University Bible and Chain of Office

The underpinning of the growth and development of Delaware State University has been the leadership of its eleven Presidents, including Wesley P. Webb (1891 – 1895), William C. Jason (1895 – 1923), Richard S. Grossley (1923 – 1942), Dr. Howard D. Gregg (1942 – 1949), Dr. Oscar J. Chapman (1950 – 1951), Dr. Jerome H. Holland (1953 – 1960), Dr. Luna I. Mishoe (1960 – 1987), Dr. William B. DeLauder (1987 – 2003), Dr. Allen L. Sessoms (2003 – 2008), Dr. Harry L. Williams (2010 – 2017), Dr. Wilma Mishoe (2018 – 2019) and Dr. Tony Allen (2020 to present).

Dr. Maurice E. Thomasson served as Acting President from 1949 to 1950 and from 1951 to 1953. Dr. Claibourne D. Smith served as Acting President from September 2008 to January 2010. Dr. Wilma Mishoe served as Acting President from January 2018 to June 2018.

As a result of its Presidents’ efforts, the University is well positioned to reach new levels of prestige.

The University’s physical infrastructure has expanded from its 1891 beginning as a 100-acre property with three buildings to a beautiful 356-acre pedestrian main campus with more than 50 buildings and four outdoor athletic fields. The University also has locations in downtown Dover, Wilmington and Georgetown, DE, and two farm properties in Kenton and Smyrna, DE. The Airway Science Program maintains its fleet of planes and base of operation at the Delaware Air Park in Cheswold, DE, approximately five miles from the main campus.

Mission Statement

Rigorously leverage a proud HBCU legacy and commitment to excellence in every field of human endeavor to enhance the recruitment and preparation of talented professionals to contribute to a sustainable, global community.

Vision Statement

Delaware State University strives to become America’s most diverse, contemporary HBCU by expanding its capacity to provide a life-changing, high-quality, low-cost education to 10,000+ students; continuing our efforts to achieve R1 “very high research activity” status; and having a significant, measurable impact on the social, technological, and economic challenges that face our State, the nation, and the world.

Core Values

Community | Integrity | Diversity | Contemporary | Scholarship | Outreach

The University at a Glance

 46 undergraduate degree programs, 21 master’s degree programs and six doctoral degree programs  Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), as well as accredited or approved by nine specialized academic agencies  The William C. Jason Library houses more than 490,333 publications, including books, electronic materials, media materials and microbooks  210 faculty members | 17 academic departments  16:1 student-to-faculty ratio  Total enrollment in fall 2022: 5,649

International Representation

Members of the Delaware State University Class of 2022 are from the following countries:

Bahamas Bermuda Canada China Netherlands Nigeria Saudi Arabia Serbia Sweden Thailand