Dr. Tony Allen (left), president of Delaware State University, poses with an attendee at the 16th annual HBCU Philanthropy Symposium.
In mid-July, Delaware State University hosted the 16th annual HBCU Philanthropy Symposium, attended by more than 300 participants. Among those in attendance were representatives of approximately half of the nation’s HBCU institutions as well as corporate, foundation and federal partners. The theme was Building HBCU Capacity in an Era of Disruption.
“Regardless of administration, there has been historical underfunding of HBCUs,” said Dr. Tony Allen, president of DSU. “Now, how we’ve had to adjust really has to do with fortifying our existing portfolio. That means being able to take advanta
Dr. LaShawne A. Pryor (right), interim vice president for institutional advancement, Delaware State University, stands with an honoree at the 16th annual HBCU Philanthropy Symposium.
Recently, DSU has been focused on state support, receiving nearly $100 million from the Delaware General Assembly, the largest amount of money received from the state in the university’s history. Allen said it shows that people in the locale DSU serves are committed to the university’s future. These funds enable the university to prepare for the influx of new students as well as be able to maximize modern technology.
“The biggest piece really was around collaboration,” said Dr. LaShawne A. Pryor, DSU interim vice president for institutional advancement. “Private philanthropy’s shift of what they termed a single site to looking to see how their support can impact a broader network of institutions and of students.”
Pryor said at the symposium there was much discussion about forming partnerships and looking at things collaboratively. “The goal and the sentiment was let’s come together and look at how we can form different partnerships with industry, with the private philanthropic community and address the challenges that are affecting all of us collectively,” he said. “How we build the HBCU ecosystem and community…and come together and not so much the silos of a single institution.”
South Carolina provides an example of collaboration. In 2022, the seven HBCUs in South Carolina formed the Institutes of Innovation and Information (SCIII, https://www.theeduledger.com/from-the-magazine/article/15295384/a-palmetto-state-partnership) with the aim of boosting state funding, attracting corporate partners and increasing scholarships and internship opportunities for students. Each college or university developed an institute that addressed an area of expertise. The South Carolina state legislature provided funding.
