw@aol.com.
William “CJ” Charlton
Of more than 175,000 commercial pilots flying for U.S. airlines, fewer
than 4,000 (about 2 percent) are African-American. DSU airway science
grad William “CJ” Charlton ’95 is one of them.
Charleton wanted to help children find the joy of a career in aviation.
“My dad was a C-130 mechanic in the Air Force, and I grew up on airplanes,”
he recalled. “Though my family flew regularly, the first flight I
can actually remember was on Continental when my dad was stationed
in the Philippines.”
Charleton joined the Air National Guard after DSU. Then in 2005, he was
hired by Continental, where he is currently a first officer piloting international
flights on 757 and 767 planes. He also continues to fly in the
Guard as a reserve C-130 pilot.
The Organization of Black Airline Pilots (OBAP) gave Charleton the opportunity
to become an instructor in its Aviation Career Enrichment (ACE)
Academy, which offers middle and high school students an introduction
to the aviation industry. “We give the students a chance to take regular
blackboard teaching and turn it into real-world experience,” said
Charleton. “Children today use the Internet and play sophisticated
video games. We show them the similarities of our jobs and the games
they play.”
Part of the curriculum for the students is designing their own airport.
“We have them construct an airport they envision—including all the entities
that go into the operation, for example a fire department, emergency
management—and plan runways and roadways,” Charleton explained.
He and the other instructors tell the students there are no right or wrong
answers, but they do give them the basics to begin construction. “It’s
amazing to see the students’ creativity,” he said.
The goal is to get the children to focus on their future at an early age
by spotlighting the importance of education and how it can lead to a
fulfilling career. “The role models these kids have are athletes and musicians,”
Charleton said. “We show them that hard work and education
also lead to a rewarding job.” He and other ACE Academy volunteers
meet with the parents of students who express a continued interested
in aviation and help set up life plans to assist the kids in reaching their
aviation career goals.
Charleton has taken his volunteer experience with the ACE Academy
and developed his own foundation. This year, he launched Charleton
Camps for Aviation, Science and Technology Training (CCASTT), which
offers curricula for children ages 6–9 and 10–13 and one for teens ages
14–18. To learn more about CCASTT and the aviation camp, visit
ccasttfoundation.org.
Article originally appeared in the “Continental Notebook” in the September 2009
edition of Continental Magazine (Vol. 13, Issue 9, p. 20). It is reprinted with permission
of the author, Lora O’Riordan, and Continental Magazine. Photo was first published in
Continental Magazine.
The Heritage Society: a legacy in the making
COME ON OUT AND JOIN THE FUN AT THE 15TH ANNUAL HORNET GOLF
CLASSIC ON FRIDAY, APRIL 16 AT MAPLE DALE COUNTRY CLUB.
This year, the Hornet Golf Classic promises to be a star-studded event.
The Delaware State University Athletics Department appreciates those who
have supported our efforts in the past, including the many sponsors and
organizations that graciously donate their resources, time and services.
Whether as a sponsor or a foursome (or, by all means, both!), we hope
you choose to join us for the Hornet Golf Classic this April. Good times
are sure to be enjoyed and remembered by all. For more information,
please contact George Robinson at 302.857.7466 or grobinson@desu.edu.
Making a bequest to the Delaware State University Foundation is a
thoughtful, flexible way to achieve your charitable and financial goals
without making an outright gift today. Your bequest to DSU might reduce
your estate taxes and provide you with other benefits, for example:
n Your assets remain in your control during your lifetime.
n You may direct your bequest to a particular purpose, program, school
or college.
n You can modify your bequest at any time if your circumstances change.
n You are recognized in the DSU Honor Roll of Donors as a member
of the Heritage Society.
For more information about making a bequest or other planned giving
options, contact Vita Pickrum, assistant vice president for development, at
302.857.6064 or vpickrum@desu.edu.
22
23

A L U M N I N E W S
W I N T E R 2 0 1 0
DSU is ‘Corporate Citizen’ for Witney’s Lights
DSU Alumna Quincy Lucas (left) presents a Corporate Citizenship Award to DSU
Associate Provost Dr. Bradley Skelcher, on behalf of DSU, at the Witney’s Lights
5K walk/run.
Simmie Knox presents his portrait masterpieces at DSU
Simmie Knox has come a long way in his art career since his DSU days
in the early 1960s.
