Kimberly Gladney'98 - Delaware State University

Alumni highlightsIt was a beautiful fallSaturday for DelawareState University'sdowntown DoverHomecoming paradeand football victory overNorth Carolina A&T atAlumni Stadium.Left: Grand MarshalMable Morrisonparticipates in the cointoss before the game.Savethe dateAn Alumni Band joined forces with theApproaching Storm Marching Band toperform during Homecoming.HOMECOMING2013President Harry L. Williams and his son, Austin, walk along theHomecoming Parade route in downtown Dover.Ukee Washington, above, news anchorof CBS3/CW PHILLY (KYW-TV) and sonof longtime Department of Agricultureand Natural Resources chair Dr. UlyssesS. Washington, helped to lead thecombined show.Homecoming Week kicked off with the coronation of Eric Brown Jr.,right, and Jamesa McDonald as the 2012-13 Mr. and Miss DSU. Thetheme for this year's Coronation Ceremony was “Harlem Nights.”•••10.12.1314 The Echo www.desu.edu Fall/Winter 2012 Fall/Winter 2012 www.desu.edu The Echo 15

“I was fortunate to have some outstanding professors at DSU. Theirinstruction helped me understand better how to stand and deliver.DSU also gave me more depth in the area of multicultural education.A 23-year teacher from Leamersville, Pa.,Sell began his education career at CaesarRodney High School in Camden, Del.,where he taught for 11 years. He has beenat Sussex Tech since 2001. In between, Sellearned a master’s degree in Curriculum andInstruction from DSU, which he said hashelped him become a seasoned educator.“I was fortunate to have someoutstanding professors at DSU,” Sell said.“Their instruction helped me understandbetter how to stand and deliver. DSUalso gave me more depth in the area ofmulticultural education.”He noted that continuing his educationsets a good example for his students.“If you are going to preach the value ofeducation, you have to practice what youpreach,” Sell said. He added that he is nowworking on a doctorate degree through anaccredited online program.‘I just enjoy being a teacher’Sell has two core priorities as an educator— to be engaging and to be accessible 24/7.He said to be engaging is to be himself infront of his students.“You have to be authentic; it has to comefor a real place,” Sell said. “Students aresavvy, and if you not being authentic, theywill see right through that.”Sell combines a commanding voice,technology and relevant subject materialthat relates to current affairs such asHurricane Sandy, the mass media and thepresidential race to help keep his studentsengaged.He also uses a smart phone to stayconnected to his students.“It is not unusual for me to be walkingthrough a Target store and a student willtext or email about an assignment,” he said.With two decades-plus as an educator,Sell said he often gets to see the fruits of histeaching when he finds out how his formerstudents have progressed in life.“Amber Augustus, who was a studentof mine at Caesar Rodney, was the Teacherof the Year for the Smyrna School Districtlast year,” Sell said. “When I was selectedby Sussex Tech, I called her up to find outhow the state Teacher of the Year process18 The Echo www.desu.edu Fall/Winter 2012worked.”Dr. John L. Demby, Sussex Techprincipal (who also earned a master’s degreein Special Education from DSU), saidadministrators and peers at the school werenot surprised by Sell’s state recognition.“We felt he was doing 21st centuryteaching in the classroom and had a goodchance to win at the state level,” the principalsaid. “He has an innovative personality. Hewas the first teacher to implement onlineassessments, through which he uses studentperformance to dictate how he will approachthe next lesson.”Demby noted the school was ranked“John Sell ’01“We felt he was doing 21st century teaching in theclassroom and had a good chance to win at thestate level,” said Dr. John L. Demby, principal ofSussex Technical High School in Georgetown, Del.,left, of John Sell. Demby is also a DSU alumnus.Left: Students in Sell’s 10th and 11th grade Englishclasses use iPads and laptops in the classroom, aswell as other technology.4th in the state on SAT exams and thatSell’s students performed well on the test.The principal said that Sell was movedfrom teaching 11th and 12th graders to10th and 11th grade to optimize studentpreparations.“We put our best foot forward withJohn Sell,” Demby said. “The state’sComprehensive Assessment System nowtests the kids with computers, and in John’sclass, his students are going through gamelikeconditions daily through his use oftechnology.”Teaching excellence has become astandard in Sell’s family. His wife MichelleSell — who also earned a master’s degreefrom DSU in Curriculum and Instruction —was the 2008-2009 Teacher of the Year fromPostlethwaite Middle School in the CaesarRodney School District.Sell’s connection to DSU is not only as analumnus. He also teaches Composition I &II for DSU at its Sussex County location inGeorgetown.“I just enjoy being a teacher,” Sell said.Chapter notesGreater Hampton Roads Alumni ChapterCHAPTER MEETINGSThe Greater Hampton Roads Chapter meets every other second Saturday at1 p.m. at Dudley’s Driving Center, 2845 N. Armistead Ave. in Hampton, Va.Conference call meetings are held every other second Tuesday at 8 p.m. (Freecall-in number: 559.546.1000. Participant access code: 251316#). Questions?Contact Chapter President Al Weal Jr. at mastercook3@cox.net.Kent County Alumni ChapterCHAPTER MEETINGSThe Kent County Chapter meets the fourth Monday of the month at 7 p.m.on the DSU campus in Room 104 in the Agriculture Annex Building.Questions? Contact Chapter President Philip Sadler at philsad@comcast.net.Philadelphia Alumni ChapterUPCOMING ACTIVITIES• “Old School” HBCU CabaretThe Philadelphia Alumni Chapter will join Cheyney, Jackson State and Shawuniversities in hosting an “Old School” HBCU Cabaret on Saturday, February16, 2013, from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. at St. Raymond’s Hall, 1350 E. Vernon Roadin Philadelphia. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. The priceincludes ice, cups, door prizes, DJ and dancing; parking is free. For tickets,call Chapter President Anthony Lawson at 609.970.8197.New Castle County Alumni ChapterHIGHLIGHTS• 31st Annual Scholarship LuncheonThe New Castle County Alumni Chapter celebrated its 31st Annual ScholarshipLuncheon on Aug. 19 with its largest audience ever — 205 people — atCavaliers Country Club in Newark, Del. The chapter recognized and honoredfive community residents who continue to give their services to DelawareState University, the community and the state. Following remarks byPresident Harry L. Williams, the keynote address was delivered by Dr. DevonaWilliams, CEO of Goins-Williams Associates and a member of the University’sBoard of Trustees. Williams summarized her visionary talk with five focuspoints: Be creative, adapt your vision, be civic minded, be persistent andrecognize that greatness requires the management of failure.The five persons honored were: The Rev. Albert Clinton Gaither Jr., H. RayeJones Avery, Wilbert “Bunny” Miller, Dr. Mable Renee Morrison and J. GregoryScudder.Net proceeds from the event afforded the chapter another opportunity toaward six scholarships to students attending DSU in the fall.CHAPTER MEETINGSThe New Castle County Chapter meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at6 p.m. at the DSU Wilmington Campus, located at 621 Market St. Questions?Contact Chapter President Ned W. Brown Jr. at ned_brown01@comcast.net.