DSU Honors “Over/Under 40” Successful Alumni

DSU honored 40 alumni as part of its “Over/Under 40 Club” as part of the 125^th Anniversary Celebration event held on Oct. 16 at Dover Downs.

The Over/Under 40 Club recognizes successful graduates who have demonstrated a high level of excellence in their professional careers as well as a commitment to serving their communities. Based upon DSU’s Core Values – Community, Integrity, Diversity, Scholarship and Outreach – this club focuses on building a culture for philanthropy while recognizing the importance of alumni outreach.

The 125th Anniversary Celebration include performances by V. Bozeman, a singer and actress of the hit television drama "Empire," as well as the electrifying group the Panama Band.

The alumni selected for the Over/Under 40 Club include:

• Dr. Donald and Dolores Blakey, Classes of 1958 and 1962 respectively; educators, community theatre actors and producers.
• Halvin Blocksom, Class of 1961, educator
• The Honorable Stephanie T. Bolden, Class of 1969; educator and state legislator.
• Latisha Bracy, Class of 2004; government and community relations professional, campaign manager.
• Ned W. Brown, Jr., Class of 1971; educator, past DSUAA New Castle Co. chapter president.
• LeFeisha D. (Williamson) Cannon, Class of 2003; associate controller in DSU’s Finance & Administration Division, consultant.
• Ernest “Sammy” Congo, Class of 1967; owner of Congo Funeral Home in Wilmington.
• Ernest M. “Trippi” Congo II, Class of 1998, funeral director of family owned Congo Funeral Home in Wilmington.
• Greg Coverdale, Class of 1999; CEO of Real Estate, LLC, financial planner
• Dr. Corrie L. Davis, Class of 1998; associate professor of educational research, Kennesaw State University.
• Robert G. Draine, Sr., Class of 1960; educator
• Dr. Martin A. Drew and Sharon Dixon-Drew, Classes of 1965 and 1966, respectively; educators.
• Steven Ewing, Class of 1983; president and owner of Wade Ford Inc. in Smyrna, Ga.
• Schlonn Hawkins, Class of 2010; public relations professional.
• Carolyn Golden Hebsgaard, Class of 1965, executive director of the Boston Lawyers Group and Lawyers Collaboration for Diversity.
• Drs. Berlin and Reba Hollingsworth, Class of 1967 and 1949, respectively; educators and parliamentarians.
• Matthew W. Horace, Class of 1985; internationally recognized law enforcement, homeland security and leadership expert.
• Dr. Jamar H. Jeffers, Classes of 2002 and 2003; vice president of development for 100 Black Men of America.
• Chris Joyner, Class of 1976; insurance professional
• The Honorable Rochelle S. Knapp, Class of 2004; Justice of the Peace judge.
• Dr. Emmanuel Lalande, Class of 2005; vice president/dean of Student Success at Harris-Stowe State University
• James F. and Mary Jane Marshall, Classes of 1962 and 1975; real property officer at DAFB, owners and operators of family business.
• Darnerien McCants, Class of 2001; multimedia artist, former NFL wide receiver.
• Jermain Miller, attended DSU 1998-1999; New York City real estate professional.
• Isaiah Nathaniel, Class of 2004; entrepreneur, film director.
• Norman Oliver, Class of 1985; entrepreneur, business owner.
• Jerome Pinkett, Class of 1961; educator, guidance counselor
• Maurice Pritchett, Class of 1965; educator, education consultant
• John Ridgeway, Class of 1975, John Ridgeway, Toyota Finance Services corporate manager, DSU Board of Trustees member
• Philip G. Sadler, Jr., Class of 1962; tax accountant, former DSUAA chapter president.
• Monica Scott, Class of 2002; nursing program director.
• Taunita Stephenson, Class of 2009; assistant commissioner of championships, Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
• Jimmie and Tina Strong, Classes of 1966 and 1965 respectively; CEO of the Strong Company and educator.
• Leroy A. Tice, Esq., Class of 2002; attorney
• Cathleen Trigg-Jones, Class of 1992; broadcast journalist, talk show host, actress.
• David G. Turner, Class of 1986; founder of Sovereign Partners Consulting LLC and chairman of the DSU Board of Trustees.
• Robert P. Vanderhost, Class of 1972; entertainment manager, athlete/coach, mentor.
• Enid Wallace-Simms, Class of 1974; senior public affairs manager, Delmarva Power
• Leah Williams, Clas of 2015, 2016; first winner of both the DSU Presidential Academic Award and the Presidential Leadership Award, supply chain analyst for the Northrop Grumman Corporation.
• Herman L. Wood, Class of 1973; director of Business Development and Supply Chain Management, Commercial & Government Services, U.S. Facilities, Inc.