View source for Delaware State University

{{Short description|Historically black university in Dover, Delaware, US}}
{{redirect|Delaware State|the U.S. state|Delaware}}
{{Distinguish|University of Delaware}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox university
 | name                   = Delaware State University
 | image                  = Delaware State University seal.svg
 | image_upright          = 0.8
 | motto                  = "Enter to Learn, Go Forth and Serve"
 | established            = {{start date and age|1891|05|15}}
 | accreditation          = [[Middle States Commission on Higher Education|MSCHE]]
 | academic_affiliation   = [[Thurgood Marshall College Fund|TMCF]]
 | type                   = [[Statutory college#Outside New York State|Privately governed, state-assisted]] [[Historically black colleges and universities|historically black]] [[Land-grant university|land-grant]] [[research university]]
 | endowment              = $43 million (2021)<ref>Delaware State University: Portfolio Review, Goldman Sachs Institutional Client Solutions, December 21, 2021, University Advancement archives</ref>
 | president              = [[Tony Allen (academic administrator)|Tony Allen]]
 | faculty                = 600
 | students               = 6,623 (2025)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.desu.edu/news/2025/11/dsu-hits-new-enrollment-record-6623-total-students|title=DSU Hits New Enrollment Record - 6,623 Students!!!|publisher=Delaware State University|year=2025|access-date=November 21, 2025}}</ref>
 | city                   = [[Dover, Delaware|Dover]]
 | state                  = [[Delaware]]
 | country                = United States
 | campus                 = Small city<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=Delaware&s=all&id=130934|title=College Navigator - Delaware State University|website=nces.ed.gov}}</ref>
 | campus_size            = {{cvt|706|acre|km2}}
 | former_names           = {{Unbulleted list|Delaware College for Colored Students (1891–1893)|State College for Colored Students (1893–1947)|Delaware State College (1947–1993)|Wilmington Conference Academy (1873–1918)|Wesley Collegiate Institute (1918–1941)|Wesley Junior College (1941–1958)|[[Wesley College (Delaware)|Wesley College]] (1958–2021)}}
 | colors                 = Columbia blue and  cherry red<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://usteamcolors.com/delaware-state-university-colors/#:~:text=The+Delaware+State+University+colors,athletics+team+is+the+Hornets.|title=Delaware State University Colors &#124; NCAA Colors &#124; U.S. Team Colors|website=US Team Colors}}</ref><br>{{color box|#72CDF4}}&nbsp;{{color box|#EE3124}}
 | sports_nickname        = [[Delaware State Hornets|Hornets]]
 | sporting_affiliations  = {{hlist|[[NCAA Division I FCS]] – [[Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference|MEAC]]|[[Northeast Conference|NEC]]|[[ASUN Conference|ASUN]]|[[Eastern College Athletic Conference|ECAC]]}}
 | website                = {{URL|https://www.desu.edu/|desu.edu}}
 | logo                   = Delaware State University logo.svg
 | logo_upright           = .9
 | free_label             = Other campuses
 | free                   = {{hlist|[[Georgetown, Delaware|Georgetown]]|[[Wilmington, Delaware|Wilmington]]}}
 | free_label2            = Newspaper
 | free2                  = ''The Hornet''
 | mascot                 = Too Fly
}}

'''Delaware State University''' ('''DSU''' or '''Del State''') is a [[Statutory college#Outside New York State|privately governed, state-assisted]] [[Historically black colleges and universities|historically black]] [[Land-grant university|land-grant]] [[research university]] in [[Dover, Delaware]]. DSU also has two [[satellite campus]]es: one in [[Wilmington, Delaware|Wilmington]] and one in [[Georgetown, Delaware|Georgetown]]. The university encompasses four colleges and a diverse population of [[undergraduate]] and [[postgraduate education|advanced-degree]] students. Delaware State University is [[Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education|classified]] among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity".<ref>{{cite web |title=Carnegie Classifications Institution Lookup |url=https://carnegieclassifications.iu.edu/lookup/view_institution.php?unit_id=130934 |publisher=Center for Postsecondary Education |website=carnegieclassifications.iu.edu |access-date=September 12, 2020}}</ref>
[[File:Delaware_State_University_Riverfront_building_in_Wilmington,_DE_01.jpg|thumb|Delaware State University Riverfront building in Wilmington]]