•••CHAPTER MEETINGSPhiladelphia Chapter meetingsare usually held the firstSaturday of the month at10 a.m. at Bromley HouseApartments, 6901 Old YorkRoad, “B” Building Library.Meetings may be rescheduleddue to major events.Questions? Contact ChapterPresident Anthony Lawson atsouthphile6345@aol.com.Sussex County Alumni ChapterHIGHLIGHTS• Third Annual Holiday Dinner DanceThe Sussex County Alumni Chapter hosted its third annual Holiday DinnerDance on Saturday, December 15, at 5 p.m. at Jimmy’s Grille and ConferenceCenter in Bridgeville, Del.• In December the chapter made a donation of toys and clothing for childrenof Millsboro Housing for Progress.CHAPTER MEETINGSThe Sussex County Chapter meets the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.at the Old Landing 11 Community Center, 400 Wilson St. in Millsboro, Del.Questions? Contact Chapter President Robert Draine at 302.947.4580 ordraine11@verizon.net.All regular meetings of DSUAA chapters are subject to change. Please contact the chapter president or the Office of Alumni Relations before attending a meeting for the first time.Fall/Winter 2012www.desu.eduPhotos courtesy of Herb GreeneTop: Honorees at the NewCastle County Alumni Chapter31st Annual ScholarshipLuncheon included, from left,Wilbert “Bunny” Miller, the Rev.Albert Clinton Gaither Jr. andJ. Gregory Scudder, shownwith DSU Alumni AssociationPresident Dr. K. Bernard Chase.Left: Honoree Dr. MableMorrison, left, and ChapterPresident Ned W. Brown Jr.The Echo19

Real-life Musicof the HeartAlumna Kimberly Gladney '98 findsher niche teaching young stringmusicians who share her passion• Story and photosby Carlos HolmesAlumna Kimberly Gladney '98 beganher career teaching music in middleand high schools in Dover's CapitalSchool District. Led by a desire toteach youths who have a passion formusic rather than those who haveto do so as a school requirement,she is now instructing a generationof string musicians at the localKirkwood Community Center.It was a musical act unlike any thathad been previously heard in the 22-year history of the African-AmericanFestival in Dover.In a fresh departure from the standardlive gospel/R&B/Jazz/Africana musictypically performed during the annualsummer event, an ensemble of eight stringmusicians lifted a refreshing classicalfusion of violins, violas and cellos over theoutdoor crowd.The group was led by their director,teacher and DSU alumna Kimberly B.Gladney ’98.In her own true-life version of the1999 Meryl Streep movie Music of theHeart, Gladney is raising a Dover-growngeneration of string musicians at the localKirkwood Community Center.After years of teaching music in thepublic school system, Gladney has nowfreed herself to focus on her priorities — tobe a mother to her 12-year-old son Eldréand to develop young string musicians whoare passionate about their instruments.Her son has sickle cell disease. For thatreason, she stays close to him, especiallynow that she is no longer teaching. AndEldré has also developed as large a passionfor music as his mother.Throughout her life, Gladney’s principalinstruments have been piano, violin andclarinet. But she has also gained experienceand performed on viola, cello, bass, altosax, oboe, drums and trumpet.Her son has also become a multiinstrumentalist.He plays violin, viola,cello, guitar, bass, piano, drums, trumpetand ukulele.While DSU can take a healthy amount ofthe music credit for Gladney’s development,the beginning of her musical roots tookplace in “Motown” — Detroit, Mich.Musical beginningsYoung Kimberly immersed herself inmusic activities as a child. By the time shewas a senior band captain and clarinetleader for her Henry Ford High SchoolBand, she had drawn the attention ofRandolph Johnson, current DSU director ofbands, who was recruiting in Detroit whileDSU played in the Detroit Classic in 1992.“She was a little bitty young lady, andtalent was just busting out of her,” Johnsonsaid.In coming to Delaware, Gladney notonly gained a university home.“(Mr. Johnson) was like a father to me;he always had my back,” she said, notingthat he filled an important emotional void.Up to that time, her real father, Cecil Pruitt,had not been a constant presence in her life.Gladney attended DSU at a musicallybountiful time, as there were other giftedstudent-musicians who had come overfrom Detroit as well. It was also at thetime that several DSU students — Carlton“Butch” Cannon, Nelson Render andTrendle Thomas — were playing with localmusician Al Holmes as Three Guys SoFar, a prominent jazz band that performedthroughout Delaware in the mid-1990s.“We had a very talented group at thetime; we all just loved music,” Gladneysaid. “The band room was like our otherFall/Winter 2012www.desu.eduThe Echo21

At left, Kimberly Gladney leads her group of string musicians during a performance at the African-AmericanFestival in Dover. Below, Gladney and her son Eldré take a break from string instruments during the festival.GiveHappyanniversarydormitory, where we practiced and learnedfrom each other.”She noted that Johnson was a “strongdisciplinarian,” and she said that helped herand others learn the proper band etiquettethat would benefit them later as musicteachers and performers. She also creditedDr. Yvonne Johnson, currently an associateprofessor of music, for developing her as ateacher.“She worked her way up to being a bandcaptain, in which she had the responsibilityof rehearsing the band and being theirspokesperson,” Johnson said. “She alsowrote and arranged music for the band.”Teaching careerGladney was way ahead of the DSUvision statement created in 2010: Whilestudent teaching in the fall of 1997, shebecame a “first choice” of Dover’s CapitalSchool District. With the sudden departureof a music teacher at William Henry MiddleSchool, the district hired Gladney inJanuary 1998 — several months before shegraduated.“It was perfect timing, because mymother (Bernice Gladney) had just beenplaced in a Detroit shelter, and I almost quitschool because of it,” Gladney said. “Mymother told me that she was alright and thatI needed to finish school.”She recalled that during her seniorrecital, because her mother could not travelfrom Detroit, she put a photo of her on thestand that held her music.Above and at right, Kimberly B. Gladney ’98 teaches a group of youngstring musicians at the Kirkwood Community Center in Dover. “I’m not a virtuoso violinist,but God gives me enough to help bring the talent out of these kids,” Gladney said.“It was like she was there,” she said.The new job enabled her to move hermother from Detroit to Dover. Gladneywould go on to work in the Capital SchoolDistrict for 14 years. Her teaching of generalmusic that began at William Henry MiddleSchool would also expand to Central DoverMiddle School and Dover High School.During those Capital School District years,her son Eldré was born and her mother caredfor him while Gladney worked.In 2010, her mother passed away, andGladney had to find someone to care forher son, who continued to have medicalchallenges from his sickle cell disease.At the same time, she began to have lessand less of a passion for teaching generalmusic in the district. She wanted to teachyouths who have a passion for music ratherthan those who have to do so as a schoolrequirement. She would hold special afterschoolsessions with students who had asincere love for music.Concerns for her son and her growingunfulfillment as a public school musicteacher led her to leave the district in 2012.