The renowned portrait painter came back to DSU on Nov. 18 to give a
presentation in the Education & Humanities Theatre on the progression
of his art career. Knox gave a chronological presentation of his work and
how it has developed into a lucrative career, noting that his move into
the art field began at Delaware State College in 1961–62.
Knox enrolled initially at Delaware State to
pursue a science teaching career, but a science
faculty member noted his sketching skills
and recommended that he consider changing
his major to art. Knox took his advice and the
rest is history. Knox later transferred to the
University of Delaware and ultimately
graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Art and
a Master of Fine Art from the Tyler School
of Art at Temple University.
In his presentation, Knox showed the abstract artwork he created
early in his career. He shifted his specialty to portraits in the early
1980s and has since made a name for himself by painting portraits
of many prominent people.
As Knox showed a generous sampling of his portraits, he shared
anecdotes about the prominent subjects he has painted. One of his early
commissions was to paint a series of portraits for the family of comedian
Bill Cosby. “I did the portrait of his mother Anna Cosby, and I learned
where he got his humor from,” Knox said. “She left me in stitches
numerous times.”
Simmie Knox and Lori Crawford,
DSU Associate Professor of Visual Arts.
On Oct. 3, DSU supported the efforts of alumna Quincy Lucas in
Dover at her annual Witney’s Lights 5K walk/run to raise awareness
of domestic violence.
Lucas, ’04 and ’07, has been an advocate for eliminating domestic
violence since her sister, Dr. Witney Holland Rose, was senselessly
killed by her ex-boyfriend in 2003 in Baltimore. The event raised
money to support the domestic violence awareness programs of
Witney’s Lights, the organization founded by Lucas.
The DSU volleyball, soccer, equestrian and cheerleading athletes
participated in the 5K walk, and the University provided other
logistical support for the event, which began and ended at Silver
Lake Park in Dover. In appreciation, Lucas presented DSU with
a Corporate Citizens Award, accepted by Dr. Bradley Skelcher,
DSU associate provost.
An opportunity to paint a portrait of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood
Marshall led to numerous commissions to do portraits of other prominent
federal and state jurists throughout the country.
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was impressed enough with
the portrait he painted of her that she recommended Knox to President
Bill Clinton, who commissioned Knox to do his official White House
portrait, as well as one of his wife, Hillary Clinton.
Knox shared many other portraits during the
presentation: boxer Muhammad Ali, former NYC
Mayor David Dinkins, Oprah Winfrey, the late historian
Dr. John Hope Franklin, Delaware Supreme
Court Justice Randy Holland, the late singer Lou
Rawls, Hall of Fame baseball player Hank Aaron,
numerous jurists and others.
Knox took questions from the audience before
heading to the University’s art department, where
he viewed student work and held a more intimate
discussion about art technique with them. He completed his day at
the University at a lunch reception with DSU Acting President Claibourne
Smith, Provost Harry Williams and other faculty and guests.
Dr. Donald A. Blakey, director of DSU’s theater and dance program,
invited Simmie Knox to do the presentation in conjunction with Harlem
Renaissance events taking place simultaneously. Blakey taught Knox
physical education when he attended Delaware State College.
DSU alumna Ronika Money with educator and second lady
Jill Biden, who gave the keynote address at the Delaware
Futures event that honored Money.
Alumna Ronika Money makes her mark in Student Affairs
Ronika M. Money ’02 had help and encouragement getting into college
and succeeding as a college student from an underprivileged environment.
She, in turn, helped others while a student worker in the DSU Office of
Student Affairs. That experience propelled the psychology major into her
current career in student affairs at Penn State.
Money has parlayed the knowledge and work experience she gained from
DSU and the Master of Arts in student affairs she earned in 2004 into her
current position as assistant director of student affairs at Pennsylvania
State University’s commonwealth campus in Brandywine, PA.
“Through the psychology knowledge, I am able to use my counseling
background to understand the behavioral decisions of the students,” said
Money, a 29-year-old single mother who resides in Dover. “I am able to
help students mentally and academically and provide them support in
becoming well-rounded students.”
Money’s success in earning two degrees and her current position in
higher education are the result of the helping hand she received from
Delaware Futures while attending Newark High School. Delaware Futures
is an organization that helps high school students from low-income
families prepare for college and provides them with scholarships.
