Delaware State University Press Releases

DSU College of Business Receives Honors

cholmes@desu.edu — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Pictured above: (l-r) Dr. Robert Mintor, dean of the College of Business, Dr. Claibourne
Smith and Dr. John Land, DSU Board of Trustees president and vice president,
respectively, DSU President Allen L. Sessoms, and Dr. Youngski Kwak, associate
dean of the College of Business, hold the banner in January 2007 that celebrated
the school's then-renaming upon its initial accreditation.

DSU’s COLLEGE OF BUSINESS RECOGNIZED TWICE

The DSU College of Business has recently received additional validation from two sources that it has become one of the top business schools in the county.

The Princeton Review and Random House selected the DSU College of Business to be included in the 2009 edition of “Best Business Schools – an annual student opinion-driven publication that seeks to give prospective business students an insider’s view on the best business schools in the world.

In addition, Educational Benchmarking, Inc. recently announced that the College has earned its 2007 “Educational Benchmarking Commitment to Excellence Award” for its annual participation in continuous assessment of learning and benchmarking of its undergraduate business.

The College of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB). As an international accreditation, it place DSU’s College of Business among the top 27 percent of business schools in the county , There are approximately 2000 business programs in the United States with only 500 of them being accredited by AACSB. Of 110 HBCU business programs, 19 are AACSB accredited, including DSU.

The international accreditation also gives DSU the distinction of being among the top 10 percent of business schools in the world.

The DSU College of Business offers a variety of undergraduate degree programs including in various management concentrations, accounting and finance, as well as hospitality and tourism management. The college also offers a Master of Business Administration Degree Program.

SGA Christmas Party for Children

cholmes@desu.edu — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EDT

DSU STUDENTS THROW A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR BIG BROTHER & BIG SISTERS OF DOVER CHILDREN

A group of DSU students – led by the DSU Student Government Association – recently took the community service initiative and threw a Christmas Party for the children of the Big Brother & Big Sisters of Dover.

The Dec. 3 Christmas party, held in the MLK Student Center on campus, treated about 50 children to games, arts and crafts, food, gifts, and even a visit will Jolly Ole’ Nick. Jeff DeMoss, executive director of dining and auxiliary services at DSU, donned a red outfit and white beard and played the role of Santa.

Nikki Chapple, president of the Student Government Association, said that the SGA has made community service a part of its mission.

“As a team, we wanted to seek out some type of community service this Christmas season to bring the children to DSU instead of going to them,” Ms. Chapple said. “We love kids, and that’s why we chose the Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Dover.”

Photos:

Top: Jay Powell leads the children in a game of "Simon Says"

Right: (l-r) Elijah Lee gets some love from DSU students Tyree Evans and Aliah Francis

Bottom left: Alazae and Ajanee Brown are the beneficiaries of the lap of Santa (Jeffrey DeMoss, executive director of dining and auxiliary services).

Bottom right: SGA President Nikki Chapple shows some love to a young one.

DSU Student Receives Top Recognition at National Science Conference

cholmes@desu.edu — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EDT

DSU STUDENT WINS THE NATIONAL SCIENCE RESEARCH

POSTER COMPETITION

Rochelle A. Young, a junior biology major at DSU, has been recognized among the top research poster presentations in the Molecular Biological Sciences category at the 2007 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) recently held in Austin, Texas.

Ms. Young was recognized for her research poster presentation entitled “Deficiency Mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci for Fecundity Variation in Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly).”

The goal of the project was to identify genes that contribute to variations in fecundity – the number of eggs laid by females – using the fruit fly. She studied genes in a specific chromosome region, particularly analyzing the impact of genes in producing variations in egg production. Ms. Young’s detailed scientific research found that the genes in the region on which she focused were not responsible for variations in fecundity.

More than 1,100 college students from across the nation gathered at the Nov. 7-10 ABRCMS and competed in 10 different science categories.

DSU to Open 90 Minutes Late on Thursday, Dec. 6 Due to Icy Conditions

cholmes@desu.edu — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Due to icy condition on roadways throughout the state, Delaware State University will not open for regular operations and classes until 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 6.

Mini-Grant Awards Presented to two Professors

cholmes@desu.edu — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Two DSU Faculty Members Research Proposal Win Mini-Grant Competition

The DSU Center for Teaching and Learning has awarded its Fall Semester 2007 Mini-Grant Award to Dr. Sabrina M. McGary and Dr. Mingxin Guo. The Mini-Grant Awards -- $2,000 – go to the faculty members that submit the top research proposals, who will, in turn, use the money to fund their studies.