“It was time to do what I was createdto do and to have the freedom to do it,”Gladney said. “And my son comes first, andhe has been healthier since I left the district,with less episodes and hospitalizations.”And so Gladney began teaching stringsat the Kirkwood Community Center inDover. Under her tutelage, her studentsbenefit from what she calls her “produceranointing” and special attention.“I’m not a virtuoso violinist, but Godgives me enough to help bring the talent outof these kids,” Gladney said.In addition to teaching, Gladney is alsoa thespian who recently had a role in themovie “God’s Amazing Grace” which wasshot in the Dover area by Calvary Pictures.She is also an author who has writtenthe book God’s Will vs. Our Will, which isavailable at Amazon.com, and has her ownministry video blog — womanofvirtue75 —on YouTube.“Many have potential, but many do notexperience the realization of their potential,”Johnson said. “(Ms. Gladney) has exceededall of my expectations of her.”3s and 8s!•••If you graduated in a year endingin a 3 or an 8, you will celebratea milestone class anniversaryin 2013! To commemorate theoccasion, you will be invited toparticipate in the 2013 classanniversary gift drive.Please consider making amonetary contribution in honor ofyour class in the amount of $5,$10 or more for each year you arecelebrating. (Example: Class of1988 — 25 years X $10 = $250).Your contribution will help providescholarships for DSU studentswho critically need financialsupport. Every gift given throughthe Delaware State UniversityFoundation counts andwill make a difference in the lifeof a student.Watch your mail and email formore details, coming soon!22 The Echo www.desu.edu Fall/Winter 2012

Alumni highlightsTHE FACESIN THE VIEWBOOKParticipating in interviews about howDSU shaped their lives and careers,several alumni shared their storieswith the students of tomorrow.Here, meet the six alums who prospective students are gettingto know in this year's Undergraduate Viewbook."Having graduates talk to students is the most believable way topromote DSU. The success of our graduates is the best informationour prospective students can receive — they will know that DSUcan help them become successful," according to Stacey BaronColton, director of Integrated Marketing.Online, read more of the interviews about the featured alums'academic journeys and memories of Delaware State by visitingdesu.edu/qr/testimonial.24 The Echo www.desu.edu Fall/Winter 2012

Class of 1967 hosts 45th reunion at HomecomingGiving to DSU21Members of the Class of 1967 returned to campusduring Homecoming Weekend to celebrate their45th reunion.Memories of the day"We won our 45th year Homecoming game. Sittingtogether and cheering for our team and the year1967 when it was announced caused each of usto have reasons to shout. We are so proud to saywe graduated from DSC (now DSU)."Mary M. Jackson Dungee"(I) had a wonderful time reminiscing withclassmates, enjoyed the game and the bandespecially as a former band member — justan overall great Homecoming. Del State is anexcellent University that anyone would be proudto attend.Pat LawsonFan Tent at DSU vs. UD game1. President Harry L. Williams,right, joins University of DelawarePresident Pat Harker, left, andGov. Jack Markell at DSU's FanTent. The event prior to the start ofSeptember's game was producedby the Division of InstitutionalAdvancement.2. DSU Alumni Association RecordingSecretary Theodora "Teddi" White'98 and Vice President Sheila M.Davis '01 also visited the Fan Tent.341 231. Clarence Bagwellshows his photo in the1967 Statesman yearbook.2. Holding a 1967yearbook are, from left,Iris T. Smith, Clara W.Graham, Mary J. Dungee,Phyllis E. Evans andConnie M. Young.3. Standing, from left,are Pat Lawson, NormanMoore, Marguerite QuinnMoore, Mary JacksonDungee, Iris Taylor Smith,Phyllis Irvin, ConstanceMoody Young and MarciaBraxton Wilds. Seated,from left, are CarolynFaison Wheeling, ClaraWhitfield Graham, Mrs.Bagwell, ClarenceBagwell andTheodore Laws.4. Classmates watch theHornets' win over NorthCarolina A&T.3. DSU employee W. EarlWilson, his wife, Martha SimsWilson '95, and their son Billyjoined fellow Hornet fans.President Harry L. Williams honors the ladies of Delta Sigma Theta during halftime of the Homecoming game in October. The sorority won the University’s first-everDivine 9 Challenge and raised $1,505 to go toward scholarships for DSU students.Fraternities, sororities raise$3,580 in online challengeDelta Sigma Theta came out on top as thewinner in DSU’s first-ever Divine 9 Challenge, whichengaged fraternities and sororities in a friendlycompetition to raise scholarship dollars for students.The ladies of Delta Sigma Theta received themost votes in the online-based challenge andraised the highest dollar amount — $1,505.The online voting and giving took place fromOct. 12-18.The overall challenge — produced by theDivision of Institutional Advancement's Officeof Development — raised a total of $3,580 andattracted 42 first-time donors to the University.Alpha Kappa Alpha came in second placeDelta Sigma Theta winsfirst-ever Divine 9 eventfor student scholarshipsand Kappa Alpha Psi came in third in the Divine 9Challenge.In addition to being recognized by PresidentHarry L. Williams at the Homecoming football gamein October, Delta Sigma Theta also received specialrecognition during the President’s Scholarship Ballin December.Alumnus' connection results in trust fund donation for scholarshipsDwight C. WilliamsThe Robert K. Watts Trust of the state of New York hasmade a $10,000 donation to go toward the Alumni LegacyEndowed Scholarship and has also donated an additional$5,000 in support of the DSU Alumni Association’s LegacyScholarship Golf Outing.Watts, a longtime New York state administrator andcommunity leader who passed away in late 2012, was notpersonally connected to DSU, but his long friendship withalumnus Dwight C. Williams ’70 led to the donations.Prior to his death, Watts asked Williams to become thetrustee of his trust fund. After his death, Williams found outthat Watts had also selected him to be the executor of hisestate.“In his will, he directed that once his assets are definedand his liabilities are met, then the balance would go tonon-sectarian, not-for-profit organizations,” Williams said.He added that because he was the executor, “I knewthat DSU was going to have to be part of my list.”Williams has had a fruitful career in social servicesin the state of New York and was working with thatstate’s Health Planning Commission when he met Watts.It developed into a friendship that would last the rest ofWatts’ life.Watts held a number of state positions in New Yorkstate, culminating as the chief health planner for the NewYork State Department of Health. He was also the presidentof the Schenectady Carver Community Health Center Boardof Directors and a 25-year officer in the Army Reserves,from which he retired as a lieutenant colonel.Williams is currently a clinical associate professor anddirector of the Undergraduate Public Health Major Programin the School of Public Health at the University of Albany(SUNY).He said his love for his alma mater and the appreciationhe has for how it prepared him for success led him toinclude DSU in Watts’ trust fund donations.28 The Echo www.desu.edu Fall/Winter 2012Fall/Winter 2012www.desu.eduThe Echo29

