Home > News > Del State annual Philanthropy Symposium held virtually
COVID-19 could not stop Delaware State University from hosting its annual HBCU Philanthropy Symposium on July 22-24.
In this photo: COVID-19 could not stop Delaware State University from hosting its annual HBCU Philanthropy Symposium on July 22-24.
On Campus

Del State annual Philanthropy Symposium held virtually

Friday, July 24, 2020

Despite the COVID-19 restrictions, Delaware State University’s annual HBCU Philanthropy Symposium was held on July 22-23.

The 10th Symposium – founded and conducted yearly by the University’s Division of Institutional Advancement – was held virtually with more than 300 participants representing 54 Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Dr. Vita Pickrum and the HBCU Philanthropy Symposium Team have released a recap video of the HBCU Philanthropy Symposium from June 22-23, 2020. This was the first year the Symposium was held virtually. You can access the recap at https://www.hbcusymposium.com/symposium-recap.

The Symposium opened July 22 with Welcome remarks from Dr. Vita Pickrum, Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Del State; Dr. Harry L. Williams, President and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (and former Del State President); and current Delaware State University President Tony Allen.

William D. Hansen, President and CEO, and Daryl Graham, Senior Vice President, both of the Strada Education Network, gave opening remarks.

The first full session covered the timely topic of “Supporting HBCUs Through the COVID-19 Crisis.” The panel included Sean Burns, Esq., Assistant Vice President of Government Relations; Victor Santos, Senior Director of Government Relations; and Amy Goldstein, Assistant Vice President of Development, all of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. Dr. Kenneth Sigmon, Vice Chancellor of North Carolina State A&T University, was the moderator.

After lunch, Dr. Devona Williams, Del State Board of Trustees Chairperson and the President and CEO of Goeins-Williams Associates, Inc., led a Foundation Leaders Panel on “The New Normal for Philanthropy in Higher Education.”

The Symposium also featured a virtual concert by Grammy Award-winning artist Regina Belle.

Other session topics over the two-day Symposium included:

  • Fundraising is Everybody’s Business: How Student Development + Fund Development = Philanthropic Success!
  • Rethinking Corporate Collaborations: Leveraging the Moment.
  • Developing Your Fundraising Plan.
  • Fundraising in Times of COVID-19: Sharing Best Practices.
  • University and Alumni Association Engagement Strategies in the midst of COVID-19.
  • What 2020 has Taught Us about the Future of HBCUs and Higher Education.

Other speakers and panels included:

Myoshi Aubain, Plant Manager at DuPont

Terrance Bowman, Executive Director for Technology for Social Good/Diversity & Inclusion at JPMorgan Chase

Brandon Brooks, Assistant Vice President for Institutional Advancement and External Affairs at Langston University

Marcus H. Burgess, Interim Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Claflin University

Scott Dalessandro, Program Officer, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Tyler Davidson, Director of Development, Stillman College

Dr. Harriet Frink Davis, Interim Vice Chancellor for University Advancement at Fayetteville State University and Executive Director of the FSU Foundation, Inc.

Jaime S. Fall, Director of UpSkill America at the Aspen Institute

Brian Flahaven, Senior Director for Advocacy, Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)

Amy Goldstein, Assistant Vice President of CASE Organizational Advancement Council

William D. Hansen, President and CEO, Strada Education Network

Rob Henry, Vice President of Education (CASE)

Dr. Michelle S. Hite, Associate Professor, Spelman College

Carla Henry Hopkins, Director for Alumni Engagement, Bowie State University

Dr. Danette Howard, Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Lumina Foundation

Mautra Staley Jones, Vice President for Institutional Advancement and External Affairs, Langston University

Mellanie Kai Lassiter, Senior Manager of Corporate Relations, Pepco Holdings

Adriene Lance Lucas, Senior Manager of Corporate Relations, Pepco Holdings

William F.L. Moses, Senior Vice President for Advancement, Strategic Development and External Affairs, The Kresge Foundation

Angela L. Minniefield, Senior Vice President of Advancement, Strategic Development and External Affairs, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science

Tamara S. Nash, Vice President of Development and Strategic Partnerships, Complete College America

Ayana Pilgrim-Brown, Manager of Diversity Recruiting Strategy, Vanguard

Dr. Sally Rockey, Executive Director, Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research

Kenneth E. Sigmon, Jr., Vice Chancellor for University Advancement, North Carolina A&T University

Denise A. Smith, Major Gift Officer, Morgan State University

Ed Smith-Lewis, Executive Director for Capacity Building, United Negro College Fund

Melinda Spaulding, Vice President for University Advancement, Texas Southern University

Dr. Yolanda Watson Spiva, President, Complete College America

Dr. Marcia A. Taylor, Executive Director of Alumni Relations, Delaware State University

Ann-Marie Thornton, Director of Development and Alumni Relations, Community College of Baltimore County

Rodney Trapp, Vice President for Advancement, University of the District of Columbia

Angela Van Croft, Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations, United Negro College Fund

Marcus D. Ward, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Alcorn State University, and Executive Director of the ASU Foundation, Inc.

Darryl Ann Watkins, Senior Program Manager for the Institute for Capacity Building, United Negro College Fund

Kenneth Westary, Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Community College of Baltimore County

Carme Williams, Vice President of Development, Prairie View A&M University

Bob Winfree, Regional Operations Director for Customer Service and Engagement, Discover

Sandra D. Yates, Associate Vice President of Development, Morehouse College.

Dr. Pickrum would like to give special recognition to Dr. Francine Edwards and Zachary Kimball for the production of the videos. A special thank you to the IT team Darrell McMillon, Andrea Wilson, Kyle Spaulding, and Russell Weaver for their assistance in managing the WebEx webinars and recordings. Finally, Dr. Pickrum would like to acknowledge the efforts of LaShawne Pryor, Aleasha Dorsett, and the entire University Advancement Team for their efforts in coordinating the entire event.

The Symposium was a true example that it all matters.