Dr. McGary, an assistant professor of biology, won her mini-grant for her proposal “Apoptosis Assay for Lung Epithelia in Developing Domestic Fowl Embryos.”

Dr. Mingxin Guo, an assistant professor in the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, won his mini-grant for his proposal “Organic Wastes-Derived Charcoal for Soil Quality Improvement.”

The winning faculty members – who had the top proposals among the 13 submitted – will present the findings of their research in October 2008. The Center for Teaching and Learning (formerly the Center for School Change) will hold another mini-grant competition during the spring semester 2008.

DSU Messiah is a Success

cholmes@desu.edu — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EDT

DSU’S MESSIAH PERFORMANCE A RESOUNDING SUCCESS!!

The Delaware State University Choir, accompanied by Harlem Festival Orchestra and a quartet of internationally renowned soloists gave the community an early Christmas present with an outstanding free Dec. 2 performance of the Messiah.

In addition to the 25-selection Messiah, the singers and orchestra performed compositions by Handel, Hassler, Whitacre/Esch, Beethoven, Work and Wilberg. Held in the DSU Education and Humanities Theater, the choir and orchestra was conducted by Curtis Everett Powell, DSU director of choirs.

The 60-voice DSU Choir – which was also augmented by some community participants – was joined throughout by soprano Vikki Jones, mezzo-soprano Sylvia V.C. Twine, tenor Larry Thomas and bass baritone Alvy Powell.

Mr. Powell also had several students who were ready for their soloist prime time turns. DSU choir members Jia DéSimone, Sheila LaDonna Russell, Kevin D’Anthony and Lamont RaShawn provided a resonant quartet for the Work selection “Glory to That New-born King.”

While all of those compositions received warm responses from the estimated 600 music lovers in attendance, the classical audience decorum gave way to more expressive and spontaneous applauses as the choir and instrumentalists melded contemporary African American gospel favorites with orchestra accompaniment in the last two selections.

DSU soprano Monique LaTanya Goldring took the audience to church with a classically driven version of Kurt Carr’s “For Every Mountain.” The choir and orchestra then concluded the concert with Richard Smallwood’s contemporary gospel standard “Total Praise.”

Albert Johnson Pinkerton also served as piano accompanist and Dr. John P. Graulty, chair of the DSU music department, conducted the orchestra on its opening selection, Handel's “The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba." In addition, the orchestra was also joined by several DSU faculty and student musicians.

PHOTOS: (top) The full DSU Choir and Harlem Festival Orchestra; (second left) DSU music student Jennifer Hairston performs on french horn with orchestra; (bottom left) Curtis Everett Powell, DSU Director of Choirs, conduct the choir on their a cappalla opening selection, Durufle's "Ubi Caritas"; (second right) a row of the alto section; (bottom right) Curtis Everett Powell directs the choir in front of him.

DSU Lady Hornets Beat Army

cholmes@desu.edu — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Dover, DE – The Delaware State Hornets turned up their defensive pressure in the second half and pulled away for a 63-49 win over Army. The win improved the Lady Hornets to 3-3 on the season, and snapped the Black Knights two game win streak, dropping them to 4-3.

The Hornets shoot 34.5% (10-29) from the floor in the first half, while the Black Knights shot 41.7% (10-24), but still managed to hold a 31-26 advantage at the half.

In the second half, it was nip and tuck over the first eight minutes as the Black Knights tied the score at 40 on a lay-up by Erin Anthony with 12:40 left in the game. The Hornets forced four straight turnovers and went on a 13-2 run that gave them a 53-42 lead on a lay-up by Jameka Smith with 8:20 left. Smith finished with a season high six steals and the Hornets scored 29 points off turnovers. The Hornets also got 26 points off the bench.

Senior forward Katreem Palmer led all scorers with 15 and senior guard Ashlee Burbage added 10 points of the bench. DSU out rebounded Army 38-36, led by Thea Littlepage who finished with a game high eight rebounds.

Army had two in double figures with Nalini Hawkins and Alex McGuire finishing with 13 and 12 points respectively.

The Hornets will return to action on Wednesday, December 5^th when they travel to Fairleigh-Dickinson. Tip-off is 7:00 p.m.

Photos:

(Left) Ashlee Burbage gives the Hornet faithful a thrill as she shoots an almost half-court three-pointer as the last seconds tick just before the end of the first half.