Giving to DSUDAUGHTER’S $10,000 GIFT FORMS MARION E. GIBBSENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP IN ALUMNA’S HONORCharisse L. Rodgers, left, recently presented President Harry L. Williams,right, with a check for $10,000 to establish the Marion E. Gibbs EndowedScholarship fund in honor of her mother Marion’s dedication, commitmentand love for DSU. Gibbs, a Class of 1961 alumna, has always encouragedacademic excellence.The Marion E. Gibbs Endowed Scholarship in the Delaware State UniversityFoundation will help eligible DSU students pay for tuition, textbooks andmiscellaneous fees.DELMARVA POWER MAKES $15,000 SCHOLARSHIP BALL GIFTPresident’s Prayer Breakfastbrings community togetherto kick off academic yearMore than 10 churches were represented at the second annualPresident’s Prayer Breakfast, themed “Faith, Family, Friends: Bridgingour Communities,” a sold-out event in September that drew almost 400attendees in an inspiring start of the 2012-13 academic year. The annualevent is produced by the Division of InstitutionalAdvancement's Office of Development.The Rev. Rita Mishoe Paige, daughter of formerDSU president the late Dr. Luna I. Mishoe, pastor ofStar Hill AME Church in Star Hill, Del., and chaplainof the DSU Department of Public Safety, was theevent’s guest speaker. Paige shared personalachievements of numerous prominent DSU alumniRev. RitaMishoe Paigeand also enlightened guests with a heartwarmingaccount of her early years growing up on the then-Delaware State College campus.Recording artist Tammy Trout, music directorof The Pentecostals of Dover, performed with the DSU Faculty/Staff andStudent Gospel choirs and also offered a solo rendition.At this ecumenical event, a series of prayers were rendered: a prayerfor DSU by Dr. Alton Thompson, provost and vice president for AcademicAffairs; a prayer for friendship by the Rev. Lonnie Rector, pastor of PilgrimBaptist Church in Wilmington, Del.; a prayer for faith by Herb Konowitz,president of Congregation Beth Shalom in Dover; a prayer for families bythe Rev. Dr. Natalie Alford, pastor of Trinity AME Church in Middletown,Del.; and a prayer for community by the Rev. Roland Koons, pastor ofCalvary Assembly of God in Dover. Other pastors in the program includedthe Rev. Ennio Zaragoza, pastor of Maranatha Christian Church, and theRev. Ellis Louden, pastor of Mount Zion AME Church in Dover.Shelbe Hudson, president of the Student Government Association,recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and senior Ashton Haynes broughtstudent reflections. U.S. Sen. Tom Carper amused the audience with arousing anecdote, and U.S. Sen. Chris Coons provided stirring remarks, aclosing prayer and benediction.OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENT LAUNCHESHERITAGE NEWSLETTER, PLANNED GIVING WEBSITEFrom left, Explorer’s Club co-director Dr. Ana-Rita Mayol stands with senior counselors Ashli Henderson and Cynthia Mattison, junior counselors Karisma Hooker,Aaron Villette and Charles Mungai, faculty advisor Dr. Eric Cheek and co-director Dr. Nirmaljit Rathee.Explorer’s Club helpsyouths improve mathand science skillsGrant from American Honda Foundation fundsprogram at on-campus Boys & Girls Club siteDelaware State University has received a $75,000 grant from theAmerican Honda Foundation to create the Explorer’s Club programfor the 2012-2013 academic year.The Explorer’s Club involves two organizations — DSU andthe Boys & Girls Club — combining resources to provide an afterschool and summer learning experience for kindergarten throughseventh grade students attending elementary and middle schoolsin the Capital School District in Kent County, Del. Through apartnership, the Boys & Girls Club maintains a site based on theDSU main campus.The Explorer’s Club is a project-based, STEM (science,technology, engineering, and math)-directed and evidence-basedprogram specifically designed to increase math and science skills.The target population is youths ages 6-12 who are enrolled inthe Boys & Girls Club satellite site at DSU and have scored belowstandard in mathematics and science in the DSTP test. The programaims to achieve academic improvement, school connectedness andassist students to become productive adults.The project-based learning curriculum, created by DSUprofessors, promotes hands-on, relevant activities and experiences.In addition, it emphasizes higher order thinking skills, whichdeepens students’ understanding of the lessons.The program takes place after school twice weekly for twosemesters. In addition, summer activities will be held twice weeklyfor six weeks.The program is administered by Dr. Ana-Rita Mayol, directorof Special Programs, College of Mathematics, Natural Sciences andTechnology, and Dr. Nirmaljit Rathee, assistant professor, College ofEducation, Health and Public Policy.Youths learn using robotics during an on-campus summer program.PARTICIPANTS PREPARE FOR TOURNAMENT AT DSUThe first activity for the Explorer’s Club involves using robotics toassist students in building mathematics, science and technology skills.Meeting twice weekly after school, Explorer’s Club participants honetheir skills leading up to the First State FIRST LEGO League, which willhave six official qualifying tournaments feeding into the Champion’sTournament and four Junior FIRST LEGO League Expos for youngerstudents. One of the qualifying tournaments will be held at DSU.The theme for the 2013 game for the FIRST LEGO League is calledSenior Solutions. Using robotics, students will explore the topic of agingand how it may affect a person’s ability to maintain his or her lifestyle— solving issues like getting around, keeping in touch or staying fit.Teams will research obstacles and then suggest ways to improve thequality of life for the seniors affected. Teams will also build, test andprogram an autonomous robot using a LEGO MINDSTORMS® robot tosolve a set of missions on an obstacle course.The Explorer’s Club has four junior level FIRST LEGO League teams,which are named by the Explorer’s Club team members — MightyEagles, Crown Kids, Green Team and Team Titans. The senior levelFIRST LEGO League team members named their two teams 1.7 Hottiesand Amazing Scientist Swag Team.The qualifying tournament, which will be held at DSU, is scheduledfor January 19, 2013, in the Martin Luther King Jr. Student Center.In a demonstration of its continued financial support to Delaware StateUniversity, Delmarva Power through the Delmarva Scholarship Golf Classicpresented the University with a gift of $15,000 toward the DecemberBeginning with the first edition in fall 2012, the Office of DevelopmentPresident’s Scholarship Ball.now offers a quarterly newsletter, Heritage, to inform and inspireThe presentation was made to President Harry L. Williams by John J. Allen, recipients as they explore gift planning concepts.right, vice president of the Delmarva Power Bay Region.A new Planned Giving website — desu.edu/development/plannedgivingDelmarva Power has been a strong supporter of DSU since 1986; during— illustrates the many ways of making a planned gift. It alsothat period the electric provider has donated just over $415,000 that has gone offers the Planned Giving Calculator, which allowstoward financial support for the School of Management (now the College of visitors to estimate the income/taxBusiness), the Wellness & Recreation Center and scholarships.value of various potential gifts to DSU.Inclusive in that total donation figure is the electric provider’s 2002The Heritage newsletter is availableestablishment of the Delmarva Scholarship Classic Foundation which created online at the Planned Giving site. Tothe Delmarva Power Endowed Scholarship; the current market value of that receive a printed copy, please contactendowment fund is just over $257,000.Bryant T. Bell, director of Development,30 The Echo www.desu.edu Fall/Winter 2012at btbell@desu.edu or 302.857.7771.Fall/Winter 2012 www.desu.edu The Echo 31

