Delaware State University (DSU) gave out 750 diplomas during the historically Black university’s 134th commencement ceremony on May 12.
According to local news stationWBOC, that is the highest number of individuals to graduate in one class in the college’s more than 125-year history. The spring graduating class also set another record by producing 238 honor students, which is 20 more than the previous record set in May 2018.
Rep. Alma Adams (D-North Carolina), an advocate for HBCUs, was the keynote speaker at the historic graduation.
“It is important for you to remember how you got here,” the three-term congresswoman told graduates. “If it had not been for the Lord on your side, had it not been for preparation meeting opportunities, you could have been some place else.”
After her speech, Adams and Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Delaware), the first African-American and first woman to represent Delaware in Congress, were presented with honorary doctoral degrees.
The graduates were urged to continue the legacy of their alma mater by Devona Williams, chairperson of the DSU Board of Trustees.
“You are the first generation who have grown up totally immersed in a world of digital technology, putting the whole world and a world of information at your fingertips,” Williams said. “While social media has helped to shape your identities, remember that you are creative and collaborative. We are counting you to use your technological savviness, your creativity and educational skills to make the world a better place politically, socially, economically and culturally.”