==History==
===19th century===
The '''Delaware College for Colored Students''' was established on May 15, 1891, by the [[Delaware General Assembly]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Chapter 119|url=https://legis.delaware.gov/legacy/SessionLaws/volume19/chp119.shtml|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315063111/http://delcode.delaware.gov/sessionlaws/volume19/chp119.shtml|archive-date=March 15, 2016}}</ref> The name was changed to the '''State College for Colored Students''' by state legislative action in 1893 to eliminate confusion with Delaware College, which was attended by whites in [[Newark, Delaware]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Chapter 635|url=https://legis.delaware.gov/legacy/SessionLaws/volume19/chp635.shtml|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161117024519/http://delcode.delaware.gov/sessionlaws/volume19/chp635.shtml|archive-date=November 17, 2016}}</ref>  It first awarded degrees in 1898.

===20th century===
In 1945, the [[Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools|Middle States Commission on Higher Education]] awarded the college provisional [[accreditation]]. Three years later, the institution became '''Delaware State College''' by legislative action. Although its accreditation was revoked in 1949, it was regained in 1957.

On July 1, 1993, the institution changed its name yet again, this time to '''Delaware State University'''.<ref name="history">{{cite web |title=Delaware State University History |url=https://www.desu.edu/about/history |access-date=May 22, 2017 |publisher=Delaware State University |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303114020/https://www.desu.edu/about/history |archive-date=March 3, 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Delaware State University is one of the first [[historically black colleges and universities]] to have a no-smoking policy.

===21st century===
====2007 shooting====
{{Main|2007 Delaware State University shooting}}

On September 21, 2007, two 17-year-old Delaware State University freshmen were shot on campus. One died 32 days later on October 23, from critical injuries sustained in the attack. A freshman student from [[East Orange, New Jersey]], Loyer D. Braden, was arrested and charged with murder.

====Other events====
In 2015, the university began phasing out smoking on campus by restricting it to four designated areas and providing educational resources on smoking cessation tools and programs.  In August 2015 it implemented a completely tobacco-free policy.

In 2017, the university received the ACAS Health Leadership Award in recognition of its efforts.  The award was jointly presented by the Public Health Service Officers Foundation for the Advancement of Public Health, the [[Truth Initiative]], Arizonans Concerned About Smoking and the Arizona [[National Association for the Advancement of Colored People|NAACP]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/education/2017/07/05/dsu-one-few-smoke-free-hbcus/451813001/|title=DSU one of few smoke-free HBCUs|work=delawareonline|access-date=July 10, 2017|language=en}}</ref>

In December 2020, [[MacKenzie Scott]] donated $20 million to Delaware State University. Her donation is the largest single gift in the university's history.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.desu.edu/news/2020/12/del-state-receives-historic-20mm-donation-mackenzie-scott |title=Del State receives historic $20MM donation from MacKenzie Scott |publisher=Delaware State University |date=December 15, 2020 |access-date=February 24, 2021}}</ref>

On July 1, 2021, Delaware State University officially finalized its acquisition of [[Wesley College (Delaware)|Wesley College]], a 157-year-old private institution founded by the Methodist Church in 1873.<ref>''Delaware State News'', July 2, 2021, edition, pages 1 and 8.</ref> This acquisition makes Delaware State the first historically Black university to acquire an institution that is not a historically Black college or university.<ref>{{cite web|title=Delaware State University will acquire Wesley College, a first for HBCUs|url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2020/07/10/delaware-state-university-will-acquire-wesley-college-first-hbcus|access-date=July 20, 2020|website=insidehighered.com|language=en}}</ref>