Hornet AthleticsAthletics DirectorCandy Young•••DSU’s first female AD aims to grow a‘competitive, intellectual environment’Candy E. Young was appointed as Delaware State University’snew athletics director in August.The University’s first female athletics director, Young assumedthe post after serving the previous seven months as interimsenior associate athletics director. In addition, she was senior womanadministrator for athletics since September 2007.Young first came to DSU in 2006 as the head women’s track andcross country coach, a post she served in until 2010. She was the actingathletics director for the University from March to May 2009.Prior to her arrival at Delaware State, Young was an assistant men’sand women’s track coach at California State University, the University ofPittsburgh, The Ohio State University and Seton Hall University from 1992to 2006. During her 1989-92 stint with Seton Hall, the women’s trackteam was the Big East Champions in 1992-93. She also served as thehead coach of the USA World University team in 1997.As a high school track star in 1979, Young set a world record in theindoor 55-meter hurdles. That year, she also broke the Junior Worldrecord for the 100-meter hurdles. She still holds the American record of12.94 seconds in the 100-meter hurdles and is the only high schoolerto run under 13 seconds in the event. In 1980, she earned a spot on theU.S. Olympic 100-meter hurdle team, only to be robbed of the chance tocompete by the U.S. boycott of the Olympics that year in protest of theRussian invasion of Afghanistan. She would go on to compete for FairleighDickinson University in Teaneck, N.J., where she was an eight-time All-American and a world-record holder in the indoors 55-meter hurdles.How did you feel being named the first female athleticsdirector at Delaware State University?This was among my lifetime highlights. This opportunity matchedthe race of my life, breaking a world record in Madison Square Gardenwith 20,000 people watching! I felt like I was walking on air. This positionmirrors that event. This administrative role has carved a path in historythat has life-changing implications for many young women.What have been your top priorities as AD?Creating a positive work environment was my top priority. My secondpriority was showing support to all of the administrative, coachingand student athletic areas by creating a team of unity. My mother is agardener, and I learn that pruning, clearing weeds and nurturing helps thegarden grow. My priority is to grow the athletic garden of this institutionunder the guidance of our president, Dr. Harry L. Williams.q&aWhat role will athletics play as DSU grows in staturein the state and region?The athletics department serves many roles in the advancementof this institution and state. The current graduation rate in athleticscontinues to grow, which increases the opportunities for DSU graduatesto be productive beyond the state and region. The athletics departmentis involved in many community service programs. Our students,coaches and administrators serve as ambassadors for Delaware StateUniversity throughout our travels. We also remind people to slow down,watch us compete and enjoy the entertainment side of life! We createan appropriate release for our student population.Funding for collegiate athletics can be difficultduring this economic climate; how will you continuethose efforts?The University team is working with athletics to help targetrevenue-generating resources to help maintain and sustain athletics.Athletics will remain a strong force in the Mid-Eastern AthleticConference (MEAC) and beyond. We will continue ongoing financialefforts to promote student success. The University as a wholerecognizes the economic climate; our board, president, administrativecouncil and faculty are strategically planning to financially growinstitutional support.What role can DSU alumni and supporters play to helpsupport the athletics program?We look forward to engaging the alumni, boosters, familyand friends in helping DSU reach MEAC and other conferencechampionships and beyond. We need their resources to continue toadvance the tradition of this institution.What’s your advice to middle and high schoolstudents (and their parents) when considering afuture in collegiate athletics?A future in athletics can be a life changer. I have traveled all overthe world and made a career out of my passion. Athletics was thecenter of these opportunities. Athletics provided academics, diversity,enrichment, discipline and character.What gives you the most hope, and most concern,about the future of DSU athletics?My hope is that our students will be productive in this economicclimate. DSU athletics will continue to create a competitive,intellectual environment.SEASON IN REVIEWFootball’s Elko is MEACOffensive Player of the YearSenior quarterback Nick Elko has been selected as the 2012 Mid-EasternAthletic Conference (MEAC) Offensive Player of the Year in voting by league headcoaches and sports information directors.Elko is joined on the All-MEACFirst Team by teammates TravisTarpley and Justin Wilson, seniorwide receivers; Nail Muradymov,a senior offensive lineman; ErnestAdjei, a junior linebacker; and DavonMoore, a sophomore defensiveback. Moore — with a 3.84 gradepoint average in physical education— was also selected to the 2012College Sports Information DirectorsAssociation Capital One District IIFootball All-Academic First Team inNick ElkoDelaware State was 6-5 overall andtied for third in the MEAC with a 5-3mark in 2012. It was the Hornets’first winning season since 2007.voting by CoSIDA members.Brandon Cunningham, a junioroffensive lineman; Rodney Gunter,a sophomore defensive lineman;and Terrick Colston, a freshmandefensive back, were named tothe 2012 All-MEAC Second Team.Colston was also a candidate for the2012 Jerry Rice Award, honoring thetop Football Championship Subdivision freshman.Elko led the MEAC in passing average (257.1 yards per game) and totaloffense (250.3 yards per game), and was third in passing efficiency (130.1 rating)this season. In 2012 he completed a DSU single-season record 259 passeson 412 attempts (62.5 percent) for 2,828 yards (also a school record) and 15touchdowns. Elko finished his Hornet career ranked second in team history inpassing yards (5,754) and completions (539), and third in touchdown passes (37).Tarpley was first in the MEAC in receptions (7.8 per game) and receiving yards(96.2 per game), and tied for first in touchdown catches (7) this season. He set newHornet records with 86 receptions for 1,058 yards this year.Wilson was third in the league in receptions (6.0 per game) and receivingyards (73.3 per game) this season, in which he tallied 66 catches for 806 yardsand six touchdowns.Muradymov was a key member of the DSU offensive line that paved the wayfor 356.0 total yards per game, fourth best in the MEAC in 2012 and more than107 yards better than the Hornets’ 2011 output.Moore was third in the MEAC in tackles (8.8 per game; 97 total) and tied forthird with four interceptions this season. His 175 interception return yards weretops in the MEAC and second among all FCS players in 2012.Adjei was tied for sixth in the league in tackles (8.5 per game), collecting atotal of 93 for the season.Colston was second on the team and fifth in the league in tackles (8.6 pergame; 95 total) this season. Gunter was tied for seventh in the MEAC in sacks(0.5 per game; 5.5 total); he was also tops among DSU defensive linemen with 49tackles (27 solo). Cunningham was a second-year starter along the Hornets’ muchimproved offensive line this season.Junior punter Marco Kano — with a 3.98 cumulative GPA in physics — joinedMoore on the CoSIDA Capital One District II Football All-Academic First Team. Kanois fourth in the MEAC with a 39.4 yard average on 41 kicks this season. He alsoshares the MEAC high with a 62-yard punt this year.Fall/Winter 2012www.desu.eduThe Echo33

