Dr. William B. DeLauder accomplishments and photo slideshow

In celebration of the life and contributions of Dr. William B. DeLauder, the below link contains a photo slideshow of images from his 1987-2003 presidency of Delaware State University, followed by an article of his achievements:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/48216028@N03/albums/72157708573312875/show

Dr. William B. DeLauder became the eighth President of then-Delaware State College on July 1, 1987, succeeding Dr. Luna I. Mishoe, the institution’s 27-year president (1960-1987) who retired that same year.

He arrived at the College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Morgan State University, and a doctorate in Physical Chemistry from Wayne State University. He later did postdoctorate research in Physical Biochemistry at Centre de Biophysique Moleculaire du CNRS in Orleans-La Source, France. Dr. DeLauder also served four years in the U.S. Army, where he reached the rank of captain.

Immediately prior to his arrival at DSC, Dr. DeLauder served a 16-year tenure at North Carolina A&T State University in various capacities including Professor of chemistry, chemistry Department Chair and Dean of the school’s College of Arts and Sciences.

Building on the success of his predecessor at DSC, Dr. DeLauder’s tenure was marked by tremendous growth and development at the College. During his Del State years, as the student enrollment continued to increase, there was continued development of diverse and quality academic programs, and the physical plant. Throughout his tenure, his wife Vermell (Faulk) DeLauder served as the institution’s first lady.

During Dr. DeLauder’s first year as president in 1987, the institution experienced a new record total enrollment of 2,389 students. Numerous record enrollments would follow during his tenure, including surpassing the 3,000 mark for the first time in 1993 (3,301 students) and later a then-record student population of 3,367 in the fall 2002.

Seven new master’s degree programs – Biology, Chemistry, Historic Preservation, Mathematics, Natural Resources, Physics, and Plant Science – were added to the initial three graduate programs established during the Mishoe era. Corresponding with the increase in master’s degree programs was a rise in full-time graduate students, from 38 in 1987 to a then-record 107 in 1997.

With the growth of the degree programs, Dr. DeLauder revamped DSC’s academic administrative structure by establishing six main academic divisions – Arts and Sciences, Management, Agriculture, Education, Professional Studies and Graduate Studies – all of which would later become colleges within this higher education structure.

In what was a signature achievement under the institution’s eighth president, the DeLauder Administration succeeded in making an effective case for the school’s elevation in status, and resulting in its renaming in 1993 by the state General Assembly from Delaware State College to Delaware State University. That name change – effective July 1, 1993 – marked the DeLauder Administration’s success in convincing people at all levels in Delaware that not only did the quality of the institution’s programs merit University status, but also a long-range plan was in place to continue its growth.

In 1998, the DSU Teacher Education Program became the first of any college or university education program in Delaware to receive national accreditation. Also in that same year, the University’s Hospitality and Tourism Management Program earned its first national accreditation.

The remarkable transformation of the campus continued during the DeLauder era, with more than $100 million in new construction and improvements. That included the completion of Phase II of the William C. Jason Library, as well as the construction of the Warren-Franklin Residential Hall, the Mishoe Science Center-South (1995), the College of Business Building (originally named the MBNA Building, now named the Bank of America Building), the U.S. Washington Cooperative Extension Building and Herbarium, the University Courtyard Apartments, and a four-story Administration Building (2003). In addition, two streets that extended well into the campus from the Main Gate were eliminated and that area was renovated into a pedestrian mall in the mid-1990s.

It was under Dr. DeLauder’s leadership that the institution launched its first-ever capital fundraising drive in 1991 – the Century II Capital Campaign. Concluding in late 1994, the campaign raised more than $10 million, which the University used to strengthen its scholarship fund, its endowment, and improve its teaching and research capabilities.

In what would have great impact in subsequent DSU administrations, Dr. DeLauder established the Office of Sponsored Programs in 1992 to attract federal grants as well as to oversee the proper management of awarded funds. The office helped the institution obtain $9.5 million over its first 10 years in existence, and would later be vitally important in the significant expansion of research programs at the University.

 Dr. DeLauder retired as President in 2003. At the time of his passing, he and wife Vermell resided in Jamestown, N.C.  He was born on Sept. 29, 1937 in Frederick, Md. and was 81 at the time of his death.

The funeral arrangements to celebrate and honor the life of Dr. William B. DeLauder are as follows:

On June 8, there will be a viewing from 10 a.m. to 12 noon followed immediately by a 12 noon funeral service, both to be held at Jackson Chapel United Methodist Church, 5609 Ballenger Creek Pike, Frederick, MD 21703.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the William B. DeLauder Endowed Scholarship Fund at DSU. Donations can be made by contacting the DSU Foundation in the University’s Office of Institutional Advancement by calling (302) 857-6055.