Founded in 1891 under the Second Morrill Land-Grant Act as the State College for Colored Students, Delaware State University is a world-renowned public historically Black land-grant university (HBCU) located in Dover, Delaware. Spanning a 400-acre main campus in Delaware's capital city, DSU is celebrated for aviation flight training, agriculture, optics, social work, business analytics, and MEAC athletic traditions. You can explore its founding charter, land-grant origins, and campus development through the Delaware State University Wikipedia historical entry.
When you attend DSU, you enter a vibrant public HBCU focused on academic excellence, STEM innovation, and community leadership. Living in Dover places you inside Delaware's historic capital city surrounded by state policy centers, flight training facilities, and corporate hubs.
Premier Academic Programs
DSU hosts four specialized academic colleges delivering accredited undergraduate and graduate instruction across diverse fields:
- College of Aviation: Operates a modern flight fleet at Delaware Airpark, running the only university flight training program in the region. Explore degree options on the DSU College of Aviation portal.
- College of Business: AACSB-accredited business school famous for corporate finance, accounting, hospitality management, and marketing.
- College of Agriculture, Science and Technology: World-class research center for optics, plant genetics, agricultural science, and computer science.
- Wesley College of Health and Behavioral Sciences: Prepares clinical nurses, occupational therapists, and social work leaders.
"Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve, the foundational motto guiding Delaware State University student leadership."
Campus Culture and Mascot
Your daily student experience centers on the Pedestrian Mall, the William C. Jason Library, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Student Center. School spirit revolves around Too Fly, the energetic costumed Hornet mascot who leads student cheers during NCAA Division I Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference sports. You can read about spirit traditions and athletic programs on the official DSU Hornets Athletics portal. Cheering inside Alumni Stadium for football games, watching the famous Approaching Storm marching band, and joining over 100 student clubs creates an extraordinary campus culture.
Research Infrastructure and Optics Science
DSU operates an active doctoral research framework featuring state-of-the-art optical physics and biological research laboratories:
- Optical Science Center for Applied Research (OSCAR): World-class research facility conducting advanced studies in laser spectroscopy and imaging.
- Center for Integrated Biological and Environmental Research: Evaluates water quality, marsh ecology, and environmental toxicology. Learn more via DSU Research Operations.
- Neuroscience Research Center: NIH-funded facility investigating neuro-degenerative diseases, stroke recovery, and cellular biology.
Notable Alumni Legacy
You walk in the footsteps of Governors, NFL stars, corporate CEOs, and public servants, including:
- Clarence W. Blount: First African American Majority Leader of the Maryland State Senate who earned his degree at DSU.
- John Taylor: Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver and three-time Super Bowl champion who set collegiate records at DSU.
- David G. Turner: Corporate vice president and financial executive who served on global advisory boards after studying at DSU.
- S. Allen Counter: Renowned neuroscientist and Harvard professor who earned his Bachelor of Science at Delaware State.
DSU provides full tuition coverage for eligible Delaware undergraduate families through the Inspire Scholarship financial aid program. Review complete admission standards on the official DSU Admissions portal.