William B. DeLauder EH Theatre naming ceremony held

The traditional site of the performing arts on campus has been renamed the William B. DeLauder Education and Humanities Theatre.

For images of the ceremony and the reception, click on the below link:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/48216028@N03/albums/72177720308174201/show

The official renaming after the University’s eighth president took place in a May 9 ceremony in the theatre attended by present campus members and many others who were contemporaries of the late Dr. DeLauder (who passed away in 2020), including his widow Vermell, his son Bill, and other family members. Also in attendance were Sandra Arnell and Terry Coleman, who worked for many years in Dr. DeLauder’s office.

Dr. Akwasi Osei, interim Dean of the College of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, served as the Master of Ceremonies for the event. He opened the ceremony by reviewing many of Dr. DeLauder’s accomplishments.

“Dr. DeLauder transformed a starry eyed, parochial college campus into a dynamic, vigorous, challenging, beautiful cosmopolitan University community,” Dr. Osei said. “We stand on his shoulders today as we dedicate this theatre in his honor.”

University History Carlos Holmes said that the renaming completes the campus memorialization of the top four presidents in the history of the institution, noting such honors have been established with the William C. Jason Library, the Dr. Jerome H. Holland Memorial Statue, and the Dr. Luna I. Mishoe Science Center.

“In honoring Dr. DeLauder, Delaware State University is completing its own Mt. Rushmore of its greatest presidents,” Mr. Holmes said.

University President Tony Allen spoke of Dr. DeLauder’s leadership that resulted in the elevation of the institution to University status in 1993. “Dr. DeLauder knew that there is so very much in a name,” Dr. Allen said. “There is self-fulfillment, there is self-worth. So he went to then-Gov. Tom Carper and asked him to change the name of the college to Delaware State University, and Gov. Carper readily signed that bill into law and changed the face of this institution.”

Dr. Allen added that “Dr. DeLauder put us on the map, and we have been on the map ever since.”

U.S. Sen. Tom Carper, who was the Delaware governor who signed the Delaware State University legislation into law, said Dr. DeLauder was one of the first people to visit him after he was inaugurated as governor in 1993.

“He told me he wanted to talk to me about what Delaware State College could be – Delaware State University, and could be transformed into something beautiful, highly regarded, a highly sought after place to get an education,” Sen. Carper recalled. “He said we need some leadership from the governor in our state, and I nominate you.”

Also sharing their recollections were Professor Emeritus Bradley Skelcher, former Dover City Councilman Rueben Salters, former DSUAA President Shelia Davis (’92), former DSU SGA President Dr. Rahmandah Campbell (’01), and Ms. Coleman. The University Concert Choir also honored Dr. DeLauder and blessed the audience with two selections.

In addition to the achievement of University status for the institution, some of the other accomplishments under his 1987-2003 presidential leadership included:

• Launching the first multimillion dollar “Century II” capital campaign.
• The establishment of the Pedestrian Mall in the center of the campus.
• The construction of the Warren Franklin Residential Hall, the Courtyard Apartments, the U.S. Washington Cooperative Extension Building, the additions to the Baker Building and the Science Building, the University Courtyard Apartments, and the Administration Building.
• The expansion of the University’s programs into the City of Wilmington.
• The establishment of the University Police Department.
• Making “The Messiah” an annual community concert every December.