The university has renamed the former Wesley campus "DSU Downtown", reflecting its close proximity to downtown [[Dover, Delaware]], and has relocated most of its College of Health and Behavioral Science (Public and Allied Health, Psychology, and Social Work programs on that additional 41-acre site. That academic division has been renamed the Wesley College of Health and Behavioral Sciences as a way to preserve the history of the former Wesley College.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wchbs.desu.edu/ |title=Wesley College of Health and Behavioral Sciences |publisher=Delaware State University |access-date=February 9, 2022 |archive-date=January 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129013122/https://wchbs.desu.edu/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Campus==
[[File:Delaware State University Wellness Center.jpg|thumb|Delaware State University's Wellness and Recreation Center]]
The {{convert|400|acre|km2|adj=on}} main campus in [[Dover, Delaware|Dover]], the capital of [[Delaware]], is approximately a two-hour drive from [[Philadelphia]], [[Baltimore]], and [[Washington, D.C.]], and three hours from [[New York City]]. The university has two satellite campuses located in [[Wilmington, Delaware|Wilmington]] and [[Georgetown, Delaware|Georgetown]].

The main campus in [[Dover, Delaware|Dover]] contains thirty buildings, including:
{{Div col}}
* Administration Building
* [[Alumni Stadium (Delaware State)|Alumni Stadium]]
*[[Memorial Hall (Delaware State)|Memorial Hall]]
* The Bank of America Building
* Delaware Hall
* The Education and Humanities Building & Theatre
* [[Loockerman Hall]] – listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1971.<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref>
* The Mishoe Science Center
* Price Building
* Willam C. Jason Library
* The Wellness and Recreation Center
* The Optical Science Center for Applied Research
{{Div col end}}

On the main campus there are five main campus traditional residential halls and three apartment-style residence halls for upperclassmen on campus. Off-campus there is an apartment complex and an residential hall. In addition, the university has activated two residential halls at DSU Downtown (the former Wesley College campus). The residential facilities include:

{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Harriet Tubman]]-Lydia Laws Hall
* Jenkins Hall
* [[Medgar Evers]] Hall
* Wynder Towers
* The Living and Learning Commons (off campus)
* University Courtyard Apartments (off campus)
* University Village Complex
* Warren-Franklin Hall 
* Malmberg Hall (DSU Downtown)
* Zimmerman Hall (DSU Downtown)
{{Div col end}}

Two dining halls serve the more than 1,500 on-campus students.

As a part of the [[Internet2]] initiative, the university maintains several research computer laboratories including a high-performance computational cluster in its DESAC center. Almost every building has a computer lab and each student has a dedicated data port for internet access, their own phone, a campus email address, and cable television access in all residence hall rooms. Most campus buildings also offer wireless connectivity.

DSU is one of 148 schools in the country to receive Tree Campus USA recognition from the [[National Arbor Day Foundation|Arbor Day Foundation]].<ref name="Arbor Day Foundation - Tree Campus USA">{{cite web |url=http://www.arborday.org/programs/treecampususa/campuses.cfm|title=Tree Campus USA Schools|publisher=Arbor Day Foundation|year=2012|access-date=August 8, 2012}}</ref> The university owns two farms near [[Kenton, Delaware|Kenton]] and [[Smyrna, Delaware|Smyrna]], and has an Airway Science Program based at Delaware Air Park in [[Cheswold, Delaware|Cheswold]].<ref name="desu.edu">{{cite web|url=http://www.desu.edu/history|title=History|publisher=Delaware State University|year=2009|access-date=August 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120911110610/http://www.desu.edu/history|archive-date=September 11, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Administration==