She said Delaware Futures’ help was critical. “I come from a single
parent home with my mom and another sibling. We may have been
just under the poverty line, and there is no way my mom would have
been able to send me to college,” Money said.
As part of Delaware Futures, the organization introduced her to DSU
through a trip to the campus. “We were allowed to go to individual
classes with DSU students,” said Money. “When I applied to attend DSU,
that trip made writing the essay on why I wanted to attend the University
so much easier.”
On Oct. 16, Delaware Futures honored Ronika as one of its outstanding
graduates at the organization’s annual awards luncheon in Wilmington, DE.
Although her life is quite full in her student affairs capacity at the 2,000-
student Penn State Brandywine campus and as a single mother of twoyear-old
daughter Kimora, Money is still looking to advance her future. She
plans to begin working soon toward a doctorate in educational leadership.
Philadelphia Alumni Chapter is back…members welcome!
L–R, new officers Anthony Lawson, Cynthia Ralston Alvin, Alfred Outlaw and (back,
left) Rose Caison Austin with immediate past president James Roundtree (back, right).
On Nov. 8, the Philadelphia Chapter of the Delaware State University
Alumni Association sponsored a membership meet-and-greet reception
at the historic Centennial Café in Fairmont Park, Philadelphia.
The chapter held elections. The new officers are: Alfred Outlaw, president;
Anthony Lawson, vice president; Rose Austin, secretary; and Cynthia
Alvin, treasurer. The newly elected officers were formally introduced
during the reception by immediate past president James Roundtree. Dr.
K. Bernard Chase, National Alumni Association vice president, and Beverly
Swann, secretary, also attended the event.
Outlaw gave an overview of the chapter’s “Five Ships of Hope”
strategic plan: scholarship, fellowship, network-ship, University-ship
and community-ship. In his concluding remarks, Outlaw asked all in
attendance to “get on board and sail with us!”
Should you desire to “sail along” with the Philadelphia Chapter, email
Southphile6345@aol.com or phone 609.970.8197.
24 25

A L U M N I N E W S
W I N T E R 2 0 1 0
Alumnus establishes endowment to benefit
sociology/criminal justice majors
DSU begins regular season football tradition vs. UD
DSU Acting President Claibourne
D. Smith and alumnus Matthew
W. Horace hold a display check
for the endowment that has been
started to memorialize three DSU
students slain by a gang in
Newark, NJ, in 2007.
Matthew W. Horace ’85 said he needed to figure out how to give back to
his alma mater in a meaningful way.
The 21-year veteran of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
Explosives took over as the special agent in charge of its newly created
Newark, NJ, field division in early 2008. After receiving a briefing on three
DSU students who were fatally shot in that city, Horace said he found “a
cause worth pursuing.”
The alumnus is establishing a $10,000 Horace Foundation Endowment to
provide scholarships to DSU sociology/criminal justice majors in memory
of the students—Terrance Aeriel, Dashon J. I. Harvey and Iofemi
Hightower—who were shot execution-style in a school playground just
weeks before they were to begin their 2007 fall semesters at DSU. The
students were simply enjoying each other’s company along with DSU
student Natasha Aeriel when a gang accosted them in an apparent
armed robbery and brutally shot them. Ms. Aeriel, Terrance’s sister,
was wounded but miraculously survived the shooting.
“By all accounts, they were good kids with bright futures,” Horace said.
“This endowment is being set up to help kids who are pursuing criminal
justice degrees, and hopefully, it will help make it possible for such
students to make a difference or even possible to solve or prevent
such crimes.”
Horace announced the endowment during the Oct. 23 DSU Alumni
Association Legacy Banquet and Hall of Fame Inductions held at the Dover
Downs Hotel & Casino Rollins Center. The ATF special agent, who earned
a BA in English from then-Delaware State College, was one of the DSUAA’s
2009 inductees for his achievements in government and law.
He was also a Hornet offense lineman under then-head football coach Joe
Purzycki, who introduced Horace during the induction program.
In addition to his ATF career, Horace is a certified leadership consultant for
FranklinCovey and accomplished public and motivational speaker. He says
DSU has been a significant factor in his success. “My professional development
started at DSU,” he said. “It taught me something about making a
difference.”
