Alumni highlights LOOCKERMAN HALL OPEN HOUSE From left, Carlene Jackson ’76, Nathaniel Delesline ’94 and Janice Hyland ’69, representing the Kent County Chapter of the DSU Alumni Association, were among the alumni who hosted the fourth annual Loockerman Hall Holiday Open House in early December. The event is hosted by the DSUAA’s Kent, New Castle and Sussex County chapters. Chapter Notes Greater Hampton Roads Alumni Chapter HIGHLIGHTS The DSU Athletic Boosters, alumni and friends joined Greater Hampton Roads Alumni Chapter members at a football pregame mixer Oct. 26 on the Hampton University campus. Among those in attendance were members Al Weal ’74, Jayne Carr-Alexander ’89, Frankie Manley ’79 and Armetris Howard ’78. President of the Athletic Boosters Constance Hall ’92 and several members traveled to the game on a Boosters-sponsored bus. Also traveling with the group was Director of Alumni Relations Lorene Robinson. CHAPTER MEETINGS The Greater Hampton Roads Alumni Chapter meets every other second Saturday at 1 p.m. at Dudley’s Driving Center, 2845 N. Armistead Ave. in Hampton, Va. Conference call meetings are held every other second Tuesday at 8 p.m. (Free call-in number: 559.546.1000. Participant access code: 251316#). Questions? Contact Chapter President Al Weal Jr. at [email protected]. Kent County Alumni Chapter HIGHLIGHTS Kent County Alumni Chapter activities for the 20132014 year include: ALUMNI ON CAMPUS GROUP MEETS MONTHLY The Alumni on Campus — 129 faculty and staff members who are not only graduates of Delaware State University, but are also employed by DSU — meets on the third Tuesday of each month usually following the President’s Staff Forum. Active for just over a year, the group formed in an effort to promote Hornet Pride, to model the University’s Core Values and to Be Counted — giving of their dollars and time in an effort to support students. On Nov. 19, the group hosted its first Holiday Luncheon prepared by Hospitality and Tourism Management majors in the College of Business. President Harry L. Williams attended the luncheon, thanked the members for their commitment and provided University updates. Some of those who attended the luncheon are pictured above. SAVE THE DATE 2014 DSUAA annual meeting and elections Saturday, May 10, 2014 26 The Echo www.desu.edu Fall/Winter 2013 • • • • University. This activity was also supported by the DSU National Alumni Association. • Community outreach included the donation of 12 Thanksgiving baskets to Delaware Hospice to aid needy families. President: Philip Sadler ’62 Vice President: William Torian ’77 Recording Secretary: Eutrice Augustus ’02 Corresponding Secretary: Heather Adams ’00 Treasurer: Veronica Hopkins ’96 Chaplain: Geraldine Jones ’61 • In partnership with the DSU Athletic Boosters Club, the chapter sponsored a post-game reception after the Nov. 23 home football game vs. Morgan State 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Martin Luther King Jr. Student Center Registration begins in March Members may look for materials via electronic or standard mail. For information, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 302.857.6050. The New Castle County Alumni Chapter meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. at DSU@ Wilmington on Kirkwood Highway. Contact New Castle County Alumni Chapter President Theressa W. “Tessie” Holmes at 302.229.5909 or [email protected]. Philadelphia Alumni Chapter CHAPTER MEETINGS Philadelphia Alumni Chapter meetings are usually held the first Saturday of the month at 10 a.m. at Bromley House Apartments, 6901 Old York Road, “B” Building Library. Questions? Contact Chapter President Dr. Jillian Inge at [email protected]. The Kent County Alumni Chapter meets the fourth Monday of the month at 7 p.m. on the DSU campus in Room 104 in the Agriculture Annex Building. Questions? Contact Chapter President Philip Sadler at philsad@ comcast.net. New Castle County Alumni Chapter HIGHLIGHTS More than 25 alumni and friends attended the New Castle County Alumni Chapter’s meet and greet membership event Nov. 16. New Chapter President the Rev. Theressa “Tessie” Webster Holmes ’78 presided over the gathering at the new DSU@Wilmington location on Kirkwood Highway. Among those in attendance were Immediate Past Chapter President Ned W. Brown Jr. ’71, current Vice President Keith Dorman and his wife, alumna Claudia Dorman ’74, and longtime members Jerome Pinkett ’61, Michael Davis ’67 and Irene Jones ’64. Special guest Women’s Basketball Head Coach Tamika Louis was the keynote speaker. Director of Alumni Relations Lorene Robinson also attended and brought greetings on behalf of the University. President: Dr. K. Bernard Chase ’72 [email protected] Vice President: Sheila M. Davis ’01 [email protected] Recording Secretary: Theadora White ’98 [email protected] Assistant Recording Secretary: Janet Williams-Coger ’73 [email protected] Treasurer: J. Cagney France ’65 [email protected] Assistant Treasurer: Joy C. Hopkins-Keita ’99 [email protected] CHAPTER MEETINGS • The chapter awarded a $1,000 scholarship to a Kent County high school student entering DSU. • The chapter hosted its annual summer membership cookout in August. CHAPTER MEETINGS • The chapter plans a post-holiday membership mixer Jan. 17, 2014. Kent County Alumni Chapter officers: Elected National Officers Sussex County Alumni Chapter Alumni Representatives: Leonard Hudson ’71 (2012-14) [email protected] HIGHLIGHTS The Sussex County Alumni Chapter hosted its fourth annual Holiday Dinner Dance and Scholarship Fundraiser on Dec. 7 at the Millsboro Town Center. The chapter is grateful for those who came out to support the event, including members of the Philadelphia, New Castle and Kent County chapters. President Harry L. Williams, in attendance with his wife, Dr. Robin Williams, thanked the chapter for hosting the fundraiser and for pulling together alumni and supporters in lower Delaware. Also at the event, the chapter honored Sussex Countians the Rev. Claudia Water, Jane Hovington, Darryl Burton ’75, Dr. Sabrina Neal ’90, Greg Fuller, Greg Short and Cartina Church for community leadership. CHAPTER MEETINGS The Sussex County Alumni Chapter meets the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Old Landing 11 Community Center, 400 Wilson St. in Millsboro, Del. Questions? Contact Chapter President Robert Draine at 302.947.4580 or [email protected]. The chapter’s new mailing address is PO Box 108, Millsboro, DE 19966. Bernard W. Carr ’77 (2013-2015) [email protected] Chaplain: Kelley R. Jones ’02 [email protected] Parliamentarian: Dr. Reba Hollingsworth ’49 [email protected] Chairman of Nominating Committee: Albert S. Weal Jr. ’74 [email protected] Immediate Past President: Deidre Y. Ottley ’90 [email protected] JOIN THE DSUAA Visit dsuaa.com to become a member. Jason A. Allen Degrees from DSU: • Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Business (2003) • Master of Business Administration (2004) What is your favorite DSU memory? Allen has been a senior environmental specialist with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) since January 2005. Under the Site Remediation Program within the NJDEP, he identifies, locates and links responsible parties to contaminated sites throughout New Jersey via responsible party searches and informs them of their obligation to comply with state site remediation laws in an attempt to decrease the threat of contamination to public health and safety, and the environment. I have two favorite memories. The first was move-in day — I’ll never forget moving in on the first day as a freshman ... it felt just like home! The second was a study abroad research trip to Namibia (Africa). I always read about Africa, but never thought I would actually experience it, and DSU provided a way for it to happen. While working full-time, Allen pursued his second master’s degree in Environmental Policy Studies at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, graduating in 2009. Since 2008, he has also worked for a military contractor as a Civilian on the Battlefield (COB), assisting the military with training exercises for military personnel prior to their departure for upcoming assignments abroad. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: In 2010, Allen was elected to the Pemberton Township (N.J.) Town Council for a four-year term and is the youngest African-American in township history to serve on the council. In July 2013, he was honored by the Burlington County Times as one of its “Forty Under 40.” He was described as one of Burlington County’s “best and brightest rising stars” as a result of his career achievements, local leadership and community service. How did your DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY education help you to meet your goals? I initially enrolled as an undeclared major because, unlike many, I had no idea what I wanted to be when I “grew up.” Shortly after being on campus, I started researching the environmental field and selected Agriculture Business as my major. This would provide me with a great foundation in the fast-growing environmental field and satisfy my desire to learn more about business management. What do you miss about DSU? DSU really allows students to learn while developing character simultaneously, so I would say I miss that balance of receiving a good, quality education and having fun while doing so. The focus should always be about education; however, you want to be wellrounded and be able to grow in other areas as well. DSU provides that opportunity with a fresh and vibrant campus life. How were you involved on campus as a student? One of the many good things about DSU is there is always a variety of academic and social activities to participate in. ... I was able to be part of different business organizations and agriculture groups that pertained to my major. In addition to the classroom learning experience, those organizations really provided extracurricular growth and networking opportunities. Also, there is a very active and involved fraternity and sorority community on campus, so I was able take part in some great mentoring programs, community service projects and campus activities (as a member of Kappa Alpha Psi). YOU COULD BE NEXT Do you have an interesting career, endeavor or undertaking? Share your story with us at alumni@ desu.edu to be considered for a future Q&A profile. ALUMNUS, TRUSTEE DAVID TURNER ’86 GIVES CONVOCATION ADDRESS David G. Turner ’86, vice chairman of the Delaware State University Board of Trustees, encouraged students to do well at DSU during his fall 2013 Opening Convocation keynote address. “A lot of people invested a great deal to enable you to be here. Your family is counting on you to do well; but don’t worry, you were created for a time such as this,” Turner said. “Show them