(Right) Katreem Palmer hits one of her game-leading 15 points against Army. Photos by Carlos Holmes

DSU Hosts Delaware HS Playoffs

cholmes@desu.edu — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EDT

DSU TO HOST HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Delaware State University’s Alumni Stadium will be the site of the 2007 Delaware High School Championships on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 30. and Dec. 1.

The Friday Division I game will feature Middletown H.S. vs. Sussex Central H.S. at 7 p.m.

The Saturday Division II game will feature Caravel H.S. vs. Hodgson Vo-Tech H.S. at 7 p.m.

Prior the 7 p.m. kickoff time for both game, the gates will open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $7 at the stadium and there is no charge for parking.

DSU CED to Host Two Workshops

cholmes@desu.edu — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EDT

DSU TO HOST WORKSHOP TO BENEFIT

SMALL BUSINESS

DOVER, Del. – Delaware State University’s Center for Enterprise Development will offer the following workshop in December designed to assist individuals involved in the diverse small businesses.

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA) WORKSHOP ON DIVERSITY CERTIFICATION

The DSU Center for Enterprise Development will host the Small Business Administration’s three-hour workshop on Diversity Certification. The workshop will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4 in Room 309 of the MBNA America Building on the Dover campus.

The Diversity Certification workshop is for individuals who are interested in the benefits of certification, finding and securing contracting opportunities, and/or obtaining certification as a diversity business (woman-owned, minority and/or disadvantaged).

The course is free and includes all materials and continental breakfast. Pre-registration is required for the workshop. To pre-register or for more information, contact Gedell Hawkins at the SBA, (302) 573-6294, ext. 226, gedell.hawkins@sba.gov, or Lillie Crawford, Acting Director, Delaware Center for Enterprise Development, lillcraw@desu.edu, (302) 857-6954.

The Delaware Center for Enterprise Development’s (DCED) mission is to educate current and future entrepreneurs through training programs, technical and managerial assistance and by providing access to private capital. DCED initiatives include: adult and youth entrepreneurship and child care development services, train-the-trainer, rural and economic community development, support of student organizations, applied business research, and small business consulting and access to market services.

DSU to Play U of D Nov. 23

cholmes@desu.edu — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Tickets at DSU are already SOLD OUT for the Historic

DSU vs. U of D Nov. 23 Playoff Matchup; Game to be Televised on ESPN

A Limited Number of Ticket May Be Available via Ticketmaster beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21

DSU Fans Prepare to Make a Strong Red and Blue Showing at Delaware Stadium as an Exclamation Point to

the Hornets' Record 10-1 Season and to Cheer Them On to Another Win!!

For the first time in the football history of the First State, the DSU Hornets -- which are representing the MEAC as its 2007 champion – will take the gridiron field against the University of Delaware in the 2007 NCAA Football Championship Series (FCS) Playoffs. The game will be played at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 23 at Delaware Stadium on the Univ. of Del. campus.

Tickets went on sale at DSU to the public on Monday and most of DSU's 2,448 tickets were alloted by the University of Delaware were sold that day. By Wednesday, Nov. 21, the few tickets remaining were being reserved for students and season-ticket holders had also been sold out.

There may be chance to obtain tickets for the game on Wednesday. The University of Delaware has reserved a large block of tickets for its season ticket holders and have given them until 6 p.m. Wednesday to purchase a ticket. Any tickets that remain after 6 p.m. will be made available to the public via Ticketmaster. To try and obtain one of those few remaining tickets, go to www.ticketmaster.com or call (302) 984-2000 to place an order.

The two teams have coexisted in the Delaware for 83 seasons without ever taking field against each other – but that will change on Friday!! Get your tickets and come out proudly in red and blue to support our Hornets football team in their historic clash against their new in-state rival to the north. GO HORNETS!!!

The Hornets go into the FSC Playoffs with tremendous momentum generated by a regular season-ending eight-game winning streak and an overall record of 10-1. DSU culminated the its record-regular and conference season by beating Howard 29-13 at Alumni Stadium by scoring on touchdown runs by Kareem Jones and Lennox Norville, two field goals by Peter Gaertner, a fumble recovery TD by Brandon Hudson, and a quarterback sack/safety in the end zone by Russell Reeves.

