Lori Meadows
Delaware State University, originally established as a college for coloured students in 1891, has had a long history as one of America's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The university, which became racially integrated in the 1950s, has seen a diverse student body in recent years, with an 11% white student population in 2015. This percentage is just about average for HBCUs across the country, with white enrollment at these institutions ranging from 10 to 13% over the last 20 years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of establishment | 1891 |
| Original name | Delaware College for Colored Students |
| Year of name change to State College for Colored Students | 1893 |
| Year of name change to Delaware State College | 1947 |
| Year of name change to Delaware State University | 1993 |
| Year of first accreditation | 1945 |
| Year of accreditation revocation | 1949 |
| Year of reaccreditation | 1957 |
| Year of first white student enrolment | 1950s |
| Current total student population | 5,826 |
| Percentage of white students | 9.59% |
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What You'll Learn
- Delaware State University was established in 1891 as a college for coloured students
- The college's name was changed to the State College for Coloured Students in 1893
- The university's diverse student body reflects the nation's racial evolution
- The university has a history of segregation and inadequate state support
- In 1957, the university gained full accreditation and began to integrate
Delaware State University was established in 1891 as a college for coloured students
Delaware State University was established on May 15, 1891, as the Delaware College for Coloured Students. It was founded by the Delaware General Assembly under the provisions of the Morrill Act of 1890, which facilitated the creation of land-grant colleges for Black students in states that maintained separate educational facilities. The college's campus, which spanned 95 acres, was established just north of Dover, the capital of Delaware.
The college was racially segregated and initially focused on teacher and agricultural training. Students could study five majors leading to a baccalaureate degree, and in 1898, the college awarded its first degrees. In 1893, the college's name was changed to the State College for Coloured Students to avoid confusion with the University of Delaware, a private college for white students in Newark, Delaware.
In the following decades, the college continued to expand its academic offerings. In 1944, it received provisional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and in 1947, its name was changed to Delaware State College. However, its accreditation was revoked in 1949, and it was not until 1957 that it regained full accreditation.
Over time, Delaware State University has evolved from a segregated institution to one that embraces diversity. In the 1950s, the university entered a new period marked by integration and improved financial support. Today, while it remains one of the country's premier historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), it serves a diverse student population, with an increasing number of Caucasian, Hispanic, Asian, and international students.
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The college's name was changed to the State College for Coloured Students in 1893
The college that would become Delaware State University was established on May 15, 1891, as the Delaware College for Colored Students by the Delaware General Assembly. The college was established to provide education exclusively for black students. In 1893, the college's name was changed to the State College for Coloured Students by state legislative action. This change was made to eliminate confusion with Delaware College, a separate institution attended by white students in Newark, Delaware.
The State College for Coloured Students was one of many colleges established following the passage of the Morrill Act of 1890, which granted land for the creation of public colleges for African Americans. The college's campus opened in 1892, and initially, no degrees were offered. Instead, students could study five majors leading to a baccalaureate degree. The college's focus was primarily on teacher and agricultural training. In 1898, the college awarded its first degrees, and in the same year, the first class of certified teacher candidates graduated.
In the early 20th century, the college expanded its curriculum to include courses in agriculture, mechanic arts, and domestic arts. In 1945, the college received provisional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. In 1947, the college changed its name to Delaware State College, and in 1993, it became Delaware State University. Today, Delaware State University is the state's only historically black school, and it continues to promote diversity and inclusion on its campuses. The university has a student population of around 3,700 to 4,000, with three-quarters of African American students and an 11% white student population.
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The university's diverse student body reflects the nation's racial evolution
Delaware State University has a long history as one of America's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Established in 1891 as the Delaware College for Coloured Students, the university has reflected the nation's racial evolution over the past 125 years.
The university was founded as a segregated educational institution for African Americans, following the passage of the Morrill Act of 1890, which provided land grants for the establishment of public colleges for Black students. The campus opened in 1892, and the school's name was changed to the State College for Coloured Students in 1893 to distinguish it from the predominantly white Delaware College in Newark, Delaware.
