University Scholarship Ball, article and photos
More than 1,000 University members and friends as individual and corporate supporters stepped out Dec. 10 for the largest attendance ever in the history of the Delaware State University Scholarship Ball.
For images of the attendees at the Scholarship Ball, click on the below link:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/48216028@N03/albums/72177720304420321/show
For images of the Scholarship Ball stage participants, including Boyz II Men, click on the below link:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/48216028@N03/albums/72177720304423532/show
The University’s move of the event to the spacious Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington, Del., facilitated the record attendance.
The Mistress and Master of Ceremonies were Dr. Devona Williams and John Ridgeway (’75), the Chair and Vice Chair of the University’s Board of Trustees.
The entertainment highlight of the event was the best-selling R&B group of all time – Boyz II Men. Currently a trio – Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris and Shawn Stockman – the group’s performance spanned many of their hits, their interpretations of other hits by popular artists and even some of their instrumental wizardry.
During the Scholarship Ball, the following awards were presented:
The Alumni Award went to William “C. J.” Charlton, Class of 1995, who is a product of the University’s Aviation Program and currently is a 17-year pilot for United Airlines. Through his leadership, he has been instrumental in the Aviation Program’s launching of the All HBCU Initiative.
The Community Partner Award went to Jim and Jocelyn Stewart, a former and a current member of the University Board of Trustees respectively, who were cited for being true visionaries who support the University’s mission and others in the State of Delaware.
The Corporate Partners Award went to JP Morgan Chase for its commitment to student success at the University, including its more than $2.3 million in funding, and its ongoing student engagement and financial literacy programs.
The Scholarship Ball also had student participation. Mr. and Miss DSU Jonté R Simmons and Bralyn Page, as well as David Hawkins, Student Government Association President, and Mariana Lara Jaime, an Opportunity Scholarship Dreamer student, shared the value of their University experience and the importance of the financial support to students. Cateo Hilton, a Political Science major, gave the welcome remarks, and the DSU Jazz Ensemble provided music during the opening cocktail reception.
“In addition to demonstrating why we are so proud of them, (these students) also share what a Delaware State University education means…what an Inspire Scholarship can do…how a DREAMER can dream again… what being a valued member of Hornet Nation feels like… and how grateful we are for support,” said University President Tony Allen and Dr. Vita Pickrum, President of the Delaware State University Foundation, in a letter to the attendees.
As always, the University’s Division of Institution Advancement, led by its Vice President, Dr. Pickrum, handled all of the logistics of the Scholarship Ball.