[[Tony Allen (academic administrator)|Tony Allen]] became the 12th president of Delaware State University on January 1, 2020, after serving the previous two and a half years as the university's provost and executive vice president. Three months into his presidency, Allen ended in-person classes and residential operations on campus following the emergence of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Delaware|COVID-19 pandemic]], and the faculty began offering curriculum online. The university raised $1.5 million for a Student Emergency Relief Fund to address student needs brought on by COVID-19 crisis. Although the COVID-19 crisis continued throughout the year, Allen and the university reopened its residential halls for the fall semester 2020, allowing more than 1,700 students to resume their residency on campus while almost all classes continued to be held virtually.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.desu.edu/student-lire/student-health-services/covid-19|title=COVID-19, updates-7/7 Reopening plan|publisher=Delaware State University}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.desu.edu/studentrelief|title=Student Emergency Relief Fund\publisher=Delaware State University| work=Delaware State University |date = April 7, 2020 | author1=Dsu-Admin }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.desu.edu/presidential-tenure-highlights|title=The Presidents of Delaware State University and the Highlights of their Tenures|publisher=Delaware State University|year=2009|access-date=August 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120607044031/http://www.desu.edu/presidential-tenure-highlights|archive-date=June 7, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The business and affairs of the university are governed by the board of trustees. The board of trustees has all the powers accorded it by Title 14, Chapter 65 of the Delaware Code.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://delcode.delaware.gov/title14/c065/index.html|title=Chapter 65. Organization, Administration and Functions – Delaware State University|publisher=delcode.delaware.gov – the Online Delaware Code website|access-date=August 8, 2012}}</ref> The board consists of 15 members whose appointment or election is provided for in the Delaware Code and the [[Governor of Delaware|governor of the state]] and the president of the university who are ex officio members with voting rights.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.desu.edu/board-trustees|title=Board of Trustees|publisher=Delaware State University|year=2009|access-date=August 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120202031531/http://www.desu.edu/board-trustees|archive-date=February 2, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Presidents===
The following persons have served as president of Delaware State University:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.desu.edu/about/administration/president/presidents-delaware-state-university |title=Presidents of Delaware State University |publisher=Delaware State University}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
!{{abbr|No.|Number}}
!Image
!President
!Term start
!Term end
!{{refh}}
|-
|colspan=6 align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd" style="Font-weight: bold;" |President of Delaware College for Colored Students (1891–1893)
|-
|1
|
|Wesley P. Webb
|1891
|1895
|
|-
|colspan=6 align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd" style="Font-weight: bold;" |Presidents of the State College for Colored Students (1893–1947)
|-
|2
|[[File:William C Jason.jpg|70px]]
|[[William C. Jason]]
|1895
|1923
|
|-
|3
|
|Richard S. Grossley
|1923
|1942
|
|-
|4
|
|Howard Gregg
|1942
|1949
|
|-
|colspan=6 align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd" style="Font-weight: bold;" |Presidents of Delaware State College (1947–1993)
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
|''acting''
|
|Maurice E. Thomasson
|1949
|1950
|
|-
|5
|
|Oscar J. Chapman
|1950
|1951
|
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
|''acting''
|
|Maurice E. Thomasson
|1951
|1953
|
|-
|6
|
|[[Jerome H. Holland]]
|July 1, 1953
|1960 {{efn-ua|Resigned to lead the Hampton Institute.}}
|
|-
|7
|
|Luna I. Mishoe
|October 1960
|June 30, 1987
|
|-
|colspan=6 align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd" style="Font-weight: bold;" |Presidents of Delaware State University (1993–present)
|-
|8
|
|William B. DeLauder
|July 1, 1987
|June 30, 2003
|
|-
|9
|
|[[Allen L. Sessoms]]
|July 1, 2003
|August 31, 2008 {{efn-ua|Resigned to lead the University of the District of Columbia.}}
|
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
|''acting''
|
|[[Claibourne D. Smith]]
|September 1, 2008
|January 9, 2010
|
|-
|10
|
|[[Harry Lee Williams]]
|January 10, 2010
|December 31, 2017 {{efn-ua|Resigned to lead the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.}}
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.desu.edu/news/2009/11/dsu-board-selects-dr-harry-l-williams-10th-dsu-president |title=DSU Board Selects Dr. Harry L. Williams as the 10th DSU President |date=November 20, 2009 |publisher=Delaware State University |quote=The Delaware State University Board of Trustees announced today the selection of Dr. Harry Lee Williams to be the 10th president in the history of the institution... Dr. Williams succeeds Dr. Allen L. Sessoms who resigned at the end of August 2008 to accept a president post at the University of the District of Columbia. Dr. Claibourne D. Smith, chairman of the Board of Trustees, has served as the acting president since Dr. Sessoms’ departure.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://whyy.org/articles/delaware-state-university-president-resigning-to-lead-thurgood-marshall-fund/ |title=Delaware State University President Harry Williams to head Thurgood Marshall Fund; leaves DSU in January |first1=Cris |last1=Barrish |first2=Nichelle |last2=Polston |date=October 23, 2017 |work=[[WHYY-FM]]}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
|''acting''
|rowspan="2" bgcolor="#ffffff" |
|rowspan="2" bgcolor="#ffffff" |[[Wilma Mishoe]] {{efn-ua|Daughter of president Luna Mishoe.}}
|January 2, 2018
|June 30, 2018
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.desu.edu/news/2018/01/dr-mishoe-begins-chapter-interim-president |title=Dr. Mishoe begins chapter as interim president |date=January 10, 2018 |publisher=Delaware State University |quote=Dr. Mishoe took over the leadership of the University on Jan. 2 from Dr. Harry L. Williams, who ended his eight-year tenure as DSU President in December to become the CEO and president of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.}}</ref>
|-
|11
|July 1, 2018
|December 31, 2019
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.desu.edu/news/2018/06/dr-wilma-mishoe-selected-be-11th-permanent-dsu-president |title=Dr. Wilma Mishoe selected to be 11th permanent DSU president |date=June 15, 2018 |publisher=Delaware State University |quote=Earlier today, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to appoint Dr. Wilma Mishoe as the 11th President of Delaware State University, effective July 1, 2018.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.desu.edu/news/2019/09/president-mishoe-announces-intention-retire-university |title=President Mishoe announces intention to retire from University |date=September 5, 2019 |publisher=Delaware State University |quote=Today, on her 70th birthday, Dr. Wilma Mishoe announced her intention to retire as President of Delaware State University, effective December 31, 2019, the capstone to a 40-year career in higher education that ends where it started: on the Dover campus of her beloved University.}}</ref>
|-
|12
|
|[[Tony Allen (academic administrator)|Tony Allen]]
|January 1, 2020
|present
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.desu.edu/news/2019/09/article-tony-allen-vows-keep-dsu-course-engaged-stakeholders |title=Tony Allen vows to keep DSU on course, engaged with stakeholders |date=September 14, 2019 |publisher=Delaware State University |quote=Provost Dr. Tony Allen will assume the presidency of Delaware State University on Jan. 1 following the departure of Wilma Mishoe, who announced Sept. 5 that she will retire after a 40-year career in education.}}</ref>
|-
|}

