*In this photo:* Gov. Michael N. Castle is shown shaking hands with then-DSU Board Chairman Claibourne Smith in 2012 when he was sworn in as a University Board of Trustees member. Gov. Castle served two six-year terms on the Board.

On Campus

DSU mourns the passing of Gov. Michael Castle, former DSU Board member

Friday, August 15, 2025

The Delaware State University community is saddened by Gov. Michael N. Castle’s passing and extends heartfelt condolences to his family.

“During his 40 years of elected public service and beyond, Gov. Castle was a friend and supporter of DSU. That includes his 10 years as a Representative and Senator in the Delaware General Assembly (1967-1977), four years as Lt. Governor (1981-1985), eight years as the Governor of Delaware (1985-1992), and his Delaware record nine terms in the U.S. House of Representatives (1993-2011).

After his elected public service years, he was appointed in 2012 by Gov. Jack Markell to become a member of the DSU Board of Trustees. A two-term Board member (2012-2024), Gov. Castle was an engaged and inquisitive member and served on the Board’s Executive, Operations, and Governance committees.

Gov. Castle was an active University Trustee until health reasons curtailed his participation on the Board. Even when as his health began to decline and prevent his physical attendance at Board meetings, for as long as he could Gov. Castle attended from his residence by phone and was not hesitant to ask questions or provide his perspective on agenda items during such meetings.

DSU joins its fellow Delawareans in mourning the passing of Gov. Michael N. Castle and also in celebrating his dedicated career of elected public service leadership.”