He said the Horace Foundation Endowed Scholarship is a way in which
other alumni can make a difference as well. Horace said he hopes other
alumni will be inspired to continue the endowment’s growth and thereby
help more DSU criminal justice majors achieve their degree and professional
aspirations.
“I think people want to give but also want to know they are giving to a
specific cause,” Horace said. “I am hopeful that there are alumni who will
find this endowment a worthy cause.”
The stated mission of Horace Foundation Endowment for Criminal Justice
Studies is to develop “educated, confident and caring leaders” who will
share the values of law enforcement and contribute to the profession’s
excellence.
To contribute to the Horace Foundation Endowed Scholarship,
visit www.desu.edu/giving.
Alumna Gale Hamilton, Hornets football
secretary Edna Piper and alumna Sheila Davis.
DSU played its first-ever regular season football contest against the
University of Delaware on Sept. 19, transporting its regular game-day
element to Delaware Stadium in Newark.
DSU hosted a fan center for a couple of hours prior to the game where
the Hornet faithful gathered for food and fellowship while building excitement
about the gridiron contest. In a large tent between the stadium and
UD’s practice field, DSU fans were able to enjoy the sounds of the UD and
DSU marching bands as they alternately practiced their music and choreography
outside of the tent. The DSU dancers and flag team also showed
off their moves.
At the Hornets Fan Center at the DSU vs. UD game. L–R: UD’s Emily
Harker and President Patrick Harker, U.S. Rep. Michael N. Castle,
DSU Acting President Claibourne D. Smith and his wife, Roseann.
UD President Patrick Harker and DSU Acting President Claibourne Smith
and their spouses visited the tent and were joined by U.S. Rep. Michael
Castle and Dr. John Land, acting chairman of the DSU Board of Trustees.
The fan center attendees were a diverse mix of students, faculty, staff,
alumni and friends of the University.
Like the previous inaugural meeting during the post-season football
championship series match-up in 2007, UD was victorious in the gridiron
battle. But unlike the lopsided Blue Hen win of two years ago, the entire
Sept. 19 game was competitive all the way through the fourth quarter,
which ended 27–17 in UD’s favor.
DSUAA chapters meet–and beat–2009 fundraising challenge
Eight DSU Alumni Association chapters combined their fundraising efforts
to meet the Tom Joyner Foundation $25,000 Chapter Challenge in 2009.
By the June 12 deadline, they had raised a combined $42,475, beating the
challenge and ensuring a $25,000 match from the Tom Joyner Foundation
for the DSU Alumni Scholarship Campaign.
The Kent County, DE, DSUAA chapter gave the strongest response to the
challenge by raising just over $12,000. The New Castle County, DE,
chapter raised more than $10,600. Also contributing to the $42,475
were chapters in Charlotte, NC, Greater Hampton Roads, VA, Greater
Washington, DC, Metropolitan NY, Philadelphia and Sussex County, DE.
The Chapter Challenge was part of a year-long partnership, which ended
Dec. 31, between DSU and the Tom Joyner Foundation to raise money for
scholarships for DSU students. By Dec. 31, the eight chapters had raised
$50,975, with DSUAA Kent County still in the lead and the New Castle
County chapter a close second.
The partnership’s overall goal was to raise $440,000 for DSU scholarships
and program support. With radio listener responses, alumni support,
the Chapter Challenge and other contributions, the University surpassed
that goal.
“With the news that DSU has not only reached its Tom Joyner Foundation
School of the Month goal, but surpassed it, we are elated about those who
have stepped to the plate to provide financial support that is very much
needed by many of our students,” said Acting President Claibourne Smith.
26
27

A L U M N I N E W S
DSUAA inducts eight into its Legacy Hall of Fame
On Oct. 23, the DSU Alumni Association held its annual Legacy Banquet
and Hall of Fame Inductions at the Dover Downs Hotel & Casino. The
event was part of the 2009 Homecoming weekend of activities. This
year’s inductees join an impressive list of predecessors who have made
laudable achievements in their professions and in their communities.
More than 200 well-wishers were on hand to celebrate the occasion
with inductees Dr. William H. Davis Sr., Kent B. Amos, Major T. Hairston
Jr., Matthew W. Horace, Dr. Oliver “Jerry” Harmon, Dr. J. Scott King,
William W. Collick and Delores N. Handy, who was unable to attend.