HORNETBASKETBALLExperience the prideJanuary, February and March schedule of games:MEN’S GAMESWed., Jan. 2 Marshall Huntington, W.Va. 7 p.m.Sat., Jan. 5 Arkansas Fayetteville, Ark. 8 a.m.Sat., Jan. 19 UMES * Princess Anne, Md. 4 p.m.Wed., Jan. 23 HOWARD* HOME 7:30 p.m.Sat., Jan. 26 Bethune-Cookman* Daytona Beach, Fla. 4 p.m.Mon., Jan. 28 Florida A&M* Tallahassee, Fla. 7:30 p.m.Sat., Feb. 2 NO. CAROLINA CENTRAL* HOME 4 p.m.Mon., Feb. 4 NO. CAROLINA A&T* HOME 7:30 p.m.Sat., Feb. 9 Norfolk State* Norfolk, Va. 6 p.m.Mon., Feb. 11 Hampton* Hampton, Va. 8 p.m.Sat., Feb. 16 COPPIN STATE* HOME 4 p.m.Mon., Feb. 18 MORGAN STATE* HOME 7:30 p.m.Sat., Feb. 23 NORFOLK STATE* HOME 4 p.m.Mon., Feb. 25 HAMPTON* HOME 7:30 p.m.Sat., March 2 Howard* Washington, D.C. 6 p.m.Mon., March 4 Morgan State* Baltimore, Md. 7:30 p.m.Thu., March 7 South Carolina State* Orangeburg, S.C. 7:30 p.m.2013 MEACTOURNAMENTMarch 11-16in Norfolk, Va.Norfolk Scope ArenaWOMEN’S GAMESSat., Jan. 5 Houston Baptist Houston, Texas 8 p.m.Sun., Jan. 6 Houston Houston, Texas 3 p.m.Mon., Jan. 14 WESLEY HOME 5:30 p.m.Sat., Jan. 19 UMES* Princess Anne, Md. 2 p.m.Sat., Jan. 26 Bethune-Cookman* Daytona Beach, Fla. 2 p.m.Mon., Jan. 28 Florida A&M * Tallahassee, Fla. 5:30 p.m.Sat., Feb. 2 NO. CAROLINA CENTRAL* HOME 2 p.m.Mon., Feb. 4 NO. CAROLINA A&T * HOME 5:30 p.m.Sat., Feb. 9 Norfolk State* Norfolk, Va. 4 p.m.Mon., Feb. 11 Hampton* Hampton, Va. 6 p.m.Sat., Feb. 16 COPPIN STATE* HOME 2 p.m.Mon., Feb. 18 MORGAN STATE* HOME 5:30 p.m.Sat., Feb. 23 NORFOLK STATE* HOME 2 p.m.Mon., Feb. 25 HAMPTON* HOME 5:30 p.m.Sat., March 2 Howard* Washington, D.C. 2 p.m.Mon., March 4 Morgan State* Baltimore, Md. 5:30 p.m.Thu., March 7 South Carolina State* Orangeburg, S.C. 5:30 p.m.DSU Hornets Pride Centerfood, giveaways and more!Friday, March 1510 a.m. – 2 p.m.Norfolk Plaza Hotel Downtown700 Monticello Ave.Norfolk, VA 23510ANNUAL ALUMNI DAYBASKETBALL GAMESaturday, Feb. 23Discounted tickets are $8 for DSU AlumniAssociation members who show their 2012-2013 membership cards at the ticket window.www.dsuhornets.com*MEAC conference gamesFor more information about thetournament, lodging and events,visit www.meachoops.com.Sophomore GuardTahj Tate was namedto the 2012-13preseason All-MEACFirst Team.Poll predicts 2nd place MEAC finish for menDelaware State University has been pickedto finish second in the 2012-13 Mid-EasternAthletic Conference (MEAC) men’s basketballregular season race, according to a preseason pollof league head coaches and sports informationrepresentatives.The Hornets received one of 26 first placevotes and 525 total points. Savannah State isthe favorite of voters to repeat as MEAC regularseason champs. The Tigers collected 24 first placevotes and 616 points.Delaware State was third in the MEAC with a12-4 league record (15-14 overall) last season.Savannah State claimed the 2011-12 regularseason title with a 14-2 mark in the conference.Incidentally, Delaware State and SavannahState are not scheduled to meet during the 2012-13 regular season.All-MEAC selectionsGuard Tahj Tate, a sophomore, was named tothe 2012-13 preseason All-MEAC First Team. Tate,the 2011-12 Rookie of the Year and All-ConferenceSecond Team selection, was fifth in the league in11 inducted into Hall of FameDelaware State University’s Athletics Hall of Fame inducted11 former athletes into its 2012 class during an Octoberceremony. The inductees were:• Jahsha Bluntt• Dawn (Alford) Jones• Rahsaan Matthews• Maynard Jack Miles• Shawn Phillips• Fred Ruben• Howard Smack• Calvin Stephens• Robert Vanderhost• Terrelle Waller• Greg WrightBasketballVolleyballFootballBaseballBaseballBaseballBaseballFootballBasketballBasketballFootballscoring at 16.1 points per game last season. Healso was tops in the MEAC and third among allNCAA Division I freshman in scoring.Marques Oliver, a senior, and Casey Walker,a junior, were named to the preseason All-MEACSecond Team.Oliver, DSU’s modern-day blocks leader, alsoset a team record with 72 blocks last season. Inaddition to ranking third in the MEAC in blocks(2.5 per game), he was eighth in the leaguein rebounds (7.2 per game), sixth in field goalpercentage (.555) and 18th in scoring (11.4 pointsper game).Walker was 13th in the MEAC in scoring (13.3points per game) and third in three-pointers (2.6per game) last season. He had 148 three-pointersin two seasons with the Hornets. Walker had atleast one three-point field goal in 27 of DSU’s 29games last season, including a string of 21 straight.Head coach Greg Jackson is in his 13th seasonwith the Hornets. He needed 19 wins entering the2012-13 season to become the second coach inteam history with 200 wins. Jackson is 137-68 vs.MEAC opponents (.668) at DSU.SOCCER’S ADDISON NAMED TO ALL-GREATWEST CONFERENCE FIRST TEAMFor the first time in school history, a DSU women’ssoccer player has earned All-Great West Conference FirstTeam honors.Freshman forward Taylor Addison was recognizedby the league at the annual post-season banquet. Inher first season with the Hornets, Addison was tops onthe team with four goals, tying for second on the team’ssingle-season list and tied for eighth all-time at DSU.Additionally, she led the team with eight points, tying forfifth in a season with the Hornets and fifth in the GreatWest Conference this year.The soccer team was 2-3 in the Great WestConference this season (3-11-1 overall), the most leaguewins in the team’s four-year history in the league.Sophomore forward Tierra Hawkins achievedpreseason All-MEAC First Team honors.WOMEN’S FORWARD HAWKINSONE OF FIVE ON PRESEASONALL-MEAC FIRST TEAMDelaware State University forward TierraHawkins, a sophomore, is listed among the topplayers in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference(MEAC) for the 2012-13 season, named to thefive-player preseason All-MEAC First Team.The 2011-12 MEAC Rookie of theYear, Hawkins was sixth in the league inscoring (14.6 points per game) and ninth inrebounding (7.1 per game) last season.DSU is facing a challenge for the 2012-13MEAC women’s basketball regular season,according to a poll of league head coachesand sports information directors. The LadyHornets have been picked to finish 11th out of13 teams. Last year, DSU was 7-23 overall andfinished 10th in the MEAC with a 4-12 mark.The Hornets received a total of 160 pointsin the 2012-13 MEAC preseason poll. HowardUniversity was predicted to win the regularseason with 637 total points and collected 15of the 26 first place votes.Tamika Louis was hired as head coach ofthe Lady Hornets last summer.Fall/Winter 2012www.desu.eduFreshman forwardTaylor AddisonThe Echo35