what you can do.” During his address, Turner also shared his life story that began growing up as a “military brat” and continued as a student at DSU, as well as his professional life chapters as an executive at Gateway Company, Bank of America, and his founding of Sovereign Partners Consulting LLC. Turner graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Mathematics from thenDelaware State College in 1986. He later earned a Master of Information Sciences from Farleigh Dickinson University and became an alumnus of the Dartmouth-Amos Tuck Executive MBA Program in Hanover, N.H. Class Notes q&a CURRENT JOB: In Memoriam John E. Bush, Ph.D., of Bratenahl, Ohio, recently published his third book, Them Birds Are in Your Garden and Other Vignettes, with Xlibris publishing company. Bush earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Delaware State University, a Master of Science in Education from Westminster College, and a Master of Arts and a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Pittsburgh. He taught at College Misericordia, Westminster College and the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, from which he retired in 1996. He also published Changing Circumstances — Poems for Our Times in 2008 and My Father’s Faith in 2010. in New Brunswick, N.J. Horace was selected for his “unyielding commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for young people, distinguished leadership in both the public and private sector, and making a significant positive impact on (the) organization.” He was also cited for representing the core values and best of the organization in all his endeavors. Horace is currently vice president and chief security officer for FJC Security Services in Floral Park, N.Y. 1977 1994 FACULTY & STAFF Brenda L. Silvils was named Alumni of the Month in August by the DSU alumni Forever Friends Facebook Group and received the AKA Rho Mu Omega Chapter Outstanding Community Service Award in November. Silvils is president of BLS Consulting LLC, an independent information technology consulting business, and the founder/CEO of Free2Rise Educational Foundation Inc., which aims to enrich the lives of foster girls. Gunthar Stroman has made the uplift of the black community his lifelong work. He has published a book titled Just Trying to Maintain. Raymond Nutt Jr. Maintenance mechanic, 1985-1999 Oct. 31 Dr. Donald Brown Associate professor of English, 1996-2013 Nov. 11 1950 1983 Antionette Blake of Middletown, Del., a blogger of DeDivahDeals — Fashion and Fun after Fifty was recently honored by Delaware Today magazine with the Best of Delaware 2013, Reader’s Choice Best Blog (Upstate) Award. Blake is a product influencer, new and small business reviewer as well as a volunteer instructor for The Money School of Delaware, where she teaches Blogging 101 and Blogging for Small Business classes. She has been employed in Corporate America for more than 28 years, is married to Gregory ’81, and has two sons. 1985 Matthew Horace is to be honored by 100 Black Men of New Jersey Inc. with the organization’s LEGACY Rising Star Award on Dec. 31 during a New Year’s Eve gala held YOU can be featured in an Echo Class Note 2003/2010 Shannon Remsburg-Lapinsky earned her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Wilmington University in August 2013. We sorrowfully acknowledge the following deaths within the DSU family and extend heartfelt condolences to their survivors. ALUMNI Elva Stanley Moore ’50 Robyn Skinner ’83 Albert Pettyjohn ’68 Ralph Sassaman ’84 Awele Olisemeka ’11 Margaret Chandler Gardley ’65 Gerald Leichliter ’85 Herman Floyd Dickerson ’78 Nathan “Doc” Hill ’52 Aug. 11 Aug. 12 Aug. 27 Sept. 4 Sept. 16 Sept. 22 Oct. 6 Nov. 14 Dec. 8 Note: Death notices sent to the Office of Alumni Relations must be accompanied by a creditable piece of documentation such as a news clipping, death certificate or funeral program. 2007/2010 Amystique Y. Harris Church has been inducted into DOARS (Documenting Our Atlantic Region’s Success) in recognition of the work she does in her career, sorority and community. approach to pilot certification. Reigle received a Master of Business Administration degree from DSU and is an assistant professor in the Aviation Program. 2011 Hans Reigle completed one year of service as a member of the ARAC ATST WG (Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee Airman Testing Standards and Training Working Group) for the Federal Aviation Administration. The group updated FAA knowledge testing standards and guidance material in addition to providing recommendations for a comprehensive Airman Certification System based on the integrated Airman Certification Standards ALUMNI HELP TO WELCOME CLASS OF 2017 A group of alumni and friends provided warm smiles and assistance to students and their parents during Fall 2013 Move-In Day activities, including Ned Brown Jr. ’71, Bernard Carr ’77, Stephanie Collick ’02, Brenda Farmer ’99, Jerome Foster ’94, Dr. Jillian Inge ’99, Waynne H. Paskins ’69, Cheryl Trawick ’72, and volunteers Donnell Carr and Jean Philips. Alumni assist annually with this event. Would you like to help next year? Please contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 302.857.6050. Do you have something exciting to report to your fellow alumni? Share your news in The Echo. Email [email protected] | visit www.desu.edu/echo-form Fall/Winter 2013 www.desu.edu The Echo 39