The previous week, the Hornets clinched the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Champion and assured themselves of a FCS Playoff appearance by stunning Norfolk State in an overtime comeback victory. During that Nov. 10 contest, the Hornets turned around an 18-point fourth quarter around by scoring 25 unanswered points in the last regulation quarter and the overtime period.

The Hornets 10-1 season surpassed DSU’s previous overall bests of 9-1 in 1987. That team, coached by former Hornet Coach Bill Collick, was also undefeated in the MEAC at 5-0, a feat Coach Collick’s 1985 DSU team also accomplished – which until this year were the only two times the Hornets sported perfect conference records. The 2007 Hornets now also own the conference season-wins record with this year’s perfect MEAC showing of 8-0.

The only loss of the season came on Sept. 15 at Kent State, where the Hornets lost to the non-conference Division I-A team 38-7.

The University of Delaware, which lost their last two games in a row to Richmond and Villanova, ended their season 8-3 and failed to win its Colonial Athletic Association title. However, Sunday the Blue Hens were given playoff life on Sunday when they secured an invitation bid to the FCS Playoff for the long awaited matchup against DSU.

“It is a privilege to play the University of Delaware…and it is a privilege for them to play us,” Hornet Head Coach Al Lavan told his team after finding out about the historic in-state matchup.

PHOTOS:

Top Left: Hornet quarterback Vashon Winton passes against Norfolk

Middle left: DSU linebacker Russell Reeves’ QB sack that caused a fumble and safety against Howard.

Immediate right: Hornet running back Kareem Jones rushes for a TD against Howard.

Bottom right: DSU running back Adam Shrewsbury puts a move on Howard players.

Photos and article by Carlos Holmes

DSU to play U of D

cholmes@desu.edu — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Tickets Available for the Historic

DSU vs. U of D Nov. 23 Playoff Matchup

Tickets Expected to Go Fast; DSU Fans Encouraged to Make a Strong Red and Blue Showing at Delaware Stadium as an Exclamation Point to

the Hornets Record 10-1 Season and to Cheer Them On to Another Win!!

By Carlos Holmes

For the first time in the football history of the First State the DSU Hornets -- which for the first time are representing the MEAC as its 2007 champion – will take the gridiron field against the University of Delaware in the 2007 NCAA Football Championship Series (FCS) Playoffs. The game will be played at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 23 at Delaware Stadium on the Univ. of Del. campus..

Tickets will go on sale at Alumni Stadium at 9 a.m. on Monday, November 19. Tickets can either be purchased in person or over the phone by calling (302) 857-7497, as well as online at www.dsuhornets.com. Get your tickets as soon as possible, as the game is likely to be a sell-out. Tickets are expected to go fast.

The only loss of the season came on Sept. 15 at Kent State, where the Hornets lost to the non-conference Division I-A team 38-7.

PHOTOS:

Top: Hornet quarterback Vashon Winton passes against Norfolk

Middle left: DSU linebacker Russell Reeves’ QB sack that caused a fumble and safety against Howard.

Middle right: Hornet running back Kareem Jones rushes for a TD against Howard.

Bottom: DSU running back Adam Shrewsbury but a move on Howard players.

DSU Receive $450,000 Grant to Study Plant Proteins

cholmes@desu.edu — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EDT

DSU’S BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS RECEIVES A

FEDERAL $450,000 GRANT

Delaware State University’s biotechnology research received a significant financial shot in the arm recent as it received a three-year $450,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to study the role of cell membrane protein in negatively impacting plant defense mechanism.

This study will identify cellular proteins that interact with this viral protein to enable it to function. Because of the important role of the protein in plant defense and the strategic localization of the protein at the membrane, cellular proteins that interact with the protein likely play an important role in host plant’s defense to virus infection.

The results of this study will enable the design of appropriate molecular approaches to contain these viruses that infect a broad range of crops across the world, especially cassava, which is very rich in calories and roughage and grown in most of Africa, South America and the Indian Subcontinent as a staple crop, said Dr Vincent Fondong, associate professor of biological sciences and principal investigator of the grant.

Dr. Fondong added that in addition to being a staple food crop, cassava is also an important source of bio-fuel.

PHOTO: Dr. Vincent Fondong, associate professor of biological sciences and principal investigator of the plant, study a plant with Dr. Chowda Reddy, who is doing his post-doctoral work at DSU, and Celestine Fusong, a technical assistant.

