Delaware State University finalizes acquisition of Wesley College
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Posted By: Kennedy Williams on July 01, 2021 Dover, DE – Delaware State University and Wesley College officials today executed the final agreement that turns over the 50-acre downtown campus to the University, completing a process begun a year ago. “This is an historic moment,” said Delaware State University President Tony Allen, speaking at a press conference on the Dover campus. “For us to become the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to acquire another institution of higher education in American history, and to do so during our own 130th Anniversary year, is an extraordinary achievement. Nor could we be any more pleased about adding the incredible Wesley brand legacy, so many continuing students, and dozens of dedicated employees to our own family.” William J. Strickland, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees at Wesley College, said that while saddened to see the end of Wesley College’s 147-year history, its legacy is in good hands. “I have spent the last year working closely with so many people at Delaware State University, and I can assure our community the commitment to support all former Wesley students and to maintain the core traditions of Wesley College is very real,” Mr. Strickland said. “What I would call on the Wesley family to do now is not to stand on the sidelines, but embrace this change.” Allen also introduced the leadership team for the new Downtown DSU campus: ·Dr. Stacy Downing, Chief Administrative Officer for DSU Downtown. ·Dr. Terrell Holmes, Associate Vice President for DSU Downtown. ·Ms. Laura Mayse, Director of Development and Community Relations for DSU Downtown. Dr. Downing said there will be two major priorities over the next few months. “First, we want to honor and maintain the core traditions of Wesley College and have a strong, positive impact on Dover and Kent County,” she said. “The second priority will be the full occupation and use of facilities on the DSU Downtown campus, and that will involve renovating and occupying the facilities in stages. She added that the University plans to expand the Nursing Program facilities and move the University’s Early College High School to the DSU Downtown campus in the fall 2022. Another member of the DSU Downtown leadership team will be Dr. Gwen Scott-Jones, the founding Dean of the Wesley College of Health and Behavioral Sciences that will be based on that campus. Dr. Jones said her focus is on “having the faculty moved and energized on Day One. Delaware needs many more qualified health professionals, and we need to get down to the business of training them right now.” The Wesley College of Health and Behavioral Sciences will include the Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Social Work, Kinesiology, Psychology, and Allied/Public Health programs, as well as the Academy of Healing Trauma. The University has named the college after Wesley as a one of the ways it will preserve the school history and legacy. With the acquisition, Delaware State University will inherit 50 acres of land, 21 buildings and 14 academic programs. The University is also adding to its payroll 71 former Wesley’s faculty and staff members. To date, 387 former Wesley students have completed their registration to continue their academic journey at Del State. With another 85 students in the process of completing their registration, 77% of the former Wesley students have chosen to continue at Delaware State University. These new Del State students will experience a significant reduction in tuition cost. The annual cost of undergraduate attendance at Wesley was $43,000, compared to roughly $24,000 at DSU – which equals an annual saving of about $20,000. Two state legislators shared their thoughts about the acquisition at the press conference. State Sen. Trey Paradee observed, “What we are witnessing is history. I think we will look back on this day as a real inflection point in the history of DSU and the downtown Dover area,” State Sen. Trey Paradee. “It’s been a long road getting here, but this is probably going to go down as the greatest real estate transaction in Dover history. This is an incredible for the University and the State, as well as the students, present and future.” State Sen. Colin Bonini, a 1991 Wesley graduate, noted, “It’s obviously a little bittersweet for me, but I think this story in going to have a happy ending. Wesley College has always been in the business of changing lives, and so is Delaware State University. We have exciting times ahead.” Dr. Allen said the acquisition will enable Delaware State University to serve more students, increase its physical footprint, build on its key academic programs, grow its research portfolio, and enhance its economic impact locally and throughout the state. He added it will also give the University a stronger connection to the economic, social, and cultural life of downtown Dover. The acquisition of Wesley College represents a significant step toward our wildest dream – to become the most diverse, contemporary HBCU in the country,” Dr. Allen said. SOURCE: Delaware State University If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Kennedy Williams
From Loganville, GA Spelman College class of 2020 Member Since July 2016 |
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