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History
The
State College for Colored Students,
now known as Delaware State University,
was established May 15, 1891 by the
Delaware General Assembly under the
provisions of the Morrill Act of 1890
by which land-grant colleges for Blacks
came into existence in states maintaining
separate educational facilities. Through
the conservative and practical planning
of the Board of Trustees appointed
by Governor Robert J. Reynolds of Delaware,
the College was launched upon its mission
of education and public service on
February 2, 1892. Five courses of study
leading to a baccalaureate degree were
offered: Agricultural, Chemical, Classical,
Engineering, and Scientific. A Preparatory
Department was established in 1893
for students who were not qualified
to pursue a major course of study upon
entrance. A three-year normal course
leading to a teacher's certificate
was initiated in 1897. The College
graduated its first class of degree
candidates in May 1898. The normal
course of study was extended to four
years in 1911 and the Bachelor of Pedagogy
degree was awarded to students on satisfactory
completion of the curriculum.
In
1912, the courses of study were changed
to Academic, Agricultural, Mechanic
Arts, and Domestic Science. The Bachelor
of Pedagogy degree was awarded on creditable
completion of the academic curriculum.
A certificate of graduation was granted
on completion of the other courses
of study.
In
the 1916-1917 school year, the Preparatory
Department was phased out, a Model
Grade School was established, and a
high school diploma was granted on
completion of a four-year course of
study. In 1923, a Junior College Division
was added. Four-year curricula in the
Arts and Sciences, Elementary Education,
Home Economics, Agriculture, and Industrial
Arts were established in 1932. The
College graduated the first class of
bachelor-degree candidates completing
one of these courses of study in June
1934.
In
1944, the College received provisional
accreditation by the Middle States
Association of Colleges and Schools.
In 1947, the name of the institution
was changed to "Delaware State College" by
legislative action. In November 1949,
the Middle States Association revoked
the accreditation of the institution.
This was a severe blow to the prestige
of the College. Strenuous efforts were
exerted to maintain the existence of
the College and to make it an accredited
four-year, land-grant institution.
At the end of the 1951-52 school year,
the High School Division was discontinued.
In April 1957, the College was fully
accredited by the Middle States Association
of Colleges and Schools. The Middle
States Association in 1962, 1972, 1982
reaffirmed this accreditation, 1987,
1992 and 1997. Concurrently, the University
achieved and maintained accreditation
of its teacher education programs by
the Delaware State Board of Education.
On
July 1, 1993, Delaware State College
turned another chapter in its history,
when Governor Thomas Carper signed
a name change into law, thus renaming
the College to Delaware State University.
Since
1957, the University has grown in stature
as a center for teaching, research,
and public service. The purpose and
object of the University have broadened
in keeping with changing times. While
recognizing its historical heritage,
the University provides higher education
today for a diverse student population.
Undergraduate studies is organized
into three undergraduate schools and
a college of arts & sciences with
a total of 19 academic departments,
and offers a wide variety of programs
leading to the degree of Bachelor of
Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor
of Social Work. The undergraduate programs
in airway science, chemistry, education,
nursing, and social work are approved
by the Federal Aviation Administration,
American Chemical Society, National
Association of State Directors of Teacher
Education and Certification, the The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), the National Council
for Accreditation of Teacher Education,
and the Council on Social Work Education,
respectively. The Division of Graduate
Studies offers programs leading to
the master's degree in biology, business
administration, chemistry, education,
physics, social work, and historic
preservation.
The
underpinning of the growth and development
of Delaware State University has been
the leadership of its nine presidents,
including Wesley P. Webb (1891—1895);
William C. Jason (1895—1923);
Richard S. Grossley (1923—1942);
Howard D. Gregg (1942—1949);
Oscar J. Chapman (1949—1951);
Jerome H. Holland (1953—1960);
Luna I. Mishoe (1960—1987);
William B. DeLauder (1987—2003); and Allen L. Sessoms (2003—present).
Maurice E. Thomasson served as acting
president from 1951 to 1953. As a result
of their efforts, the University is
well positioned to reach new levels
of prestige and respect in the new
millennium.
In
the new millennium, the University
anticipates enrollment to increase
to over 5,000 students continuing a
growth pattern which saw enrollment
increase from 7 students when it opened
to a high of 3,500 in 1995.
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