Interdisciplinary DSU Students win Ist runnerup in National Video Contest

cholmes@desu.edu — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EDT

DSU STUDENT WIN 1^ST RUNNER UP IN NATIONAL VIDEO COMPETITION

An interdisciplinary team of four Delaware State University students recently won 1^st runner-up in a video contest sponsored by the Task Force on the Future of American Innovation.

Sponsored in celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the launch of the Sputnik, students from colleges and universities across the country were asked to create a three-minute video and to upload it to YouTube, a popular online video website. The contest called for students to create a video on how technology has changed our lives since the age of Sputnik.

The four DSU students – senior Sharmaine Jackson and junior Asia Brown, both mass communication majors, Aaron Zelinka, a sophomore physics and pre-engineering major, and James Poland, a junior chemistry major – created a video that demonstrated how wireless technology has improved our lives and how it could potentially do so in the future. The students were guided in the project by Dr. Patrick Gleeson, professor of physics, and Vincent Ciammaichelli, mass communication instructor and studio manager.

The interdisciplinary DSU team received an award of $300 for their 1^st runner-up and was invited to Washington, D.C. where they met with former astronauts Kathryn Sullivan and Mae Jamison, as well as with U.S. Rep. Michael N. Castle.

PHOTO: America Innovation Video Contest winners from DSU receive congratulation from Delaware Congressman Michael N. Castle. From l-r, Aaron Zelinka, Shermain Jackson, Rep. Castle, and Asia Brown.

DSU to present Handel's Messiah

cholmes@desu.edu — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Delaware State University to Present Handel's "Messiah" on Dec 2

The Delaware State University College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and the Department of Music will present excerpts from Handel’s oratorio ‘Messiah’ at 4 30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2 in the Education and Humanities Auditorium. The concert is FREE and open to the public.

Conductor Curtis Everett Powell, the DSU director of choral music, will lead the performance by the University’s Concert Choir, they will be joined by members of the community. The choir will be accompanied by members of the world-renowned Harlem Festival Orchestra. Mr. Powell returned to Delaware State University after a two-year break to complete his doctorate at the University of Mississippi. Powell served at DSU from 2002-2005.

Internationally celebrated professional soloists will include: Vicki Jones, soprano, Sylvia Twine, mezzo, Larry Thomas, tenor, and Alvy Powell, bass.

This annual holiday concert is a demonstration of Delaware State’s wonderful talent, and the University presents this as a gift to the DSU family and to the Greater Delaware community for the holiday season.

Plan to arrive early for a good seat. For more information, call (302) 857-6693 or email CPowell@desu.edu.

Pictured: Curtis Everett Powell, DSU director of Choral Music

DSU Wins MEAC Championship with Amazing Comeback Against Norfolk St.

cholmes@desu.edu — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EDT

DSU WINS MEAC CHAMPIONSHIP WITH A COMEBACK FOR THE AGES

DSU Head Coach Al Lavan, DSU President Allen L. Sessoms and DSU Athletics Director Rick Costello hoist the MEAC Championship trophy high.

Eric Sewell pulls in the game-winning touchdown pass during the overtime period.

Shaheer McBride catches six-yard touchdown passes that ignited the fourth quarter comeback. It was also McBride’s 33 career touchdown at DSU, tying him for first place with former Hornet and NFL star John Taylor.

It was one of the most amazing and meaningful comebacks in Delaware State University history. And you almost had to see it to believe it.

The DSU Hornet football team overcame a fourth quarter 21-3 deficit to force its playoff-implication game against the Norfolk State Spartans into overtime and then score the winning touchdown, giving Del State a 28-21 victory making them the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion.

After going three quarters of inconsistent offense and only a Peter Gaertner 39-yard field goal to show for it, the Hornets entered the fourth quarter with an 18-point deficit. They also had to contend with an ecstatic visiting crowd of about 1,500 Norfolk faithful who zealously cheered their Spartans on while more than 5,000 DSU fans sat in cold and stunned silence.

But that changed when DSU (9-1 overall and 7-0 in the MEAC) fired the home crowd up as they erupted for 25 unanswered points in the last nine minutes and the subsequent overtime period.

“We were down 18 points,” said wide receiver Shaheer McBride. “We pretty much had to put the ball in play and score points.”

The fourth quarter comeback began when Hornet quarterback Vashon Winton lead the team on a 12-play, 81-yard drive. It culminated with a six-yard touchdown pass to McBride with 8:09 left in the game, closing Norfolk’s lead to 21-10.

