Homecoming Alumni and Check Presentations – Photos

Thousands of DSU young and not-so-young graduates of Delaware State University returned to their alma mater on the weekend of Oct. 14-17 to be a part of the 2016 Homecoming events.

In addition to gathering Oct. 16 for the President’s Reception and the annual Homecoming football game, a number of alumni came bearing financial gifts. In addition to alumni members establishing several new endowed scholarships, there were others who gave contributions to DSU as the University status being the Tom Joyner Foundation’s School of the Month in October.

For images of the alumni fellowship during the reception and the game, click on the first link below. For images of the check presentations, click on the second below link.

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https://www.flickr.com/photos/48216028@N03/sets/72157675295419505/show

The Saturday Homecoming activities also attracted elected officials, including U.S. Sen. Tom Carper, Lt. Gov. John Carney, state Sens. Colin Bonini and Margaret Rose Henry, state Rep. Trey Paradee, state Rep. Charles Potter, Dover Mayor Robin Christiansen

Among the financial support announced during the President’s Reception was an anonymous contribution of $450,000,  as well as five endowed scholarships and a scholarship/department support contribution.

In addition, Tom Joyner Jr., son of the nationally known radio personality Tom Joyner, came to the annual Homecoming festivities and presented a check of $78,000 to the University from the Tom Joyner Foundation.

In total, the University received alumni and friends contributions of $600,485 that will be used for scholarships.

The below endowed scholarships were announced:

• The Joseph H. Sr., and Leona M. Pinkett Endowed Scholarship, begun with $21,250 in the name of the patriarch and matriarch, whose included two children, 10 grandchildren and other great-grandchildren who are graduates of DSU.
• Wine  Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and Beta Phi Burgundy Sorority, Inc. Endowed Scholarship, begun with $10,235 by the two organizations, which were inspired by DSU President Harry L. Williams raise money for DSU scholarships.
• The John and Sherri Ridgeway Endowment, begun with $10,000. Mr. Ridgeway a corporate manager of Toyota Financial Services in Owings Mills, Md., is a 1975 DSC (Delaware State College) graduate who was appointed to serve on the DSU Board of Trustees this past summer. Mrs. Ridgeway is a 1977 DSC graduate.
• The Steven R. Ewing Endowed Scholarship, begun with $10,000. Mr. Ewing, who is the president and owner of Wade Ford, Inc., in Smyrna, Ga., is a 1983 DSC graduate who also starred on the Hornet football team.
• The Phillip E. and Deborah Scott Endowed Scholarship, begun with $10,500. Mr. Scott is a retired chief tax compliance officer with BNY Mellon.
• The Kailyn Lowry Scholarship/Department Support, begun with $10,000 (half to go toward a Kailyn Lowry Scholarship for Mass Communications students and the other half to go in support of DSU’s Department of Mass Communications). Ms. Lowry, who is a junior mass communications major, is regular featured subject on the MTV series “Teen Mom 2,” and is a published author.

“Early on in my tenure as president, the University made it a priority to develop a much stronger culture of giving,” said Dr. Williams. “With each passing year we have been seeing more fruits of that ongoing effort from alumni and friends who are adopting this vision. Their understanding of the importance of investing in our students is making DSU a greater institution.”