Table notes:
{{notelist-ua}}

==Academics==
[[File:Joe Biden delivering commencement speech at Delaware State University in 2016.jpg|thumb|Then [[Vice President of the United States|U.S. vice president]] [[Joe Biden]] delivering the commencement speech in May 2016]]
The university consists of four colleges:<ref>{{cite web|title=Provost/Academic Affairs |url=http://www.desu.edu/academics/provostacademic-affairs|publisher=Delaware State University|access-date=February 12, 2014}}</ref> 
*College of Agriculture, Science & Technology
*College of Humanities, Education & Social Sciences
*College of Business
*College of Health & Behavioral Sciences

DSU offers 46 undergraduate degrees, 21 graduate degrees, and six doctoral degrees (interdisciplinary [[applied mathematics]] and [[mathematical physics]], [[applied chemistry]], [[neuroscience]] and [[optics]], integrative agriculture, food & environment, and educational leadership).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.desu.edu/about-dsu|title=About DSU|publisher=Delaware State University|year=2009|access-date=August 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121034437/http://www.desu.edu/about-dsu|archive-date=January 21, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The university also offers several cooperative and dual degree programs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.desu.edu/dtcc-dual-admission-program|title=DTCC Dual Admission Program|publisher=Delaware State University|year=2009|access-date=August 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120202024340/http://www.desu.edu/dtcc-dual-admission-program|archive-date=February 2, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Students receive instruction in classes with a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio. About 80 percent of first-year undergraduates receive need-based financial aid.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Here's How Much You'll Pay to Attend Delaware State University |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/delaware-state-university-1428/paying#:~:text=Financial%2520Aid%2520Statistics%2520for%2520Delaware%2520State%2520University&text=The%2520average%2520need%252Dbased%2520scholarship,financial%2520aid%2520in%2520fall%25202021 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250424012120/https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/delaware-state-university-1428/paying |archive-date=2025-04-24 |website=www.usnews.com |language=en}}</ref> It has a traditional [[Honors College|Honors Program]] and a Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) Honors Program to increase the number of students in science interested in pursuing biomedical research and obtaining [[doctor of philosophy]] degrees in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science, and [[biopsychology]].