JOIN THE TEAM…ACT!
Help your alma mater recruit and mentor students through the Alumni Connections Team, under the auspices of the Office of Alumni Affairs. As a
member of ACT, you will be called upon to represent the University at college fairs and other recruitment events in your area. In addition, you may
opt to participate in a user-friendly career mentoring program in the form of 45-minute, live Sunday chats. To sign up for the ACT, email the alumni
office at alumni@desu.edu and type ACT in the subject line, or call 302.857.6050. Let us know whether you would like to be added to our list of
alumni recruiters, chat mentors or both. We look forward to hearing from you. It’s time to ACT for DSU!
In Memoriam
We sorrowfully acknowledge the deaths of the following alumni and offer our condolences to their families and friends:
Catherine L. Knight ’49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . July 2
Margaret M. Ward ’96 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . July 2
Walter C. Fili Jr. ’73 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . July 8
Laura Cajthaml Thomas ’80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . July 14
Rella O. Brown Bray ’50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . July 30
Diana Ackah ’05 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aug. 2
John Evans Ryan ’89 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aug. 11
Aleatha Holland Short ’49. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aug. 25
ATTENTION NJ AND VA ALUMNI—
Matthew W. Horace, Courtney White Stevenson (SSA),
Major T. Hairston, Jr., Dorothy Brady Cooper (SSA),
Dr. William H. Davis, Sr., (behind him) William "Billy"
Collick, Cora Selby (accepting for her sister Delores
Norwood Handy) and Dr. James Scott King.
Not pictured: Dr. Oliver "Jerry" Harmon and
Wesley Harvey (for Kent B. Amos).
In addition, special honors were accorded alums Dorothy B. Cooper,
William W. Stevenson (posthumously), Courtney W. Stevenson, Lolia T.
Thomas and Bertha A. Turner for dedicated and long-time service to the
DSUAA and their alma mater.
Honoree Matthew Horace ’85 accentuated an already momentous occasion
by announcing the establishment of the Horace Foundation, Inc. in
memory of three DSU students who were murdered two years ago in
their hometown. He presented the University with the first installment
of $3,000 toward a $10,000 goal. See story, p. 26
Kristee L. Miller ’99. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aug. 29
Marie J. Hill McCann ’77 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sept. 6
Michael R. Dawson ’77 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sept. 9
Juanita “Bambi” Singleton Baine ’64 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oct. 3
Portia R. Baker Rogers ’76 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oct. 8
Russell L. Williamson ’72 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov. 1
Rebecca A. Melvin ’97 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov. 28
Alphonsa O. Wilson ’80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dec. 28
If you live in the south Jersey area or the northern Virginia area and are interested in establishing a chapter of the DSU Alumni
Association in your area, please contact the following alums for information:
South Jersey area: Yaniece Spencer ’08/’09 yaniecespencer87@yahoo.com
Northern Virginia area: Bernard Carr ’77 703.307.1800, bwadecarr@aol.com
Or email the Office of Alumni Affairs: alumni@desu.edu
1995
Earl Chism ’58 – Business/Industry
Dr. Martin A. Drew ’65 – Education
Hon. William S. Hart, Sr. ’50 – Law/Government*
Dr. John W. Land ’66 – Athletics
Dr. Luna I. Mishoe ’81 – Science (Posthumous)*
Alfred Russell ’72 – Arts
Dr. Cora Norwood Selby ’40 – Community Relations
Dr. Charles H. Waples ’70 – Medicine
1996
Hon. Dr. Donald Blakey ’58 – Arts
Dr. K. Bernard Chase ’72 – Medicine
Arrie J. Harrison ’44 – Education*
Nathan “Doc” Hill ’52 – Athletics
Mildred Robinson Holmes ’47 – Community Relations
