DSU Convocation – article and photos
DSU President Tony Allen officially proclaimed the start of the Delaware State University 2025-2026 academic year during the traditional Convocation ceremony.
The Convocation – attended by a projected school-record 1,600 freshmen, as well as other students, faculty, staff and administrators – was held in the University Memorial Hall
Dr. Allen predicted to the incoming freshmen that they would get knocked down during their life journey, but that they then would rise to great heights. He also told the Class of 2029 that they should know that they can always do more, and that their higher power is always with them.
With that said. Dr. Allen had the school-record 1,600 first-year students stand and repeat the following three times: “I am the voice. I will lead not follow. I will create not destroy. I’m a leader. I am a force for good. I’m a force for peace. Defy the odds. Set a new standard. Step up. Step up. Step up!!!”
The Convocation keynote speaker was DSU Class of 2014 alumna Loren LoRosa, Senior News Producer of the nationally syndicated radio show “The Breakfast Club” on Power 105.1.
Ms. LoRosa told the students that her vision was sharpened by her DSU experience and about the importance of relationship building during her Del State years.
“As you sharpen and protect your vision, there might be some days that you don’t know that you will not be sure,” Ms. LoRosa said. “In times that you do not know, you will learn as you go out into the world how important these people are who you are building relationships with at Delaware State University will be for your ‘end all, be all’.”
She urged the students to make the most of their academic journey at DSU. “This is the best pregame for life. Do it and do it well,” Ms. LoRosa said. She added that students should be afraid to take reasonable risks. “If you don’t shoot the shot, the shot cannot go in.”
Ms. LoRosa was not the only alumni to speak to the students. DSU graduate Dr. Jamal Jefferies, the National President the DSU Alumni Association, shared with the freshman how despite having a low GPA in high school, DSU embraced him, helped him become a Dean’s List student, and set him on the path to professional success.
“This institution will plant a grit inside of you that will complete outmatch any Ivy Leaguer, any elite institutions,” said Dr. Jeffries, Class of 2002. “I sit at those tables with those people, and my grit from Delaware State always takes me over the top.”