With some momentum and some home crowd excitement generated, the Hornet defense stopped the next Norfolk offensive series, and the Del State’s offense began on its own 35-yard line. The arm of Winton quickly transported DSU to within two yards of the end zone by a 10-yard pass play to Octavious Everett and a 53-yard slant pattern completion to senior wide receiver Derrick McNeil.

The Hornets then turned to ball over to running back Adam Shrewsbury, who ran in both the touchdown and two-point conversion, pulling the Hornets within 21-18 with 3:14 left in regulation.

“After we kicked the ball, it had to be three and out,” said cornerback Akeem Green. “We knew we had a chance to win. We just had to dig deep on defense.”

After Norfolk State failed to pick up a first down on the ensuing possession and punted, DSU got the ball at its 44-yard line with 1:54 remaining. The Hornets picked up 46 yards on 10 plays before Gaertner nailed a 28-yard field goal as time expired to tie the game.

Despite winning the overtime coin toss, Norfolk elected to go on defense first and give DSU the first crack at the end zone. Beginning 20 yards from the end zone, Winton (28-44, 245 yards) commandeered the Hornets down to the two-yard line. He then made an unlikely offensive hero of reserve linebacker Eric Sewell, who lined up at fullback and slipped into the end zone to pull in a Winton’s toss to give the Hornets a 28-21 lead.

That left it to the DSU defense, which had denied the Spartans any further scoring since its third quarter touchdown. The Hornets continued to be unyielding as Norfolk’s senior quarterback Casey Hansen failed to complete three straight passes.

Green then put a cornerback blitz exclamation mark on the comeback by sacking Hansen on fourth down, sealing the victory, the MEAC championship, and the automatic berth to represent the league in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (I-AA) playoff.

It was the third straight game that DSU had come from behind in the last minutes. DSU Head Coach Al Lavan, who has achieved a MEAC Crown in his fourth season, noted that it reflects the character of the team.

“All year we haven’t been this far behind,” Lavan said. “It is resiliency…we’ve been a part of a lot of comebacks.”

McBride’s comeback igniting touchdown came after he had left the game in the third quarter with an ankle injury, but suddenly re-entered the game when DSU got near the goal line on it’s initial fourth quarter drive.

“McBride wasn’t even supposed to be in there, and I didn’t realize he was until I saw the formation,” Lavan said. “When he runs out there limping as bad as he was, it sends a signal to the team.”

In addition to helping to reverse DSU’s fortunes in the game, McBride – a senior team captain – increase his career TD total to 33, tying him for the school record with former Hornet and NFL star John Taylor. He could possibly break the record next week in the Hornets’ last regular season game at home Nov. 17 against Howard University.

Gaertner kicked two field goals in the contest to give him a school-record 17 for the season. The senior kicker, who knocked down game winning field goals in the final seconds in each of the previous two wins, eclipsed his previous record of 16 field goals in 2005.

It is DSU’s first sole MEAC championship since 1989. Norfolk finished its year in the MEAC’s second place, 6-2 in the conference and 7-3 overall.

The NCAA will announce its FCS Tournament teams pairing on Nov. 18.

Article and photos by Carlos Holmes

DSU Unveils it Food Business Incubator Center

cholmes@desu.edu — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EDT

DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY UNVEILS ITS

NEW FOOD BUSINESS INCUBATOR CENTER

Delaware State University’s Center for Enterprise Development recently held the grand opening of its Food Business Incubator Center that will help local food service operators establish their businesses.

This center makes it financially possible for a start-up or existing food business to take advantage of a fully licensed and certified commercial kitchen on an as needed basis, without having to invest precious financial resources in getting started.

The Food Business Incubator Center is a low-cost, fully equipped commercially certified kitchen that can be rented on an “as needed basis”, thus saving time and money. Any caterer, restaurant, food vendor, producer of specialty/gourmet food recipes, or farmer seeking value-added options will be able to use the Incubator Center.

Most start-up food enterprises begin in a home kitchen. Once the final recipe is ready for the marketplace, the home kitchen is a liability. New business owners cannot obtain the necessary licensing from the state or product liability insurance for the manufacture and sale of a product made in a home kitchen. Legally they must manufacture their product from a professional kitchen.

Renting the space is far cheaper than trying to accumulate the funds to create their own kitchen. For more information on the Food Business incubator, contact Lillie Crawford at (302) 857-6954

HSBC Funding Supports DSU's JET Program

cholmes@desu.edu — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EDT

DSU Receives HSBC Funding for its JET Program

The Delaware Center for Enterprise Development has received a grant in the amount of $30,000 from HSBC to support the Junior Entrepreneurs in Training (JET) Program.