Maxine Robinson Lewis ’73 – Media
Alfred A. Outlaw ’71 – Business/Industry
Hon. George H. P. Smith ’53 – Law/Government*
1997
Donald Evans ’59 – Law/Government
Dr. Thomas B. Leecost ’67 – Medicine
Felmon D. Motley ’48 – Athletics*
Dr. George E. Stevems ’71 – Education
Alphonso Russell Stevenson, Jr. ’73 – Business/Industry
Howard L. West, Sr. ’61 – Community Service
Jethro C. Williams – Honorary
1998
Audrey Skrine Chase ’72 – Business/Industry
James S. Evans ’42 – Law/Government*
Ruth T. Jackson ’46 – Education
Aleatha Holland Short ’49 – Community Service*
William H. Still ’64 – Arts
Mary L. Lane – Honorary*
2001
Paul Grinnage ’46 – Business/Industry (Posthumous)*
Luther E. Howard ’81 – Athletics
Gilbert H. Jackson ’48 – Athletics (Posthumous)*
Renee D. LeGendre ’76 – Education
Alexander T. Norwood ’62 – Education
Leonia R. Robinson ’66 – Arts
Dr. Ulysses S. Washington – Honorary
W I N T E R 2 0 1 0
Distinguished Members of the DSUAA Legacy Hall of Fame
Recipients of the Rebecca Cooper Brockington Award for Lifetime Achievement from 1996–2009 were: Florence Johnson Foddrell ’37, Robert “Jeep”
Hunter ’52, W. DeEdwin Hursey ’67*, Dr. J. Scott King ’67, Nathan O. Thomas ’50, Leo R. LeCompte ’57 and Dr. Harriet Ruth Williams ’34*. Additionally,
at the inaugural awards banquet, held in 1995, former DSU president Dr. William B. DeLauder and DSU board member LeRoy “Roy” Klein* were the
recipients of special service awards for leadership and fundraising, respectively. Since then, other DSU administrators have been acknowledged with
service awards: Carolyn Curry, vice president of institutional advancement, and Arthur Wright, assistant equipment manager, Department of Athletics.
*deceased
2006
Dr. Marvin K. Hackett ’68 – Athletics
Dr. Reba Ross Hollingsworth ’49 – Community Service
Waynne Harmon Paskins ’69 – Education
Hugh Williams ’71 – Law/Government
Dr. Kenneth W. Bell – Honorary
2007
Robert Draine, Sr. ’60 – Education
DeCasto P. Brown ’81 – Athletics
Martha M. Hopkins ’74 – Community Service
Keith A. Glascoe ’85 – Law/Government (Posthumous)*
Harold L. “Dink” Harmon ’71 – Business/Industry (Posthumous)*
Leo R. LeCompte ’57 – Lifetime Achievement
Tina ’65 and Jimmie ’66 Strong – Outstanding Service/Contributions
Carolyn A. Curry – Dedicated Service/Contributions
Mabel Morrison – Honorary
2008
Ned W. Brown, Jr. ’71 – Education (Administration)
Thomas E. Douglas ’79 – Law/Government
Cecelia B. Dunning ’94 – Community Service
Phyllis Hayes-Dixon ’62 – Education
Victor Heflin ’79 & ’82 – Athletics
Robert “Jeep” Hunter ’52 – Lifetime Achievement
Reginald C. Minus ’73 – Business/Industry
Raymond L. Moore, Sr. ’60 – Law/Government
Hattie B. Mishoe – Honorary*
Arthur Wright – Dedicated Service/Contributions
2009
Delores Norwood Handy ’45 – Arts
William H. Davis, Sr. ’50 – Business/Industry
Kent B. Amos ’70 – Community Service
Major T. Hairston, Jr. ’63 – Education
Matthew W. Horace ’85 – Law/Government
Dr. Oliver M. “Jerry” Harmon ’62 – Medicine/Science
Dr. J. Scott King ’67 – Lifetime Achievement
William W. Collick – Honorary
28 29

30
Class Notes
1 9 5 0
John E. Bush, PhD, announces the completion of his second book, titled My
Father’s Faith (Xlibris Publishers).
1964
Donald P. Conway, a Volksmarcher, received the President’s Award at the biannual
convention of the American Volkssport Association (AVA) held in Richardson, Texas,
June 15–27. He was cited for recognizing opportunities to utilize event checkpoints to
increase the fun at events; to entertain and educate walkers with educational exhibits
for black heritage and health fairs, adding drawings and refreshments to create positive
publicity for the Freestate Happy Wanderers and Volkssporting. In addition to the AVA
recognition, Conway has celebrated other milestones, including completing 920 walks,
10,750-km distances and completing the Spirit of Walking Cemetery Stroll (40 events)
and the American Authors & Literary Landmarks (15 events) special events program.