Over time, the university underwent several name changes, becoming Delaware State College in 1947 and, finally, Delaware State University in 1993. The university's history can be divided into two distinct periods. The first period, which lasted until the 1950s, was marked by segregation and inadequate state support. The second period, which began in the 1950s, marked the beginning of integration and improved financial support.
In the 1970s and 1980s, total enrollment at HBCUs, including Delaware State University, increased due in part to white students. In 1987, the first year that the National Center for Education Statistics began collecting data, white enrollment at Delaware State University was 41%. However, in recent years, the percentage of white students at the university has decreased, with about 11% of the student body being white as of 2015.
Today, Delaware State University serves a diverse student population, with a growing number of Caucasian, Hispanic, Asian, and international students joining the historically Black student body. The university's diverse student body reflects the nation's changing demographics and its evolution towards greater racial diversity and inclusion. The university's current population includes a 65% African American enrollment, with the remaining students representing a range of racial and ethnic backgrounds.
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The university has a history of segregation and inadequate state support
Delaware State University, originally established as the Delaware College for Colored Students, has a long history of segregation and inadequate state support. The college was founded in 1891 as a segregated institution for the education of Black students, specifically.
The university's history can be divided into two periods, according to Carlos Holmes, a spokesman for the university. The first period was marked by segregation and a lack of support from the state. During this time, the university operated as a separate institution for Black students, reflecting the racial segregation prevalent in the nation at the time. The university faced challenges and inadequate funding, which likely contributed to its struggles.
The second period, beginning in the 1950s, marks the start of integration and significantly improved financial support. In 1950, several Black students challenged the University of Delaware's refusal to accept Black applicants, leading to a chancery court decision that opened the doors of the state's flagship university to Black students. While this decision did not overturn the "separate but equal" standard set by the U.S. Supreme Court, it acknowledged the gross disparity between the two schools. This likely contributed to the increasing integration and improved financial support for Delaware State University.
In recent years, Delaware State University has embraced diversity and actively moved away from its segregated past. In 2015, the university's student population was about 4,000, with 11% of the students being white. This shift towards diversity is a result of increased integration and improved access to higher education for all students. The university's current population includes a significant African-American enrollment of around 65% and a growing number of Caucasian, Hispanic, Asian, and international students.
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In 1957, the university gained full accreditation and began to integrate
Delaware State University was established on May 15, 1891, as the State College for Colored Students. The college was racially segregated and focused on teacher and agricultural training. In 1945, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education awarded the college provisional accreditation, which was revoked in 1949.
In 1957, the university gained full accreditation again and began to integrate. This was a significant turning point for the university, marking the beginning of a new era characterised by integration and improved financial support. The university's accreditation was reaffirmed by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education in subsequent years, including 1962, 1972, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, and 2022.
In the following decades, the university experienced an increase in total enrollment, including white students. In 1976, white student enrollment stood at 18 per cent, and in 1987, the first year that the National Center for Education Statistics collected data, white enrollment was recorded at 41 per cent.
Today, Delaware State University has a diverse student population, with approximately 4,000 students, 11 per cent of whom are white. The university offers a blend of historical and modern experiences, with centuries-old buildings and cutting-edge research in various fields.
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Frequently asked questions
Delaware State University was established on May 15, 1891, as the State College for Colored Students.
While the university has been a historically black college, it has been welcoming a diverse student body for nearly 125 years. In 1987, the first year that the National Center for Education Statistics began collecting data, 41% of the student population was white.
The most recent data from 2022 shows that the student population is 64.7% Black or African American, 9.59% White, 7% Hispanic or Latino, 5.8% Two or more races, 0.91% Asian, 0.154% American Indian or Alaska Native, 0.0172% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 8.17% did not report their race.
The total enrollment at the university in 2022 was 5,826 students, with 4,740 full-time students and 1,086 part-time students.
Delaware State University had a total enrollment of 5,826 students in 2022, with an acceptance rate of 35% for first-time students who submitted SAT scores with their applications.