In addition to satisfying the requirements for the major or majors and any minor, all undergraduates are required to complete the General Education Program, which includes: seven core courses, twelve foundation courses (across the curriculum), and the Senior Capstone Experience.

Accreditations include the [[Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools|Middle States Commission on Higher Education]] (MSCHE), the [[Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing]] (ACEN), the [[Council on Social Work Education]] (CSWE), the Accreditation Council for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA), the [[National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education]] (NCATE), and the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetic Education (CCDE).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.desu.edu/ncate-institution-report-overview|title=NCATE Institution Report Overview|publisher=Delaware State University|year=2009|access-date=August 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008162028/http://www.desu.edu/ncate-institution-report-overview|archive-date=October 8, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bnrwebprod.desu.edu/dsu/kiosk/docs/2008-2009_GR_Catalog.pdf|title=Graduate Catalog – Accreditations and Institutional Memberships|publisher=Delaware State University|year=2009|access-date=July 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019110808/https://bnrwebprod.desu.edu/dsu/kiosk/docs/2008-2009_GR_Catalog.pdf|archive-date=October 19, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The university's College of Business is accredited nationally and internationally by the [[Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business]] (AACSB).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aacsb.net/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?Site=AACSB&WebKey=00E50DA9-8BB0-4A32-B7F7-0A92E98DF5C6|title=Schools Accredited in Business|publisher=The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business|year=2011|access-date=August 8, 2012|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612154735/https://www.aacsb.net/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?Site=AACSB&WebKey=00E50DA9-8BB0-4A32-B7F7-0A92E98DF5C6|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Aviation program===
DSU's Aviation Program provides students with education and experience in preparation for careers in the [[aviation]] industry. Curricula in the program lead to a [[Bachelor of Science|B.Sc.]] degree with concentrations in Aviation Management or Professional [[Aviator|Pilot]]. Professional Pilot graduates will complete their [[Federal Aviation Administration]] (FAA) requirements for [[Private Pilot]], Instrument, Commercial, Multi-Engine and Certified Flight Instructor ratings while earning their bachelor's degree.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.desu.edu/aviation|title=The Aviation Program|publisher=Delaware State University|year=2009 |access-date=August 8, 2012}}</ref>

Delaware State operates the only full-service, university-based flight school in the mid-Atlantic area. The Aviation program is approved by the State of Delaware Education Department for Veterans Flight Training.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.desu.edu/professional-pilot|title=The Professional Pilot Program|publisher=Delaware State University|year=2009|access-date=August 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120202033306/http://www.desu.edu/professional-pilot|archive-date=February 2, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bestaviation.net/school/delaware_state_university/|title=Delaware Flight Schools – Delaware State University |publisher=Best Aviation|year=2011|access-date=August 8, 2012}}</ref>

===Research===
The institution has greatly increased its research endeavors over the past several years, as it has developed the research infrastructure needed to attract federal grants for projects in the following DSU Research Centers and in the sciences and mathematics:

*Applied Mathematics Research Center
*Center for Applied Optics
*Center for Research and Education in Optical Sciences and Applications (CREOSA) (a [[National Science Foundation]]-Center for Research Excellence (NSF-CREST))
*Center for Applied Optics for Space Science (CAOSS) (a [[National Aeronautics and Space Administration]] University Research Center (NASA-URC))<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.desu.edu/dsu-receives-5-million-nasa-research-grant |title=DSU Receives $5 million NASA research grant |publisher=Delaware State University |date=September 30, 2009 |access-date=September 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110917053730/http://www.desu.edu/dsu-receives-5-million-nasa-research-grant |archive-date=September 17, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*Delaware Center for Scientific and Applied Computation

===Rankings===
{{Infobox US university ranking
| USNWR_REG = 115 (north)
| Wamo_NU = 342
}}

DSU is ranked 8th among the [[Historically Black Colleges and Universities]] in the ''[[U.S. News & World Report]]'' (2023).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/delaware-state-university-1428/overall-rankings |title=Delaware State University Rankings|work=U.S. News & World Report |access-date=September 16, 2022}}</ref>