1984
Paulette Trent-Smith was promoted to executive assistant from administrative
assistant to Dr. Michael Ezekowitz, a cardiologist who recently discovered a new bloodthinning
agent called Dabigatran, a more user-friendly drug that may replace
Warfarin/Coumadin to prevent strokes worldwide. Trent-Smith has worked for Dr.
Ezekowitz for 25 years, since matriculating from DSU in 1985. Trent-Smith was married
in 2005 and has one son, Christopher Marcus Trent-Davis, age 12, who attends
Haverford Middle School.
1984
Minister Usher A. Moses announces the expansion of his spiritual ministry with
the opening of The PEACE Center, Inc., in Landover, MD. Moses serves in his “Christian
community of faith” as senior minister and ecumenical social worker. Moses conducted
the first worship service on Nov. 8 and touts the center as “a place where Christ’s love
enlightens and empowers worshipers to serve, lead, liberate and make an impact on
the community.” The vision and commitment for the PEACE Center are an outgrowth of
Moses’ 23 years of practicing Christ-centered social work. “Practical experience, prior
ministerial experience, philosophical and theological studies have brought me to this
point,” he writes. “I desire to chart a new path for the worship experience and faithbased
spiritual and community development.” For more information, email Moses at
usherhouse@comcast.net.
1987
James L. Moore III, PhD, associate professor of physical activity and educational
services at The Ohio State University, has become the third American to receive the
Outstanding Contribution to School-Based Family Counseling Award from the Institute
for School-Based Family Counseling. The award was presented at the prestigious 2009
Oxford Symposium in School-Based Family Counseling in Barcelona, Spain on July 16.
The international award recognizes Moore’s professional work with ethnic minorities,
particularly African-American males, in public schools and higher education institutions
throughout the United States. In addition to his appointment in the College of Education
and Human Ecology’s counselor education program, he is director of Ohio State’s Todd
Anthony Bell National Resource Center on the African-American Male.
If you would like to submit an article, story idea or class note,
please call or email Director of Alumni Affairs Lorene Robinson
at lrobinson@desu.edu or 302.857.6050.
1 9 9 2
Dawn Angelique Jones Roberts and Wayne Edward
Roberts are proud to announce the birth of their son Wayne E.
Roberts Jr. on July 27 at Christiana Hospital in Newark, DE.
Baby Wayne weighed 7 pounds, 14 ounces and was 21 inches
long. Dawn is co-founder and principal partner of KD
Communications Group and Wayne is the firm’s director
of marketing.
1994
Christine Anne Royce, EdD, was elected in June to a three-year term on the 13-
member board of directors of The National Science Teachers Association, the largest
professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science
teaching and learning. Members oversee NSTA’s finances, policies and procedures, and
strategic planning. Royce attended Cabrini College for her undergraduate degree,
received masters’ degrees from DSU and University of Scranton, and her EdD from
Temple University. Royce is the associate professor of education at Shippensburg
University in Shippensburg, PA.
1 9 9 5
Malissa M. Barbosa was among 270 graduates awarded
the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Philadelphia
College of Osteopathic Medicine at its 118th commencement
ceremony on May 31. Dr. Barbosa earned both bachelor’s and
master’s (1997) degrees in chemistry from DSU. She is continuing
her medical training at PCOM consortium, Philadelphia.
1 9 9 5
Adisi Bakari, Esq., né Clinton P. Tucker, is featured in The National Law Journal
(July 13, 2009) as one of Washington’s rising stars. Among young lawyers in the district,
the publication predicts that Bakari “will play a major role in the legal community of the
nation’s capital—and therefore of the nation—for years to come.” Bakari was selected
by the editors based upon nominations and reporting on individuals, under the age of 40,
who have made their marks in private practice, in government agencies, on Capitol Hill
and with public interest groups. Bakari is in practice with Dow Lohnes, PLLC.
2 0 0 7
Seaman Cyril Totimeh completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training
Command, Great Lakes, IL, in September 2009. During the eight-week program,
Totimeh completed classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first
aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An
emphasis was also placed on physical fitness. The capstone event of boot camp is
“battle stations.” This exercise gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to
succeed in the fleet. Battle stations is designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes
of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance and the core values of honor, courage
and commitment in each recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills.