The JET Program provides entrepreneurial education for middle and high school aged youths, teaching them skills that help them explore their potential for self-employment and business ownership. Through various programs conducted throughout by the DCED, youth participate in entrepreneurial activities through a variety of experiential learning activities. The program utilizes well-established, effective curricula from the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship.

Since its establishment at DSU in 1997, the JET Program has worked to address the lack of true entrepreneurial education in Delaware. It teaches youth from various schools the basic concepts and skills required for entrepreneurship and the relationship between academic subjects and the practical world of business.

HSBC - North America is one of the top 10 financial services companies in the United States with assets approaching $300 billion. HSBC - North America includes all of HSBC's U.S. and Canadian businesses, including HSBC Finance Corporation (formerly Household International) businesses, which were acquired in March 2003.

HSBC makes corporate citizenship a significant part of its corporate mission. To facilitate its commitment to be a vital and contributing member of the communities where it does business, the company has established HSBC in the Community (USA) Inc., a foundation that implements its philanthropic strategy by focusing primarily on the critical issues of education and the environment.

Since 2001 HSBC foundation has supported DSU’s JET Program with $91,000 (including the most recent grant award) as part of their corporate citizenship in Central Delaware.

Top Del. High School Bands Compete at Alumni Staduim

cholmes@desu.edu — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EDT

DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY HOSTS NATIONAL TOURNAMENT OF JUDGES BAND COMPETITION

Delaware State University’s Alumni Stadium will feature the top High School Marching Bands in the Mid-Atlantic Region on Nov. 10-11 as its serves as the site for the National Tournament of Band Competition.

About 120 of the top high school bands from the Mid-Atlantic Region will compete for the top honors, including marching bands from four Delaware schools – Caesar Rodney High School, Middletown High School, Brandywine High School and the Cab Calloway School of the Arts.

Bands will be judged on the musical and marching proficiency. All of the bands competing in this National Tournament were previously among the highest scorers in their jurisdiction competition, enabling their elevation to this tournament level.

The competitions will be held from 5 p.m. to 12 midnight Saturday, Nov. 10 and from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11. Tickets will be sold at the stadium each day for $20 and each ticket will allow admission for the entire day.

The competing Delaware schools are scheduled to perform at the following times*:

* Middletown H.S., 5:24 p.m. Sat., Nov. 10.
* Caesar Rodney H.S., 10:26 p.m. Sat., Nov. 10
* Cab Calloway Sch. of the Arts, 1:02 p.m. Sun., Nov. 11
* Brandywine H.S., 2:12 p.m. Sun., Nov. 11

Dover Native Presents Poignant Photo Exhibition at DSU

cholmes@desu.edu — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EDT

DOVER NATIVE AND PHOTOGRAPHER KRISTEN ASHBURN PRESENTS “BLOODLINE – AIDS and FAMILY” EXHIBITION AT DSU

Photo works tell the poignant story of the AIDS pandemic in three African countries

During Kristen Ashburn's freshman year in 1988 at Dover High School, while some students had general ideas about what professions they want to pursue, she knew exactly what she wanted to do.

The then-young Kristen wanted to become very good at freezing moments in time through photography.

Fast-forward 19 years and in the fall of 2007 Ms. Ashburn has not only developed into a well-traveled professional photographer, but a very good New York City-based one who focuses on documentary photography projects involving serious subject matters.

Ashburn, a 1992 Dover HS grad whose work has appeared in several national publications, has returned to her native hometown with an exhibition in which her photography poignantly tells the story of AIDS in Africa.

Delaware State University's Arts Center/Gallery is site of Ashburn’s major exhibition “Bloodline – AIDS and Family,” which illustrates the despair, compassion and hope of people from three African countries as they struggle with the pervasive problem of the disease.

Bloodlines – more than 40 poignant illuminated shadow boxes of images that tell the story of AIDS in those counties – will be on exhibition at the DSU Arts Center/Gallery for the rest of November through World AIDS DAY, Dec. 1, 2007. The exhibition is free and open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

Ashburn has come a long ways since first becoming introduced at Dover HS to the serious pursuit of photography. Following her high school and university graduations, Ashburn's career trajectory has produced photographs and stories from the Middle East, Europe and Africa landing many publications including Time, Newsweek, US News & World Report, Life, The New Yorker, Vanity Fair and Rolling Stone and others.

