Dr. Tony Allen and his wife Tara present Sen. Tom Carper and his wife Martha with a DSU Proclamation that extols the Senior Senator's contributions to the growth of Delaware State University over the years. The presentation took place at a "Thank You" celebration that attracted well-wishers from throughout Central Delaware. — *In this photo:* Dr. Tony Allen and his wife Tara present Sen. Tom Carper and his wife Martha with a DSU Proclamation that extols the Senior Senator’s contributions to the growth of Delaware State University over the years. The presentation took place at a “Thank You” celebration that attracted well-wishers from throughout Central Delaware.

On Campus

“Thank You” celebration at DSU for Sen. Tom Carper

Thursday, October 10, 2024

The Delaware State University community and well-wishers from Central Delaware gathered in the Martin Luther King Jr. Student Center to celebrate and say “Thank You” to outgoing Sen. Tom Carper.

For images of the event, click on the below link:

Sen. Carper served three terms as the State Treasurer, five terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, and two terms as the Governor of Delaware. He is currently completing his fifth and final term as the First State’s most senior U.S. Senator.

Throughout Sen. Carper’s almost five decades (1977-2024) as an elected public servant, he remained a faithful friend of Delaware’s only Historically Black Institution of Higher Education. DSU Board of Trustees member Bill Collick shares a moment with Sen. Tom Carper.

Sen. Carper’s relationship with the institution began in 1976 while working in the Delaware Economic Development Office, which maintained an office in then-Delaware State College’s ETV Building on campus.

Throughout his legislative career in Congress, Sen. Carper was a consistent advocate of the institution, playing an influential and supportive role along with the rest of the Delaware Congressional Delegation in steering millions of dollars in federal grants to the school.

In 1993, then-Gov. Tom Carper became an indelible part of the institution’s history when he signed legislation that elevated Delaware State College to Delaware State University. DSU Alumna brought a 1998 award to the event that then-Gov. Carper presented her.

DSU President Tony Allen said that DSU has known no greater friend among elected officials than Sen. Carper.

“The growth and success of Delaware State University would not have been possible without the steadfast support of Sen. Carper,” Dr. Allen said.