Its distinctly naval character was designed to impart what it means to be a sailor.
2 0 0 7
Amystique Y. Harris Church is a recipient of the 2009
Delmarvalous Woman Award by FM radio station Eagle 97.7 for
outstanding community service impacting the Delmarva region.
Church is the new regional communications manager for the
faith-based talk program The Vanessa Waller Show, covering
Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and
Washington. She is associate director with DSU’s Office of Testing.
2009 DSU Homecoming Week
HAD SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
DSU once again had another successful
Homecoming weekend that kicked off with
the coronation ceremony of Davina T. Hall and
Cheston N. Boyd as the 2009–10 Miss and
Mr. DSU.
A week full of events led up to the climactic
Homecoming weekend that reunited thousands
of alumni at the DSUAA Legacy Banquet and Hall
of Fame Induction, the traditional parade, the
2009 HOMECOMING REUNIONS
The golden class of 1959 got together in Delaware Hall after the
homecoming game to chat and exchange updates since they met on
commencement weekend in May. Among those braving the weather were:
Bettye Henry Bellamy of Dover, Del.; Equilla Watson Boyce of West Chester,
Pa.; Donald M. Evans of Wilmington, Del.; William L. Evans of Las Vegas,
Nev.; Wilbert “Bunny” Miller of Wilmington, Del.; and Richard L. Turner of
Salisbury, Md. The class was joined by friends and family members in a
brief respite from the weather and flurry of homecoming activities.
The class of 1974 celebrated its 35th reunion at the DSUAA homecoming
party held at the Sheraton Dover Inn. Over 150 alumni and friends
danced to a superb mix of music provided by DJ Bee Real. They also
enjoyed a scrumptious buffet. A good time was had by all, especially:
Albert S. Weal, Jr.; Grace Reaves Garrett, Bernice Stewart, Walter Macklin,
Leon Boone, Bernita Green, Otis Hightower, Martha M. Hopkins, Harold
Wright, and Carl Williams…who were among the anniversary class.
SAVE THE DATE
Saturday, February 13—Annual Alumni Day Basketball Game
DSU v Bethune-Cookman
2 pm—Women, 4 pm—Men
Alumni presenting valid 2009-10 DSUAA membership card at ticket
window will receive 50% off the $10 general admission.
H O M E C O M I N G
Hornet Legends tailgate, the Hornets’ victorious 35–22 football game, the Musiq Soulchild
concert, as well as other social gatherings.
Everyone entering the main gate was greeted with the theme “Capturing the Moments—
Celebrating our Milestones.” Students helped illustrate the theme by dressing in costume while
standing on top of 3-foot-square boxes depicting various University academic, athletic and Greek
milestones. Those milestones included the Hornet name, which derived from the name of a bus
that carried the teams in the 1940s and the first baseball and football teams, which were
organized in 1905, along with several other DSU milestones.
Unfavorable weather conditions did not deter alumni, family and friends of Delaware State
University from enjoying Homecoming 2009.
2010 REUNIONS…
Right photo: Former and present DSU royalty:
2008–09 Mr. DSU Deon R. Williams, 2009–10 Mr.
and Miss DSU Chester N. Boyd and Divina Hall, and
2008–09 Miss DSU Brittany D. Pace.
The class of 1960 celebrates its golden anniversary reunion this year.
Class members may look for invitations to participate in activities this
spring during commencement weekend. Watch your mail for details
and deadlines. If you need to update your mailing address, please call
the Alumni Office at 302.857.6050 or email tmurphy@desu.edu.
FIVES AND ZEROES
ATTENTION, DSUAA
MEMBERS!
DSU Alumni Association Annual Alumni Meeting and Election of Officers
Saturday, May 22 at DSU main campus
Left photo: Little Mr. DSU Andre Moore and
Little Miss DSU Madison Merchant.
All classes graduated in years ending in Zero or five celebrate milestone
reunions in 2010. Any former class presidents, class leaders or class
members interested in initiating reunion plans for Homecoming
Weekend, October 15-16, please contact the Alumni Affairs Office:
alumni@desu.edu
Nomination forms will be mailed to all eligible, paid members.
Only eligible, paid members may participate in elections.
31

the echo
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Now, you have the opportunity to give to this life-changing institution
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