History of DSUDr. Oscar J. Chapman, 5 th president:In short tenure, a push for progressFor Dr. Oscar J. Chapman to assumethe presidency of then-DelawareState College in April 1950, one canconclude that he was supremelyconfident in his leadership abilities.He had to be. Chapman knew he wasinheriting an institution that was in themidst of the darkest period in its then-59-year history.The previous president, Dr. HowardGregg, had been ousted amid allegations ofmismanagement and student unrest.After reaching an all-time enrollment highin the 1940s, by the fall of 1950 the collegestudent population had decreased to 213.Forces were in motion calling for thecollege to close.The driving force behind this reversal inthe institution’s previous modest fortuneswas the loss of its accreditation in 1949.Immediately after the departure ofGregg, the Middle States Association ofColleges and Secondary Schools — whichhad awarded Delaware State its firstaccreditation in 1944 — re-inspected theCollege in the fall of 1949. Its evaluationrevealed that DSC fell short of collegestandards in many areas — a disregardfor its probationary policy, the graduationof students with GPAs below passing,substandard student services, inadequatelylow teachers’ salaries and an admissionsstandard that required only a high schooldiploma, regardless of the quality of grades.In a clear indictment on Gregg’sadministration, the report noted thatthe College’s weakness stemmed from“a lack of competence and acceptanceof responsibility by those charged withmaintaining the College.”However, the report also notedthe challenges that Gregg faced byacknowledging the inadequate levels of statefunding to support operations over the years.“The College has never had enoughmoney to run it on a satisfactory basis,” thereport stated.With those findings, Middle Statesrevoked DSC’s accreditation, throwing itsDr. Oscar J. ChapmanTenure: 1950-1951existence as an institution of highereducation in serious question.Chapman's beginningsEnter Chapman, the possessor of anEd.D from The Ohio State Universitywho had been a professor of education,director of student personnel and director ofathletics publicity at Morgan State College.During his time at that college, Chapman,a native of Stockton, Md., had authored AStudent’s Outline of Negro Education in theUnited States, which appears to have beenwritten for an upper-level education coursehe taught.The DSC Board of Trustees hired him aspresident, and he assumed the post on April1, 1950. By this time, there was widespreadspeculation throughout the state as to thefate of an unaccredited DSC, with manybelieving the college would ultimately beclosed.Also adding fuel to that speculation wasa ruling in August 1950 in the case of Parkervs. the University of Delaware, in whichthe Delaware Court of Chancery ruled thateight black students previously barred fromadmission must be enrolled in that university.The ruling prompted many to question thewisdom of state tax dollars going toward ablack school.In his inaugural address given Nov. 4,• Story by Carlos HolmesThe Hornet published an article in June1950 welcoming new President Dr. OscarJ. Chapman shortly after his tenure began.1950, Chapman noted that it had beenalmost 20 years since the state allocatedfunds to DSC for new building construction.He also stated that state teachers’ salarieshad to increase and other areas had to beaddressed to win back accreditation.Nevertheless, Chapman confidentlynoted in his speech that “there is nothingwrong with Delaware State College thatmoney will not correct.” He also arguedthat, the court ruling notwithstanding, thestate would continue to need both DSC andthe University of Delaware.With DSC’s existence tenuously hangingin the balance, Chapman worked to makechanges that would earn back the institution’saccreditation. By March 1951, he was ableto report to the state governor that a numberof the serious shortcomings noted by theaccreditation committee had been addressed.A probation policy was being adhered to forthe first time in many years, improvementswere made in student services, and a fulltimenurse and part-time physician hadbeen employed. Chapman also reported thatadmissions and graduation requirementswere being enforced, and woefully lowfaculty salaries had been increased.It appeared that the DSC president wasmaking progress. However, Chapman’sadamant position that DSC remain a fouryearinstitution appears to be the major factorin what would be the shortest tenure amongall the institution’s permanent presidents.LOOCKERMAN HALL DECKED OUT FOR HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSEIn the wake of the Court of Chancerydecision, Gov. Elbert Carvel formed atask force committee in early 1951 tostudy what role Delaware State Collegeshould play in education in the state.The committee was chaired by HoustonWilson, a Delaware attorney who hadrepresented the state during the 1949hearing into Gregg's management ofthe institution. Chapman served on thecommittee as secretary, and Gilbert Nickel,chair of the DSC Board of Trustees, wasalso on the 13-member committee.According to a letter sent by Wilsonalmost a year later on behalf of Chapman,a majority of the committee — whichincluded Nickel — voted to recommendthat DSC be converted to a junior collegeand be merged with the Universityof Delaware (which UD opposed).A minority of the members voted torecommend the closure of DSC altogether.In what may have been his biggestcontribution during his short tenure,Chapman was the lone vote in favor ofmaintaining DSC as a four-year institutionof higher education. It appears thatmay have been a factor, as the DelawareGeneral Assembly chose not to follow thecommittee’s recommendation. DSU wouldremain a four-year institution.His adamant position appeared to puthim at odds with Nickel, which in turnled to a July 19, 1951, split board votethat resulted in Chapman’s contract notbeing renewed. Wilson said in his letterthat Chapman’s ouster had nothing to dowith his performance as president.“At no time (during the committeeprocess) did the governor, the committeeor anyone else call into question thePresident Harry L. Williamsstopped by historic LoockermanHall during the third annual HolidayOpen House in early December. Heis pictured with student volunteerswho were on hand to greet guestsand assist the alumni volunteers.With Williams, from left, areBabatunde Fakuade ’14, studentassistant in the Alumni Relationsoffice, and Inspire Scholars MonetLe'mon ’14, Sandra Billups ’14 andDeondre Reddick ’15. The eventwas hosted by the New Castle,Kent and Sussex chapters of theDSU Alumni Association.administrative or professional ability ofDr. Oscar J. Chapman, nor his personalintegrity, moral character or utmostsincerity,” Wilson said in the letter. “Thecommittee was impressed with theaccomplishments of his administrationof Delaware State College throughout thetime which he had to restore it from thechaotic condition in which he had foundit when he accepted the challenge of thepresidency.”A few months earlier, the ExecutiveCommittee of the General AlumniAssociation of DSC passed a resolutionwhich alleged that Nickel had abused hispower as board chair by underminingChapman’s work as president, and calledfor the governor to remove him from theboard. Nickel, however, would continueas chair until his term expired in 1953.Chapman tried to appeal his ouster incourt as well as to the Delaware governor,but it was to no avail.Post-Delaware StateAfter his short tenure as president,Chapman would join the U.S. Air ForceReserves in late 1951 as an officer andwould serve in the Korean War. He wouldcontinue as a reservist until his militaryretirement as a lieutenant colonel.Chapman who also resumed his highereducation career as a dean of instructionat Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo.He would later move on to Salisbury StateUniversity in Maryland, where he wouldserve as a professor of education until hisretirement as professor emeritus in 1978.Chapman — a member of Omega PsiPhi and Sigma Pi Phi fraternities — diedJan. 