Delaware State University is looking toward the celebration of the institution's 130th anniversary on May 14-16, 2021 and has established a steering committee to begin the planning of the observance events. The picture is the earliest surviving photo of a class from the then-State College for Colored Students in the late 1890s. — *In this photo:* Delaware State University is looking toward the celebration of the institution’s 130th anniversary on May 14-16, 2021 and has established a steering committee to begin the planning of the observance events. The picture is the earliest surviving photo of a class from the then-State College for Colored Students in the late 1890s.

On Campus

University establishes 130th Anniversary Committee

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Less than a year remains before Delaware State University celebrates its 130th anniversary, and the planning for the observance events is now beginning.

A 130th Anniversary Steering Committee has been established, with John Ridgeway, Vice Chairman of the University’s Board of Trustees, as the Chair of the 24-member group that is representative of alumni, staff and friends of the institution. Mr. Ridgeway is an alumnus from the Class of 1975. The Committee Co-Chair is Dr. Vita Pickrum, Vice President of Institutional Advancement (Class of 2016).

The celebration will take place on May 14-16, coinciding with Commencement Weekend, and over the coming months the Committee will develop and plan the observance events.

As part of the 130th Anniversary planning, the University has reopened fundraising for the Student Emergency Relief Fund with the goal of raising $1.3 million – $10,000 for every year in the University’s history.

The institution was established as the Delaware College for Colored Students on May 15, 1891 by a legislative act of the Delaware General Assembly, enacted by the signature of then-Gov. Robert J. Reynolds. The General Assembly changed this institution’s name in 1893 to the State College for Colored Students, in 1947 to Delaware State College, and in 1993 to Delaware State University.

The Committee will be guided by the following 130th Anniversary Mission and Vision Statement:

Mission – To celebrate Delaware State University and its phenomenal 130 years of nurturing, educating, uplifting, and transforming the lives of a diverse population of global learners and leaders.

Vision – To set a pathway to becoming the number one HBCU known for the highest levels of alumni engagement and alumni participation into the next 130 years and beyond.

Joining Mr. Ridgeway and Dr. Pickrum on the 130th Anniversary Committee are:

Tess Agular, ‘21

Dolores Blakey, ‘62

Hon. Stephanie T. Bolden, ‘69

Shannon Booker, ‘06

Clifton Burrell, ‘87

Dr. Rahmanda Campbell, ‘92

David Croker, ‘80

Eddie Epps, ‘78

Hon. Wayne Gilchrest, ‘73

Carlos Holmes

Dawn Hopkins, ‘20

Sherilynn Kimble, ‘75

Kailyn Lowry, ‘17

Monica Matthews-Peele, ‘87

Jovita Minor, ‘94

Dr. Dawn Mosley, ‘20

Hon. Esthelda Parker-Selby, ‘69

Dr. Lorene Robinson, ’77 and ‘19

Blake Saunders, ‘05

Rejoice Sherry

Dr. Marcia Taylor, ‘84

Mark Thalheimer, ‘98

Dwight Williams, ‘70

Leah Williams, 15’ and 16’