In 2018, the College of Business at DSU was named to the [[Princeton Review]]'s Best Business Schools for the tenth consecutive year (2009–2018).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.princetonreview.com/business/delaware-state-university-college-business-1041885|title=Delaware State University – College of Business|publisher=The Princeton Review and Random House|access-date=August 3, 2018}}</ref>

===Global connections===
The university has over thirty formal international partnerships with institutions in countries including China, Cuba, [[Egypt]], France, Italy, Japan, [[Korea]], Mexico, [[Nigeria]], Poland and the [[United Kingdom|UK]] which facilitate  research and conference collaborations as well as student exchanges.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.desu.edu/faculty-research-abroad|title=Faculty Research Abroad|publisher=Delaware State University|year=2009|access-date=August 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728065521/http://www.desu.edu/faculty-research-abroad|archive-date=July 28, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Student life==
{| class="wikitable floatright sortable collapsible"; text-align:right; font-size:80%;"
|+ style="font-size:90%" |Undergraduate demographics as of Fall 2023<ref>{{cite web |title= College Scorecard: Delaware State University|url=https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?130934-Delaware-State-University|website=College Scorecard |publisher=[[United States Department of Education]] |access-date=August 17, 2025}}</ref>
|-
! Race and ethnicity
! colspan="2" data-sort-type=number |Total
|-
| [[African Americans|Black]]
|align=right| {{bartable|75|%|2||background:purple}}
|-
| [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic]]
|align=right| {{bartable|8|%|2||background:green}}
|-
| [[Non-Hispanic whites|White]]
|align=right| {{bartable|7|%|2||background:cyan}}
|-
| [[Multiracial Americans|Two or more races]]
|align=right| {{bartable|6|%|2||background:violet}}
|-
| [[International student]]
|align=right| {{bartable|2|%|2||background:#008080}}
|-
| [[Asian Americans|Asian]]
|align=right| {{bartable|1|%|2||background:orange}}
|-
! colspan="4" data-sort-type=number |[[Economic diversity]]
|-
| [[American lower class|Low-income]]{{efn|The percentage of students who received an income-based federal [[Pell grant]] intended for low-income students.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|48|%|2||background:red}}
|-
| [[Affluence in the United States|Affluent]]{{efn|The percentage of students who are a part of the [[American middle class]] at the bare minimum.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|52|%|2||background:black}}
|}
=== Athletics ===
{{main|Delaware State Hornets}}

{{see also|Delaware State Hornets men's basketball|Delaware State Hornets football}}
[[File:Delaware State University Student Center.jpg|thumb|Delaware State University's Student Center]]
DSU [[College athletics|athletic]] programs participate in the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]]'s (NCAA)'s [[Division I (NCAA)|Division I]] ([[Football Championship Subdivision|FCS]] for football). The Hornets compete in the [[Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference]] as full members since the conference was founded in 1970.

The university's Department of Intramural Sports provides a wide variety of quality recreational programs for students, faculty and staff.

===Student organizations===
Delaware State has over 60 student organizations on campus including a Student Government Association (SGA), gospel choir, and The Approaching Storm Marching Band.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.desu.edu/student-life/student-organizations | title=Student Organizations | date=November 16, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.desu.edu/student-life/student-organizations/musical-groups | title=Musical Groups | date=November 17, 2016 }}</ref>