1, 1994, at age 86.In memoriamWe sorrowfully acknowledge the deaths of thefollowing alumni, faculty, staff and student andoffer our heartfelt condolences to their familiesand friends:AlumniChennita L. Baker ’69 June 13Nathaniel L. Hurtt Jr. ’71 June 23Barbara Mangum Harmon ’62 August 20Anne T. Irons ’51 August 26Ivan E. Edmunds ’96 September 7Hardin T. Watkins ’75 September 22Christopher Donald ’12 September 27Melva W. Fowler ’65 October 7Edward S. James ’66 October 10Walter L. Hall Sr. ’73 October 15Louis H. Jara ’80 October 22Edward Slaughter ’67 October 22Marc C. Henson ’72 November 5Fred W. Dewey Jr. ’68 November 13Eric X. Yancey ’89 November 15Virginia H. Hearne ’48 November 21Faculty and staffCharles B. Jackson August 12Assistant to the director/supervisorof the DSU Motor Pool for 50 yearsDarnell Neal December 6Maintenance craftsman mechanic(HVAC technician) for seven yearsDr. Oriaku Nwosu November 19Retired professor of 18 years and formerchair of the Department of Foreign LanguagesBarbara G. Steward November 4Retired assistant professor of EnglishDr. Sadiq Wasfi September 11Retired chemistry professor of 31 yearsStudentLionel BarnesThe DSU community mourns the loss of LionelBarnes of Rehoboth Beach, Del., who diedsuddenly Tuesday, August 28, 2012. Barnes wascompleting his Bachelor of Social Work degreeat DSU’s Sussex County site at Del Tech inGeorgetown, where he was also an instructionaltutor for Del Tech. He was slated to graduate inDecember 2012. “Lionel was every professor’s joy.He was bright, articulate, confident and competent.What a wonderful sense of humor he had,” said Dr.Dolores Finger Wright, associate professor in theDepartment of Social Work.Note: Death notices sent to the Alumni Officemust be accompanied by a creditable piece ofdocumentation such as a news clipping, deathcertificate, funeral program or a letter from a familymember (the telephone number of the personsubmitting the information must also be included).36 The Echo www.desu.edu Fall/Winter 2012 Fall/Winter 2012 www.desu.edu The Echo 37

1958State Rep. Donald Blakey won re-electionin November 2012 to the Delaware House ofRepresentatives 34th District seat he has heldsince 2007.1967Dr. Berlin N. Hollingsworth ’67 and Dr. RebaR. Hollingsworth ’49 will celebrate their65th wedding anniversary on Dec. 28, 2012.On Dec. 30, friends and relatives will join theHollingsworths at a reception in their honor atWhatcoat United Methodist Church in Dover, Del.1980The Rev. Robert K. Freeman has been assignedto the Grace/Kumler United Methodist churches inSpringfield, Ill., as lead pastor. Freeman is also a2012 Doctorate of Ministry program cohort with anemphasis in preaching with the Aquinas Instituteof Theology in Saint Louis, Mo.Ralph A. Kemmerlin Sr. of Milford, Del.,has earned the prestigious Certified MedicalInvestigator® (CMI-V) designation from theAmerican College of Forensic Examiners Institute.1983Class notesFelecia Pailin Freeman now teaches atKaskaskia College as a licensed practical nurseinstructor at its East Saint Louis, Ill., campus andworks at Touchette Regional Hospital in Casyville, Ill.19882004Hoping to one daybe on the “OprahWinfrey Show,”Erikka Scottsearched theshow’s websitemany times, butnever found a topicthat seemed to fitor inspire her towrite. Then one daycame the perfectTyonna Herron-Boyce,left, and Erikka Scotttheme: “Do you have an Oprah & Gayle kind of friendship?" Scott wrote about her best friend,Tyonna Herron-Boyce, who she first met on campus in 2003, and days later got an emailstating she was being considered as an audience member. In April 2011, the Class of 2004alumni sat in Harpo Studios in Chicago in the presence of Oprah and her best friend, GayleKing. The friends had a great time and received some great gifts from Oprah, including an allexpense-paidtrip to Miraval Spa in Arizona, which they took in April 2012. The two ended uphaving another Oprah experience the same month when Herron-Boyce won tickets to the NewYork City taping of Oprah’s Life Class. Scott and Herron-Boyce both live in the Newark, Del.,area, Herron-Boyce with her husband, LaMar Boyce ’05 and their daughters. Scott is a retailsales manager, and Herron-Boyce is a human resources professional.LaQuita M. Donald recently accepted aposition with Motion Industries Inc. as manager,Environmental and Hazardous MaterialsCompliance. Motion Industries, headquarteredin Birmingham, Ala., is one of the country’slargest distributors of industrial and fluid powersupply products. In this new role, Donald willbe responsible for hazardous material productidentification and training in conjunction withenvironmental auditing and reporting for morethan 530 U.S. locations and 65 Canadian locations.Former Hornet wrestler Fred Johnson, varsityfootball coach at Lake Forest High School in Felton,Del., has been named the school’s athletic director.1990Kenneth J. Parker has been promoted tosenior vice president, Government Affairs andCorporate Citizenship, at Pepco Holdings inWashington, DC. Parker previously served asvice president, Public Policy.What do you thinkof The Echo ?19931994During a trip to the East Coast to visit family,alumnus and Bold and the Beautiful star actorAaron Spears took time out to share hiscareer experiences with some DSU dramaclasses, mass communication students andothers on campus. Spears also met with thecast of the student production Stick Fly, whichwill perform on stage at DSU in January 2013.Dr. Shelley S. Rouserwas recently appointedas special assistant to theSecretary of Education atthe Delaware Departmentof Education in Dover. Inher new position, Rouseris leading the statewideimplementation planfor the Common Core Standards, adopted by 46states to prepare students for college and careerreadiness. Rouser received both her bachelor’sand master’s degrees from Delaware State Collegeand DSU and her doctorate degree from CapellaUniversity.1994W.G. Edmanson IIwas elected mayor of thetown of Camden, Del.,in February 2012 for atwo-year term.1995Former Hornet baseball outfielder, DSU AthleticHall of Fame inductee and Major League Baseballplayer Pedro Swann has been named the headbaseball coach at the University of MarylandEastern Shore in Princess Anne, Md.2004/2007Quincy A. Lucas has completed her doctoralstudies at Wilmington University and successfullydefended her dissertation. Her earned Doctor ofEducation degree is in Organizational Leadership.2007/2010Amystique Y. Harris Church has been invited toattend the AAACE 2012 conference in Las Vegasto participate in a symposium to speak about adulteducation and community testing partnerships.Church is a member of the National CollegeTesting Association and American Association ofAdult and Continuing Education.How can your campus magazine better serve you?Please help us improve by sharing your viewpoints in an online survey.VISIT HTTPS://WWW.SURVEYMONKEY.COM/S/DSUECHOSURVEYKeep in touchDo you have something exciting toreport to your fellow alumni? Have youchanged careers, been promoted, retiredor expanded your family?Let your classmates and friends knowin The Echo. Email your news (up to 100words) for Class Notes, along with yourhigh-resolution photo (300 or more dpi)to alumni@desu.edu. You can also shareyour news online at www.desu.edu/echo-form.Be featured in a Q&A: Want totell us more? The Echo offers a specialinterest Q&A feature spotlighting alumniin interesting careers, endeavors andundertakings. Tell us your story at theabove addresses.Stay In the LoopStay connected to DSU news andevents through our alumni e-newsletter,In the Loop. Email alumni@desu.edu tosign up.Fall/Winter 2012www.desu.eduThe Echo39