In explaining her photography roots, Ashburn notes that it began in a serious way as a Dover High School freshman.

“I have always had a fascination with the fleeting aspects of time, and I felt that photography could help crystallize my memories and record my life and the lives of others.”

Ashburn would go on to spend four years in Dover High School’s Visual and Performing Arts Gifted Program, where she studied under its then-directing teacher Gil Givens. “He built up my confidence that it was okay to study photography and let me know that not everyone was meant to be a doctor or a lawyer,” Ashburn said. “He felt that art was something valuable in our world and as important as anything else. He honored my desire to learn and involve myself in the discipline.”

As she developed her technical skills in the profession, Ashburn also learned about the power of imagery in telling serious stories and capturing intimate moments that reveal the utter emotions and gravity of life’s compelling issues.

Her progression as a photographer has resulted in a diverse portfolio that has spanned the world. She has been to the Middle East where in Gaza she captured images that reflected the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as pictorial essays of Jewish settlements, suicide bombers and Palestinian Liberation Organizations Chairman Yasser Arafat’s house arrest in Ramalla. Her work has taken Ashburn to Russia to document ravages of drug resistant tuberculosis in its penal system, to Iraq following the U.S.-led invasion, as well as to the aftermath sites of catastrophic disasters such as the tsunami in Sri Lanka and Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

Ashburn’s current Bloodline exhibition is comprised of photos taken between 2001-2006 on five trips to the countries of Zimbabwe, Malawi and Botswana in the southern part of Africa. In those countries, she found the AIDS mortality extremely high because the drugs that combat the disease and prolong life in much of the rest of the world are largely unavailable in such African nations.

During 2005 alone, an estimated 2 million adults and children perished as a result of AIDS in the Sub-Saharan region. However, Ashburn’s Bloodlines exhibition looks beyond the statistics and into the individual stories of the unfolding catastrophe, providing an intimate look at the harsh reality of the AIDS pandemic in that part of the world as well as the support the grassroots-level people of the countries give to those afflicted.

The powerful imagery is conveyed through sensitivity to light and darkness, as many of the photos consist of images printed as Duotrans on light boxes that have been installed in the DSU Arts Center/Gallery especially for this exhibition. The effect of light emanating from the image brings the viewer closer to the experience of life and death.

“I wanted to provide people with a window into the homes of these people and show that they are dying from a disease that they shouldn’t be dying of,” Ashburn said. “I also wanted to show how through their sheer determination and love for each other, they have been able to accomplish so much.”

Death is not the focus of Bloodline, but rather the building of a bridge of understanding and compassion concerning one of the most horrific disease-related tragedies of our time. In addition to showing the faces of the afflicted and the families that care for them, Bloodlines also shows images of volunteer home-based units that care for AIDS-afflicted people.

Ashburn has received numerous honors, including a nomination for the 28th annual Emmy Awards (2007), NPPA- Best of Photojournalism (2007), the John Faber Award – Overseas Press Club of America (2006), National Press Photographers Association's Best of Photojournalism (2006, 2003), two World Press Photo prizes (2005, 2003), as well as the Getty Foundation Grant 2006, Canon’s Female Photojournalist Award in 2004 and the Marty Forscher Fellowship for Humanistic Photography 2003.

Committed to humanitarianism beyond the lens, while she was still in college she made five trips to Romania as a volunteer working with neurologically impaired orphans. In 1997 she was instrumental in establishing an American chapter of the Romanian Challenge Appeal, of which she was its first chairperson. She began to photograph the impact of AIDS in southern Africa in 2001, the year she joined the photo agency Contact Press Images.

In addition to her humanitarian photography, Ashburn is one of the directors of “Through the Eyes of Children: The Rwanda Project,” a charity that teaches photography to Rwandan orphans of the 1994 genocide and supports them through the sale of their images (www.rwandaproject.org).

Ashburn received an Associates Degree at Rochester Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts in 1997. She continues to be represented by Contact Press Images (www.contactpressimages.com).

When the Bloodline show ends at DSU, she will move the exhibition on to New York City. She said it is an important issue that needs to be seen, and getting that accomplished is time consuming.

“It takes a tremendous amount of time and energy to distribute the work so that the issue can be highlighted,” Ashburn said. She added that she is already planning her next project – a photo story on eating disorders.

The photographer’s work can be seen on her website www.kristenashburn.com.