Dr. Akwasi Osei named Professor Emeritus

Dr. Akwasi Osei, Professor of History and Political Science, who has retired this year after a 33-year tenure at Delaware State University, has been named Professor Emeritus.

DSU President Tony Allen announced the honor during the May 15 Commencement Ceremonies on the main campus. Dr. Osei served as the Grand Marshal for the graduation events.

Dr. Osei, a native of Ghana, began his DSU career in August 1993 when he was hired as an assistant professor in the Department of History and Political Science. He was elevated to Associate Professor in 1999 and to Full Professor in 2023.

During his DSU academic tenure, he served as the Director of Global Studies from 2000 to 2004, as the Chair of the Department of History, Political Science, and Philosophy from 2003 to 2018, and as an Associate Dean of the College of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences. He also served as interim Dean of that college from December 2021 to October 2023.

He has served the University in many other capacities, including, but not limited to, Vice Chair and Chair of the Faculty Senate 1994-1998 and 1998-2004, respectively) and membership on Search Committees for President, Provost, and Dean. He was also instrumental in bringing prominent artists, professionals, and icons to the DSU campus, such as jazz musician Donald Byrd (who became an Artist-in-Residence), author and musician James McBride, the late distinguished historian John Hope Franklin, Olympic athlete Tommie Smith, Black Panther Party co-founder Bobby Seale, and many others.