==Notable alumni==
{{more citations needed section|date=March 2013}}
{{AlumniStart}}
{{Alum|name=[[Reggie Barnes (running back)|Reggie Barnes]]|year=1988|nota=[[Canadian Football League]] [[running back]], various teams, 1990–1996}}
{{Alum|name=[[Clyde Bishop]]|year=1964|nota=[[United States Ambassador to the Marshall Islands|U.S. Ambassador to the Marshall Islands]], 2006–2009}}
{{Alum|name=[[Clifford Brown]]|nota|nota=[[trumpet]] [[virtuoso]], [[composer]], an influential and highly rated American  jazz musician}}
{{Alum|name=[[Robin Christiansen]]|year=|nota=mayor of Dover since 2014, city councilman from 1983 to 2001, and council president and vice mayor from 1990 to 2001|ref=<ref name=mayor>{{cite web|title=Mayor|publisher=City of Dover, Delaware|url=https://www.cityofdover.com/mayor|access-date=August 28, 2018}}</ref>}}
{{Alum|name=[[Emanual Davis]]|year=1991|nota=former NBA player for the [[Atlanta Hawks]] and [[Seattle SuperSonics]]}}
{{Alum|name=[[Wayne Gilchrest]]|year=1973|nota=[[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Representative]] for [[Maryland's 1st congressional district]], 1990–2009}}
{{Alum|name=[[LaToya Nkongolo]]|year=2000|nota=[[Maryland General Assembly]] delegate for [[Maryland Legislative District 31|District 31]], 2025-present}}
{{Alum|name=[[Jamaal Jackson]]|year=2003|nota=[[National Football League]] [[offensive lineman]], [[Philadelphia Eagles]], 2003–2010}}
{{Alum|name=[[Shaheer McBride]]|year=2008|nota=[[National Football League]] [[wide receiver]]}}
{{Alum|name=[[Darnerien McCants]]|year=2001|nota=[[National Football League]] [[wide receiver]]}}
{{Alum|name=[[Rod Milstead]]|year=1992|nota=[[National Football League]] [[offensive lineman]], [[Dallas Cowboys]] 1992, [[Cleveland Browns]] 1992–1993, [[San Francisco 49ers]] 1994–1997, [[Washington Redskins]] 1998–1999, [[Denver Broncos]] 2000}}
{{Alum|name=[[Sam Shepherd (basketball)|Sam Shepherd]]|year=1975|nota=represented Venezuela in [[basketball at the 1992 Summer Olympics]]|ref=<ref name="Philly19920703">{{cite news|url=http://articles.philly.com/1992-07-03/sports/26027117_1_venezuelans-el-mago-delaware-state|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131218080538/http://articles.philly.com/1992-07-03/sports/26027117_1_venezuelans-el-mago-delaware-state|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 18, 2013|first=Diane|last=Pucin|title=Venezuelans Bring Some Of Their Own Magic To The Fray|work=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=July 3, 1992|access-date=December 13, 2013}}</ref><ref name=sref>{{cite web|title=Sam Shepherd bio, stats, and results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/sh/sam-shepherd-1.html |publisher=[[Sports Reference]] |access-date=May 24, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404223141/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/sh/sam-shepherd-1.html |archive-date=April 4, 2012 }}</ref>}}
{{Alum|name=[[John Taylor (American football)|John Taylor]]|year=1986|nota=[[National Football League]] [[wide receiver]], [[San Francisco 49ers]], 1987–1995}}
{{Alum|name=[[Walter Tullis]]|nota=[[National Football League]] [[wide receiver]], [[Green Bay Packers]]}}
{{Alum|name=David G. Turner|year=1986|nota=executive, [[Bank of America]], recognized by ''[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]'' magazine in 2002 as one of the "50 most powerful black executives in America"}}
{{Alum|name=Ralph Wesley|year=2003|nota=public address announcer for the [[Washington Wizards]]|ref=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hbcudigest.com/2010/09/delaware-state-alum-ralph-wesley-named-washington-wizards-pa-announcer/ |title=Delaware State Alum Ralph Wesley Named Washington Wizards' P.A. Announcer |publisher=HBCU Digest |date=September 17, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100919022921/http://www.hbcudigest.com/2010/09/delaware-state-alum-ralph-wesley-named-washington-wizards-pa-announcer/ |archive-date=September 19, 2010 |url-status=usurped }}</ref>}}
{{Alum|name=[[Kailyn Lowry]]|year=2017|nota=''[[16 and Pregnant]]'', ''[[Teen Mom 2]]''}}
{{Alum|name=[[SZA]]|nota= [[Grammy Awards|Grammy Award]]-winning [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] singer|year=2012}}
{{AlumniEnd}}

==Notes==
{{noteslist}}

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite web|year=2005|url=http://www.desu.edu/dsu/history.php|title=Delaware State University Accreditation (History)|publisher=Delaware State University|access-date=May 22, 2006 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060206105710/http://www.desu.edu/dsu/history.php |archive-date = February 6, 2006}}

==External links==
{{Category commons}}
*{{official website}}
*[http://www.dsuhornets.com/ Delaware State Athletics website]

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