DSUAA to Host Legacy Banquet, Hall of Fame Inductions

The Delaware State University Alumni Association will hold its annual Legacy Banquet and Hall of Fame Inductions on the evening of Friday, Oct. 23 at the Dover Downs Hotel and Casino Rollins Center in Dover.

The black-tie affair – annually held during DSU Homecoming Week – will begin with cocktails from 6-7 p.m., dinner at 7:15 p.m. followed by the DSUAA induction and awards program.

This year’s inductees, selected in specific areas of achievement, will include:

• Mrs. Delores N. Handy, class of ’46, for the arts. A teacher in Delaware for 38 years that included stints at William C. Jason, Middletown, and Bridgeville high schools, Mrs. Handy has served as treasurer for the Sussex County Chapter of the DSUAA. She has served as the president of the United Methodist Woman’s Organization, a member of her church choir and church treasurer.
• Mr. William H. Davis, Sr., class of ’51, for business and industry. A WWII vet, Mr. Davis returned from the war to earn his degree in education and went on to teach at William C. Jason and Sussex Central high schools as well as teach and serve as the chair in the Mathematics Department at Delaware Technical & Community College in Georgetown. He is the owner and operator of about 1,000 acres of farmland in Delaware and Missouri.
• Mr. Kent B. Amos, class of ’70, for community service. After excelling in the corporate world, Mr. Amos dedicated his life to mentoring youths. He founded the Community Academy Public Charter School, became an outspoken advocate for the charter schools and has served as the president of the D.C. Public Charter Association. Over the past 20 years, he has gained national attention for opening his heart and home to about 90 children from the nation’s capital and across the nation.
•  Mr. Major T. Hairston, Jr., class of ’63, for education. A former captain of the DSC basketball and baseball teams, Mr. Hairston distinguished himself for 35 years as a teacher and administrator. The recipient of numerous honors that recognize his leadership in education and community service, Mr. Hairston has been honored with DSU’s Distinguished Alumni Award and inducted in the DSU Athletic Hall of Fame.
• Mr. Matthew W. Horace, class of  ’85, for government/law. In his 21^st year with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Mr. Horace is the Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Field Division in Newark, N.J. He is also a certified leadership consultant for FranklinCovey, an accomplished public and motivational speaker, an advisory board member for the Department of Homeland Security, and was an offensive lineman for the Hornet football team.
• Dr. Oliver M. “Jerry” Harmon, class of ’62, for medicine/science. He is the first DSC graduate to become a licensed dentist. After serving in the U.S. Air Force as a dental intern/captain, he later became a founding partner of Landover Dental Association in Largo. Md., taught as an assistant professor at Howard University’s School of Dentistry and trained general dentistry interns at Prince George’s Community Hospital. Dr. Harmon is very active with his church and in community service programs to help the homeless.
• Dr. J. Scott King, class of ’67, the Rebecca Cooper Brockington Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. With the exception of his years away pursuing his master and doctoral degrees Dr. King never left his alma mater. A 32-year DSU faculty member, he served as chairperson of the English and Foreign Language Department, held leadership positions – including president – of the Faculty Senate, as vice president of the AAUP, and was an advisor for student organizations such as the SGA and the Senior Class.
• Mr. William “Bill” W. Collick, former Hornet head football coach, 1985-1996, and DSU athletics director, 1995-2000, honorary alumnus award. For 12 years, Coach Collick guided the Hornet football team to an 81-48 record, making him the all time coaching leader in wins. He has been inducted in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame and the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame. He is being recognized as an honorary alumnus inductee.

There will also be Special Service Awards present to:

• Mrs. Dorothy Brady Cooper, class of ’63
• Mr. William Stevenson, class of  ’41 (posthumous)
•  Mrs. Courtney White Stevenson, class of ’44
• Mrs. Loila Tilghman Thomas, class of ’50
• Mrs. Bertha Allen Turner, class of ’47

Tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased at the Office of Alumni Relations, room 200 in the Thomasson Building on campus or by calling the office at (302) 857-6050.

The proceeds from the event will go toward the Endowed Alumni Legacy Scholarship. For more information, contact Albert S. Weal at (757) 461-1274, ext. 16 or by email at mastercook3@cox.net or weala@gabrobins.com. More information can be obtained from the Alumni Relations office at the above phone number.